Page 114 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure

“I’ve got a nice little flat in Knightsbridge,” Ellie said. “If my tenant moves out, you can use that. It’s only one bedroom, but you won’t be entertaining much, will you? And it’s quite convenient for Harrods.”

She saw him wince as he remembered the wording he had used for her, and immediately felt bad. “Come on, Lionel. I’ll walk with you down to the boat. Nico has a lovely new speedboat at our dock.”

He followed her gingerly down the steps to the little harbour below. The new boat bobbed at its mooring, its polished teak gleaming in the sunlight. Nico helped him climb in.

“Are you coming, too?” Lionel asked.

“No, I think I’ll leave you men to it,” Ellie said.

“Why don’t you take him instead?” Nico asked her in French, pausing on the quayside, giving her a knowing grin. “Show him how well it handles.”

“All right.” Ellie returned the smile, accepted the challenge and clambered aboard.

Lionel looked at her, then at Nico on the dock, as the latter started to unwind the ropes. “Your husband is not coming?”

“No. He thinks it’s better that I drive you.”

“You? You know how to handle a speedboat like this? Are you sure? Are you qualified to do it?”

“Oh yes, Lionel,” she replied. “You’d be amazed at the things I can do now. So hold on tight.” She steered the boat away from its mooring into open sea, then she pulled back to full throttle. The boat surged forwards with a roar, flinging Lionel against his seat. Ellie allowed herself a big smile.

Epilogue

Ellie and Mavis sat together on the terrace outside the Villa Gloriosa. It was the anniversary of Dora’s death, and Ellie had opened a bottle of champagne to toast her.

“I never thought I’d take to her,” Mavis said. “Bossy old cow back in England, wasn’t she?”

“She softened up a lot, when she got here and she knew we cared about her,” Ellie replied.

“She certainly did. She loved every minute of it here, didn’t she? Remember how she went swimming? She was fearless.” She paused. “Unlike me. I’ve never learned to like the water. Luckily, Louis doesn’t, either.” She looked at Ellie. “I’d say we’ve done quite well for ourselves, wouldn’t you? Who would have thought, when we set out in Lionel’s Bentley all those years ago, that we’d find a whole new life here, good men and happiness?”

“I know,” Ellie said. “Sometimes I still can’t quite believe it myself. We dared to take the first step, Mavis, and that’s why it worked out for us. How easy it would have been to retreat to a dismal cottage in England and feel sorry for ourselves for the rest of our lives. Instead we’ve had a great adventure.”

“We certainly have,” Mavis agreed.

Ellie poured champagne and handed Mavis a glass. “To Dora,” she said.

Mavis raised her glass. “And to us.”