Waking with a jolt, Sophie sat bolt upright, looking frantically around. Seeing Paul coming through the door, she breathed a sigh of relief and then sank groggily back down.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked, walking across to put a glass of Coke on the bedside table.

‘Shitty,’ Sophie answered honestly, blinking up at him. She felt like she had the worst bug ever.

‘Language,’ Paul said, smiling tolerantly as he looked down at her. He wasn’t very impressed though, Sophie guessed, from the slight narrowing of his eyes.

‘Sorry,’ she said, attempting to lever herself up. She’d have to watch her mouth, she realised. The fact was, though, she did feel like shit. It must be the worst superbug ever. ‘Do you think I should maybe go to the doctor’s?’ she asked him, as he reached to help her.

‘I’ve rung them,’ he said. ‘They can’t prescribe antibiotics for flu bugs, unfortunately. You need to drink plenty of fluids though. Don’t worry, it’ll be out of your system soon, I promise. I’ve had it myself.’

Sophie nodded. She supposed he was right. And the fluids made sense. Her throat still felt like the bottom of a birdcage. She reached thirstily for her Coke.

Paul beat her to it. ‘Don’t want to have to strip that bed again, do we?’ He smiled and guided the glass to her mouth. ‘You should think about going without make-up,’ he said, watching as she took a huge glug. ‘Natural is so much nicer, don’t you think?’

Sophie managed a small, indulgent smile. Yeah, right, she thought.

‘You should lose the eyebrow stud, too,’ he said, nodding towards it as he placed the glass back on the table.

‘Why?’ She gawked up at him. She liked her stud. It had taken her ages to pluck up the courage to get it done, and it had hurt like hell, but she was quite proud of it.

‘Just a suggestion,’ Paul said. ‘If you’re hoping to get onto your veterinary course, they’re likely to frown upon it, for hygiene reasons.’

Oh. That gave Sophie pause for thought.

‘Plus, it does look a bit juvenile, to be honest,’ Paul added.

‘Does it?’ Sophie frowned. ‘I thought it looked pretty cool.’

Paul closed one eye and shook his head doubtfully. ‘Childish,’ he said. ‘I’d take it out if I were you, but that’s just my opinion.’

Not entirely convinced, Sophie reached for it, wincing as she pulled it out. He might be right, she supposed. She could always put it back in later.

‘Better,’ he said, nodding approvingly. ‘Much. Trust me. Now, will you be all right for a couple of hours, do you think? I have a seminar I have to head up at the local office. I shouldn’t be too long, though.’

‘I thought you were on leave,’ Sophie said, though she’d already guessed he was off somewhere, since he was wearing a grey business suit, crisp white shirt and red tie. He definitely looked dapper. Not as handsome as Justin though. She quashed an overwhelming sense of homesickness and wondered again where Luke’s little pink elephant had gone. Paul had said he hadn’t seen it but would ask his cleaner. Sophie hadn’t seen a cleaner, but then she’d been pretty zonked out for a while.

‘Seems I’m in big demand.’ Paul rolled his eyes. ‘My overseas investment knowledge is invaluable, apparently. There’s more Coke in the fridge, but drink plenty of water, too. That fizzy stuff’s no good for you. Way too much sugar. Don’t want to get fat, do you? I’ll make sure to get Diet Coke next time. Help yourself to anything else you fancy, obviously.’

‘Cheers,’ Sophie said. She actually was feeling marginally better – possibly well enough to have a potter around. She’d rather watch TV than lie around in here, and she could really use another shower.

‘Shouldn’t be too long,’ Paul said, heading for the door. ‘I’ll bring some Florida brochures back with me. That should be worth getting better for. Oh, and don’t forget to take your vitamins. I’ve left a couple next to your Coke.’