6
At first, of course, I thought she must be somewhere nearby. Her suitcase lay open on the floor where she had left it, with folded clothes toppling out. I washed up and brushed my teeth and dressed before I began to look for her. The kitchen of the guesthouse was bright and empty. A coffee mug sat alone on the shining plain of the counter. I wondered whether breakfast was served in the echoing feudal hall where we had eaten our reheated lunch the previous afternoon – were regular meals set out, like in a hotel? I mentally chided Max for not leaving me a note, and then thought I was rushing to judge, that she was probably out on the terrace in the sun. I looked in the refrigerator for something to eat, enjoying the anticipation of walking out and seeing her there in one of the deck chair
