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‘True, but I rarely get to see you too, so let’s make the most of it whilst you’re here.’

‘Oh, that’s so sweet. And you’re sure there’s no ulterior motive?’ Camille teased. ‘No one you want to see at the house?’

‘No,’ Lucas said gruffly, but Camille knew him too well and detected a slight pink flush on his face. She was pleased.

Today she had another meeting with Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Lucas had offered to drive her up to the estate at S’Estaca. Camille suspected he wanted to see Stephanie again and hoped that was the case – she’d certainly love to be shot of that pushy and trashy model, Elle. The cheek of the girl yesterday, turning up and claiming to be ‘just passing’, then pitching to be the face of Camille Andre. And all in front of Isobel too. What an embarrassment.

Outside the car window, the Mallorcan scenery flashed by, as Camille’s thoughts drifted. It wasn’t far to Catherine’s villa, just a few miles along a winding coastal road. The land here was bleached by the sun in shades of terracotta and ochre, with pine and olive trees providing welcome greenery, and straggly yellow wildflowers offering a burst of colour. The mountains stretched away inland, whilst the glorious Mediterranean sparkled on the other side, lapping against the rocky shoreline. It was another idyllic day on the island.

‘So, what’s happening with Nicolas?’ Lucas’s voice interrupted Camille’s reflective mood.

She sighed softly, her gaze fixed straight ahead at the stunning scenery. ‘Like I said, nothing for you to worry about.’

‘But I am worried about it. If you and Nicolas have fallen out, then it must be serious. I’ve never known the two of you to argue – you always bring him round to your point of view,’ Lucas laughed lightly. ‘You know I think he’s a great guy. Since losing Papa, he’s the closest thing I have to a father.’

Camille exhaled shakily, tears pricking at her eyelids. Lucas’s words cut deep, bringing up feelings of guilt and confusion that she’d tried to bury. She didn’t want to have this conversation with Lucas, but nor did she want to hide the truth from him. ‘He asked me to marry him—’

‘That’s amazing news!’ Lucas exclaimed, before Camille had the chance to finish her sentence. ‘Congratulations! I’m so happy for the two of you.’

‘I said no.’

Lucas seemed confounded by this. ‘What? But why?’

‘It’s complicated, Lucas.’

‘No, it isn’t. He adores you, and takes such good care of you. I know you love him too. He makes you happy – you light up around him. And it’d be good for you to be with someone – I’d be more relaxed, knowing you weren’t on your own.’

‘This is my decision to make, not yours.’ Camille’s tone was sharp, almost snappish. She never spoke to Lucas that way, and he looked at her in shock, the hurt clearly visible on his handsome face.

‘Is everything OK, Maman?’ he asked gently. ‘You haven’t been yourself recently.’

Camille flapped her hands in her lap. ‘I know, I know. I’m sorry. It’s just the stress of the show and … everything. I have a lot to think about, that’s all.’

‘I understand,’ Lucas said carefully. ‘It’s just, I love Nicolas. He’s been in my life since I was born. I don’t want to lose him, the way I lost Papa.’

‘I know, chéri. I’m sorry. I will think about it all and try to resolve matters with Nicolas. But I don’t want to talk about it now. Please, Lucas, leave it alone, for my sake.’

He sighed, ‘All right – for now.’

‘Thank you. Now tell me what’s happening with you, and with the restaurant. The meal was beautiful the other night. Your cooking is better than ever, and my guests were so impressed.’

‘I’m glad. It was a great night. We were full to capacity, and there was such a buzz in the air.’

‘You’ll have your Michelin star in no time,’ Camille beamed.

‘Perhaps …’ Lucas forced a smile.

‘What is it?’

Now it was Lucas’s turn to be evasive, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. ‘I don’t know exactly. There are a few things that are niggling at me, that don’t feel right …’

‘Like what?’

Lucas hesitated. ‘There was an incident the other day. Paulo hadn’t paid one of our suppliers – Diego, the seafood guy.’

‘Diego? But you’ve known him for years. Your father and I used to buy from him directly. He always had the freshest sea bass on the island.’

‘He still does.’