‘Fifty thousand of your English pounds, Annette, is the best I can do for you now. Later, depending on how much your home costs and what your expenses come to, we will talk again.’ Miriam took out her cheque book and wrote out the cheque.

Annette was disgusted; that wasn’t enough. There was Marias’s share and Antonias’s, too, and this old bitch thought 50,000 would cover that? More to the point, was that all she thought Antonias was worth?

Annette smiled to herself. No way, thought Annette; she would take the money and Antonias.

During the night, when everyone was in bed, Annette had gone into the room where the safe was kept. She had watched Marias take money out of it many times and, without him realising, she had noted the key code number. There was the equivalent of 10,000 pounds in the safe; it was the wages for the workers and the petty cash. She took it all out and stuffed everything into a holdall.

That done, she had gone into the bedroom where Antonias was sleeping, taken him from his bed and disappeared into the night.

* * *

‘Take him, Carlos, he’s heavy.’ Annette was breathing heavily.

Carlos was not happy that the spoilt brat, Antonias, was going with them. That was certainly not what he had planned. He had tried talking Annette into leaving him behind and she’d agreed.

‘Why have you brought the boy?’ Carlos whispered. ‘Wouldn’t Miriam give you the money?’

‘I got it, and more,’ said Annette, trying to appease him. ‘Look.’ Annette opened the holdall and showed him the cash she had taken from the safe; she was pleased when she saw Carlos smile.

He laid Antonias in the back seat of the truck, kissed Annette, then they jumped in the front and drove off into the night.

Annette lay her head back on the seat and smiled. This was the beginning of her new life. She was with Carlos, who had told her many times how much he loved her, and she loved him.

She had paid that bitch Miriam back for her greed and the inconsideration shown for her needs. She was glad to see the back of the place. This was going to be a whole new adventure.

She would be back in London, where she belonged. Annette laughed to herself. She would love to be a fly on the wall when Miriam discovered that she had gone and taken Antonias with her.

* * *

Miriam was being served breakfast by one of the maids. She was surprised that little Antonias wasn’t up yet. He always ate breakfast with her and Fredo, and then went to church with his nonna and sat beside her while she prayed. Little sleepyhead, where was he?

‘Please go and see if Antonias is awake yet,’ she said to the maid.

The maid returned after just a few minutes. She was almost too frightened to tell Miriam what she’d found.

‘Well?’ said Miriam, when the woman remained silent.