‘Okay, thanks, see you later.’ Ella looked at them all. ‘Are we ready? Run!’ She laughed, holding her hood as she ran for her life along the jetty. They all took off and Ella ducked her head under the veranda of The Lakehouse just as a tremendous clap of thunder rolled through the air. Once inside, they peeled off the wet ponchos and Wilbur disposed of them before handing them each a glass of champagne and showing them to their table.

‘I could get used to this!’ Felicity beamed. ‘This is the life, champagne and fine dining.’

‘Here’s a copy of the set menu.’ Ella handed them out from the middle of the table. Gianni had prepared an exquisite meal and every table was sampling the same delicious food so that Gianni could ensure that all the food was piping hot.

‘This is food fit for a queen,’ remarked Ella, running her eyes over the dishes. ‘Oh Wilbur, Roman mentioned someone was asking after me? Do you know who?’

‘It’s the gentleman just walking through the doors from the bathroom now.’

Ella stood up and glanced over.

‘Jeez, who is that man? He’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous and such a snappy dresser too,’ exclaimed Isla.

Ella was frozen to the spot, she felt sick to the stomach. She’d imagined this moment over and over in her head but had never expected it to actually happen. She was suddenly paralysed to the core.

‘Are you okay, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Callie touched her arm. ‘What is it?’

Ella’s intake of breath could be heard all around the restaurant. She felt like her legs were going to buckle underneath her at any time. Her pulse was racing, her heart thumping and with wide eyes Ella turned towards Callie. ‘It’s Alex.’

Ella wasn’t sure whose jaw had hit the floor the hardest – hers or Callie’s.

‘What the hell do you want me to do?’ whispered Callie, under her breath as Ella let go of the chair and took a step in his direction. She could feel her whole body shaking.

Ella swivelled her head round and whispered. ‘Act normal like you know nothing but call the police.’

Callie and the gang were amazing, they began talking amongst themselves acting like nothing was going on and everything was normal, although it was far from it. Standing on the other side of the room, Alex wore the sickliest smile she’d ever seen. She couldn’t quite believe the nerve of this man who had stolen everything from her. How had she ever fallen in love with him? She had no clue because right at this very minute he was making every inch of her body crawl.

‘Hello, Ella; I bet you didn’t expect to see me tonight?’

Ella had never expected to see him any night ever again.