‘Good morning, everyone.’
‘Darling, did you corridor-creep in the middle of the night?’
‘Not that I’m aware of.’
‘And did you make a trip to the folly at about one in the morning?’ asked Luca.
‘There was someone at the folly?’ interrupted Romina.
‘I heard footsteps.’
‘Not you too!’ his mother wailed.
‘Not guilty,’ said Bill, dropping the papers on to the table, and pouring himself a cup of coffee. ‘Looks like I’ll be needing a strong one of these.’
‘Then it can only be the ghost,’ said the professor matter of factly.
‘Surely you, Professor, with your good brain, don’t believe in such things?’
‘A good brain does not only accept the tangible. Think of radio waves, my dear, and ultraviolet light to name but a couple. There is far more to this planet than can be experienced with our five senses. The Marchese was murdered in this very house; who’s to say his energy isn’t still here?’ Dizzy’s mouth dropped open in horror.
Romina gasped. ‘Murdered, here?’ She turned on her son. ‘You said you didn’t find anything out!’
‘I didn’t want to frighten you.’
‘You’re not frightening me, darling. I was the one who sent you two out on a mission, the least I can expect is that you come back and tell me what you have discovered.’
‘Well, as you’re interested, the Marchese Ovidio di Montelimone was having an affair with a local girl called Valentina who fell in love with an Englishman called Thomas Arbuckle. In a fit of jealousy the Marchese murdered her. Her brother took revenge and killed Ovidio, here in this palazzo.’
‘An honour killing,’ said the professor. ‘Very common in these hot-blooded countries.’
‘Oh dear, that is gruesome,’ said Romina. ‘The Sunday Times will love it!’
‘Ah yes, the Sunday Times,’ said Bill with a sigh.
‘Well, that accounts for the strange things going on up here,’ said Ma. ‘You should get the priest to come and exorcise the place.’
‘Rubbish!’ Romina scoffed. ‘Anyhow, the priest won’t come up here as I’ve barely set foot in his church. Religion is not my thing. I was given too much of it as a child and now I can’t be doing with it. So I hardly think he’s going to hurry to my aid.’
Ventura appeared with the telephone. ‘A call for signore Luca,’ she said, handing it to him. Luca got up to take it in private. Claire was the only person who had the number of the palazzo.
‘Hello,’ he said, positioning himself at the other end of the terrace.
‘Are you having a nice time out there?’ she asked.
‘Sure. How are the children?’ Her friendly tone made him suspicious.
‘Fine. No one found you yet?’
‘No.’
‘People are getting desperate. They’ve even started calling me!’
‘Who?’
‘One or two journalists.’
‘Tell them I’m abroad. They’ll give up in the end.’
‘I’m not your secretary. I’ve told your friends to leave messages on your mobile. You’ll get back to them when you’re ready.’
‘You make it sound as though I’m ill.’
‘Well, it is an illness of sorts, isn’t it?’
‘When can the girls come out?’ he asked, changing the subject.
‘Well, that’s why I’m calling, actually. You see, we’ve been invited to Barbados over half-term and I was wondering whether you’d have the girls then. I’ll send them out with Sammy. It’s only for a week.’
‘Of course,’ he replied. ‘I’d love to have them.’
‘I’m so pleased. Friends of John’s have a house in Sandy Lane.’
Luca didn’t rise to the bait. ‘When will you send them out?’
‘Next Friday. You can send them back the following Friday.’
‘That’s fine.’
‘I mean it’s only fair that I take some time off, you know, I’m with them twenty-four seven. You were always travelling or working, so it’s good for you to spend time with them other than alternate weekends. You’ll really get to know them. They’re adorable girls.’
‘You don’t need to tell me that, Claire. I’ve said I’m happy to take them. I’m not blaming you for going away. In fact, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to have them with me.’
‘Oh, good.’ She sounded relieved. ‘I don’t want you thinking I’m not a good mother.’
‘Why would you care what I thought?’