Luca held Freya against him. ‘I knew you’d understand.’
She pulled away and gave him back the box. Her eyes sparkled like the sea. ‘It’s beautiful. She’ll love it. What woman wouldn’t?’
‘I’ve been longing to share it with you. I just didn’t know whether it was right to tell you, considering the trouble you’re having with Miles.’
‘It’s great news, Luca. I’m happy for you. It’s given me something else to think about other than myself.’
‘That’s very generous of you.’
‘Not at all. We’re friends, right? I was there when you needed me. Now you’re here when I need you. You see, I was right. You loved what I represented. Told you we’d laugh about that conversation one day.’
‘I’m not laughing,’ he replied bashfully. ‘I’m too ashamed.’
‘Don’t be. I find it hilarious. Mind you, you became instantly more attractive to me the minute Miles played around. Bad timing, I guess. We’re just not destined to be.’ She linked her arm through his as they set off up the beach. ‘At least I’m lucky enough to have you as my friend, even though I know we’ll never finish what we started.’
‘My loss,’ he said diplomatically
‘Mine too! Now, why don’t you introduce me to the lucky girl!’
Cosima was so incensed she went home early, leaving Alba on the terrace talking to Fitz and his stringy wife. At home she found Rosa waiting for her in the kitchen, her face apprehensive. The children were outside on the terrace with Beata who was listening to Alessandro reading from his school book.
‘I need to talk to you,’ said Rosa.
‘Well, I’m not in the mood,’ Cosima replied, stalking over to the fridge to grab some lemon juice.
‘It’s about Luca.’
‘I don’t want to talk about him.’
Rosa looked puzzled. ‘You know?’
‘About what?’ She poured the juice into a glass and leaned back against the sideboard.
‘His girlfriend.’
‘I’m his girlfriend,’ Cosima stated, giving her cousin a withering look. ‘If you’re talking about the girl who’s staying up at the palazzo, I already know. I heard them talking about her at the trattoria.’
‘You mean he didn’t tell you himself?’
Cosima stared into her glass. ‘No, but I’m sure he meant to.’ She averted her eyes, not wanting to reveal the depth of his betrayal.
Rosa took a laboured breath and plunged in. ‘Well, I saw them on the beach together.’
‘When?’
‘Just now. They were very close. He pulled out a little box and gave it to her. She opened it and fell into his arms.’ The blood drained from Cosima’s face. ‘I wish I hadn’t seen them,’ Rosa continued. ‘I wish I wasn’t the one to have to tell you.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m not lying. He’s the liar!’
‘I don’t believe you! Give me one reason why I should?’
Cosima’s reaction to the betrayal had surprised Rosa. Aside from all their daily bickering, when all was condensed down to the very last drop of blood, Cosima was family. She loved her. ‘You’re not just my cousin, Cosi, you’re my sister.’
Cosima dissolved into tears. ‘Oh God, Rosa. Do you think he’s lied about everything?’
‘I wouldn’t trust a word he says.’
She thought of Francesco and felt her hope drain away like water down a plughole, leaving everything as black as it had been before. She shook her head, unable to voice her despair. When Luca and Freya reached the trattoria, Romina was still there with Alba, Rosemary and Fitz, Nanni, Ma and Caradoc.
‘Come and join us, darling,’ said Rosemary.
Alba looked her over, wondering whether Freya was Fitz’s daughter. ‘Freya’s my stepdaughter,’ said Fitz, reading her mind. ‘My daughter in everything but blood.’
‘She’s beautiful,’ said Alba.
‘I’m very proud.’
‘Where’s Cosima?’ Luca asked.
Alba had been so distracted by Fitz, she hadn’t noticed her niece. ‘She must have gone home.’
‘Damn! I want to introduce her to Freya.’
‘Maybe you should go and find her,’ Caradoc suggested, communicating that all was not well.
‘Is she all right?’ Luca asked, bending over the professor.
‘You hadn’t told her about Freya, had you?’
Luca rolled his eyes at his stupidity. He had let his ego get in the way of common sense. ‘Is she furious?’
‘As only a truly passionate Latin woman can be.’