cover it,’ Grace said.
‘Even if it does, he’ll kill me,’ said Deira.
‘Who?’ asked Grace.
‘My partner – my ex-partner,’ said Deira. ‘Everyone thought it was mine. But he took out the loan.’
Grace looked at her in confusion.
‘I was the one with the mortgage, you see,’ said Deira. ‘He did the car. But I paid the insurance. It’s comprehensive, so it covers fire. But does that only mean the car itself going on fire? What about damage in another fire? Does that count? And if it’s a write-off because of fire damage, will they pay out? How much will they pay? I don’t know that either. Gavin will freak, I do know that.’
‘Gavin’s your ex?’ Grace grasped at the most fundamental part of Deira’s incoherent monologue.
‘Yes.’ Deira buried her face in her hands. ‘I knew it was a mistake. I was looking for a sign. But there wasn’t one.’
Grace hadn’t entirely got to grips with what the younger woman was saying, but she did know that she was very distressed. So despite her natural inclination not to get involved in anyone else’s emotional issues, she put her arm around her shoulders and hugged her gently, as she used to do when any of the children was upset. They stayed like that for what to Grace seemed like an age, as her arm had gone numb by the time Deira sat up straight again.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, her voice suddenly steadier and calmer. ‘I don’t know what happened to me there. I’m fine now.’
‘I doubt that,’ said Grace. ‘Obviously you’ve had a lot going on and tonight’s escapade has added—’ She broke off and gave Deira a wry smile, ‘I was going to say fuel to the fire, but I guess that’s horribly inappropriate.’
Deira laughed. A shaky laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.
‘What’s done is done,’ she said. ‘I can’t change it, I just have to find a way to deal with it.’ She took another sip of brandy. ‘Though I’m not sure I can deal with it if I drink much more of this. It’s terrible.’
‘I’ll go and see if I can rustle up a hot chocolate this time,’ said Grace. ‘Stay there.’
Deira did as she was told, sitting deeper into the window alcove and pulling her knees up against her body so that she could rest her chin on them. No matter which way she looked at it, this was a monumental cock-up. Of course Gavin was always going to find out she’d taken the car, but she’d expected to have a few days before having to properly worry about him. And even then, when he ultimately realised that it hadn’t been actually stolen and that she was the one who’d taken it, all that would have happened was that he’d have lost his temper with her, which wouldn’t have been anything new. Not these days. Admittedly she’d been concerned that by some weird cosmic process he would have immediately sensed the car had been taken from its parking bay beneath the apartment and suspected her, but despite her earlier worries about him setting the police and/or the gendarmerie after her, that hadn’t happened. Besides she’d been mentally prepared for that situation. She’d rehearsed the conversation. But she certainly hadn’t rehearsed telling Gavin she’d taken the car and allowed it to become a burnt-out wreck.
‘Here.’ Grace returned with a large cup of steaming hot chocolate. ‘Get this inside you. And take another couple of sips of the brandy too.’
‘Thanks,’ said Deira. ‘You’re good in a crisis.’
A member of staff walked into the bar and announced that the fire services had now declared all the bedrooms safe.
‘So you may return,’ he said. ‘And we apologise for the inconvenience.’
‘A bit more than an inconvenience,’ said Deira as she warmed her hands on the cup.
‘Well, nobody was injured and that’s the main thing,’ said Grace. ‘Stuff can be replaced.’
‘You’re right.’ Deira’s words got caught in her throat. ‘But people . . . nothing can replace people.’ She winced as she caught Grace’s expression. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so bloody insensitive. I didn’t mean . . . the professor . . .’
‘You’re right,’ said Grace. ‘People can’t be replaced. I know that. I accept that. I’ve accepted it since the day he died. As for your situation, if you want to tell me what’s wrong, I’m happy to listen. I bent your ear earlier today, remember. It was surprisingly good for me. Maybe talking would be good for you.’
Deira shook her head. ‘Another time.’
‘OK,’