‘What about this one? It’s got the sort of expensive things you like in the window.’
Sofia took her arm and rushed her past.
‘Oh no, we can’t go in there, even if the clothes are amazing. That’s Celine’s. She’s a horrible French ex of Will’s who tried to ruin things between him and Grace.’
‘Well, I can’t fault you on loyalty.’ Maddie blew her friend a kiss. ‘Which is a nice thing. But what about this next shop? My body’s crying out for coffee.’
Sofia eyed a white dress in the window with a high neck, a pleated skirt and a thin gold belt round the middle.
‘Yes, that might work. You don’t think white’s too young?’
‘No.’
Maddie really thought it might make her friend look a bit like a majorette, but if she didn’t get some caffeine in her soon, she’d collapse.
The dress looked a hundred times better on Sofia that it did on the model in the window, something that invariably happened, observed Maddie. Apart from one foray in front of the mirror to show her the dress, her friend spent ages faffing in the changing room, but to her great relief they were eventually out on the pavement again with a bag bearing the posh logo of the shop and heading for the square.
Seated at the chicest coffee place in town with views through the streets to the sea, a waiter approaching their table made Sofia pick up a menu and open it.
‘Shouldn’t we stall him and wait for Char? She’s late.’
Maddie picked up her phone.
‘I did message her to tell her where we are, but I can see she’s not read it. I’ll message again, but you know what she’s like when she’s talking art. I’m beyond desperate for a cappuccino after that shopping marathon, so let’s order.’
On the walk back to the hotel after lingering over their coffees in the square, Charlotte was full of her meeting with Astrid and opened her bag to show them the selection of watercolours, brushes and paper she’d bought.
‘I can’t wait to get going on a couple of pictures while I’m here. Just simple stuff, but it’s a start.’
Sofia and Maddie smiled at each other. It was lovely to see their friend so happy.
They’d only been settled on Sofia’s terrace for around half an hour, watching the boats, when the phone rang in the room.
Sofia raced to answer it, but moments later called out for her friend.
‘Char, it’s for you.’
‘Me?’
Grasping the receiver with an unsteady hand, Charlotte held the phone away from her ear, letting Sofia listen too.
‘Charlotte Trent.’
‘Yes.’
‘Your husband is waiting in reception.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
Charlotte slammed the phone down and slumped onto the nearest seat.
Sofia loomed large above her.
‘What the hell? What’s he doing here? How does he even know where you are?’
Charlotte just shook her head. It was too much to deal with, even without Sofia’s questions.
The shouting brought Maddie in from outside.
