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‘With you,’ she said, flatly, not even phrasing it as a question. ‘Who else?’

‘Where would we go?’

‘Sicily. I have a friend there who will help us.’

‘And then what?’

He shrugged. ‘We live our lives. You’d have peace.’

‘And Danjel would have a limited future.’

‘He’s far more limited here with Lawrenz and the increasing lack of money. He’s beggared you both by opening those bars in Marseille.’

‘He believes it will work.’

‘Of course he does… but he is drinking and gambling any profits away. And he’s up to something over there… I’m not sure what exactly but I know it’s not lawful. When he’s in that strange mood – you know, when he believes he can do anything – he feels above the law. He says he plans to open more bars in Marseille and that he’s going to get a licence for a casino.’

That was news to her. ‘He’s mad.’

He reached for her arm and stopped her. ‘Leni, I can provide for you and Danjel. I have savings. I will sell my bar.’ She shook her head, opening her mouth to reply but he wouldn’t let her speak. ‘You don’t have to decide now. I want you to think about it. Sleep on it. He said he’s away for a few weeks this trip, so there’s time to plan and get away.’

‘You sound as crazy as him.’

‘Maybe. But there will never be a better moment to get you and Danjel to safety. He’ll have no idea where you are.’

Lawrenz would track them down; of that, she had no doubt, but she gave Robertu no indication of that, smiling sadly and kissing him on the cheek instead. ‘Did you know Queen Elizabeth is coming to visit us?’ she asked. ‘We can’t miss that.’

‘Maybe all that hysteria is the perfect moment to leave,’ he said, grinning.

‘Stay patient. I have taken some steps.’

He frowned. ‘What does that mean?’

She simply smiled. ‘Go enjoy your evening with Anna,’ she urged him. ‘Like you say, we’ll have time to talk again while he’s away. I want you to think of your own life.’

She turned away and knew he was watching her, but she didn’t look back.

Lawrenz was leaving for Marseille that morning, and Valentina made sure she did not show just how much she relished the increasing time he was spending away from home. Just her and Danjel. It was perfect.

‘How long will you be gone?’ she asked Lawrenz, putting freshly laundered and ironed handkerchiefs, which he’d forgotten, into his small suitcase.

‘What’s it to you?’

‘I imagined you might like to be here for the visit of Queen Elizabeth.’

He scoffed. ‘Me? Why?’ At least he sounded less sullen today. When the weight of his mood lifted, he looked so much healthier, even more handsome, but she knew not to trust that it might last.

She shrugged. ‘I was wrong. But I’d like to make sure I’m here for your return, whenever that is.’

He gave a laugh. ‘Nice to know, but surely you have nowhere else to be except in the cathedral, maybe.’

She suffocated the defiance that rose at his comment. ‘Of course you’re right, but let me cook your favourite meal for your return. You seem much brighter, Lawrenz,’ she said, risking an acknowledgement of his behaviour.

Valentina flinched when he stepped towards her, but it was simply to hug her. ‘I do feel better. I’m sorry if I’ve been in one of my moods.’

While his apologies might have worked in the early days, they no longer had any effect on her. There was nothing he could say that would make up for his violence, his cruelty. Go for as long as you want, she thought. In fact, never come back. Please go somewhere and die. ‘I’m always here for you,’ she said, managing a smile.

‘I’ll let you know when I’ll return.’