The Italian Matchmaker(119)

While Luca was away, Nero became part of the palazzo ‘family’ along with Nanni, Caradoc and Ma, who seemed likely to stay on well after the summer was over. Porci’s infatuation with Nero grew more intense with each passing day, dozing off at his feet to the languid undulations of his beautiful Italian. Bill accepted his wife’s eccentric posse in his easy-going way. Having a group of friends around her all the time was what made her happy. He concentrated on the garden and began formulating an idea to build another folly, one dedicated to beauty and learning, for Romina.

Back in London, the overwhelming noise of the city and the strange sense of being alone in the midst of millions of people unsettled Luca. He breathed in the polluted air, grimaced at the crowds jostling on the pavements and sat in traffic while the knot of frustration grew tighter in his stomach. He went back to his empty house and felt emptiness engulf him again.

He drove to Kensington to surprise the girls. He could hear their laughter before he rang the bell and felt his excitement mount. Normally he would have taken presents, but this time, in his hurry to see them, he had forgotten.

When Claire saw him she flushed with surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’ Before he could reply, Coco and Juno pushed past her into his arms. He hugged them both, kissing their warm faces and rubbing his nose in their hair.

‘I’ve missed you!’ he breathed, realising how true it was.

‘Greedy wants to see you!’ said Juno, skipping off to the playroom to retrieve her caterpillar.

‘How are you, Coco?’

‘Are we going out to Italy again soon?’ she asked.

‘If you’d like to.’

‘I like the swimming pool.’

‘So do I.’

She giggled. ‘You’re the Naughty Crocodile!’

He tickled her ribs. ‘You know what Naughty Crocodiles do, don’t you?’

‘Eat children!’ she laughed, running off down the corridor.

‘You had better come in,’ said Claire.

‘Are you alone?’

‘If you’re referring to John, yes, I’m alone.’

‘Good. I need to talk to you and the girls.’

‘What about?’ Her stomach lurched at the horrendous possibilities.

He patted her back. ‘Nothing to be afraid of, Claire.’ He watched her shoulders drop. ‘I have some news I want to share.’

‘Okay. Let’s go into the kitchen. Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘Cup of coffee, please. Do you have a biscuit?’

Claire summoned the girls and they all sat around the table. Luca suddenly felt apprehensive. He feared his news might be unwelcome to his daughters, that they might feel threatened by the presence of another woman laying claim to their father’s heart. ‘So, what’s the news?’ Claire placed a coffee cup in front of him.

He looked at his daughters’ expectant faces. ‘I’m moving to Italy.’

‘You’re going to live in Incantellaria?’ Claire said, astonished. ‘What on earth are you going to do there?’

He ignored her and waited for his daughters to respond. ‘I hope you’ll come and visit me every holiday and for half-terms. Mummy and I will share you.’

Juno’s eyes lit up. ‘When is the next holiday?’

‘Soon,’ said Luca. Claire remained silent while the coffee percolated, calculating what the consequences of his move would be for her.

‘So, you’re happy about me moving to Incantellaria?’ he asked Coco.

‘Yes,’ she said importantly. ‘Very happy.’

‘You know Mummy has a friend called John?’ Claire stared at him warily. The girls nodded. ‘Mummy would be lonely without John. Well, Daddy is lonely on his own in Incantellaria. If Mummy and Daddy can’t be together, the next best thing is Mummy and Daddy finding new friends. Mummy has found hers, and Daddy . . .’

‘You’re getting married,’ said Coco nonchalantly.

Claire flushed again. ‘Are you?’

‘Yes,’ he replied carefully. ‘I have found the woman I would like to spend the rest of my life with.’

‘Who is she?’ Claire felt she had just been punched in the stomach.

‘She’s called Cosima,’ Luca replied. ‘You might remember her,’ he said to the girls.

‘She’s very pretty,’ said Coco, pleased to be in the know. ‘She’s got lovely thick hair and a nice smile. I could tell she liked you, Daddy.’

‘Do I remember her?’ Juno asked.

‘Greedy remembers her,’ said Coco.

‘So, you give me your blessing?’

‘Yes,’ said Coco.

‘Me too!’ said Juno, making Greedy nod in agreement.