‘Well, it looks as if circumstances rather overtook you.’

‘Yes.’ Victoria was staring towards the door of the ward, hoping that someone might come in and interrupt this awkward interview. Why was Christine here? After all Victoria had done to her, or tried to do, what did she want?

‘Have you spoken to the police?’

‘Yes. I told them. I didn’t see anything.’

‘And did they ask you who might want to do a thing like that?’

‘They asked me a lot of questions about Leanne Miller.’

‘That’s not what I mean.’

‘No . . .’

‘Because she wasn’t the intended victim, was she, Victoria?’

‘I don’t know . . .’

‘I think you do.’ Christine’s voice was soft, persuasive. ‘I think we both know what this is about, don’t we? And the police know too.’

‘Oh God.’

‘The only question is, are you willing to make a statement?’

‘No . . .’

‘You must, Victoria. He tried to kill you and your baby. Does that mean nothing to you?’

‘It was an accident.’

‘And the kidnap? Was that an accident too?’

‘What?’

‘The house where they were keeping you. Dave and Sue, the English couple. Ah. I see that you don’t know all this.’

Victoria would not look her in the eye. Christine did not want to distress her – but on the other hand, she had the safety and well-being of her daughter to consider. With Rivelli at large, and Isabelle in Los Angeles, Christine was uneasy.

The nurse came in, took Victoria’s temperature and blood pressure, refilled her water jug and left a sheaf of newspapers and magazines on the bed – Vogue, of course, plus Voiçi, Paris Match and a copy of Le Monde.

Victoria was grateful for the distraction, and rallied somewhat. ‘Look, if you don’t mind, I’m really not feeling up to this at the moment. Can we talk about it later? When I get back to London, perhaps?’

‘We need to talk now.’

‘Christine,’said Victoria, ‘why exactly are you here? We’re not friends, are we? You don’t like me, and God knows I have plenty of reasons not to like you either. So shall we drop the Good Samaritan act and get down to business?’

‘As you wish,’ said Christine. ‘I want to put him behind bars.’

‘Who?’

‘Who do you think? Massimo Rivelli.’

‘Why?’

‘Because he is dangerous.’

‘To women like you, perhaps. He must have left a lasting impression.’

‘This isn’t about revenge, Victoria.’

‘You could have fooled me.’

‘This is about justice. The man is a criminal. He’s threatened me and my daughter, he’s involved in just about every racket going, and now this.’ She waved her hand behind her, indicating the hospital ward. ‘It’s not a coincidence, is it?’

‘Right. And you’re some crusading superhero who just wants to do the right thing.’

‘That’s about it, yes.’

‘And who has my best interests at heart.’

‘Yes.’