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She was tired, but not tired enough to fall asleep straight away, and when she heard Vane’s footsteps outside a few minutes later, she was instantly wide awake.

Fully alert now, she listened, heard a tap on Liz’s door, then it opening and closing, and soft muted voices, and then silence.

It could only mean one thing. Why else did a man go to a woman’s room in the middle of the night?

Cold with fear now, Debra sat bolt upright, her ears strained, listening. It was a long, long time before she heard him come out again.

She felt shocked, and angry, and sick, and perturbed
—and jealous!

The shock hit her like a blow. She
was
jealous, she really was. And the reason—the reason why she had been so against his relationship with Liz became suddenly very clear.

She was in love with Vane herself!

The realisation left Debra stunned. It was something which had simply never occurred to her. She had been convinced that her dislike of his association with Liz was because she was concerned for her friend’s virtue.

Perhaps it had been, in the beginning, perhaps it still was to a certain degree. She was convinced that his intentions were not serious, though.

He was thirty-six, still a bachelor, could have his choice of any woman with whom he came into contact—and they were considerable in his profession—so why pick a child like Liz?

It was her guess that he was amusing himself and her friend was going to fall hard, unless it was stopped right now before it went any further. It could be too late, of course. His going to Liz’s room tonight told its own story.

As Liz would not listen to reason there was only one other solution—and that was to attract Vane to herself. It was a risk and a gamble, she could get hurt in the process, but if it would save Liz more heartache it would be worth it.

The plan appealed to her. loving Vane as she did, and she had no doubt that he would be a willing, if unsuspecting, partner.

She did not want a mere affair, though, she wanted him to fall in love, the deeper the better, and then she would drop him like a red-hot brick.

It was dawn when she finally fell asleep and to her disgust almost midday when she awoke. Lin Dai informed her that Miss Freeman and Mr Oliver had driven over to Repulse Bay for an hour’s swimming before lunch.

Sick with jealousy, Debra paced the house like a caged animal, listening for the sound of his car, angry with herself for caring but unable to do anything about it.

It was almost five when they finally returned. They both looked happy, but Liz’s face held a slightly guarded expression and Debra guessed she was wondering whether she knew about their clandestine midnight meeting.

Endeavouring to hide her true feelings, Debra smiled. ‘Had a good day, you two? You certainly look as though you have.’

Liz smiled guiltily. ‘We were going to ask you to come with us, but you were so sound asleep I said it would be a shame to wake you.’

Debra was not sure she believed this. ‘I’m surprised you woke so early yourself,’ she said, ‘after your late night.’ She put deliberate emphasis on the 'late’, and was disappointed when she got no reaction from either of them.

‘I’m going to have a rest before dinner,’ said Liz. ‘I’m not as fit as I thought I was. That Hong Kong tummy sure takes it out of you.’

‘And Debra and I will have tea on the verandah,’ said Vane. ‘You can tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself today.’

Going nuts, she could have said, but she smiled weakly and followed him outside.

Lin Dai brought their tea in delicate china cups decorated with red and gold dragons, and a plate of tiny rice cakes, which Vane ate with relish. Debra did not feel like eating, the mere thought of food choked her.

When Vane pursued his interest in what she had been doing, Debra said caustically, ‘Nothing. What could I do on my own?’

Thick brows rose mockingly. ‘Sounds like you're peeved because we went out without you.’

Debra sipped her tea, but silent for a moment or two. ‘Because Liz went out,’ she said at length, ‘that’s all. I had hoped to spend some time with her this weekend. I hardly see her when I’m working.’

‘Because I take her out most nights?’ he questioned deliberately, eyes watchful. ‘I hope you’re not trying to tell me that I should take you as well. There’s a subtle difference in our relationship.’

His insinuation hurt, as he had meant it to, but as only last night she had reminded him that they were nothing more than boss and employee she could not very well dispute his statement now. ‘I meant nothing of the sort,’ she said tightly.

‘Good,’ he replied coldly. ‘I’m glad that's sorted out. In case I forget myself in future perhaps you'll remind me.’

Debra eyed him guardedly, not sure whether he was mocking. With Vane in this frame of mind it was certainly going to be difficult to put her plan into action. She would have to wait until he was in a more mellow mood.

He finished the cakes and drank his tea, refusing a second cup. Sitting back, he closed his eyes.

‘You don’t have to stay with me,’ she said bitterly, when she could stand his silent presence no longer. ‘I’m quite sure there must be something you’d rather be doing.’

At first she thought he was not going to answer, or he could have fallen asleep in the warm sunshine. Then she realised he was watching her from beneath lowered lids. ‘There is,’ he said insolently, ‘but I don’t think you’d be willing.’

His taunting words angered her, and although here was the opening she wanted, no way was she going to begin their relationship in this manner. It had to be a gradual process so that he did not realise what was happening.

If she suddenly said, ‘Okay, we’ll do what you want,’ he would suspect her motives. So she said in a tone that matched his for sarcasm, ‘You’re quite right, I wouldn’t, but as neither of us is entirely happy sitting here I see no point in remaining.’

She stood up and looked towards the top of the Peak. Usually at this time of day it was shrouded in mist, but this evening it was clear. ‘I think I’ll take a ride in the funicular,’ she said, more to herself than to him.

‘I’ll come with you.’ Vane stood up with surprising speed. ‘There should be just time before dinner.’

‘I meant alone,’ she said determinedly.

He smiled strangely. ‘I know you did, but I always think it’s so much more enjoyable when you share experiences.’

Debra’s brown eyes were hostile. ‘It depends who with.’

‘I can be quite charming if you’d give yourself a chance to find out.’ He turned on the full power of his smile, hooded eyes insolently probing, and Debra felt herself grow weak, understanding why Liz found herself so easily drawn towards him.

It fed her love, caused an ache in her heart and a longing to spill out the truth. 'If you put it like that,’ she said with forced lightness, ‘how can I refuse? What about Liz, though, do you think she’ll mind?’

‘Such concern is enchanting,’ he said, ‘especially when she had no compunction about leaving you.’ She stared at him hardly. It sounded very much as though he was deliberately trying to cause a rift between them. ‘I don’t believe that,’ she said coldly.

He laughed. ‘You’re right, she wanted to wait.’

‘But you persuaded her you’d have more fun alone?’ Her eyes narrowed. It was so easy to fall out with him.

He shrugged. ‘You know what they say about threesomes.’

‘So you’re sharing out your favours, my friend on one occasion, me the next?’

‘Why not?’ he said easily, 'It’s by far the best solution. In that way I’ll keep you both happy.’

Debra turned, bitterly angry. ‘You don’t have to keep me happy, Vane Oliver. I’m going for that ride, but alone. I don’t want you with me, ever!’

As she walked away tears ran down her cheeks. Jealousy was a cruel disease, eating away inside her, making her say and do things she did not mean. It looked as though her plan was a nonstarter, there was no way she could accept his trifling attitude.

To him it was all a game—two women at his disposal, both willing and eager for his attention. Except that unlike Liz she had to hide her feelings.

Getting him to fall for her would be catastrophic, it would be her own heart that would be broken, not his.

The ride in the cable car helped calm Debra’s turmoil, and when she got out at the last station, which was still not quite at the top, she anticipated the walk ahead with pleasure.

Victoria and the harbour were spread out below like a model on a board, sampans and junks floated on the shining water, islands rose like purple hills.

She could see the tip of Vane’s villa through the jungle of growth that covered the hillside, and felt thankful that she had come up here without him.

The grass was dry beneath her feet, the air cool and sweet. The odours which were so much a part of Hong Kong did not reach her and she inhaled deeply, appreciatively.

By far the best solution would be to leave the island, but unless Liz was willing there was no way she would go.

She ought to be grateful, she supposed, that her friend had pulled out of her deep depression. She would have been if it were any other man than the one she loved herself.

The irony of the situation did not escape her. It hurt, it hurt a great deal, and if there was a way out she would have willingly taken it.

As she stood deep in thought a parakeet flew, squawking, from a straggling clump of bamboo. Disturbed by the noise, bulbuls and orioles rose high into the air. Debra watched until they settled once again in the casuarinas and wild banana, and then continued her upward trek.

After a while she sank down into a grassy hollow and lay staring up at the blue sky. Her whole life had been turned upside down since Vane had brought her to Hong Kong. The job itself was simple, had he not been here too. Why couldn’t he have stayed in London? Surely he had never spent so much time here before.

Perhaps, once he had convinced himself that she was able to cope, he would not remain here for such long periods.

She was kidding herself, she knew, but she needed some straw to clutch at, something to stop herself from going slowly mad.

Debra remained on the Peak for a long time, far longer than she intended, enjoying a cup of iced tea in the Peak Cafe garden, ignoring the grandiose Peak Tower with its three restaurants which had been built since she was last here.

Idly she watched a cat stalking a bird, admired the brilliant flowers attended by beautiful black and white butterflies.

As the rosy sun began to sink low, so too mist began to gather across the hill, pink fluffy light clouds floated gracefully. Below, the white villas and apartment blocks glowed in fairytale splendour, stained with magical colour from the setting sun.

Windows gleamed with sudden brilliance, until gradually, as the golden orb sank altogether, yellow lights began to sparkle, strung down the hillside and across the island like a necklace of diamonds.

The harbour was lit with a million glittering points of light, neon signs flashed, the city’s night life was beginning.

Debra stood entranced, time forgotten. It was a spellbinding, romantic moment and she would have liked to share it with Vane.

She sighed deeply, sadly, jumping visibly when a voice behind said, ‘Quite something, isn’t it?’

‘Vane!’ She spun round, unable to. control her pleasure at seeing him.

‘Liz and I were worried. I had no idea you intended staying out this long.’

She smiled sadly. ‘Nor did I, but it’s sort of special up here, I couldn’t drag myself away.’

His arm snaked carelessly about her shoulders and because she was still under the spell of the beauty that was unfolding before her eyes, she did not resist.

It was like being suspended in a different world. The floating mist was encompassing them, obscuring their view so that all they saw were tantalising glimpses of the glittering scene below.

It felt entirely natural that he should kiss her, Debra willingly raising her lips to his. It was a sweet, passionless kiss, which nevertheless filled her with heady intoxication, and her eyes shone as brilliantly as the lights below.

‘I think we ought to get back,’ he said gently. ‘I told Liz 1 wouldn’t be long.’

Debra was forced to agree, though reluctantly. She wanted this moment to go on and on, knowing that Vane attributed her changed mood to her surroundings, and knowing that she could get away with it without him attaching too much significance to her behaviour.

Arms about each other’s waists, they made their way down to the station. They had just missed a cable car and Debra was glad of the ten-minute wait before the next.

Vane was gentle with her as she stood in the circle of his arms, pressing kisses into her hair, remaining unusually silent as though the magic got through to him too.

When they eventually arrived back at the villa Liz was obviously angry. Pulling away from Vane, Debra said lightly, ‘I was watching the sunset. There was no need to be concerned, either of you.’

Deliberately she cooled her manner towards her employer, and saw a frown flicker before he caught Liz’s arm. ‘I could do with a drink, come and pour me one while Debra eats her dinner.’

‘I should imagine it’s ruined,’ said her friend sarcastically. ‘Serves you right for staying out so long.’

Debra shrugged. ‘I’m not hungry anyway, I’m going to bed. It’s work tomorrow and my boss will never forgive me if I’m late.’ She could not help what she said. Seeing Vane change his affections so lightly hurt like an open wound, and her only defence was to hit back.

His lips tightened. 'It’s not that late, Debra. Aren’t you being a little bit childish?’

The sharpness of his voice cut deep. Her eyes flashed angrily. ‘I don’t think so. My walk has tired me out. Are you going to make an issue out of it, or can I go?’

‘Let her go,’ said Liz softly. 'It’s much more fun on our own.’

And to Debra’s annoyance he nodded. ‘A good idea, sweetheart—at least you and I don’t fall out.'

The
fact that she was tired had not been an excuse, and Debra fell asleep almost as soon as she lay down, despite her disquieted thoughts, not waking until her alarm shrilled the next morning.