The Italian Girl (42 page)

‘Abi,
cara
, I have something I must tell you. I telephoned Papa today and I must fly to Naples as soon as possible. Carlotta has asked to see me. I’m sorry, but I must leave you.’

‘Of course you must go,’ she comforted him. ‘Don’t worry about me, I have to get back to London anyway. My editor’s screaming for the new manuscript and the publicity girl’s arranged some interviews for me. I . . . How long will you be away?’

Luca sat down in a chair opposite her. ‘I can’t tell. It depends on Carlotta.’

‘I see.’

‘I’ll telephone you, of course, as soon as I know how long I must stay. Abi’ – he took her hands in his and kissed them softly – ‘this summer has been the most wonderful time of my life. Whatever happens, I—’

‘What do you mean, “whatever happens”?’ She snatched her hands away.

‘I mean that I will always love you, even if . . .’

‘No, you mean that you don’t love me enough to offer me a future. Excuse me, I thought I could handle this, but . . .’

Abi stood up abruptly and left the kitchen. Luca called out to her, but she ran up the two flights of stairs to her room and slammed the door behind her. She walked across to the desk where her finished manuscript had lain for the past ten days. Since then, there’d been nothing further she needed to do to keep her from leaving and returning to London. She’d simply been unable to dig up the courage to say goodbye to him. She sat down in her chair and gazed out of the window and across the open countryside. The summer had been so perfect. They’d spent every day together, walking, talking,
loving
each other in every way but one.

Abi laid her head on her manuscript, the joy of the past few weeks replaced by dread. He’d said from the start he could promise her nothing. She could not blame him. And she knew the pain was only just beginning.

By the time Abi was packed and ready to leave the following morning, Rosanna and Nico had already said their goodbyes and had left the house to meet Stephen for lunch in Cheltenham.

As she was cramming her suitcase into the tiny boot space of the Mazda, Luca appeared at the front door.

‘Abi.’ He walked towards her and took her in his arms.

‘I . . . I can’t take this. Please try to understand.’ She pulled away from him and climbed behind the wheel. She turned the key and the engine hummed.

He leant through the window. ‘I love you, Abi. I will write to you from Naples.’ She moved the gearstick into reverse, desperate to leave before she cried like a baby in front of him. ‘Just promise me one thing, Luca.’

‘What is it?’

‘That you won’t forget the way you felt this summer. I defy even God himself to make you happier. Goodbye.’

Luca watched as Abi reversed the car, turned it round, then roared out of the drive.

She was gone.

He stood, shell-shocked by her abrupt departure. And for the first time, Luca truly understood Rosanna’s pain over Roberto.

Twenty-four hours later, Luca also clasped his sister in his arms. ‘
Ciao, piccolina
.’

‘
Ciao
, take care of yourself and send my love to Papa, Carlotta and Ella. And please, let me know if I should come and see Carlotta.’

‘I will, I promise. I’ll telephone you when I arrive in Naples.’ Luca bent down to kiss Nico. ‘Take good care of your mamma,
angeletto
.’

Stephen was waiting to take Luca to the airport. ‘I should be back by five,’ he called to Rosanna as he got into the car and closed the door. Waving as they watched the car crawl down the drive, she picked up Nico and hugged him, shivering a little in the autumnal air.

Summer was over.

When Stephen returned from the airport, they had supper on trays in front of a film.

‘The house feels so empty and quiet, doesn’t it?’ Rosanna commented.

‘Well, it will for a while. I must admit, completely selfishly of course, that it’s nice to have you to myself for a change. Do you think Luca and Abi will keep in touch with each other?’

‘Of course. They have reclaimed their friendship and they became very close over the summer.’

‘Do you think that’s all it was? Friendship, I mean?’ Stephen persisted.

‘Of course. My brother will soon be ordained as a priest. Why do you ask?’

‘I just happen to think they’re still in love with each other, Rosanna.’

‘No, they’re just very good friends. They enjoy each other’s company. I’m sure that’s all.’

‘If you say so. Anyway’ – Stephen stood up – ‘I must be going. I’m tired after all that driving and if I stay any longer, I’ll fall asleep.’ He pulled his discarded sweater over his head. ‘Thank you for supper. I’ll pop round sometime next week, shall I?’

It hit her like a hard thump on her chest. She wanted him to stay, to feel his arms around her. She didn’t want to be alone in this silent, empty house.

‘Don’t go,’ she whispered.

‘Sorry?’ Stephen turned back from the door.

‘I said, please don’t go.’

He looked confused. ‘I . . . are you saying you want me to stay?’

‘Yes.’ Rosanna stood up and walked towards him. She stood on tiptoe so she could kiss him on the lips. His arms wound round her shoulders and they kissed properly for the first time.

Rosanna pulled away from him. ‘Take me upstairs, Stephen,’ she murmured, before she could change her mind.

‘I have a proposition to put to you.’

It was a few days after Luca and Abi had left and Stephen had popped in as usual after work. He was pushing Nico on the swing at the bottom of the garden.

‘Will I like it?’ Rosanna enquired with a smile.

‘I don’t know. I hope so.’

‘Then you’d better ask me.’

‘I have to go to New York at the end of this month. There’s a very wealthy collector I know from my days at Sotheby’s. I sent him a catalogue of my landscape artist who sold so many of her paintings at the show last month and he called me today, expressing interest in buying a couple of her pieces. He’s invited me over to discuss it.’

‘If he’s seen the catalogue, then why must you go over too?’ asked Rosanna.

‘Because he’s outrageously wealthy, so he’s worth keeping sweet,’ replied Stephen. ’And I thought it would be the perfect excuse to spend a weekend in New York with you,’ he added casually. ‘Would you come, darling? I’d love it if you did. This man really is a well-known collector. If he buys from me, then other major collectors might have the courage to follow his lead. I need you with me to charm him.’

Rosanna shook her head. ‘Thank you very much for asking, but I don’t think New York is a good idea.’

‘Are you worried about bumping into your husband?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well, don’t be. It just so happens that Roberto is singing in Paris for three weeks at that time. I’ve already checked. So will you come?’ he pleaded. ‘We could have a wonderful time.’

‘But what about Nico?’

‘I’ve already asked Abi and she says she’s happy to take care of him while we’re away. It’ll only be two nights, Rosanna.’

Rosanna hesitated for a minute then said, ‘Okay.’

‘You’ll really come?’

‘Yes, I will.’

‘Nico,’ he said to the little boy, ‘your mother is a star.’

38

Naples, Italy

‘Papa!’ Luca kissed his father on both cheeks. ‘You look well.’ He thought that Marco hardly seemed to have aged a day in the past ten years.

‘It’s wine, food and the love of a good woman that keeps me young,’ quipped Marco. ‘Come, Luca, have a drink with me.’ He poured two glasses of Aperol and handed one to Luca.

‘How is she?’

Marco’s face became grave. ‘I don’t know. She’ll tell me nothing.’

‘Has she said whether the treatment has worked?’

‘No, I told you, she tells me little, but, Luca, you only have to look at her to see the truth. And as for Ella’ – Marco shrugged – ‘she knows nothing except that Carlotta was in the hospital for a while and is now recovering. The poor girl keeps asking me why her mamma is still so pale and sick. But what can I do? I promised Carlotta I would not tell her daughter anything.’

‘Well, maybe she’s hoping there will be no need.’

‘You see your sister and then tell me there is no need,’ sighed his father.

‘Is she upstairs?’

‘Yes, she is resting. She was very happy you were coming. I’ve sent Ella to a friend’s for the night so you can have a talk with Carlotta. Try to get something out of her, Luca.’

‘I’ll go up now.’

Marco put a hand on Luca’s shoulder. ‘She’s hiding the truth from all of us and it’s better we know.’

Luca nodded, then walked up the stairs and along the corridor to Carlotta’s room. He knocked softly on her door.

‘Come in,’ a voice answered weakly.

Luca opened the door and saw Carlotta lying on top of the bed. She was skeletal, her previously curvaceous figure eaten away with disease, her once lovely complexion turned a ghastly grey. He knew then that Carlotta was dying.

She lifted herself up onto her elbows and a smile came fleetingly to her face, sending memories of the old Carlotta flooding back into his mind.

‘Luca, come and give your sister a hug.’

He walked towards her, then put his arms around her and held her, steeling himself not to cry.

‘I’m so glad you are here.’

He released her from his arms and she lay back on the pillows, her hand chasing his and clasping it.

‘I’m sorry I wasn’t downstairs to greet you, but I’m afraid I feel a little tired today.’

‘Carlotta, it doesn’t matter. I’m your brother. You lie there and we’ll talk.’ He stroked her forehead as her body stiffened. ‘Is the pain bad?’

She nodded. ‘Yes.’ Tears came to her eyes. ‘You know, don’t you, Luca? You can see?’

‘See what?’

‘That it will soon be over for me.’

‘No, Carlotta, please, you mustn’t say that.’

‘The doctors have told me. The treatment didn’t work. The cancer has spread – it’s everywhere. There’s nothing more they can do.’ She closed her eyes as if unable to look at him any longer.

Luca realised it was pointless offering her platitudes. ‘How much time do you have?’

‘They don’t know. Between three and six months. The way I am today, maybe a few hours.’ She winced. ‘Can you pass me those tablets?’ She pointed to a bottle on the bedside table. ‘I’ll feel a bit better once I’ve had one of these. They work for about two hours, but I’m only allowed to take them every
four
.’ Luca handed her a tablet and she put it in her mouth, took a sip of water and swallowed. ‘There.’ She slumped back onto her pillow and exhaled. Then she closed her eyes. ‘Give me a little time for the tablet to work.’

‘Of course. As long as you need.’ Luca sat silently on the edge of the bed holding Carlotta’s hand. Slowly, her jagged breathing began to ease and the tension in her body lessened. Luca thought she slept a little, but eventually, she opened her eyes and smiled at him.

‘Okay, it is better. My dear brother, I’m so glad you are here. Did you have a good holiday with Rosanna in England?’

‘Yes, very good.’

‘How are Rosanna and Nico?’

‘They’re both well.’

‘Good. Luca, I need to talk to you.’ Carlotta sounded almost normal now the pain was under control. ‘But not yet. Tonight we shall go out to eat.’

‘Are you sure you’re up to it, Carlotta?’

‘No, but then I’m not up to anything. As long as I take the painkillers half an hour before we leave, I will manage. We must talk somewhere private, where we can be sure no one will overhear.’

‘Carlotta, do you not think you should be in hospital?’ Luca entreated.

‘Yes,’ she agreed, ‘it’s what the doctors have suggested. But don’t you see that I have a choice? I can go to hospital and have my pain controlled and lie there and think about death, or I can try and continue to live and suffer a little more. Which would you do?’

‘I . . .’ Luca looked at her with admiration. ‘You’re being very brave, Carlotta.’

‘Yes, at this minute I feel brave. Maybe it’s because you are here. Sometimes, it’s not so easy.’

‘Papa says you won’t talk to him about what’s happening to you. Carlotta, you must tell him the truth. He feels shut out. He, too, must have time to come to terms with it.’

‘Yes, I will talk to Papa when I’m ready. But I don’t want to risk Ella knowing the truth. What is the point of making her suffer for as long as it takes me to die? It could be many months. She would see me in pain every day while she waited for the inevitable. It would be dreadful for her, cruel.’

‘It’s your decision, of course, but I wonder whether Ella would be better off knowing the truth? She isn’t a child any longer and she may resent you taking the decision for her.’

‘Yes, she probably will.’ Carlotta’s eyes glinted with their old fire. ‘But it’s one decision in my life that I insist on making. And there are others too, but I’ll tell you about those when we go out to eat later. Luca, would you mind if I slept while the pain is easier, then I’ll be rested for tonight?’

‘Of course.’ Luca kissed her on the forehead and left Carlotta’s room to go to his own. Shutting the door, he leant against it and took some deep breaths to stem the shock of seeing his dying sister. Wandering over to his bed, he sat down on it heavily, thinking how he should get down on his knees and pray for her, but something was preventing him from doing so.

A year ago, he’d have had absolute confidence in Carlotta’s future in heaven, safe in the arms of God. But now, he was struggling to reassure himself, to believe it.

She was his sister and he did not want to lose her, even to God.

‘Why? Why her?’ he asked Him.

For once, He had no answer.

Later that evening, Carlotta leant on Luca’s arm and they walked slowly down to the seafront. The sun was setting over the water and, even though it was September, the restaurants and bars were doing a brisk trade. They chose a small candlelit restaurant and decided it was warm enough to take a table outside.

Carlotta had put on one of her best dresses. Her face was made up and her hair freshly washed. As he sat down opposite her, Luca thought she could pass for normal again, despite the ravages her illness had inflicted.