‘You’re a survivor, Ellie, I can tell.’
‘Takes one to know one.’
Ellie looked at her hand, still clasped by his.What the hell.
‘Fredrik?’
‘Yes?’
She had to do it quickly or she’d lose her nerve. So she leaned in to kiss him. He hesitated for a tiny moment and then kissed her back. They pulled apart, eyes locked.So what next?thought Ellie. This felt like her moment, space and time that belonged only to her. She was aware of its fleeting nature, how it would drift away from her unless she grabbed it with both hands.
SEVENTY-FIVE
In the back of the surveillance van, Baroni sat listening to Fredrik and Ellie. She was flanked by two techie cops, who monitored a bank of screens that held views from the cameras fitted to the two unmarked cars parked at strategic parts of the village. One was directly opposite the row of buildings where the B & B was nestled in between the village hall and a delicatessen. Other screens were showing the views up and down the main street.
So Abby had gone off in a huff, thought Baroni. It must have been a while ago as none of the police had seen her leave. It was only a matter of time before she returned. Baroni knew she just had to remain patient. Unless Fredrik could find out where she’d gone. He seemed to be doing a good job at gaining Ellie’s trust – and maybe Ellie knew more than she let on.
Baroni suddenly realized she could no longer hear voices. She looked across at her colleagues but they shook their heads, as puzzled as she was. Baroni reached for her radio.
‘It’s gone quiet,’ she said to Santini, who was in the unmarked car parked on the street outside the B & B. ‘Any sighting outside?’
‘Nothing,’ he replied. ‘It’s clear.’
Baroni frowned. They must still be in the B & B. So what were they doing?
SEVENTY-SIX
Abby stared out of the wooden window frame that captured a view of the road. Not just any old road but the road that led out of the village. She’d been drawn to it ever since she’d arrived, gazing out, wishing she was in the car, driving away, deep into the countryside. She didn’t like staying still too long. It made her tetchy and anxious.
She would have walked that road if she could; in fact, after she’d stormed out on Ellie she’d got as far as the end of the village and then realized that unless she wanted to leave without her sister, she had to stop and wait for her. The last building on the street was a tiny cafe – Rosa’s – run by a lady whose age was hard to determine. She had the look of belonging to where she lived, as if she’d been in the village her entire life. In the lines of her face was written her story, visible and intriguing and yet indecipherable. She had been friendly when Abby came in for a coffee, placing a homemade biscuit on a plate, even though Abby hadn’t ordered one. Then she’d gone back behind the counter and was sitting watching a tiny television screen, on which Abby could just make out horse racing, the volume turned low.
Abby checked her watch. She’d give Ellie an hour maximum, then she’d walk into that bar and tell her sister that unless she wanted to be left behind she’d better get herself back to the car. Abby sighed. She recognized self-pity in amongst her frustration. If she was honest, a little part of her was...not jealous, but with Ellie meeting up with that Norwegian man, Abby was reminded of how much she missed Matteo. She could do with an hour or so out of this situation herself, sitting in a bar being distracted by something fun. Having something other than her current predicament to torment her mind.
‘Another coffee?’ The ageless lady had appeared at her shoulder.
Might as well, thought Abby. She nodded and watched as the lady took her cup and, moving slowly across the cafe, went to make her a fresh drink, then walked slowly back again.
‘Gracias,’ said Abby.
‘You are here on your own?’ asked the lady.
‘No. My sister is up the street. In the bar. With a...friend.’
The lady gave a knowing smile and Abby blushed as she realized how she’d sounded. Petulant, almost.
‘I am Rosa,’ said the lady. ‘Like the cafe.’ Without invitation Rosa took a seat at the table.
‘I have seen you staring out of the window,’ said Rosa.
‘It’s a lovely view,’ replied Abby, non-committal.
‘You don’t want to sit with your sister and her friend?’
Abby shook her head. ‘Three’s a crowd.’
Rosa nodded. ‘He is the wrong man for your sister. You are protective of her.’
‘It’s not that. It’s just...we had plans. And instead she’s gone to meet him.’
