‘Matteo is a very lucky man,’ joked Susanna.
Abby’s nerves grated again. ‘We share the cooking,’ she said.
‘Ah, a thoroughly modern relationship,’ said Susanna. ‘So come on, Matteo, spill. Was it Abby’s skills in the kitchen that drew you to her?’
Matteo turned to Abby and she saw that look in his deep brown eyes, the one that made her belly fire up with warmth. If she had to describe it, it was something between pride and admiration, and it made her melt and fall in love with him all over again.
‘Actually, it was her legs,’ said Matteo.
Abby snorted and tapped him on the hand.
‘Seriously?’ asked Susanna, surprised.
Abby frowned; what did her mother mean? What was wrong with her legs?
‘I mean, she has lovely legs, bit like myself. But are you teasing me?’
‘It was in the hospital where I first fell for her. After the accident.’
‘She was a damsel in distress!’ exclaimed Susanna.
‘The nurses told me she hadn’t had any visitors...’
‘What, you felt sorry for me?’ asked Abby, put out.
‘Only because I knew you were in a foreign country and it would be hard for your friends and family to see you. Their loss was my gain. I faked at least one reason to have to come back and interview you.’ Matteo smiled and Abby touched his hand again. ‘Then, of course, when she went back to the UK, it was hard to get hold of her.’ Matteo turned to Ellie and Susanna. ‘She works so hard!’
Abby saw her sister paste on a polite smile.
‘Worked,’ corrected Ellie.
Matteo nodded. ‘She understands my long, erratic hours. The need to stay behind in the office every now and then to get everything prepared to catch the bad guy.’
‘So you like being a policeman?’ asked Susanna.
‘Every day is different.’
‘But come on, the proposal,’ said Susanna, tapping the table with her fingers in anticipation. ‘What made you pop the question?’
‘Mum,’ admonished Abby.
‘It’s OK,’ said Matteo. ‘I just knew she was the woman for me. With Abby, I never feel lonely. But I was worried. I never thought she’d say yes, give up her career to come out here.’
‘No, must have been hard to leave rain-soaked concrete London to move to this star-studded land,’ said Ellie dryly, waving a hand up at the night sky.
‘It’s still a big deal,’ pointed out Susanna. ‘And you, Abby?’
‘What about me?’
‘I think your mother wants to know why you decided I was the man of your dreams,’ teased Matteo.
‘I could rely on him,’ said Abby.
‘That’s not very romantic!’ exclaimed Susanna.
‘I disagree. It’s one of the most important things.’
‘I didn’t say it wasn’t important. But there’s also...well...romance.’
