Adele treated Victoria like a piece of fragile porcelain, forcing her to rest as much as possible, discouraging her from doing anything for herself, let alone going out of the house. ‘You nearly lost it once in France, again in London,’ she said. ‘You may not be so lucky a third time.’ It was not in Adele’s nature to be broody, although she had a son herself – but she was great believer in the value of children as investments. Adele, who had counselled Victoria for years to dump Rivelli and find herself a richer, older, easier-to-manage boyfriend, was now staking everything on this child’s magical ability to transform its supposed father from commitment-avoiding cad to conscientious provider. And if Rivelli needed a little legal persuasion, the baby was the best leverage money could buy.

‘But he’s not going to be much use to me if he’s behind bars, darling,’ said Victoria. ‘He’s a wanted man in at least three countries. I can’t really see myself dragging a child along on prison visits.’

‘Rivelli has been in trouble before,’ said Adele. ‘He always comes up smelling of roses.’

‘Not this time.’

‘What happened, Victoria? I thought you loved him. Now it seems you are determined to betray him.’

‘Attempted murder has a way of taking the bloom off the romance,’ said Victoria. ‘Besides, I’m not at all sure that I need him any more.’

‘Darling,’ chortled Adele in a particularly dismissive way, ‘don’t think for one moment that you can make it on your own. A child needs a father.’

‘Hugo did all right without one.’

‘Hugo’s father took care of us very nicely. And he still does.’

‘Yes. Because you gave him no choice.’

‘Well? He understands responsibility. So will Rivelli.’

‘Quite apart from the fact that I’m not at all sure that it is Rivelli’s child . . . No, don’t interrupt. I don’t want that man to have anything to do with it. He’s a crook, Adele. A murderer.’

‘You always knew he was a rogue.’

‘A rogue? I think he’s a little more than that. He tried to kill me.’

‘So – he will pay all the more.’

‘Your reasoning is insane, Adele.’

‘Darling.’ Adele waved her hands around as if Victoria had just farted. ‘It is all part of the game.’

‘I don’t want to play any more,’ said Victoria. ‘I want things to be normal.’

‘You, Victoria? You will never be normal. A little mother at home, with a daddy and a baby? Who’s the lucky man? Not your little stud from the party. Oh, that is good.’ Adele laughed, throwing her head back, showing expensive dentistry.

Victoria said nothing. Adele was right: the idea of involving Ben was ridiculous. Besides, she was living on Adele’s generosity. She couldn’t afford to piss her off. Where else would she go?