I took my time getting ready, feeling too embarrassed by what had happened in the past hour to be eager to face Cathy. It was almost half an hour before I left my room to enter the living room. Cathy was talking to Marc and as I walked in, she stood up and walked towards me.

“There you are, my dear Carmen,” Cathy said very calmly, as though nothing happened. She pulled me towards the sofa and patted the place beside her. “Come and sit with me, Carmen.”

I looked at Marc who was staring at me with many emotions on his face, as I sat beside her.

“How are...