Chapter 65

• Instinctively Austin put his arm round the waist of Sara and drew her to him. It was important to him to present an image of love and unity, the opposite of the chaos that Franklin had just brought. He was aware of Sara stiffening a little at the closeness of it, but he was murmuring something sweet in her ear, "Just go along with it." We can demonstrate to them that we are happy together.
• Sara looked up at him, a bewildered glance in her eye. She did not know how to react to this unexpected show of affection and in front of Franklin and Nova too. But the geniality and self-confidence of Austin put her at her ease, and she nodded her head, determining to go along presently.
• Austin was sensitive enough to feel the jealousy which underlay Franklin; he was perfectly aware why he had come. It appeared as though Franklin was attempting to flex by displaying his life with Nova. But Austin insisted on making a point that he had forgotten the past, that he was happy and that he would not be cowed.