‘Who?’ said Judy.

Fourteen

FOURTEEN

Theresa started to take her apron off. What if Chloe had been ringing on her home telephone? She had an urgent desire to be in two places at once. To keep her promise to her friends and her business but also to be available should Chloe make contact. She knew she had to sneak out and check.

Benjamin entered the kitchen. ‘Where are you going?’

‘I’ve prepared the lunch service, Benjamin, but I really do need a breather now.’

‘But we’re supposed to be having a meeting about the insulting offer from Marcel. We need you to take part in the discussion.’

‘Frankly what is there to discuss? We just say no and tell him to come back with a sane and genuine price. Why should we gift him the building along with all our hard work? We had a good reputation.’

‘Had being the relevant word . . .’

‘I’ve told you my opinion.’ Theresa pulled her phone out of her handbag and walked past Benjamin and out through the dining room.

She was very relieved to be in the open air. The sun was shining, but this afternoon the royal-blue sea was topped with white horses. A fierce wind blew in, whipping up Theresa’s hair and catching her scarf. As the long strip of cashmere flew off along the quay, Theresa ran after it, stamping like a Spanish dancer every time it came near to touching down on the pavement.

Once she had snatched it and wound it back around her neck, this time with a solid knot, she had passed the moored multicoloured rowing boats and little white fishers, bobbing on the swaying sea.

As she put her key into the front door, she felt the phone buzz. She glanced down at the screen.

One missed call. When had that come in?

An unknown number, but it looked like an English mobile phone.

Hoping it might be Neil, while walking into the flat, she immediately redialled the number.

‘Hello?’ A female voice. ‘Is that you, Grandma?’

‘Chloe?’

‘Yes.’

‘Oh, God. Are you safe?’ Still wearing her coat, Theresa flopped down on to her armchair, cradling the phone close to her ear. ‘Please tell me you are all right.’

‘Yes.’ Chloe spoke very softly. ‘I’m fine and I’m happy.’

‘Is this your new phone number?’ Theresa intended to store it immediately the call was over, so that, when necessary, she could phone her back.

‘No. Neil lent me his phone. I knew people would be worried by now. But this call is to let you know that everything’s all right and not to bother looking for me.’

Theresa stopped herself from replying. She was quite aware that, whatever Chloe thought, the situation was not ‘all right’. Far from it. A fifteen-year-old girl should be in school, not gallivanting around the Côte d’Azur with a fellow truant. She was committing a criminal offence, for heaven’s sake.