Yes, that was how it would be almost every day in her new life with Jean-Pierre. As she approached the rear of his cottage, she noticed the drawn curtains on his bedroom window. Was he napping? She knocked, but there was only silence.
She twisted the doorknob. It was unlocked, and she decided to let herself in - just as the door was jerked from her hand as it swung inward.
The girl from the sushi restaurant stood there, shocked.
"You!" Greta screeched.
Laurence took a terrified step backward and attempted to swing the door shut in Greta's face.
Greta charged and trapped the girl between herself and the kitchen table. "What are you doing here?" she screamed.
Laurence lifted her hands to protect herself, just as Jean-Pierre rushed in from the other room and stepped between them.
"Greta, wait," he pleaded, grabbing Greta by the shoulder.
"Laurence is one of my students."
"What?" Greta said, turning to him with a confused and exasperated expression, the girl temporarily forgotten.
"Yes," he said. "In fact, it was your husband who referred her to the ranch, knowing that you kept your horse here. Please, let go of her darling. Come inside. Let me get you something? He spoke as if he were entertaining guests, three old friends gathering for lunch.