Despite noting spooky similarities to the phrases Ursula attributed to Steph, Zia found this dramatic message harder to read than all Brendon’s attempts to rekindle their relationship. His tacit acceptance that she had the right to sleep with Piero had the bizarre effect of making her half-wish she hadn’t. She’d thought she could handle a casual hook-up – OK, an incredible night of sex – but the miserable nausea she’d felt when confronted by a sobbing Nicoletta had shocked her. She wasn’t in danger of feeling too much for Piero, was she? That would cast her in the Brendon role. Uncomfortable.

The unpleasant things Nicoletta had said, the contempt with which she’d obviously viewed Zia and the fact that Piero had remained behind with his ex, had all kept her awake last night. But now she shook herself. No. She refused to be this disappointed in a man she’d only just met.

She conjured up a smile and made a show of checking the time. ‘Ursula, if we’re going to make it to the airport in time for you to catch your flight, you’d better get your arse in gear.’

‘Okay, huneeee,’ Ursula half-sang, giddily fastening her luggage.

They were just hoisting Ursula’s suitcase into the car when Piero hurried out of the trees, his frown a slash across his forehead.

‘You’re going?’ he called as soon as he was near enough.

Ursula lifted her sunglasses to give Zia a questioning look. ‘Shall I go back indoors?’

Zia watched Piero’s long strides eat the distance between them. ‘I suppose it might be best.’ Then, raising her voice and ostentatiously checking the time, ‘We only have five minutes so I won’t be long.’

Piero paused to nod his thanks in Ursula’s direction but then his eyes fastened on Zia as he came close enough for her to smell his shaving foam.

He didn’t try to touch her but plunged into an explanation the instant the cottage door closed behind Ursula. ‘I’m sorry about Nicoletta. As you haven’t replied to my messages, I guess you’re pretty pissed with me but I have to explain before you leave. You must be thinking I’m a rat.’ His speech was low and rapid, his eyes intense. ‘We were together for two years but Nicoletta wanted … things. Her sister found a rich man who loved her, married her and gave her kids.’ He rubbed his jaw. ‘I think she saw me as a way to get the same. I was already having misgivings about her moving in with me. When she gave me the ultimatum to marry her or it would be over, I chose for us to be over.’ He shifted awkwardly. ‘The relationship was one-sided. I didn’t want to hurt her but …’

As Zia had found herself in a similar situation before Brendon’s unwitting sex show, she nodded her understanding as his words tailed off.