She eased herself away, gently, still smiling. ‘I like your thinking, but I vote we unpack first. Just our wash stuff and a change of clothes for tonight. Leave everything else for a quick getaway in the morning?’

‘Sounds like a plan. But maybe if Madame puts on a nice meal we’ll feel different.’

‘Really? What planet are you on? Or did you get abducted by Bruno’s aliens and have your brain messed with, darling? This place is not for us, don’t you think?’

‘Maybe it’ll grow on us.’

‘Maybe,’ she said, digging through her clothes. She pulled out a slinky black dress, then stood up and held it against her body. ‘What do you think – this tonight?’

He tilted his head one way, then the other. ‘I have a problem with that dress.’

‘You do?’

He nodded. ‘Yep – the moment you put it on, I’m going to want to rip it straight off and ravish you!’

She punched him, playfully. ‘OK, Mr Big Seducer, what about you, then? What do you have to wear tonight that’s going to make me want to rip it off without undoing the buttons?’

He grinned again and dug into his bag. ‘Let’s see what I can find!’

She walked over to him and kissed him. ‘Actually, Detective Superintendent, I like you best with nothing on at all.’

‘That can be arranged,’ he said.

‘Good.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘We have just under an hour.’

Eagerly tugging off his T-shirt, he put his arms around her. ‘So it will have to be a quickie!’

She gave him a very mischievous smile.

9

At 7.45 p.m., smartened up for dinner, they went down into the hall – Cleo in her black dress, her bump showing, and Roy in a dark jacket over a white shirt. Both were in a very much better mood. A choral chant was blasting out. It was playing far too loud and seemed to be coming at them from every direction.

Madame stood in the entrance to the dining room, holding a huge silver tray, on which sat three champagne flutes. Roy took a glass, but Cleo asked if she could have some water. ‘I can’t drink, I’m afraid. I’m pregnant.’

The woman looked at her, puzzled.

Cleo patted her tummy and explained in French.

Madame responded with a thin, ‘couldn’t care less’ smile, followed by ‘Bon appétit’, and stepped aside to allow them to enter.

Bruno and Kaitlynn were already there, seated either side of the dining table. The room was even more dimly lit than before. A baby monitor sat in front of Kaitlynn, who was stabbing at the keys on her phone again. Flickering candles burned in silver holders on the walls and on the table, sending shadows jumping around the room. Glass decanters of white and red wine were also on the table.