‘Thank you. I will pay for any expenses incurred,’ said Bel quietly, disguising the true extent of her relief and joy.

‘As a matter of fact, Izabela,’ continued Heitor, ‘it rather suits me to have you in Landowski’s atelier. You can be the spy in the camp, and report back to me on the progress of the new four-metre model of my Cristo,’ he smiled.

‘Perhaps one evening I could accompany you to the atelier and watch as you are sculpted?’ asked Maria Elisa as they climbed into bed later that evening.

‘I will ask Monsieur Brouilly if he would mind,’ said Bel. ‘Are you still enjoying the hospital?’ she asked, changing the subject and hoping Maria Elisa would forget about her request.

‘Very much,’ Maria Elisa replied. ‘And a few days ago, I spoke to my parents about making nursing my career in the future. Mãe wasn’t happy, as you can imagine, but Pai was very supportive and told Mãe off for being so old-fashioned.’ Maria Elisa smiled. ‘It isn’t her fault,’ she equivocated hastily, always ready to forgive. ‘She was brought up in a different era. So now I’m eager to return to Rio and embark on my chosen course. Sadly, Pai thinks it will be another year before he’ll have finished his work here. You’re so lucky to be returning home in two weeks, Bel. Sleep well.’

‘And you,’ Bel responded.

She lay in bed thinking about what Maria Elisa had just said. If only we could change places, she thought sleepily, knowing that she would sell her soul to be in her friend’s position and spend another year in Paris.

Two days later, Bel found herself sitting in the atelier as dusk fell. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the vast emerging structure of the four-metre Cristo, dominating the studio. Margarida had already departed for the day, and as Bel had arrived, Landowski had been leaving to take supper with his wife and children next door. Without the usual human hum of the studio, Bel listened to the silence.

‘What are you thinking?’ Laurent asked her suddenly.

Bel saw his hands were working on her upper torso, currently engaged in shaping the outline of her breasts beneath the high-necked muslin blouse she was wearing.

‘Just how different it is here at night,’ she answered.

‘Yes, it certainly has a serenity as the sun sets. I often work here alone in the evenings as I enjoy the peace. Landowski must attend to his family, and besides, he says he cannot sculpt after the light fades.’

‘Can you?’

‘Izabela, even if you were no longer sitting in front of me, I would be able to sculpt you perfectly. Having gazed at you for so long, the exact details of your form are engrained on my memory.’

‘So, perhaps you do not need me here after all?’