Lucy smiled reassuringly. ‘Don’t worry. He’ll come round in his own time.’
Elena took a tumbler from the draining board. ‘Wine?’
‘Lovely! Thank you.’
‘Salute!’
‘Cheers!’
Lucy sat down at the rustic farmhouse table, removed her rucksack and took out a small pile of carefully wrapped gifts.
The kitchen felt warm and homely, with traditional tiles and a wood-burning stove. A muslin curtain swayed in the breeze by the open window above the sink.
With the main dish under way, Elena lit a candle, turned off the overhead light and sat across from her.
Lucy pointed towards the stove. ‘It smells good.’
‘My husband’s favourite dish,’ said Elena, a slight wobble in her voice.
After a moment’s silence, Lucy slid one of the packages towards her. ‘For you.’
The fleeting melancholy in Elena’s eyes quickly turned to delight as she unfolded the multi-coloured tartan scarf.
‘Che bello! How beautiful!’
‘It’s our family tartan,’ said Lucy proudly.
Elena held it to her cheek then wrapped it around her neck. ‘Mmm. Cashmere.’
Lucy then handed her the Walkers tin depicting Edinburgh Castle. ‘And these are called shortbread biscuits.’
‘I have a young man here who wants to meet you,’ said Dario appearing at the door with a small boy who hung back, then began playing peekaboo from behind his legs.
‘Hello, Stefano. How do you do?’ said Lucy.
He shyly took her outstretched hand, a look of curiosity in his chestnut, puppy-dog eyes.
‘I have something for you,’ Lucy said, handing him two packages.
‘Mamma?’
Elena nodded. ‘Isn’t that kind of Lucy? What do you say, Stefano?’
‘Grazie,’he lisped, stepping forward with a gap-toothed smile. Ripping open the paper, he gasped at finding a pair of Hogwarts pyjamas and a book inside.
‘I hope they fit,’ said Lucy. ‘Your mamma told me you are six years old, so I bought the next size as she also told me you are tall for your age.’
Pulling the top over his T-shirt, he tore open the other gift, holding up the giant box of Harry Potter Lego, eyes agog.
Lucy knelt beside him. ‘Build – Your – Own – Adventure,’ she said, slowly pointing out each word.
‘Almost supper time, Stefano, so please don’t start…’ Too late. There were now pieces of Lego scattered all over the floor.
‘Sorry,’ said Lucy, biting her lip. ‘Come, Stefano. Let’s put this away now and maybe we can play with it tomorrow.’
‘Would you like to stay for supper, Dario? There’s plenty,’ asked Elena.
‘No, thank you. I have some paperwork to do, and it’s the big match tonight.’
