'Oh. My. God,' Ella said, when Gill went upstairs to change his shirt. 'You know what this means, don't you?'

Mia nodded. 'It means that bloody fortune-teller is becoming a right pain in the proverbial.'

'It means a lot worse than that. It means that the Swan Lake bit had nothing whatsoever to do with me marrying Justin and becoming Mrs Swann-Lake. It means the fact that things have cooled off between us might have something to do with what that woman told him. And it means that meeting the man I'll marry whilst solving a mystery with my best friend, also wasn't about meeting Justin, because we hadn't solved the mystery until tonight. Oh God.' She lowered her head into her cupped hands and shook her head to and fro. 'It means that I'm going to see a ballet with a man who irritates the hell out of me. I don't even like Gill. And how can I marry a man with a pompous surname like De Fonteneau? Even without the De.'

'Well, you did like the idea of a double-barrelled surname and his comes ready-made. Ella De Fonteneau, sounds fabulous. And so does Ella Swann De Fonteneau. Or simply Ella Fonteneau. Plus he's gorgeous. I know Justin's gorgeous too and I like him a lot, but you said yourself things have changed between you two. It clearly wasn't meant to be. Like me and Garrick. And let's not forget, Gill may have a weird name, but his recently deceased grandfather has an extensive wine cellar.'

Ella lifted her head. 'Yeah. I suppose every cloud has a silver lining. And holidays in France might be nice.'

Their eyes met and they laughed.

'I know that damned woman's been right about most things so far, but your future is yours, Ella. If you don't like Gill, you don't have to date him, and you certainly don't have to think you've got to marry the guy just because some woman in a crimson tent tells you you will. But I saw the way you looked at one another. You're attracted to him, aren't you? Be honest.'

Ella sighed. 'Who wouldn't be? The irritating sod is bloody gorgeous. He's got the body of a god and the brain of a genius, plus he's got the sexiest grin I've ever seen. And a good sense of humour. Oh. Was that the doorbell? It's a bit late for someone to be coming round, isn't it?'

'Perhaps it's Mum.' Mia got to her feet and ran along the hall. 'Oh. Hello Justin. Ella and I were just talking about you. Come in.'

'Thanks,' he said, looking anxious. He lowered his voice. 'Is it possible to have a word with Ella alone, please Mia? I've got some news and I think it's best if I tell her privately, but I'd like you to be on hand if she doesn't take it well.'

'Oh my God, Justin. You're not dying or something, are you?'

He pulled a face. 'Dying? Why would I be dying?'

'I don't know. It's just that it sounds serious. Oh. Are you dumping her? Because if so, I have to say your timing is pretty unbelievable.'

'I'm not dumping her, exactly. Well, I suppose I am in a way. But not just yet. Unless she wants to end it now. But I've had an offer I simply can't refuse. Is she here?'

'Of course she's here. Ella! It's Justin. He wants to have a word in private.' She looked Justin in the eye. 'You can go in the living room. But whatever this is about, I hope you'll be kind. She's already had one shock tonight.'

'Oh? What was that?'

'It doesn't matter. Ah. Here she is. I'll leave you to it.'

Mia gave Ella a hopeful smile and returned to the kitchen. A minute or two later, Gill joined her.

'Is everything all right? I heard Ella's voice coming from the sitting room and she didn't sound happy.'

'I don't think she is. But it's a long story and you must be shattered. If you want to go to bed, that's fine by us.'

He grinned. 'Is that a polite way of telling me to make myself scarce?'

She grinned back. 'Yes. If you don't mind.'

'I don't mind. But I'm so hyped-up with excitement that I'm not ready for sleep. May I go for a walk in the garden? Or onto the beach. Can I get to that from your garden?'

Mia nodded. 'Yes. There's a gate at the end. Just go over the dunes onto the beach. You might want to take a torch. I know the moon's still almost full and there weren't any clouds earlier but you never know. It can get pretty dark out there. There's a torch in that drawer.' She pointed to a drawer near the end cupboard. 'I'm quite excited about what we've discovered today, myself, so I don't think I'll get much sleep either.'

Gill's grin broadened. 'Oh I wasn't only thinking about that. It's just a shame Ella has a boyfriend.'

Mia's mouth fell open but she quickly closed it and grinned again. 'Yes. Well. That may not be such an issue. Was that the front door slamming?' She stood up and turned towards the hall.

'I'll get out of the way. But shout if you need me.'

Ella stormed along the hall. 'You will never believe this,' she said. 'Oh. Where's Gill dashing off to?'

'The beach. To give us some privacy. What won't I believe?'

'That meeting Justin had tonight, wasn't a meeting at all. He was simply waiting for a phone call from his agent. I didn't even know he had an agent. Apparently, someone sent this agent a video of one of Justin's shows and the agent came to see another show live and offered to represent Justin. Can you believe that? He never said a word about it to me. Not one word.' She slumped down on her chair. 'Anyway, he's been offered a part in a film and he's agreed to take it. And you'll never guess what the bloody fortune-teller told him and why he's been backing off from me? Yep. She said he would be offered an opportunity that was far too good to miss and that he would see his name in lights within one year … in Hollywood. Sodding Hollywood! But that he might feel torn over this chance, and a woman he cares for. He should start taking steps straight away to lessen the difficulty. And he should take the chance and forget the woman! I'm telling you now, if that damn fortune-teller ever shows her face here again, I'll kill her. But as she seems to know everyone's bloody future, she'll already know that, won't she?'

'Wow!' Mia said. 'So when did all this happen? And is the film in the UK, or in the States?'

Ella sighed. 'The agent contacted him the day after the Fête and a couple of days after that, Justin went up to London for an audition. Another thing he forgot to mention. He says he didn't tell me because if nothing came of it there was no point in rocking the boat. Rocking the Boat! I'm tempted to bloody well drown him. Now I know what that bloody woman meant when she told me that someone was leading me a bit of a dance. And the worst bit is, when the agent called tonight to confirm Justin got the part, he told him to be on a plane in two weeks' time and not to book a return, as there's a strong probability of another part. So much for him being such a nice guy.' She picked up her glass of wine from where she'd left it on the table and finished it in one long gulp.

'I'm so, so sorry, Ella. But why did he come and tell you this tonight? Surely it could've waited until tomorrow?'

Ella nodded. 'He said he was going to wait, but he started thinking about Franklin's accident and how lives can change in a split second and he decided he had to tell me right away. How bloody thoughtful of him? Not.' She sighed again. 'But once I got over the shock, the annoying thing was, do you know the first thing that popped into my head when he told me he was leaving?'

'Um. That Gill being here might be a good thing, after all?'

Ella smirked. 'Nope. Although I suppose it might be, now. But no. The first thing I thought was, no more delicious fresh bread and scrumptious buns, because who's going to bake them after Justin leaves?'

Ella looked at Mia and shrugged and then they both burst out laughing even though the prospect of no longer having Justin's buns, wasn't in the slightest bit funny.