‘No, of course not.’
Sofia’s eyes were full of understanding.
‘OK, that’s a truly pathetic attempt at lying.’
Grace’s eyes refused to obey her yet again, and the tears fell thick and fast.
Sofia took her in her arms and stroked her hair.
‘Did it happen last night, the night of Phil’s anniversary?’
It was like the woman was psychic. Grace nodded miserably.
‘OK, not ideal timing, I’ll admit. But never mind.’
Grace took the tissue that Sofia offered.
‘One last question, and then you are free, little one.’
Grace mentally adopted the brace position.
‘What?’
‘What was it like?’
She looked her friend in the eye.
‘It was amazing. Scary, but amazing.’
It felt good to say it.
Sofia stood up and punched the air.
‘Yes! At last! Go Will.’
‘OK, calm down.’
* * *
Having admitted that no, she didn’t have any more lessons that day, and yes, she could go shopping and out to dinner, Grace was again witness to Sofia’s desire to spend money.
They’d been in nearly every shop in town and had the embossed bags to prove it. Grace was more than ready to call it a day, but Sofia’s eye had been caught by a tiny boutique whose window was stuffed with no doubt extremely expensive things.
‘Let’s go in here. Last one, honest. Then I’ll treat you to a fabulous dinner at the hotel. Please.’
‘OK. I suppose so.’
Her friend had come all this way to see her, and she never had much free time to shop in London. Grace watched Sofia stroke a watered silk dress with a reverence usually reserved for a firstborn.
‘I want to try this.’ Sofia rifled through the rails. ‘And this, and this. So many lovely things that want to come and live in my wardrobe.’
‘I’m surprised there’s any room.’
Sofia stuck out her tongue and disappeared into the changing rooms with her booty.
Grace took the pink velvet stool outside and waited. A movement at the back of the shop distracted her from totting up Sofia’s spending. A door opened, and Celine walked through it. That was all she needed. She should have thought when she saw the enormous gold C outside the shop. It was the sort of place she’d normally never venture into in a million years.
She spotted the Frenchwoman a fraction before Celine saw her, so she was able to observe the way she put on her professional smile.
