I think back to the cathedral where she happily celebrated her wedding.
‘So sad. Sometimes it’s better not to know what’s in store for you. Can you imagine if you felt ill while driving with all those big drops below.’ I shudder at the thought.
I am glad Elias is taking the bends slowly after realising this is the same road that the beautiful Princess Grace was on.
There aren’t many places to stop for a look around, but Elias eventually spots a small layby. It is probably just as well that there aren’t viewing points all along here, or people would be stopping every few minutes; it’s so beautiful.
We pull up safely, and Elias stands behind me with his hands around my hips as we both look over at the spectacular views of the sea and the principality below.
‘This is breathtaking, isn’t it?’ he says.
‘It truly is. It’s like a bird’s eye view over Monaco. So different from how we saw everything down below. We really have had the best of both worlds.’
We drive a little further along and find ourselves in Eze, which I remember from the night out on Soraya’s birthday. It is where she wanted to go if we had more time.
Soon, we pull up to an old stone chateau that teeters off the verge of a mountain with an incredibly dramatic view of the Mediterranean below. I thought I had seen some incredible sights on this break, but I realise that I haven’t seen anything until now. My mouth hangs open as I look at the building in front of me. The stonework reminds me of Rapunzel’s tower. Torch sconces hang from the medieval stone walls, and the pretty pink flowers all combine to make it look like a fairy-tale castle.
Inside, there is a grand open fireplace, chandeliers and portraits. This place really is like something from a fairy tale, although I dread to think how much it costs to stay here for the night.
When we reach our room, I feel like a real-life princess. I have never stayed anywhere like it. The huge four-poster bed has grand red curtains hanging down on four corners, and I look over to see a roll-top bath in the corner. It could be so easy to get carried away here, so I try to remind myself that this is only a holiday and not to get used to this lifestyle.
‘Seriously, there’s a bath in our bedroom?’
‘We could always use it later,’ Elias grins.
I run about like a child, not knowing where to look first. I open the French windows and walk out onto the patio with the most wonderful sea view.
‘Is it my imagination, or does the sea look bluer than ever from here?’
‘It’s so clear up here, I guess.’
‘I don’t think I want to leave the room.’
‘Well, we don’t have to. Although, the food is supposed to be pretty good here. But I suppose we should make the most of our time at the hotel,’ says Elias.
I take hold of him and kiss him, and then we both fall onto the four-poster bed.
‘Oh, god. My knee. Hang on.’ In my excitement, I forgot all about the dodgy knee.
‘Oh, no, are you okay?’
He straightens out his leg and laughs, and then pulls me towards him. We spend the rest of the afternoon in our glorious four-poster bed, and Elias doesn’t complain about his knee again.
Chapter Twenty
Our fingers are intertwined as though we never want to let go of each other, as we walk downstairs to the table that Elias has booked for dinner. We pass a big wine cellar as we find our table on the terrace outside. It is a good job we are not into fancy wines, as I would imagine some serious damage could be done with this selection.
We sit at the table we have been given, which looks directly onto the sea and the coastline below. I sit tight against the elegant black metal railings. It’s so close to the drop below that if this railing gave way, I would be straight over the edge.
‘I really can’t get over this place, Elias. What a hidden treasure.’
‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I always fancied staying here, but since having the money to come, I haven’t had the company. It’s not the same coming somewhere like this on your own.’
I hold my glass up to his and say cheers. ‘To the meeting of two strangers.’
‘Maybe it was meant to be,’ says Elias.
‘Well, I certainly never expected we’d end up like this when I met you at the supermarket, that’s for sure. This was supposed to be a men-free holiday.’
