Page 14 of Fatherhood Fever!

“And she leases an apartment with two other stewardesses at Bondi Junction,” his mother smugly informed. “Peta was just telling me about having put in for a transfer to domestic airlines. She’s seen enough of London and Rome.”

“Well, I guess Australia is home,” he commented happily.

It showed Peta was serious about settling down. Though her decision might have been triggered by the outcome of her last relationship. If her lover had been English or Italian, it could account for a wish never to revisit his stamping ground. Which was fine by Matt. It meant the guy couldn’t come sniffing around her again, upsetting the applecart.

“Matt lives at Bondi Beach,” his mother slid out, obviously pleased with the short distance between their domiciles.

“Not with you, Cynthia?” Peta asked.

“Goodness, no! That wouldn’t suit him at all.”

Hard blue eyes flashed at him. “Why not?”

Her cynical thought was easily read... Cramp your style?

“Mum lives at Gosford on the central coast. My business requires me to be in Sydney,” he answered matter-of-factly.

; “And what business is that?” she inquired.

“Merchandising.”

“Matt owns his own company,” his mother rushed in. “It’s very successful but it has taken up a lot of his time, working long hours with his wheeling and dealing. He hasn’t stopped long enough to find himself a nice girl to settle down with. I keep telling him...”

Here it comes, Matt thought in exasperation, and cut in before the floodgates opened on the nagging subject of grandchildren. “I have made time for you, Mum,” he reminded her.

She frowned at his interruption. “Yes, I know, dear. I’m not saying you haven’t been good to me...”

“Ah! Stuffed mushrooms,” he said with satisfaction as the waitress served them with starters. Dinner was always more to his taste than lunch. He got out the salt cellar and sprinkled away, then caught a crooked little smile playing on Peta’s lips. He grinned openly at her. “I did tear up the last of my cigarettes.”

It surprised her. Her eyes took on a wondering look.

“I’m so glad to hear that, Matt,” his mother warmly approved.

“Well, there’s always the village store if you get desperate,” Peta said dryly, not ready to believe too much.

“No. The deed is done,” he assured her and attacked his mushrooms with a hearty appetite.

The food shut his mother up for a while.

“What’s the name of your company?” Peta asked as the plates were cleared away.

“Limelight Promotions,” Matt answered, wondering if she intended checking up on him. It was obvious she wasn’t taking much on faith anymore. He didn’t blame her. Once burnt, twice shy.

“It’s at Rockdale, just past Mascot Airport,” his mother supplied brightly. “You’d both take the same road to work.”

Matt gave her a baleful look. She just couldn’t keep out of it.

Thankfully Peta ignored the comment, asking, “How do you manage the noise factor from the flights coming in?”

“The building is soundproofed.”

“You’d need it,” she commented.

“Oh, Matt spares no expense in looking after his employees,” his mother gushed. “He’s done very well. Very well, indeed. You might have read in the newspaper a little while ago about an apartment at Bondi selling for 1.2 million dollars?”

“Mum...” He was too late to stop her.