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‘How are you feeling?’ he asked ‘Any nausea?’

‘So far so good,’ she confirmed

‘That is good’ Not trusting the casual tone to his voice, she looked at hi aloft He winked ‘Just in case’

Despite herself, she laughed, the action loosening a little of the angst in her chest

He h those gardens is the Musée de Montmartre It is reputed to be the oldest house in Montmartre’

‘Didn’t Renoir live in it?’ she asked, wholly aware of his thigh now pressed against hers

‘Not quite—there is a mansion behind it that he lived in for a while Maurice Utrillo lived there though’

As they snaked their way through the cobbled streets, he pointed outlife into the ancient buildings, especially from the Impressionist era He knew so e, his heavy Sicilian accent so lyrical it was a joy to listen to him

Cara hid her disappointment when the driver came to a stop in a narrow street lined by a terrace of ashed five-storey homes, cafés and shops She could have happily continued with their tour

To her surprise, they went into a packed poky café that sarettes Pepe greeted the staff personally with his usual enthusiash the back and out into a small courtyard

‘Ladies first,’ he said, waving his hand at a fli iron staircase that led all the way to the top floor ‘Don’t worry,’ he added, clearly reading her mind ‘I assure you it is safe’

‘Aren’t there indoor stairs?’ She was in no way mollified by his assurance

‘There are, but as you have seen, the café is busy, and if all tonight’s guests were to use theet in the way of the staff’

‘So why go through the front entrance? Why not get your driver to drop us off at the back?’

‘Because the staff would be most put out if they knew I had been here and hadn’t dropped in to say hello’

‘You do have a high opinion of yourself,’ she muttered

His sive ood employer’

Her brow knotted

‘I own the building,’ he clarified

‘I thought you owned vineyards’