As Hélène was walking slowly back to the apartment, Annette was breaking the news to Rupert.

‘She says she won’t see you,’ she told him. ‘She says there’s no point in opening old wounds.’

‘Did you give her the letters?’

‘Yes, but she didn’t open the parcel, at least not while I was there. I left it on the table when I went to bed, but it had disappeared this morning, so I think she’s read them now. I’m hoping to persuade her to see you when I get back later today, but I can’t leave the stall till the market closes. Benny has business elsewhere.’

Rupert’s hopes took a fall, but they weren’t completely dashed. He gave a rueful smile. ‘I’ll come and find you again tomorrow,’ he said, ‘and hope you’ve persuaded her to change her mind. That she’ll at least see me.’

Annette went back to the stall and Rupert returned to the Hotel Montreux. Parker was waiting for him in the suite.

‘Any luck?’ Rupert asked.

‘Yes, sir. I was outside that butcher’s shop this morning and saw Annette come out of the door beside it. There are three apartments in the building and they must be living in one of those.’

‘Good man,’ responded Rupert. ‘Tell me how to get there.’

Chapter 49

Hélène had packed her bag and was writing a note to explain to Annette that she was going to go back to Belair. She promised that she would not implicate Pierre or Agathe Sauze in her flight, but knew there was nothing she could do to hide Annette’s part, as they had both disappeared together.

I shan’t say where we’ve been staying, or how we have contrived to live in the weeks since we’ve been away, but I shall insist that it was you who kept me safe while I was hiding and hope that my family won’t blame you for my decision to go. You are the best friend anyone could ever have and whatever happens to me I shan’t let you suffer for all the help and affection you’ve given me.

She was just reading through what she had written when there was a knock at the door. She froze. Who would be knocking on their door at this time of day? Quietly she crept across the room and listened. The knock came again. Could Simon finally have found her? Had Annette been right about being followed home yesterday evening? Hélène wished she weren’t alone in the apartment, but suddenly she realised, if it was Simon Barnier standing on the other side of the door, it would be her chance to deal with him once and for all. She drew a deep breath and turned the key, flinging the door wide, standing with her head high, determined not to be intimidated.

‘Hello, my darling girl,’ Rupert said. ‘May I come in?’

The colour fled her cheeks and for a long moment she simply stared at him, then she stood aside and he walked into the apartment and back into her life.