The Italian Matchmaker(110)
Luca left Freya with the group and ran up to the square to get a taxi. He dialled Cosima’s number but it went straight through to voicemail. He felt his anxiety like an invisible weight on his chest. If she had switched off her telephone, she must be furious with him. He scanned beneath the trees lining the road around the piazza, but there were no taxis. He thrust his hands in his pockets, wondering what to do, when he spotted Eugenio smoking on the steps of the police station, talking to another carabiniere. When Eugenio saw him, he raised his eyebrows in recognition. ‘Buon giorno.’
‘Hey, you wouldn’t help me out, would you?’
‘What can I do?’
‘I need a lift up to your house. I have to see Cosima urgently.’
Eugenio tossed his cigarette butt on to the ground and squashed it beneath his boot. ‘Come, I’ll give you a lift. If it is a matter of urgency.’ Luca followed him to the police car parked on the kerb.
‘Have you found the intruder yet?’ Eugenio asked as they climbed in.
‘Not yet,’ Luca replied. He didn’t want to mention he suspected Eugenio’s wife.
Eugenio was secretly pleased. ‘I thought you were going to guard the door?’
‘I have had better things to do with my time.’
‘Is Cosima okay?’
‘I hope so. Just a misunderstanding.’
‘She’s very fragile,’ Eugenio said, his tone laden with foreboding.
‘Which is why I need to clear this up as quickly as possible.’
31
When Luca arrived at Cosima’s house, he leapt out of the car and ran down the hill. Beata was outside on the terrace with Rosa and the children, who were eating large bowls of pasta. When Rosa saw him, her face frosted over. He knew something was very wrong. ‘Buona sera,’ he said politely to Beata, who smiled at him in ignorance. Rosa stood up and walked into the kitchen. Luca followed her.
‘Rosa, what’s happened?’
She swung around, hands on hips and began to shout at him. ‘How dare you betray my cousin? We all fell under your spell. Well, aren’t we a bunch of provincial fools?’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘You might as well turn around and leave because you’re not welcome here any more. If Falco were alive he’d have you murdered in your palazzo!’
‘I don’t understand! I haven’t betrayed anyone.’
Rosa laughed, though it was more of a wild cackle than a laugh. ‘Don’t lie to me! I saw you.’
‘Saw me. Where?’ Then it hit him. ‘You saw me on the beach with Freya.’
‘Is that her name? Nice!’
‘It wasn’t what it seemed.’
‘It never is. You’re all so bloody predictable. Why can’t men come up with something original instead of the old clichés.’
Eugenio came in as they both fell silent. ‘Am I interrupting anything?’
‘Don’t worry, Luca’s just leaving.’
‘You can’t walk off without hearing my explanation.’
‘If Rosa asks you to leave, you leave,’ said Eugenio coldly.
‘It’s okay, Eugenio.’ She sighed dramatically and turned around. ‘It had better be good.’ Luca pulled the little box out of his pocket. Rosa looked at it suspiciously. ‘That’s the box you gave Freya.’
‘Yes, it is. If I had wanted her to have it I wouldn’t be holding it in my hand now.’
Rosa opened the box. ‘Madonna!’ She whistled, showing it to her husband.
‘It’s for Cosima. I’m going to ask her to marry me.’
‘Then why did you give it to Freya?’
‘I didn’t. I was showing it to her.’
‘Funny to show another woman an engagement ring!’
‘Freya’s an old friend,’ he explained patiently. ‘She’s left her husband because he’s having an affair. She had nowhere else to run to. I couldn’t tell her about Cosima straight away. I didn’t think it fair to tell her my good news when she was so unhappy. So I waited until I felt it was the right time. She was happy for me. We embraced as friends, Rosa.’
‘Why didn’t you tell Cosima she was coming?’
‘Because I was afraid she wouldn’t like it.’
Rosa pulled a face. ‘Well, that’s honest, at least – and you’re right, she doesn’t like it.’
‘Look! I wouldn’t betray Cosima. I love her.’
Rosa handed the ring back. ‘You’d better love her with all your heart and all your soul because believe me, if you make her unhappy, you’ll regret it. My family has a history of seeking revenge in the most violent way.’