“What about Dante?”
Floriana longed to confide in her, but Dante had begged her not to tell anyone. “What about him? It was just a summer romance,” she replied carelessly.
Costanza looked genuinely sorry. “Are you very sad?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m looking to my future now. No point dwelling on the past.”
“But you were so in love. I thought you were going to marry him and live happily ever after. I was hoping you would because that would have infuriated my mother more than anything else.”
“Perhaps your mother was right all along. I should find someone from my own world.”
“No, she’s not right. Love has no boundaries of class or age or anything else.” Costanza took her hand. “Wherever you go, will you promise to keep in touch?”
“How will I know where to find you if you move to Milan?”
“I’ll leave my address at Luigi’s. You can get it from him. So, when are you thinking of leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, it’s all arranged.”
“So, you weren’t even going to say good-bye?”
“I was planning on slipping away quietly.”
“But where are you going?”
Floriana had to think quickly. “I have a cousin in Treviso, so I shall go there.”
“I didn’t think you had anyone besides Elio and Zita.”
“Neither did I until recently. Zita mentioned her, and I seized the opportunity. She’s married with children my age. She’s agreed to take me in until I find a place of my own.”
“But what are you going to do?”
Floriana felt a stab of guilt as she embellished her lie. “That’s the difference between us, Costanza. I’m happy to do anything. Anything at all: cleaning houses, waitressing, gardening. I’m ready to put my hand to anything. Girls like you are too grand to stoop that low.” She laughed. “Don’t worry about me—I’m very resilient.”
“I’ve always admired that about you, Floriana.”
“Don’t tell anyone I’m going, though, please.” Costanza frowned. “I mean it. Not a soul. I can trust you, can’t I?”
“You know you can. But why mustn’t anyone know?”
“Because I don’t want my father coming after me.”
“I see.”
“I just want to leave without any fuss.”
“But Zita must know.”
“Yes, Zita knows, but she won’t know that you know. So, please, don’t mention it to her.” Floriana was almost breathless with spinning such a complex web of lies. “Just keep it to yourself.”
“I shall.” Then in a small voice, Costanza added, “I’ll miss you, you know.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
“We had fun, didn’t we?”
“We certainly did.”
“Until Mamma set us apart. I’ll never forgive her for that.”
“Don’t hold on to bitterness: just make sure that you don’t become as snobby as she is.” Floriana pulled a comic face, and they both laughed.
“No one makes me laugh anymore,” Costanza complained. “I’ll miss your wit.”
“Then you must be the witty one.”
“I’ll try.”
“If you’re fun to be with, you’ll always be popular, and then you can marry whoever you chose.”
“If only!” Costanza looked at her watch. “I’d better go. It’s been nice sitting here talking, just like old times. Are you coming?”
“I’ll accompany you to the fork in the road. Then you’ll have to go the rest of the way on your own. I don’t want to bump into your mother.”
“Neither do I!”
At the fork Floriana handed over the bag of fruit. “Don’t eat them all at once,” she said, suddenly feeling tearful.
“I wouldn’t be allowed to do anything so rash.” Costanza looked at her friend sadly. “Look after yourself, Floriana.”
“You, too.”
Suddenly, Costanza put down the bags and flung her arms around Floriana’s shoulders. She squeezed her hard and long. “I hope your new life makes you happy. I hope it gives you everything you’ve ever wanted. I hope the angels keep you safe.” When she pulled away, Floriana saw that she, too, was crying.
Floriana watched her walk up the road, her tread slow and heavy. Unable to bear it, she turned and hurried off towards home. She had to pack her things and make ready for the morning. Determined to keep her mind off the past she was leaving, she remained focused on the future ahead.
When she arrived back at her apartment, she was met by her father. He didn’t appear drunk or hungover, but he wore the most unfamiliar expression on his face. Before she could speak, she noticed a stranger in the room with them, a strong, burly man with thick black hair and oily skin.