Cassie' s campaign

If her sister didn' t want Grant, Cassie would have him¼

As the music changed to a slow tune, Grant took Sue in his arms. Oh,' he sighed, this is where I' ve longed to be! All those months I was working in Saudi, all I could think about was coming home to you, holding you like this¼'

Sue frowned and held herself stiffly away from him.

How could she tell him? Surely he would guess she' d changed?

All the way to the airport to collect him from his flight, she' d been trying to choose the right words to break the news, so he wouldn' t be too upset.

But there was no easy way, and they' d had no time at all as they' d rushed straight from the airport to her aunt' s wedding. And this was hardly the right time or place¼

I wonder what' s happened to my sister,' said Cassie sitting back in her chair as she watched Sue and Grant dancing together

What?' asked her cousin, Jan.

I knew something was wrong with Sue,' said Cassie. She' s been acting strangely over the last few weeks. And look at the way she' s keeping Grant at a distance. He only got off the plane today! Seems she' s gone off him while he was away¼'

No!' said Jan, horrified. Well,' said Cassie, he' s been away nearly three months, and you know what they say about absence?'

It makes the heart grow fonder?' Jan suggested.

No. Out of sight, out of mind,' said Cassie. I think Sue' s been playing around while lover boy was away.'

No!' cried Jan. But they seemed so perfect together.'

Cassie shook her head. Sue isn' t right for Grant. He needs someone with more spirit like me. He just doesn' t realise it yet.'

Oh, Cassie!' Jan sighed. You always go for your sister' s boyfriends¼ On principle.'

Oh, I' ve abandoned all principles when it comes to Grant,' smiled Cassie. I' ve always fancied him, and I' m planning a no-holds-barred assault now that their relationship' s on the wane. Just watch!'

And Cassie hurriedly made her way across the dance floor. When she got near to Sue and Grant, she started dancing, moving closer and inclining her head, trying to catch every word¼.

What' s the matter, darling?' she heard Grant say. I' m trying to hold you close, but you' re so distant.'

Sue suddenly stopped dancing. I can' t keep up the pretence any longer,' she said. I' ve been trying to hide it. I should' ve told you before, but I wanted to break the news in person.'

What?' he asked.

There' s someone else¼' Cassie grinned from ear to ear and rushed back to Jan.

I was right!' she cried, triumphantly. Sue' s got someone else.'

No!' Jan cried.

It' s true,' Cassie said. She

Im planning a no-holds-barred assault now that their relationship s on the wane. Just watch!

just told Grant. Look they' ve gone rushing out. Oh, I' m going to catch Grant on the rebound. Starting tomorrow!'

Cassie called on Grant the next day straight after work.

It was a beautiful evening. The sun was shining and the omens were good.

And, as expected, when

Grant opened the door to her, there was no sign of Sue.

Well, she wasn' t going to let on that she knew.

Far better that he thought she' d called round because she was a wonderful person.

Gosh, you look rough!' she told Grant, marching into the house.

Er¼ I hardly slept last

T hey chatted together as they painted. Cassie was waiting for Grant to unburden his hear t

night,' he said.

Oh?' asked Cassie.

But Grant just stared at her. The split was obviously too painful to talk about yet.

Have you eaten?' she asked him.

Just a sandwich,' he muttered.

That' s no good¼ I' ll cook for you.'

No, really, I' m not hungry,' he said. I was about to do some gardening.'

I' ll help!' Cassie cried. What?'

I love gardening.'

Do you?' asked Grant, incredulously.

Cassie smiled. Already he was seeing her in a new light

But you' re hardly dressed for gardening,' he said.

Cassie knew he was looking at her short skirt and sexy black stockings. She imagined the eyeful he' d get when she bent over to pull up the odd weed. What better clothes could she possibly be wearing?

I' m fine,' she smiled at him. Lead me to the tool shed and let' s get started!'

OK, well, thank you very much,' said Grant, getting up.

Smiling, Cassie followed him out into the back garden.

As he opened the shed door, Grant' s eyes lit up.

Just for a moment, Cassie imagined that he was going to take her in there and lock her in a passionate embrace, but instead he shoved a fork at her.

I thought we' d weed around the roses,' he said.

I don' t believe it!' Jan cried when Cassie told her the next day. You go round to seduce him, and the only bed you end up sharing is a rose bed!'

And I chipped my nail varnish.' said Cassie. And laddered my tights not to mention the thorns I got in my fingers. Still, the plan is working¼ I' m getting in there!'

Really?'

Yes, he' s invited me round again tonight.'

Jan laughed. What are you doing, digging in the manure?'

No way,' smiled Cassie. He wants to thank me for my help. I must say I' m looking forward to my reward.'

Oh my goodness, I forgot you were coming!' cried Grant when he opened the door to Cassie. I' m so sorry I' m in the middle of decorating the hall.'

Cassie bit back her annoyance. It' s all right, you' ve got a lot on your mind at the moment,' she said. Can I come in?'

I' m afraid I can' t stop painting now I' m only halfway across the wall.'

I' ll help,' said Cassie.

Not in that beautiful dress you can' t!'

OK, I' ll take it off,' she grinned.

Grant gave Cassie one of his old shirts to wear. She was sure she looked sexy in it. They chatted together as they painted.

Cassie was waiting for Grant to unburden his heart to her, but the pain was obviously still too raw, so she didn' t mention Sue either.

I can' t thank you enough,' he said, when they finished at 10 o' clock.

Oh, I' m sure you' ll find a way,' smiled Cassie. Then she reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

He frowned. Has Sue told you?'

What?'

He shook his head. Oh¼ nothing. Look, come round tomorrow night. No decorating, I promise. I' ve something really important to ask you.'

Cassie grinned. They were finally going to have a romantic evening. He was going to ask her out!

Cassie took round a bottle of wine and wore her sexist dress. And she was delighted to see that Grant wasn' t wearing his decorating or gardening clothes. He was dressed to impress as well.

But as she stepped inside, she was surprised to hear a sound from upstairs.

It was Sue!

Cassie stared at her in horror as she walked down the stairs. I thought¼ I thought you had someone else,' Cassie gasped. Sue smiled. I have,' she said.

There' s a reason I' ve been busy getting the house and garden sorted,' Grant said.

It' s a bit of a shock, but we' re thrilled. I couldn' t tell you until Sue was here with me¼'

I' m pregnant!' said Sue. And the big thing we have to ask you is after all you' ve done for us, we wondered¼ Would you like to be our baby' s godmother?'