To be honest, she felt better than she’d thought she would. Her head didn’t hurt, just felt a bit woolly, her mouth dry as dust. Nothing that some orange juice and a good cup of coffee wouldn’t resolve. It was only when she’d finished dressing and was putting on her watch that she realised what time it was. Eleven o’clock! No wonder she felt muzzy-headed, with all that sleep. Quickly, she left her room, crossed the corridor and knocked on James’s door, but there was no answer. Not surprising, given the time, she thought as she walked towards the lifts. He’d probably had his breakfast and was enjoying the sunshine in the gardens somewhere.

She was thankful they’d decided to keep the morning free, booking some treatments in for the afternoon. James had insisted, even though she’d resisted initially, telling him that a weekend away was relaxing enough. A massage would be lovely, she thought. And a facial. Then she was getting her nails done. And at some point, when the time felt right, she’d have that conversation with James.

I should probably check in with Matt and Hailey. Real life took charge of her thoughts again as soon as she exited the lift into the foyer, all the worries scurrying out of their hidey-holes, so many things she hadn’t allowed herself to think about. Like Matt’s business and whether he was doing something illegal. Something that could get them into trouble. Like you did, a voice in her head reminded her. But I’m putting that right. Her fingers flexed. I am.

James was still in the dining room, reading his book, and he smiled at her when she arrived at the table.

‘Sleep well?’

‘Like a proverbial log.’ She sat down and poured a glass of orange juice from the jug on the table, gulped it down. ‘I don’t know when I last slept this late. Before I had kids, I suppose.’

James poured her a cup of coffee from the cafetière that had miraculously arrived on the table. ‘Well, you must have needed the rest. And there’s nothing to do today except relax.’

Relax? Fat chance of that happening. She stopped the ticking-off she was about to give herself and decided there would never be a right time to have the conversation with James. Now would have to do.

‘James, I need to talk to you properly about…’

He turned his back on her and signalled for the waiter to come over. She tutted, annoyed that he wasn’t listening, then hesitated and decided to wait. Can’t do anything on an empty stomach, she told herself, her thinking still a little foggy.

James turned to her. ‘Sorry, what were you saying?’

She gave him a quick smile, shook her head. ‘Nothing. Just… It’ll keep.’