I realised that Marina or Claudia might well pick up the telephone at the house and innocently tell him that I was indeed at home. The thought of this sent shock waves through me. I had to go up to the house immediately and warn them not to tell anyone who called that I was here.

But what if Zed simply appeared on the doorstep? He knew exactly where Atlantis was. I’d described its location in detail to him once.

‘I’ll have to go away,’ I whispered to myself, my legs finally obeying my command to carry me into the sitting room, where I paced restlessly, thinking which of my sisters’ offers I’d take up.

Not a single one appealed, so I wondered whether I should simply go back to London, and hole up with Jenny until it was safe to return.

But for how long? Zed might well be in Geneva for an extended period of time; I would have taken a bet that his father’s vast wealth lay in the hands and the vaults of the Swiss banks.

‘Why now?’ I wailed to the heavens. Just as I needed some time to regroup, to calm down, I knew I had to leave. Seeing him again would break me completely, especially given my current fragile state of mind.

I looked down at the coffee table and my fingers reached out instinctively to touch the smooth surface of the triangular tile. I stared at it as my brain processed the thought that had just appeared in my mind.

If I wanted to put distance between myself and him, with no one knowing where I was, then Brazil certainly fitted the bill. I could take my laptop with me and work there on my current translation. Why not?

‘Yes, Maia, why not?’ I asked myself.

An hour later, I walked into the kitchen and asked Claudia where Marina was.

‘She went into Geneva on some errands, Maia. Can I give her a message for you when I see her?’

‘Yes,’ I said, digging deep to find the courage to say the words. ‘Tell her that I’m leaving tonight, for a couple of weeks at least. And, Claudia, if anyone calls for me, either on the landline or in person, you can tell them I’ll be away for some time.’

Claudia’s usually impassive face registered an expression of surprise.

‘Where are you going, Maia?’

‘Just away,’ I said neutrally.

‘Good,’ she said.

I waited for her to continue, but she didn’t.

‘So, I’m going back to the Pavilion to pack,’ I said. ‘And perhaps you can let Christian know when he comes back that I need the launch to take me to Geneva at around three o’clock.’

‘Shall I prepare some lunch for you?’

‘No thanks,’ I said, knowing my stomach was churning enough as it was. ‘I’ll pop in and say goodbye before I leave. And remember, Claudia, if anyone calls for me from now on, I’m not here.’