Victor Gregory had been watching Oleg so discreetly that he never even noticed—after all, with years of experience in the field, Victor was a true professional!

Victor Griffiths had been watching Oliver without being noticed. Of course, he wouldnt beVictor had spent years in the right positions, he was a professional! But so far, thered been no leads. Oliver never brought anyone home, never acted suspiciously. Still, Victor wasnt fooled. He knew patience would pay offOliver would slip up eventually. His gut had never failed him before.

This was personal. It concerned Victor, his family. How lovely it had been when little Eleanor was small! When she was born, Victor had been disappointed she wasnt a boy. Naturally, hed never shown it, but deep down, something gnawed at hima girl!

A respected man like him, and suddenly a daughter instead of a son? Who would he talk to, man to man, when life got hard? Who would he teach, mould into someone worthy?

But thenwell. A girl. Hed married late, always too busy with work. Women never liked the demands of his job.

Then he met LucyLouise!

Louise was nearly forty by thentoo late to dream of a son.

But something unexpected happened. Without even realising, Victor Griffiths fell utterly under the spell of his tiny daughter. The first time she smiled at him, gripped his nose in her little fisthe was done for.

And when Eleanor took her first wobbly steps, suddenly excited by something, shed run to him, shouting, “Daddy! Daddy!” Victor swept her into his arms, holding her close. That was when he knewher happiness was everything now. His little girl, his shining star. No one would ever hurt her.

Louise had laughed. “Vic, you spoil us!” And he did, buying gifts for his girls just to see their eyes light up.

How had Eleanor grown up so fast? It felt like yesterday shed clutched his hand, toddling beside him on her way to nursery. Tipping her fair head back, shed gaze up at him and say, “Daddy, youre so tall! Will you buy me a teddy? Please?” The way she looked at him made him feel invincible.

Now shed finished school, started university part-time, taken a joball her own decision. “Dad, its time I stood on my own feet. Work will give me experiencewhy waste time?” And again, Victor swelled with pride. His Eleanor was so clever.

Then, suddenlyLouise baked a pie, her eyes mysterious, like something had happened. Victor wondered if the girls were plotting to ask him for something. But no. It was something he hadnt even considered. Too soonEleanor had only just turned twenty.

“Dad,” she smiled, brushing invisible lint from his shoulder. “I want you and Mum to meet someone. Dont freak out. Olivers so lovelywere thinking of registering our wedding. Ive invited him for tea tonight. Oh, thats him at the door!”

Louise answered first. “Good evening! Come in, Oliver. Im Louise. This is Eleanors father, Victor.” Victor nodded, shook Olivers hand, his mouth dry.

This man had come to take his daughter away. A stranger, stealing his Eleanorhis only girl!

Another voice, cooler, whisperedwhat did you expect? Dont you want her happy? He seems decentstrong grip. Or did you want her to live with you forever?

Victor ignored it. No, Oliver wasnt good enough. Not for his girl. And just like that, a plan formed. Hed test him. He wouldnt let his daughter be hurt.

Weeks passed. Finally, his patience paid off. Victor sat in his car outside Olivers flat, watching. Hed followed him a few times after Oliver walked Eleanor home, using work as an excuse.

What if he had someone else? What ifGod forbidhe gave his daughter to the wrong man? Theyd already registered the wedding. Eleanor was sewing her dress, Louise planning the guest list.

Thenthere. A woman approached Olivers building, a little girl beside her. He kissed her, took her bag, held the childs hand. They disappeared inside. Just as hed feared!

YetOliver had grown on him. The lad was open, honest. Reminded Victor of himself at that age. Maybe his professional paranoia had gone too far?

Eleanor greeted him excitedly. “Dad, the weddings in a week! Oliver and I just booked the café. Im so happy!”

Victor didnt know what to say. Shame burned through himspying on his future son-in-law. Then Eleanor added, “Olivers parents are coming tomorrow evening to meet you. Theyll stay at his place. His sister Natalie and her daughter visited tonightshes from out of town. Her husbands away, but hell come later.”

At the wedding, Victor danced with Louise like a young man again. Enough suspicionmixing work and life was foolish.

A year later, Eleanor gave him a grandsonlittle Simon. The new grandfather even cried. Dreams did come true. Now he had someone to talk to, man to manOliver turned out to be exactly the right sort.

As for the spying? Victor decided to keep that to himself. You had to trust your family.

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