THE STORY SO FAR: Midwife Becca Stone has been living with her father, Adrian, since the death of her mother four years ago. He says he wants her to leave home and have her own life, and that a room is vacant in her ex-boyfriend’s house. She broke up with Sam, a radiologist, when her mother fell ill, but they remained friends. She is persuaded to move in and when her dad comes to visit, he drops the bombshell that he’s taken early retirement and is leaving for Rome the next day. Sam, who has family in Rome, tells Adrian about the city. A couple of days later, Adrian sends Becca photos. One is of him sitting at a pavement table looking lovingly at whoever is taking the photo, and on the table in front of him is a bag from a high-end store. It sets alarm bells ringing in Becca’s head.
More photos from your dad?’ Sam asked as he got ready to leave for his late shift at the hospital. ‘What’s up? You don’t look happy.’
Stony-faced, she showed him. ‘Look at this. That bag on the table in front of him is from a high-end store. I don’t get it. I’ve never seen that coat he’s wearing before. Mum used to buy all his clothes and I had to take over after she died. He’s never been interested.’
She could hear how she sounded and she didn’t like it, but couldn’t help herself.
‘He got a good retirement package. Don’t begrudge him spending some of it,’ Sam said.
