She felt her heart squeeze painfully. How happy she had been then. Day after day after day. Night after night after night. One week eliding into the next and the next and the next. An endless time, it had seemed.
I will remember it all my life. Never again will I know such happiness.
Because never again would she be able to call theMas Delfineher home.
Or have Lycos in her life.
Regret filled her. She should have found the courage to talk to Lycos, to ask him to his face what she meant to him. Whether she meant anything at all other than a passing romance. Beguiled by the peaceful beauty of themas. Indulging her here in this lavish stay in Paris.
But did that matter any longer?
The very question was hard to face. Last night she had seen a side of him she had known about, but hadn’t realised just what it meant. Now she did.
I’ve seen the Wolf. Seen what he does.
Her brow furrowed as she stared down at the turbid waters of the river. Emotions, as turbid as the river, made their presence felt. Heavy and hard to face.
But face them she must.
Slowly, she turned away, returning to the hotel. To Lycos. To say to him what she must.
Lycos stirred, his hand automatically going across the bed to reach Arielle. He had been consideration itself last night, letting her sleep peacefully, curled up on the far side of the bed. It hadn’t been the way he’d wanted to spend the night, but he wouldn’t have dreamt of pestering her.
Nor would he now, either. Instead, he’d enquire sympathetically how she was feeling and whether she was up to breakfast. Up to doing anything that day.
But as his hand reached across, he realised she wasn’t in the bed at all. He sat up, looking around. She wasn’t visible. The bathroom door was open and clearly empty. He frowned and reached for his phone. He sent her a quick text.
Are you OK?
It took a moment for a reply to come through.
Fine. I just wanted some fresh air. I’m heading back now.
Relieved, he replied with a simple text.
Great. Are you up for breakfast?
Again, the reply took a moment.
Fine, thanks.
He sent back a thumbs up emoji and rang down for breakfast to be brought up, as it was every day.
They had breakfast at leisure, in bed, and took their time over it. And sometimes took yet more time to get the day underway. Making love to Arielle in the morning light was memorable indeed.
No, best not think of that. She might still have a headache.
Instead, he used the time to take a quick shower and shave, and throw on a fresh tee shirt and boxers. As breakfast arrived, so did Arielle. He smiled encouragingly at her and the moment they were alone he immediately asked how she was feeling.
‘I’m OK,’ she said.
But she didn’t look OK. She looked the way she had last night. Withdrawn, not making eye contact.
Different.
He looked at her. ‘Arielle, what is it? You’re upset. And don’t say it’s just a headache. It’s more than that.’
She went to the window and looked out for a moment. Her shoulders seemed hunched. She turned back to him.
