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“Where to, love?” the cabbie asks.
“Kew Green, please.” Alessia sits back in her seat and takes out her phone. She texts Maxim.
Hello My Lord
We finished today early.
I am going out.
Axx
Alessia wants to see where her great-uncle lives. Maybe even meet him. During her lessons today, she’d written him a letter, and she hopes to post it through his door. Once they’ve made contact, she’ll tell her husband that she’s tracked him down, and only then. After all, Maxim didn’t want her to contact the private detective.
And she did.
Her phone chimes.
It’s a text from her husband.
Good afternoon, My Lady.
I love when you text me.
Out where? Curious minds need to know.
I’ll come and join you if you wish.
Mx
Oh no.
I am going to Kew.
I will not be long.
See you later.
xxxx
* * *
What the hell is Alessia doing in Kew? The last time I was near that part of the world was when I drove out to Brentford after those arseholes showed up at my flat, and Alessia fled. You are your father’s son. A knight in shining armor—a sucker for a damsel in distress.
The memory of my mother’s words sours my mood and my concern for Alessia mushrooms.
What are you doing in Kew?
* * *
Alessia huffs. Her husband worries too much—she can tell by the brusque tone of his text. She thought she would reassure him by letting him know she was going out, but it appears to have added to his anxiety. She texts back.
It is a surprise.
Do not worry!!! :D
xxxx
* * *
Alessia’s text is moderately reassuring.
For heaven’s sake, Maxim. She’s a grown woman.
Okay.
Stay safe.
Text when you’re coming home.
Mx
PS: Not sure I like surprises!
* * *
Alessia sighs with relief. This is more like it. He seems to have recovered his sense of humor. Feeling reassured, Alessia stares out the cab window and spots a mother pushing a stroller. She wonders what Maxim would be like if she was with child. He’d probably be a great deal worse.
Maxim’s child.
She loves the idea.
Just not yet. She was shocked when he mentioned it at the weekend, and she’s glad he’s eager for children. But the temptation to study at one of the best music schools in the country is too great a lure.
Parenthood can wait.
But if he insisted, she would capitulate. She wants children too.
Yes. She could see herself doing this.
Her parents would be thrilled, and so would Maxim.
But he agreed to wait. He wants to show her some of the world too.
* * *
My phone rings, and it’s a number I don’t recognize. “Trevethick.”
“Lord Trevethick, it’s Ticia Cavanagh.”
“Hello, Ticia. Please call me Maxim.” Jesus, we’ve bumped uglies, for heaven’s sake. “What gives?”
“I’m calling to let you know that, as we thought, all your marriage documents are completely bona fide. We’ve done the research. You are legally married.”
I laugh, more from relief than anything else. “That is good news.”
After all that, Demachi and Tabaku’s plan worked.
“I wondered if you’d made any movement on finding a place for Lady Trevethick—”
“Alessia, please.”
“For Alessia to study. I’m concerned about the rabid press interest you’re attracting.”
“Oh. You’ve seen it?”
“Yes. ‘Oh’ is right. You realize that if the Home Office finds out Alessia was here illegally earlier this year, they could refuse her a family visa. And you may also be in trouble, as you breached immigration rules, given that she was working for you and didn’t have the correct visa in place.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Exactly. I’ll follow up with a colleague to find out how the police investigation into her traffickers is progressing and if they have anything that might connect your wife to the crime. This will all be done anonymously, but the cost will come out of your retainer. So, I’m asking if—”
“Go ahead. By all means. And if the retainer doesn’t cover it, let me know.”
“Okay. Good.”
“I’m hoping we’ll secure a place for Alessia at one of the music conservatoires in London.”
“I’ve seen the video. She’s very talented.”
I smile but shake my head. My wife has gone viral! “She is, and she wants to study at the Royal College.”
“Good luck with that. In the meantime, it might be helpful if you could be a little more under the radar.”
“Point taken. We may go to Cornwall. We’ll be off the grid there. Thanks for the warning.”
“You’re welcome… Maxim.” She hangs up, and my brain feverishly starts processing this information. Perhaps going to Dimitri’s was a mistake.
Of all the times to go viral!
* * *
Alessia fingers her grandmother’s cross at her neck. Butterflies are forming in her stomach the closer she gets to Kew. The cab stops at a red light, and Alessia can see Kew Bridge before her and the road to Brentford off to her right. She remembers how happy she was living with Magda and her son for those few precious weeks. Michal has told her via Facebook that he and Magda are doing well in Canada. He has a bunch of new friends and is learning to skate. He has ambitions to play ice hockey like his new stepfather, Logan. From his posts, he looks happy, as does Magda.
