‘God, it was terrible. We both thought he’d killed you. We freed the real Vicomte and Vicomtesse – such a sweet old couple. They’re in a terrible state of shock. They tried to phone an ambulance and the police, but it turned out the phone line had been cut and the internet router smashed. Their car wouldn’t start and Jack’s and yours had been moved to a stable block and disabled.’

‘Courtesy of my old buddies Curtis Esmonde and Monica Stokes?’

‘Presumably. Jack and Bruno went off on foot and eventually managed to flag down a car, and the driver called the police and an ambulance. Do you remember that both Curtis Esmonde and Monica Stokes are dead?’

‘So sad, such lovely people, they will be missed – not!’ He was silent for a moment. Then he said, ‘Shit, I’m sorry, darling. This is all my bloody fault.’

‘Don’t be silly! Your fault? No way.’

‘How the hell did they find out where we were? That’s what I’d like to know.’ It was all coming back to him now. The photograph on the wall. ‘They’d stayed at the hotel a couple of months ago. When did we decide to go there?’

‘Back in February.’

‘They must have found out, somehow.’ He shrugged. ‘We did all the bookings online – maybe they hacked us?’

‘Maybe,’ she agreed. ‘I spoke to Glenn yesterday – he rang your phone – and I answered and told him what had happened. He made some calls, and said that neither Esmonde nor Stokes should ever have been released. All the time they were in prison they were telling other inmates they were going to get you when they came out. But do you want the good news?’

‘There’s good news?’

She grinned and nodded eagerly. ‘Glenn went to see the Chief Constable. She’s signed you off until you are fully recovered. So we can have a proper holiday now, and it’s a really great place. I think you’re going to love it. A beautiful old manor house – but really modern inside and lovely staff. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool. Tennis courts. Bikes we can borrow. And it’s surrounded by vineyards. Just gorgeous!’

‘Sounds it.’

‘And I have strict instructions from Glenn – you’re not to even think about work. He’s told me to take away your phone!’

‘Cheeky bugger! Speaking of that, where is my phone? It needs charging.’

Cleo tapped her handbag. ‘In here – and your thoughtful wife has charged it for you.’

He reached out with his right hand. ‘Let me just have a quick look and check for anything urgent.’

She gave him a stern look.

‘Just one quick check and then I’ll switch the damned thing off,’ Roy begged.

‘Promise?’

‘Scout’s honour!’