Page 67 of The Island of Hopes and Dreams

Or send me a million selfies of you quaffing copious amounts of wine – no, of course you didn’t! Anyway, I thought at these wine tastings you had to spit it out afterwards. Seems a waste of wine…

My thought exactly. That’s why I ended up tipsy.

Tipsy?! You looked completely and utterly drunk to me.

I’ll try to behave tomorrow.

Like hell you will! Please don’t go all boring on me, Rhys. I’m enjoying hearing what you’re getting up to. ;)

25 October

Mirabel messaged after they got back yesterday and sent a couple of photos of their honeymoon. It’s been so strange not hearing a thing from her for a month – the longest we’ve ever not talked or messaged. They sound blissfully happy. Just hope that lasts now they’re back on Sardinia.

She’ll be so busy looking for a home for her and Fabs alongside building her business she won’t have time to worry that she has to live with her in-laws for a while longer.

Well, she might mind about that, but as she’s got a handful of her old clients signing with her, she will definitely have no free time.

And then when they start talking about having kids.

Oh Mirabel’s been talking about starting a family for ages. She’s going to have her hands full. I can see you as godfather though.

And you as godmother.

Now there’s a thought. Night, Rhys.

Night, Lola. Or should I say buona notte.

30 October

Have you met any more interesting people?

Yeah, I’ve met some amazing people and had plenty of interesting conversations while in Rome so I’ve not been completely alone. I’ve been out all day exploring the Colosseum and Roman Forum. I like the time to myself, choosing where to eat and what I want to do. Feels weird at times though, but there’s a freedom to it that’s refreshing. The days are going by quickly and I can’t believe it’s been more than three weeks already. The time’s slipping away. There’s so much to do and take in. I’m loving it…

I feel there’s a but to that?

Yeah there is because the longer I’m away, the more I keep thinking how good it would be to share this experience with you.

You are in a way, Rhys. I love hearing about where you are and what you’re up to.

It’s not the same as physically sharing all the special moments with you. What I’m trying to say in a roundabout way is I miss you.

I miss you too.

5 November

Apparently Barnaby’s got some news for me. It’s all gone quiet over the last week or two, which worries me because every time I feel like Jarek is out of my life he comes back like a bad smell. I’m hoping Barnaby has positive news to share – he’s video calling me this evening.

Let me know how it goes, although I might not have service later as I’ll be on the train to the Dolomites. Should get to the Harmony Hotel by eight, then I’ll finally be in one place for the next week. I really hope Barnaby gives you good news x

* * *

With so many nerves attacking her stomach, Lola struggled to eat her dinner. By the time she sat down to talk to Barnaby she felt wrung out.

‘So I got a private investigator friend on the case.’ Sitting in his study in Bristol, Barnaby’s face filled the screen. Lola perched, tense, on the edge of her sofa in her loft apartment. There was a whizz, then a bang from an early firework being let off nearby. ‘The simplified version is, I had a suspicion that Jarek had upped and left the country, but I wanted to be sure. I kept running into dead ends. You already knew his apartment had been listed for sale, but my PI friend discovered he’s relocated to New York – still working for the same investment bank – but it was when he did some further digging that the extent of his deceit when it came to you and his other life was discovered.’

‘What do you mean “his other life”?’ Lola froze, watching Barnaby carefully.

Barnaby clasped his hands together. ‘There’s no easy way of saying this, but he duped you – to some extent he’s been hiding a lot of who he is from his employer, his colleagues, pretty much everyone in the UK.’

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