‘You’re not wrong about him remembering.’ Luca spoke quietly.

‘That’s wonderful!’

‘Maybe.’ He straightened up and the horse spun away; Luca watched him circle and turn back, ears flicking. ‘Ronnie, there’s something I need to tell you about him. Something—’

‘Luca!’ The shout from behind sent the grey spinning away. ‘Call for you!’

Pax was almost back down the hill, looking even more bad-tempered. ‘The phone’s in the cottage kitchen. Don’t talk too long.’

‘Who is it?’ he asked suspiciously.

‘She wouldn’t say.’

Ronnie noticed his eyes tighten. Then, with an apologetic smile, he loped away.

‘Posh foreign.’ Pax stepped alongside her mother, puppy bounding around them. ‘My guess is forties, married for money, stalkerish, names her horses after designer-jewellery brands.’

‘Did she make any death threats?’

‘Not to me.’ Pax looked at her inquiringly.

‘Lester seemed to think he took one earlier but I’m sure it was just one of his muddles.’ She sighed. ‘Pax, I appreciate Luca might come across as a bit louche. He’s a wandering minstrel with lots of pins in his map – and he’s certainly clocked up some air miles since I last saw him – but he’s very good at what he does. Try to be nice to him.’

‘Fuck off.’ She turned and walked away.

8

‘Luca O’Brien speaking.’

‘At last, Gianluca!’ The woman’s voice, all too familiar, was sternly irritated. ‘You do lead us a merry dance. You are lucky he likes you so much.’

‘Aren’t I just?’ His heart was beating in his throat now.

‘He would like to speak with you, if you will hold.’

‘Holding is what I’ll do.’

Music played at the other end, like a customer service line, a jaunty Mozart concerto.

‘His Highness will speak with you now.’

However many years he’d been receiving these calls, Luca had never quite got used to hearing that.

‘My boy! I am so angry with you!’

Thinking about Beck, Luca felt the first splash of panic.

He closed his eyes with relief when he heard laughter. ‘You are like a son to me as you know, Luca, but such an errant one! You are the eagle who never lands, merely perches. Now that I know where you are, I shall look forward to our next visit to England immensely. Tell me, are you near Ascot? Quite my favourite British racecourse; you must be my guest there in June.’

‘I’m honoured, Your Highness.’ He had a brief, ludicrous image of himself in a morning suit and top hat. ‘Unfortunately, I may be working on the continent again by then.’

‘As you wish.’ The receiver was covered so that orders could be barked. His attention returned. ‘You are keeping well, I trust? Are you in need of anything? You only have to ask, you know that.’

Another phrase Luca always found deeply uncomfortable.

‘Thank you, but no, sir.’ He edged as far as the cord would stretch to look out of the window at Beck. ‘I’m grand.’

‘You are my most honourable servant.’