Feeling shocked to the core, Ella’s whole body was shaking, and she couldn’t make herself stop. ‘What’s going on is, Dr Alex James is not dead; he’s sitting in the restaurant claiming he’s had some sort of mental breakdown, and he forgot who he was or where he was, and now he’s seen me on the news it’s jogged his memory of who I am, and he’s still in love with me.’ Ella barely took a breath.

‘Are you kidding me? I suppose he’s forgotten what he’s done with all your money too? Oh, and the brand-new car he drove away in?’

‘He said my money is safe.’

‘And he’s here to give it back to you?’

‘I doubt that very much, but that’s the only reason I’m not screaming blue murder.’ Ella held out a trembling hand to Isla. ‘Where are the police?’

‘Dealing with lots of emergencies due to the storm, but they are on their way. You just have to keep calm. Nothing is going to happen to you whilst we are here. We’ll sit tight until the police arrive,’ reassured Isla.

‘I feel sick to my stomach, I need to get out of here.’

Suddenly the lights in the bathroom flickered then blacked out altogether.

‘It’s the weather, the storm is brutal. The power is out,’ said Isla, opening up the bathroom door to see Roman being blown through the back door of the restaurant by a huge gust of wind. He clutched the hood to his coat tightly and then pulled it down when he was safely inside. He shook himself, and raindrops dripped from the end of his nose.

‘It’s nasty out there.’

The storm sounded menacing with the wind howling and the rain lashing against the windows.

‘Roman, can you take me home? I need to get out of here.’ Even though Ella didn’t relish the thought of stepping outside, she knew she had to get away from Alex.

‘Is Gianni’s cooking that bad?’ Roman joked, but realised this was no joking matter when he saw the look on Ella’s face and sensed something was immediately wrong.

‘What’s going on? Are you okay?’ He looked directly at Ella, then touched her arm.

‘Far from okay, I just need to get out of here. I’ll explain when I’m on the boat. Is that okay?’ Ella turned towards Isla. ‘He’s going to realise I’m not coming back in a minute, if he hasn’t already, but there’s going to be no way he can exit from the restaurant without the boat, so fingers crossed, the police will pick him up.’

‘The police?’ Roman’s eyes widened.

‘Just get her on that boat and away from here.’ Isla gave her a quick hug. ‘Now get yourself out the back entrance and message me when you are home and safe.’