‘I don’t want you to let me go.’
But he hardly seemed to hear her.
‘Why can’t you understand how serious I am? There is only you. There will only ever be you. I’ll never let you go, Cassie. Even if there were miles between us I would still be there, holding onto you, refusing to let you forget me. You might try to escape but you won’t be able to.’
What mysterious insight had made him utter those words, so strangely prophetic of what was to come? Miles and years had stretched between them, yet always he’d been there as he’d promised—or was it threatened?—always on the edge of her consciousness until the day he’d appeared again to reclaim her.
There it was again, the tormenting question. Had he recognised her, or had she only imagined that he’d called her Cassie?
And his remark that the decision had already been taken, had she not simply read too much into it? Was she hearing what she wanted to hear?
But there was more. Just before she’d left him that morning there had been another clue, if only she could remember what it was. She’d barely noticed at the time, but now she realised that his words had been significant. If only—
Frantically she wracked her memory. It was connected with the cellphone number—something he’d said—something—something—
‘What?’ she cried out. ‘What was it?’
She dropped her head, resting it on one hand while she slammed the other hand on the table again and again with increasing desperation.
A few miles away someone else was conjuring up pictures online. The one word, ‘Cassie’ brought her before him in a website that analysed the careers of models who were no longer around.
For two years she rode high and could have ridden higher still, but suddenly she gave up modelling and disappeared from sight. After that she was occasionally seen in luxurious surroundings, places where only rich men gather. And always she seemed weighed down with diamonds.
Why hadn’t he seen it happening? Her choice of himself over wealthy admirers had made him love her a million times more, but it had always been too good to be true. It was a game she’d played, until she’d succumbed to the lure of serious money. While he’d thought he was her true love, he’d been no more than her plaything.
He should have known when she’d failed to visit him in the hospital. He’d lain there in pain and anguish, certain that she would be here at any moment. Every time the door opened he’d tensed with longing, which was always crushed.
He’d clung to the fragile hope that she didn’t know what had happened to him. If only he could reach her, all would be well. But her cellphone was switched off. When he’d called her apartment the phone rang and rang, but was never answered.
He’d known then, known with such certainty that he’d torn up the letter she’d sent him without even opening it. Who needed to read her miserable excuses?
He’d seen her just once more, the day he’d left for Paris. There she’d been at the airport with her new lover, as he went into the departure lounge.
‘You!’ he’d spat. ‘The last person I ever want to see.’
She’d held out her arms, crying frantically, ‘Marcel, you don’t understand—please—please—’
‘I loved you,’ he raged. ‘I trusted you—now I can’t bear the sight of you!’
‘Marcel—’
‘Get out of my sight! Whore!’
He’d turned and ran from her. He remembered that afterwards with self-disgust. It was he who had run, not her. But there would be no running now. The time had come.
WHEN she rose next morning her mind was firm and decided. Today she would start working for Marcel, getting close to the man he’d become, watching to see where the path led. And, wherever it led, she was ready to explore.
Now she was glad that his younger ghost haunted her. Far from trying to banish that spectre, she would enlist him onside and make use of his insights to confront the present man.
She made coffee and toast and sat eating it by the window, looking down at the street, thinking of another time, another window where she’d watched for a grocery delivery. Cassie had been riding high, with two great modelling jobs behind her and more in the offing. The world was wonderful.
And then the most wonderful thing of all had happened.
The grocery van had drawn up and the delivery man stepped out. That was her first view of Marcel’s tall, vigorous body. Being only one floor up, she could appreciate every detail. When he’d glanced up she’d seen not only his good looks but the cheeky devil lurking in his eyes. That had been what really won her heart.
It was the same with him. She knew that by the way he came to a sudden halt, as though something had seized him, smiling at her with pleasure and an air of discovery. The words, That’s it! This is the one! had sung in the air between them.
A week later, lying in each other’s arms, he’d said, ‘I knew then that I was going to love you.’
‘I knew I’d love you too,’ she’d assured him joyfully.
‘Really? Me, the grocer’s delivery lad? With all the men you could have?’
‘If I can have them I can also reject them,’ she’d pointed out. ‘I choose the man I want. I choose.’ With mock sternness she’d added, ‘Don’t forget that.’
‘No, ma’am. Whatever you say, ma’am.’
He’d given her a comical salute and they’d dissolved into laughter, snuggling down deeper into the bed, and then not laughing at all.
How handsome he’d been that first day, getting out of the van and approaching her. How young, untouched by life!
‘Good morning!’
She jumped, startled by the voice that came from below. A car had stopped and a man was calling up to her, pulling her back to the present, where she didn’t want to be.
‘I’m sorry … who …?’
‘I said good morning,’ Marcel repeated.
‘Oh—it’s you!’
‘Who were you expecting?’
‘Nobody. I thought you’d call me.’
‘May I come up?’
‘Of course.’ She tossed down the keys.
She hadn’t dressed and was suddenly conscious of the thin nightie. By the time he arrived she’d pulled on a house coat. It was unflattering, but it zipped up to the neck and at least he wouldn’t think she was trying to be seductive. Anything but that.
When she emerged from the bedroom he was already there. ‘I’m sorry to arrive so early, but I’m eager to get a close inspection of my new property.’
‘Meaning me?’ she asked, her head on one side and a satirical smile on her lips.
‘A shrewd businesswoman like you should appreciate the description. So I came to collect you, which was perhaps a little thoughtless of me. Finish your breakfast.’
She fetched a cup and poured him a coffee. ‘Let’s talk. I can eat and work at the same time.’
‘I see I’ve hired the right person. The hotel needs development, the sooner