‘Well, hopefully not everyone but on a wall in the château, yes. Isabel told me when I met up with her in London. I was caught up sorting things out after Aiden’s abrupt departure and it seemed the least of my worries. But thinking about people looking at my naked form, even if it is the work of an awe-inspiring artist, that isn’t me, Hannah. The very idea makes me want to curl up in a ball and hide myself away. I’ve just been pushing it to the back of my mind, but I hate feeling so exposed, so vulnerable. And Nico has done that to me, seemingly, without a second thought.’

‘Oh, Fern, I’m so sorry. This is the last thing you need right now.’

I know. What had become a rather magical memory for me, is now shattered beyond all recognition. How could I have been so naïve?

‘I’ll see if I can get a tunnel crossing tomorrow. With one overnight stay to break the journey there and back, and one night in the village close to the château, five days will do it and it will give me plenty of thinking time. I’ve not been able to settle since I arrived here, because I’ve been avoiding this and, deep down inside, I knew that. It’s like the last piece of the puzzle, which means I can then start afresh. When I return, there will be nothing left to clutter my mind and I can press forward in peace.’

‘Finally!’ She exhales, loudly, and I ease the phone away from my ear a little, trying not to laugh at her exasperation. ‘Travel safely, be firm and try to relax and enjoy the road trip. Springtime in Provence is lovely, I should imagine.’

Ironically, this time last year I was also at loggerheads with Nico, trying hard to convince him to listen to Isabel’s advice. No doubt, she’s steering him carefully forward in the right direction and now he’s able to ‘let go of his past demons’ there’s nothing to keep them apart. Unless he’s using me as an excuse in some ridiculous, self-destructive attempt to deny himself happiness. Art appreciation aside, if she understood the reason I sat for Nico, then she would most certainly agree he had over-stepped the mark.

I don’t like confrontation, but I won’t be used. And, yes, it will be nice to spirit myself away for a spell on the road; driving along with a little music blasting out and feeling the breeze through my hair might be just what I need while I rethink my life. Fortunately, I have many memories of wonderful times spent in France and I’m not going to let one little upset spoil that for me.

It’s time to let Nico know that his actions have broken any trust we had between us.

34

Where Angels Fear to Tread