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They passed through dark patches of mountain scrub, interspersed by white buildings, and very soon turned into a narrow winding lane.

It must be some place he’s taking us to, Debra thought with growing suspicion, but it was not until he stopped outside an impressive-looking villa that her fears increased.

‘We’re to live here?’ she queried doubtfully. ‘Who does it belong to?’

‘It’s mine,’ admitted Vane Oliver calmly. ‘The apartment I originally had in mind was not big enough for the two of you, and as this place can adequately accommodate us all, I ’

Debra cut him short. ‘1 might have known! It’s my guess you had this planned all along!’ She returned to the car. ‘We’re not staying. Get back in, Liz, this man’s nothing but a scheming, low-down, dirty rat!’ She was so annoyed she could have hit him.

But Liz had different ideas. ‘You’re a fool, Debra. It looks marvellous. Where else would we go? Rooms have always been short in Hong Kong. We’d end up in some flea-bitten shack. I vote we stay.’

‘You really have no choice,’ added Mr Oliver, watching her closely.

He was right, they hadn’t, but it took a long inner struggle with herself for Debra to admit it. ‘We’ll stay temporarily,’ she said, ‘until we can find somewhere else. There is some other person living in the house? We won’t be entirely alone with you?’

His lips quirked. ‘Scared about your virtue? You needn’t be, you’ll be perfectly safe. Lin Dai, my housekeeper, will make an adequate chaperone. Besides, no matter what you think, I’m not in the habit of luring attractive young women into my villa with the sole intention of seducing them.’

‘The thought never crossed my mind,’ flashed Debra. But it had, and what was more annoying, he knew it.

They passed through a walled courtyard with tubs brimful of flamboyant flowers, peach trees, grotesque stone dragons. Liz gasped, admiring it all, but Debra was too annoyed to give it anything more than a cursory glance.

The house itself was single-storied with a curving tiled roof and deep verandahs. It was in complete contrast to the new villas and apartments, which were like concrete boxes with square windows, uninspiring, ordinary.

This villa had clearly been designed by someone well versed in Chinese architecture. It was beautiful, and quite genuinely she envied him living here.

One could forget the hustle and bustle of the city, the overcrowded Chinese in their shanties and lean-tos. It was like an oasis in the desert.

Fleetingly she thought she would be a fool to give it up for a tiny apartment somewhere. But the idea of living with Vane Oliver, for however short a period, was abhorrent. Their stay must be temporary, even though she had practically fallen in love with the place.

Inside was as beautiful as out. Chinese furniture mingled happily with Western. Paintings by Chinese masters adorned the walls, precious Ming vases were displayed in glass-covered niches.

The girl who met them was dressed in the traditional
cheongsam,
the slim lines suiting her tiny body, the high side slits revealing neat shapely legs. Her dark hair was secured tightly at the back of her head, her slightly tilted eyes warm and smiling.

‘This is Lin Dai,’ said Vane. ‘She’ll make sure you’re comfortable.’

Somehow he had given the impression that his housekeeper was an older woman, not this beautiful vision who could be no more than thirty. All Debra’s misgivings returned and she glanced at her employer accusingly.

Forestalling her question, he said, ‘I will get your cases. If there’s anything you need you have only to ask.’

Debra clamped her lips. Liz danced on ahead, following the housekeeper along several corridors, clearly overjoyed at the thought of living in such a beautiful house.

Begrudgingly Debra followed. They were shown to neighbouring rooms, each with a single bed covered in oyster-coloured satin, cool white walls and elaborately carved Chinese furniture.

‘There’s a shower room leading off,’ the housekeeper informed them. Her English was a vast improvement on that of Mr Fu and unbidden came the thought that here was someone who could do the job she, Debra, was supposed to be doing.

But at least he had been truthful. He had admitted that the job of troubleshooter had been conjured up for her alone. She wondered why, why he had not been satisfied with her original application as a designer of his accessory range.

It did not make sense, but she knew there was no point in worrying about it—especially since it had meant her travelling out here. She loved the excitement, meeting new people, the fresh challenges. It was only Vane Oliver who caused her any unease.

The housekeeper continued, ‘If you prefer a bath there is a bathroom along the corridor. Would you like something to eat before you sleep?’

Both Liz and Debra shook their heads. ‘This is heavenly,’ said Liz, stretching her arms gracefully above her head, unconsciously provocative.

Vane chose that moment to walk in with their cases, glanced across at Liz, eyes narrowed, then in a deliberately cheerful voice. ‘Here you are, girls. Sleep as long as you like.’

He did not look in the least tired himself, which was annoying to say the least. Debra felt ready to drop and Liz had already sunk down on to her bed.

Both he and the housekeeper left and after ensuring Liz was all right Debra went into her own room. She took a quick shower and slid between the silken sheets, and in less than two minutes she was asleep.

To her amazement it was morning when she next woke. She felt better, completely refreshed—and ravenous. Popping her head round Liz’s door, she observed that the younger girl still slept. She smiled fondly. It would do her good.

She washed and dressed in a short-sleeved cotton dress of lemon yellow which accentuated her dark hair and complexion.

From her window she could see down the slopes of the Peak, towering blocks that looked as though they had sprung up overnight, the intense blue of the China Sea.

Hong Kong had changed, she had realised that yesterday. There were parts she did not recognise, where old buildings had made way for new. It still teemed with life, however, was vitally alive, overcrowded, happy, feverish. Debra loved it.

More happy than she had felt before going to bed, she made her way along the corridors until she found the breakfast room.

Vane Oliver sat at the table, an open newspaper before him and the remains of his meal to one side. He was freshly shaven and wore a white silk shirt open at the neck, revealing the brown column of his throat.

He smiled warmly. ‘You look better. How about Liz, or is she still sleeping?’

Debra nodded. ‘I thought I'd leave her.’

He poured her coffee from an elegant silver pot, his smouldering eyes watching her closely. It felt far too intimate, she decided, sitting with her employer like this. It was not at all what she had expected, but it was quite clear from his attitude that he was quite happy with the situation.

‘One free day before you begin your job,’ he said. ‘What would you like to do? Renew acquaintance with Hong Kong? I can drive you and Liz around the island, if that’s what you’d like. Or you can spend a lazy day here in the grounds. It’s very pleasant.’

She took a long sip of her coffee before answering. ‘I think I’d like to go and look for somewhere else to live,’ she said firmly. ‘Liz and I can’t put on you for too long.’

His eyes hardened fractionally. ‘That’s nonsense. You’re both welcome here for as long as you like, and you know it. Why don’t you give up your idea of moving?’

‘Because it’s not right,’ she snapped. ‘I’m old enough to look after myself, but Liz is easily influenced. You’ve already made quite an impression on her, in case you weren’t aware of it. I don’t feel that we should live in such close proximity. It can do nothing but harm.’

‘I think we should let Liz speak for herself,’ he said. ‘She’s not quite the ingénue you make out, I feel sure.’

Debra shot him a wide startled glance. ‘What makes you say that? What were you up to that day you came to our house?’ Her heart raced and every fear she had ever felt regarding this man came rushing to the surface.

‘I’m not sure I like the way your mind works,’ he said with swift aggression. ‘Do credit me with more sense than to involve myself with someone half my age. What I’m trying to say is that girls of seventeen in this day and age are not the precious little virgins they were twenty years ago. They get around a bit, they see life. Half of them are more experienced, I would say at a guess, than you.’

Debra ignored the innuendo to herself. ‘Not Liz,’ she asserted stoutly. ‘Don’t forget I’ve lived with her most of her life. I know exactly what makes her tick.’

He smiled at her outrage. ‘What interests me,’ he said slowly, ‘is what makes
you
tick. You’re a funny mixture, half woman, half child. One minute all businesslike and self-assured, the next temper out of control and saying things that I honestly don’t believe you mean.’

‘Like what?’ she demanded savagely.

‘Like the fact that you think I’m a bad influence on Liz. Let me tell you here and now, Debra Delaney, that I have no designs on your friend. If she romances a little, sees me as some sort of glamorous figure—well, it can’t be bad, can it? Especially if it will help her get over her parents’ death.’

‘And what happens when she realises her feelings are all one-sided? How do you think she’ll feel then? No, Mr Oliver, I reckon the quicker we’re out of here the better.’

‘And I think you’re exaggerating a situation that doesn’t exist,’ he retorted, quite angry now, his eyes more silver, his jaw firm. ‘Liz is ripe for romance, I’ll grant you that, anything to draw her out of her misery, but as for her and me, it’s ridiculous, and you have nothing more to go on than your own unfounded suspicions. You also have my word that I won’t lay one finger on her.’

Debra supposed she had to be satisfied with that, but it did not alter the fact that the sooner she was away from here the better. She would take every opportunity to look around for a place of their own.

They finished their meal in silence, Debra fuming inwardly over what she considered Vane’s offhand manner. He seemed to think that she was making a fuss about nothing. He had no idea how she worried about Liz.

Vane left the room before her. ‘Give me a shout if you want to go anywhere,’ he said. ‘I’ll be around.’

She did not even bother to answer. If she had her way she would go nowhere with him. He had tricked them into coming here to his villa and she was sure he had no intention of letting them go.

Quite what motive lay behind his planning she did not know, but it was not a situation which appealed to her. No man invited two girls to stay with him for no reason at all. He would need careful watching, especially where Liz was concerned.

Liz came in as she was about to leave, still wearing her nightdress over which she had slipped her dressing-gown. But it was unfastened, and Debra frowned.

‘We’re not at home now, Liz,’ she said sharply. ‘Please remember that there’s a man in the house. Go and get dressed at once.’

Liz yawned and stretched and looked at Debra rebelliously. ‘Don’t boss me about, Deb. I’m hungry, I want my breakfast first.’

Looking at her friend, Debra thought it was a good thing Vane had disappeared. With her blonde hair attractively tousled and a healthy pink flush to her cheeks, plus the fact that her semi-transparent nightdress revealed a firm young body, he would undoubtedly have had thoughts that would bode no good for Liz.

‘And I say get dressed first. For heaven’s sake, Liz, you don’t want Mr Oliver making a grab at you! Because that’s what will happen, I’m sure. He’s a virile man, but far too old, and don’t you forget it.’

Dimples appeared in Liz’s cheeks. 'I've already seen him. He gave me a good morning kiss, as a matter of fact.’

Debra’s lips tightened. So much for his promise! ‘You had no right letting him,’ she said fiercely. ‘Sit down. Just this once you can eat breakfast like that, but in future I insist you get dressed. Do you hear?’

Liz nodded and sat down sulkily. ‘You spoil all my fun.’

‘Fun!’ exploded Debra. ‘Playing around with the likes of Vane Oliver isn’t fun—it’s positively dangerous! You really irritate me, Liz. Only a few days ago you were still grieving, now here you are practically shoving yourself at my boss. I’m surprised at you, I really am. If your parents could see you now they’d give you the good hiding you deserve.’

Biting angrily into a piece of toast, Liz said, ‘I still miss Mummy and Daddy like hell, but you keep telling me life has to go on, so I’m doing my best to snap out of it.’

‘The transition period’s so swift, though, Liz, I can’t believe it. If you’re putting on a face you’re making a good job of it, but I don’t think you are, you’re not a good enough actress.

‘You think you’ve fallen for Vane Oliver, I’m sure. It’s something that happens to all girls your age—they fall in love with the unattainable, usually a pop star. But for God’s sake don’t throw yourself at him. That’s no way to solve your problems, you’re only inviting more heartache.’

Liz’s eloquent blue eyes looked across at her friend. ‘Vane and I had a long talk that day he came to the house. His own parents died when he was about my age, so he understands exactly how I feel. The only cure, he said, was to throw myself wholeheartedly into doing something. His ambition was to be a dress designer and he went all out to pass his exams and become a success.’

Debra eyed her steadily. ‘And what did he advise you to do?’

‘Firstly to get away,’ replied Liz, ‘and then to work as hard as I can at my school work. I told him 1 want to be a doctor, like Daddy, and he said he’ll help me all he can.’

Hence the hero-worship, thought Debra sadly, wondering why he had been so kind to a girl he had just met. She wished she could believe it was an innocent relationship, A true friend like Vane would do Liz good, make up in some way for the loss of her father. But if he was playing about, if his intentions were less than honourable .... Debra clenched her fists and counted to ten.