‘I know what you mean.’ She spoke with feeling and saw Michael’s eyes soften, his gaze empty and sad. And despite her resentment, for a split second she felt an overwhelming sympathy for him. ‘You’ll miss Daniel.’

‘I will … I do already.’

‘I’ve been on to the agency. Hopefully, I’ll find someone else quickly.’ She stopped, not wanting her desperation to get back to her own life to show, with Michael in his current depressive state.

He nodded, but looked at her intently. ‘So I suppose you’re off with Action Man again this weekend?’

Romy felt her cheeks burn. She wished he wouldn’t refer to Finch in that derogatory way. She swallowed hard. ‘No, that’s over. I’m going to Bettina’s as soon as Leo gets here.’

Michael looked surprised. ‘But …’ He stopped, perhaps catching the warning in her eye.

She affected a shrug. Was this the moment to talk about Grace? But although it had smouldered in her mind for nearly a week now, the right words clogged in her throat. Who am I protecting? she asked herself. Him or me? Am I just scared of what he might tell me?

36

‘You know how much I love riding,’ Finch said, in response to Pascal’s suggestion, when his friend rang. ‘But a gaucho? I hadn’t thought of that.’

Paz chuckled. ‘It’s tough. Believe me, I know. Cami made me do all that riding-across-the-pampas bollocks when we first went to meet her relatives. I was in love, so I didn’t complain, but my butt’s never recovered.’

‘I really need to get away,’ Finch said, trying to keep the urgency out of his voice. ‘Argentina should be far enough.’

‘Being chased by the taxman, is it? Or have you gone and made some gangster’s moll pregnant?’ Pascal was never serious about anything.

‘Something like that,’ Finch replied.

He heard Paz sucking his teeth. ‘Hmm … in which case, might it not be wiser to choose somewhere the UK doesn’t have an extradition treaty with – like Pakistan, for instance? Worked for our friend Osama for years. Or you could join the Foreign Legion! I’ve got contacts.’

Finch couldn’t help laughing. ‘I’ve had enough of being shot at, thanks. I just want a break – foreign parts, different scenery.’

‘How’s your Spanish, these days?’

‘Bit rusty, I suppose, but I’ll get by.’

‘OK, then. If you’re absolutely set on grinding your rump to ribbons, I’m your man. I’ll talk to Cami and see which of her zillions of rich cousins can come up with an invitation.’

‘I don’t want to be pampered like a guest, Paz. If I’m going to do this, I want to be out there chasing cattle and wild horses, riding the range.’

‘Being macho.’

‘Getting so tired I can’t bloody think any more.’

There was silence for a moment. Then Paz said, ‘And her name is …?’