Alexi is simmering. That clever brain of his is working out something appropriate for the crime, and not for the first time; I regret not following through with my running away plan when I had the chance.

I admire myself in the mirror for one last time. I’m wearing a new dress I bought in a boutique in the Hamptons; it's long past my knee and figure-hugging everywhere. Capped sleeves and a modest neckline, yet it's crazily sexy and makes me look killer. It is pale-coloured cream faux ...