Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Barbara was a trifle nervous. Seated in our matchbox of a drawing room-cum-bedroom was a stocky man in a business suit. “This is my father.” It was easy to see where she had gotten her violet eyes.

“Mr. Kendall, how do you do, sir? I’m James Trevalyan.” I realised I still had the bag of groceries in one hand and the bouquet of flowers in the other. I stuffed the flowers into the bag and extended my hand to my father-in-law.

“Trevalyan.” He rose and shook my hand.

“He’s here to take me home, James.”

My mouth went dry, and I looked around for a flat surface on which to place the bag, using that as an excuse to do some furious thinking. How could he have found out about our marriage? “Darling?”

“I swear I didn’t wire Daddy!” However, she did look a trifle guilty.

“Barbara?”

“I…well, I wrote to Bootsy. She’s my best friend, and I swore her to complete secrecy!”

“It took a week and a half for the news to reach us,” her father remarked dryly.