With that, Lafite bundled me into the backseat of the car and we took off, driving along the winding coastal road until the lights of the city appeared below us. I sat with my lips pressed together, trying to look composed and haughty, but under my thin dress I could feel my legs trembling. I was in a foreign country. I knew little of their justice system and I was in the hands of a bumbling policeman. I prayed that Jean-Paul’s lawyer and Mummy would arrive as soon as possible.

The police station appeared horribly bright after the darkness of the car. I was led through tiled hallways to a bare room that contained a table and two uncomfortable-looking chairs.

“Please take a seat, mademoiselle,” Lafite said.

“I am not ‘mademoiselle,’” I said, trying to sound like my great-grandmother. “I am a noble lady, a cousin to the King of England, and there will be serious repercussions about this folly when His Majesty learns of it.” At least I think that’s what I said. My French might have become a little wobbly at such a moment of stress.

Lafite did not appear to be worried by this threat. “Believe me, I realize the seriousness of this charge and would not have acted had I not been completely sure of my facts. We have proof, you see.”

“What proof?” I demanded. I was so angry and frightened that I forgot Jean-Paul’s warning not to say anything until I had a lawyer present.

Lafite looked smug again. He put his hand up and stroked at his mustache. “You were seen entering the house of Sir Toby this afternoon.”

Oh, crikey. Someone must have seen me making my way down the cliff to his garden. I couldn’t think how, unless it was from a passing boat. Our terrace and Sir Toby’s swimming pool were not visible to the outside world.

“Well, that’s easy enough to explain,” I said, trying to sound calm and in control of this situation. “I came home, walked on the terrace, looked down and spotted Sir Toby floating in his swimming pool. I called for help, but nobody came from his house, so I made my way down the cliff to see if I could help him. When I was close enough, I could see that he was dead, so I climbed back up and we summoned the police.”

He shook his head. “No, mademoiselle. You were seen entering his house by the front entrance.”

I sighed again. “Yes, of course. I did go to visit Sir Toby earlier in the day. But that was in the morning, when I can assure you Sir Toby was alive and well, and his manservant was also there to let me in.”