She sighs again. ‘I know exactly what I did, and I’m not proud of that. I’ve spent this whole trip feeling guilty. Trying to block it all out. And it’s something I’ll have to face when I get back. But it’s something I will face. I’m not running away from it. I know I did something wrong. But you … you don’t seem to know the difference between right and wrong. You pushed a man off a balcony. You thought you’d killed me too. I’m pretty sure you don’t have the moral high ground here. I was angry and upset. Betrayed. I lashed out. But you—’

‘I don’t have to listen to this.’ I stand up, but she leans across the table, reflex quick, and grabs my wrist.

‘Sit down.’

I’m too shocked to respond, and I fall back heavily onto the bench. The man sitting at the far end says something in German, and he and his companion laugh, but I ignore them.

‘You know you dropped your ID near where they found Sam? Jesus, what did that bloke even do? Did you actually know him, V, or was he just one of your mad obsessions?’

‘I told you. I don’t want to talk about Sam.’

She slams a fist on the table. ‘Sam is dead. They’re looking for you, V. They’ll find you.’

‘They’ll never find me.’

She smirks. ‘You know,’ she says, pouring champagne into the two flutes, ‘it’s funny that I always called you “V” – like I actually knew that your name wasn’t Violet.’

I pick up the bottle, and take a long swig. ‘So what happens now?’

‘Well, you killed me … remember? Then you pretended to be me. But you’re not as bright as you think you are, Violet. Or should I say Veronica. Veronica Delauney from Windlesby Manor in Surrey. I knew you were home-counties spoiled rich trash, but I didn’t expect this. Your poor parents. Daddy’s a diplomat, isn’t he? Not sure he’s going to manage to get you out of this one. I imagine the paparazzi are already at the gates.’

I make a face. ‘As if they care…’

‘Oh, have they disowned you? That wouldn’t surprise me at all. I wonder if they even know what you’re really like?’ She picks up her glass and downs the contents. Refills it, and does the same. ‘Cheers.’

She’s smirking at me, and I don’t like it. How dare she call me stupid?

‘You’ve got no idea what I’ve done. What people have done to me … I’ve defended myself, that’s all. I’ve done it many times, and I’ll do it again if I have to. People like you, you’ll never understand what it’s like…’ I pick up the champagne bottle, but I don’t take a drink.