Lucy waved. ‘Ciao,Giuseppe.’
He stood in the doorway and gave a low whistle. ‘Is looking good.’
Elena smiled. ‘The opening is next week. We couldn’t have doneit without the help of people like you. That reminds me, I’ve got your invitation and a bottle of wine in the office. Follow me.’
Giuseppe’s face cracked into an involuntary smile. He wasn’t in the habit of smiling very often.
‘Buona giornata,’he said, handing Lucy the brown-paper parcel.
She instantly recognised the postmark and her mum’s flamboyant handwriting. She was tempted to rip it open, but as instructed, it was addressed to Elena. Besides, she didn’t want to risk getting paint over the new table linen.
All at once Elena’s phone sprang into life, buzzing its way to the corner of the decorating table and the pot of paint below.
Lucy grabbed it. She did a double-take as the name JAMIE flickered before her eyes. Instinctively she went to answer it, but stopped herself in time. Placing the phone out of harm’s way, she resumed painting chairs and promised herself not to let curiosity get the better of her.
Matteo turned off the music and handed Alfonso the microphone to enthusiastic applause.
‘Signori e signore,welcome to the reopening of Giancarlo’s.Without you there would be no teashop. My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let this place be a symbol of resilience, community, friendship and love.Salute!’
‘Salute!’
Raising his hand for quiet, Alfonso produced a handwritten note and his reading glasses from his top pocket.
‘I know many of you are anxious for news of Officer Bianchi. I am happy and relieved to report that, after several operations andmany weeks of rehabilitation, he will be discharged from hospital this week. Were it not for his selfless bravery in the face of danger, our entire family business would have been destroyed and, more importantly, a life would have been lost…’
Swallowing hard, he regained his composure, his watery gaze landing on Lucy.
‘Scusate,’he continued, clearing his throat.‘Now please join me in raising a glass to our friend and hero, Dario Bianchi!’
Elena gave Lucy’s hand a tight squeeze. The two women held their glasses high, looking directly at Alfonso through a fog of tears.
‘Dario Bianchi!’
Elena glanced at the kitchen clock. It was still early, but with Stefano’s new term having just begun and after the build-up and nervous excitement of the teashop re-opening that afternoon, there was to be no watching TV or playing computer games that night.
As if on cue, Stefano yawned.
Elena ruffled his hair. ‘Hey, sleepy-head, time for bed.’
‘Mamma, is only seven-thirty.’
‘I know, but you’ve got school tomorrow.’
Stefano screwed up his face.
Darting Lucy an apologetic look she continued, ‘Maybe Zia Lucy would like to read you a bedtime story?’
‘I’d love to,’ replied Lucy with a genuine smile. ‘What’s it to be? Harry Potter?’
Stefano shook his head and ran to his room, returning moments later withNessie, Monster of the Deep.
Lucy’s mouth fell open. ‘Where did you get this?’
‘Zio Jamie give to me. Nessie is arealmonster. Look. These arerealphotographs. But we didn’t see her this time, because she live in another lake. But next time we go to Scotland, Zio Jamie said he will take Mamma and me to look for her.’
‘I see,’ said Lucy, wide-eyed, trying not to sound surprised.
‘Hurry up, Stefano,’ said Elena. ‘Put your pyjamas on and don’t forget to brush your teeth. Zia Lucy will be along in a few minutes.’
