‘Or I might go and work for Mercy Williams. She loves me.’ He gestured towards a huge construction of white orchids. ‘She sends me flowers. You don’t.’ He stuck his bottom lip out; it was still cut and discoloured, and it obviously hurt. He swore, touched it with his fingertips.

‘I haven’t said yes yet.’

‘Oh come on, darling, the money they’re offering . . .’

‘I’m scared. That ’s the bottom line. Scared of going to Tokyo tomorrow, scared of the press and the agents and the journalists. I need you, Will. I want to stay here.’

‘Not on your Nelly. You bugger off to Tokyo and knock ’em dead. I’m fine, or at least I will be.’

‘It feels like the end, Will.’

‘It’s the end of one story, Princess, and the beginning of another. Even more fabulous, and even more exciting.’

‘And we all live happily ever after?’

‘I’d settle for living, period, thanks very much.’

‘We never did find our Prince Charmings, did we?’

‘Oh, I don’t know. Tomorrow is another day. And you know what? I think if you were to call a certain person in London, he might just be ready with the glass slipper.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ said Isabelle. But she did.

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

‘So where is he?’

‘Your guess is as good as mine,’ said John. ‘He could be anywhere. There are plenty of places in the world where a man like Rivelli can just disappear.’

Christine shuddered. ‘I’d feel a lot happier and safer if I knew where he was. Every time the doorbell rings, I jump out of my skin. Every time the phone rings I think it’s going to be the police telling me that Isabelle’s had an accident, or Victoria saying that she’s lost the baby.’

They were walking along the Strand, on their way to another conference with Jessica Rodean. Christine was nervous and distracted. John put an arm round her shoulder and squeezed her close. ‘Calm down. You can be sure of one thing – he won’t show his face in this country, or in America. He’s made things too hot for himself. My money’s on some nasty little rathole in Asia.’

Christine felt comforted. John was tall, his arms were strong, and he knew her better than almost anyone. He knew all her mistakes – and he still believed in her enough to brief her in Rodean v Rodean.

‘The last year has been so stormy,’ she said, blowing her nose before they entered the lobby of Ferguson McCreath. ‘I do hope we’re in for some rather more settled weather.’

‘Spring is just around the corner. Come on. Let’s see what madam has dredged up for us today. Some of this mud has got to stick.’

Christine looked into John’s kind blue eyes, straightened her skirt and focused on demolishing Rocky Rodean.