‘Hello, Mrs Edwards.’
I stop and turn back to see the friendly bellboy looking at me.
‘How was your day? Did you have a nice time?’ he asks.
‘Oh, yes, thank you. You live in a wonderful city.’
‘Thank you. I hope you managed to visit our Christmas markets.’
‘Oh, yes.’ I hold up the little paper bag with my candle that I managed to keep safe despite stopping off at the bar.
‘That’s good. I’m glad you’re enjoying your stay in Prague.’
I turn to walk towards my room when the bellboy stops me from leaving.
‘Actually, the reason I stopped you was not to talk about the markets. This came for you.’ He hands over an envelope.
‘Oh, thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Good night.’
I am bewildered, as the envelope has the hotel’s name on it. Surely, they aren’t giving me my bill already? I know I am keen to leave, but I do officially have a few more days to go before I have to settle it and check out. When I get into my room, I put my bag down, lie on the bed and tear open the envelope. I quickly realise that the letter isn’t from the hotel at all.
Dear Olivia,
It was our pleasure to meet you today.
After you left, my uncle and I spoke at great length about you, Marek and your aunt. He told me something that I had never known before. It seems my uncle has been keeping his own secret. I would like to tell you about it. I suppose it won’t change anything, now that Marek and your aunt are gone, but it might explain some things.
Please forgive me for contacting you at your hotel. I noticed your hotel key, so it wasn’t hard to find you. I do hope you don’t think me forward in writing to you.
I think we need to meet up to discuss this matter, so please call me.
Yours,
Tomas
I look at the telephone number he has written down and store it in the new mobile phone I bought in duty-free.
I put the letter down and plump up the pillow behind my head. What could he possibly mean by Albert having kept a secret? What if it is some kind of earth-shattering secret? Do I even want to know? Don’t they say to let sleeping dogs lie? Perhaps there is a reason they say that. I get this feeling that I might be getting in over my head. I only came here to break the news that Aunt Grace had died, and now I may have landed in some kind of complicated family web of lies.
I don’t plan on being here a moment longer than I have to. What if the secret means I have to extend my stay? I realise that I have a choice here. I can confront the truth and find out what it is that Albert has lied about, or I can walk away. But then I argue with myself. What if it is something I need to know about Aunt Grace? Something that is important? I am so confused.
I have done the bit I came here for; isn’t that all that matters?
Chapter Ten
Just as I did yesterday, I tuck into my hearty hotel breakfast. Today, though, I opt for a creamy bowl of porridge to set myself up for the day. Then I go back up to the buffet again for some waffles. I tell myself that it will stop me wanting everything I see and smell at the markets, but I know that isn’t really true. How can I resist? The food is far too nice here.
I check my itinerary for the day. Dewi suggests I go to the top of the Clock Tower to see the views of Prague. Hmm, but I saw the outside of the Clock Tower last night. I am desperate to see the castle. I debate whether I should stick with his itinerary or do my own thing. But the one thing I do know is that it is nice to wander around anonymously here and not have to worry about bumping into someone who knew me as Craig’s wife or, worse still, coming face to face with Josephine and the kids.
I am deliberating what to do when the bellboy rushes up to my breakfast table.
‘Mrs Edwards, there’s a phone call for you. Can you come to the reception?’
Reluctantly, I leave the breakfast table. I hope it isn’t Tomas, as I have made the decision that what is going on in that family is between them. While I am a teeny bit curious, it could involve Marek, and he can’t speak up for himself, so it is not anyone else’s business at this stage. As far as we know now, it was all a magical romance between them. Why should we shatter that illusion? I decide to tell Tomas that I have no interest in the family secret, but when I hear the voice, I immediately realise it isn’t Tomas. Instead, it is Dewi, who has been waiting for me to update him.
‘So, how’s it going then?’
