Ruined. Everything ruined. During the two years since her parents separated, Olivia had shuttled numbly between their North London homes. Her father and mother were consumed with their new lives: Ross, a professor, enamored of his beautiful new housemate, a former student; Emma involved with her gallery and with her lover, Nick, a photographer. No safety now. For Olivia, not even the distractions of school and friends could ease the crushing feeling that she was now unnecessary. Perhaps a daughter who needed an appointment to see her own father wasn't worth seeing at all. And then Nick moved in with her mother, and Olivia had to surrender even the sanctuary of her own home. Always now, she could feel him watching her, his eyes wandering over her body. Often now, she crossed her arms self-consciously to cover her breasts.Nick was everything Olivia's father was not; he was blond and broad-shouldered, he smoked, he filled the house with growling jazz. And although she avoided him, he was persistent - offering a lift in his Jaguar, arranging a special dinner. Before long, Olivia was confiding in this stranger, the only adult who seemed to have the time or the desire to listen to her. Then one day, his hand lingered a moment too long on her shoulder, and Olivia could feel its warmth. Read Less