The Italian Matchmaker(100)

‘She’s not a widow,’ Luca explained. ‘She’s never been married.’

‘Ah, she’s a dark horse. Defying convention and having a child out of wedlock.’

‘She fascinates me.’

‘Fascination is a good thing. Myrtle fascinated me. The trouble is no one has since.’

‘Not even Rosa?’

‘My girl? She’s lovely, Rosa.’ He took a sip of whisky. ‘A man’s never too old to appreciate a beautiful woman. But my heart is sealed with Myrtle’s kisses. I’ve had my fill in this life. I look forward to meeting my Myrtle in the next.’

‘You believe you will?’

‘I know it.’ He put his hand on his heart. ‘I feel it in here.’

Luca leaned forwards, arms on knees, keen to confide in the professor. ‘Do you remember the little boy I saw in the church?’

‘At the festa? Yes, I remember. I thought it better not to mention it.’

‘You’re a true friend, Caradoc.’

‘So, have you seen him again?’

‘Lots of times. He’s Cosima’s dead son. I believe he’s stuck here because of her grief. Do you think we can ground spirits by the very force of our will?’

‘I don’t see why not. We’re all energy, aren’t we? We’re all connected. But perhaps he’s stuck here of his own volition?’

‘Tied to his mother by love?’

‘He’s all she has. Maybe he doesn’t want to leave her alone in her grief.’

‘But she doesn’t have to be alone. You told me that love comes when you think you don’t need it. And that once you’ve discovered true love you can’t imagine how you ever lived without it. Well, I know what you mean. I’ve fallen in love. Really in love. You were right.’

‘The only good thing about being old is being wise.’

‘Some people grow old without acquiring wisdom along the way.’

‘I pity those poor fellows. Does she love you back?’

‘I think she’s beginning to. The trouble is her guilt.’

‘That’s only natural. You have to give her time. Judging by your lack of plans, time is something you have rather a lot of.’

‘I’ve told her about Francesco. That I have seen him in spirit.’

‘Does she believe you?’

‘She wants to. But she’s suspicious. I wish he’d give me something concrete so I can prove to her that he exists.’

‘It’s hard to believe what one cannot see or touch.’

‘I don’t want her to think I’m a fraud, using her son to get to her.’

‘I’m sure she knows you better than that.’

‘She’s The One, Caradoc. I know she’s The One.’

The professor smiled indulgently. ‘Then tell her, my boy.’

‘Until she lets Francesco go, I don’t think she’ll give herself to me.’

‘Do you want to marry her?’

‘Yes, I think I do.’

‘And take her back to London?’

‘I can’t imagine her in London. Taking Cosima away from Incantellaria is like taking a beautiful panther out of the jungle and putting her in a zoo.’

‘Have you asked her how she feels about the zoo?’

Luca recalled her whispered conversation with the priest. ‘I think I already know the answer.’

‘Then why don’t you stay here?’

‘And do what?’

‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’

‘Join the family business?’ Luca laughed. ‘I don’t think it’s my thing, brewing coffee all day.’

‘You’ll think of something. If you love her, you’ll work it out.’

‘I do love her, therefore I will work it out.’

Caradoc looked at him with fatherly concern. ‘There’s one thing you have to do first,’ he said gravely.

‘And what’s that, Professor?’

‘You have to work out who you are. What you want out of your life. You have to find out what gives you the most joy, then you will know your life’s purpose. I think the answer will surprise you.’

‘Do you already know?’ Luca was surprised.

‘If I did, I’d be a great deal more helpful. But you do. Look deep inside you and wait for the answer to materialise.’

Alba sat down at Panfilo’s desk and studied the Polaroids. There were fifteen of them. Fifteen windows into the past. She took her time with each picture, scrutinising every detail, straining her memory to remember what the place had looked like when she had been there with Fitz. She couldn’t help but admire Romina for having recreated it with such flair and good taste. It really was beautiful, in every respect, transformed with light and love. She laughed aloud at her self-delusion. The eerie picture she had nurtured in her mind for nearly three decades, fed with her fears and foolish fantasies, no longer existed. Romina had banished the ghosts by opening the shutters and letting in the sunshine. What had been an evil den of iniquity was now a perfectly pleasant family home. She wished she had the courage to ask if she could see it, but her pride prevented her. She couldn’t bear to admit she had been wrong.