into his office at work and arguing with him. I followed him back to the apartment he’s sharing with her and demanded to be let in. I caused a scene in a café – he was having a breakfast meeting and I dumped his fry-up all over him.’
‘You go, girl,’ murmured Grace.
‘He wanted to get a restraining order against me,’ Deira said. ‘In all honesty, I couldn’t blame him. The HR manager at work persuaded him against it. Then she called me in, and although she was sympathetic to my situation, she suggested I take some leave. That’s the other thing, isn’t it? He cheats on me but he’s given a pass. I’m the one who has to disappear for a while. Not that HR weren’t right in some respects,’ she acknowledged. ‘It was toxic being in the same building as him. So it was a good idea for me to get away. And as the holiday was already booked . . .’
‘Like mine,’ said Grace.
‘Gosh, yes.’ Deira nodded. ‘I didn’t think – we’re in a similar sort of boat, aren’t we? Except that you’re entitled to be driving your car and I’m basically a character from Grand Theft Auto.’
‘Did you just rock up to his place and drive it away?’ asked Grace. ‘Did you have a key?’
Deira told her about sneaking into the apartment complex and taking the car. ‘And yes, I had a key because I lost mine ages ago and had to get a new one. Then I found mine again and kept it as a spare. I was going to send him a text and let him know what I’d done before he got home. I knew he’d go ballistic, but there would be nothing he could do about it. Now . . . well, I’ve basically destroyed it.’
‘Perhaps the dealership can repair it.’ Grace tried to sound positive.
‘The paintwork is burned, the seats are charred and the interior is soaked. Even if it does dry out, it’ll probably be mouldy. The roof needs to be replaced too – there’s a massive hole in it. It’s a disaster, Grace, and it’s my fault. Gavin will go mental.’
‘Tell him to eff off,’ said Grace. ‘He treated you disgracefully. Let him whistle for his car.’
Deira gave her a watery smile. ‘I bet that’s what you’d say in my position all right. You’re so . . . so grown up. So together. Whereas I’m an idiot.’
‘I’m not at all grown up,’ said Grace, although she was pleased that Deira thought so. ‘I’m someone trying to do her best.’
‘God, yes. You’ve had a much worse trauma than me.’ Deira was aghast at having pushed Grace’s situation to the back of her mind. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘You listened to me offloading about Ken last night. It’s only fair I should return the favour.’
‘What are we like?’ Deira blew her nose again. ‘Well, what I really mean is – you’re great. What happened with your husband was simply awful. A total tragedy. But you’re . . . well, I’m not going to say coping, because I don’t know you or anything and I’m sure it’s still really difficult. But at least you’re not a snivelling mess like me.’
‘You’re not a mess,’ said Grace. ‘You’ve gone through a shitty time. You deserve your break. And you should have it, despite the car.’
‘I’m probably going to be stuck here for ages trying to work things out,’ said Deira. ‘So much for my French holiday idyll.’
‘Why stay here?’ asked Grace. ‘There’s nothing more you can do. The insurance companies can sort it out between themselves. The dealership will either fix the car or not. What’s the point in you hanging around while they decide?’
‘What else can I do?’ asked Deira. ‘I’ve no car and no way of getting around.’
‘But I have a car,’ said Grace. ‘And I have an itinerary. I also have more clues to be deciphered. We’ve already seen that two heads are better than one. Why don’t you come with me?’
‘On all your stops? Through France and Spain?’ Deira looked at her in astonishment.
‘Why not?’ said Grace. ‘To tell you the truth, you’d be doing me a favour. My elder daughter thinks I’m off my rocker doing this trip on my own. If I tell her I have company, she might stop worrying about me and asking me to share my location with her so she can check up on me without me even realising it.’
‘I’m not sure . . .’
‘We still haven’t worked