Stuck on You

by Patricia Mar

  “Sara! We’re there!” shouted Virginia, impatiently. She didn’t know how to wake up her sister, who, it seemed, was in the middle of a particularly engaging dream. The expression on her face and a couple of lusty sighs had made that much clear.

  “I was dreaming…”

  “It sounded like a hell of a good one…”

  Sara looked at her in confusion and Virginia laughed.

  “Babe, it must have been a hell of a dream – you’re blushing!”

  Caught red-handed, Sara smiled and bit her lip. “I was dreaming about Daniel. He was only wearing a white shirt.”

  “Like in the photo shoot, eh? Naughty girl, you’re already having sinful thoughts about him.”

  “I’d imagine most of womankind has sinful thoughts about him,” muttered Sara, as she undid her seatbelt and got out of the car. The September air had got nippy, so she pulled up the zipper of her denim jacket.

  Virginia did the same, even putting on a floppy cotton cap that gave her a jaunty look. “Well if he’s always flashing those attributes of his about, you’d have to be a marble statue not to react…”

  Sara sighed and opened the boot of their Golf to get out her bags.

  “So he hasn’t called you, then?” Virginia came up beside her to get her bag.

  “No, he never called me from Thailand, just a couple of messages to tell me he’d eaten I don’t know what and that the photo shoot was boring.” She closed the boot, grunting with the effort.

  The two girls left the car in a small car park and set off on foot to the Tolomei family’s straw coloured house with green shutters in the pedestrianised centre of Gubbio.

  “And why didn’t you call him?”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you! After all, you seem to have had an effect on him.”

  “Virginia, come on, he’s not interested in me. Not in that way, at least.”

  “How do you know? Maybe he’s been busy, or maybe his phone’s broken, or maybe…”

  “Or maybe you should watch He’s Just Not That Into You, an enlightening documentary about how men dump women without a second thought. They are simple creatures, remember!”

  “God, stop making such a meal out of it! I think that you’re actually just scared because you really like this hot, naked model and you’re worried he’s going to make you suffer. You remember that!”

  Sara rolled her eyes disconsolately as she rang the bell.

  “Aunty Nora!” Sara suddenly found herself hugging a large woman of about sixty with a jovial smile, eyes as black as pitch and a cheerful face.

  “Ranocchietta!” The old lady, who had always called Sara her ‘little frog’, leaned back just enough to take her in. “You’ve lost weight, are you eating enough?”

  “I’m sure you’ll soon have her stuffed!” chirped Virginia, leaning around from behind her sister.

  “Piccoletta!” cried Nora Tolomei, embracing Virginia with equal enthusiasm, then taking them both by the shoulders and hugging them. “Come here, you two. And let’s get inside, otherwise you’ll let all the heat out – it’s chilly today.” Unceremoniously, she pushed them inside and closed the door, and they were enveloped by the pleasant, familiar smell of pine needles and oranges. That house was full of memories. They’d spent their best Christmases there.

  Sara and Virginia took off their jackets and hung them on a hand painted wooden coat rack. One of Nora’s creations – their aunt’s artistic flair was not limited to painting, however, but exploded in any activity where she could express her innate creativity: glass, decoupage, marquetry, cross stitch, knitting…

  “Are Mum and Dad here yet?” asked Virginia.

  “No, not yet. Come with me into the kitchen, I’ve got a roast in the oven.”

  The girls followed their aunt down the long hall to the large country-style kitchen full of copper pans hanging on the walls, a large island unit in the middle of the room and a professional stove.

  “Where’s Grandma?” asked Sara.

  “Upstairs having a rest.”

  “At this time of day? Isn’t she well?” asked Sara in alarm, while the delicious aroma of the roast filled her nostrils when Nora opened the oven door.

  “She’s fine, she’s just getting ready to celebrate her eightieth, don’t worry. She was up until four this morning having a horror movie marathon.”

  Virginia laughed. “She’s always the same – she’s got a thing for vampires!”

  Sara smiled.

  “And Alessia?”

  Alessia was Nora and Sauro Tolomei’s daughter and she had two children, Luigi, still a baby, and Tommaso, who was six years old and as lively as he was unmanageable. They lived not far from Nora’s house.

  “She’ll be here for lunch, so we can celebrate with Grandma.”

  Nora moved the roast onto the worktop and took off her oven gloves. “So, Sara? Any boyfriends on the horizon?”

  Sara widened her eyes in surprise and looked at her sister suspiciously. “Did you take out an advert in the paper too?”

  Nora chuckled. “Don’t blame her, I gave her the third degree a couple of days ago. I talked to your mother who was concerned that you might be becoming frigid and I was worried, so I called Virginia.”

  Sara put her hand to her forehead. “My God!” She collapsed into the chair next to Virginia’s. “What is this, a conspiracy? Is my private life really such a big deal? And what about my privacy?”

  Nora put a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve lucked out with Daniel Gant, darling.”

  “Aunty, nothing happened. We just went out for dinner one night. He wanted to repay me for having helped him in a difficult moment, that’s all. We’re not friends, we don’t talk on the phone, there’s nothing going on.”

  “Oh listen to you! You like him, it’s written all over your face,” said Nora, with a satisfied expression. “Just wait until your mum finds out!”

  “Don’t you dare tell her anything, do you hear me?” said Sara, almost shouting, then lowering her voice to a whisper. “I don’t want her knowing about Daniel – nothing’s going to come of it, so I don’t want to be interrogated or get a lesson on how to have the shag of the century!”

  “Ranocchietta, you know I don’t like rude words.”

  Virginia chuckled. Aunty Nora, who was a bit old-fashioned, always ended up telling the sisters off for their language.

  “I don’t like them much myself, if it comes to it,” retorted Sara.

  “You incorrigible romantic…” teased Virginia. “Aunty! Sara’s cooked, you can take her out of the oven!”

  “I am not a romantic!” muttered Sara, blushing.

  “Oh yes, you are! You were dreaming about him a minute ago! And do you think I haven’t seen how often you check your phone for messages?”

  Sara grimaced. How could she have imagined that her sister wouldn’t notice? She had eyes in the back of her head, and was as sharp as a whip.

  “Ok, ok… He’s gorgeous, he’s funny, smart and attractive. So? I’m never going to see him again, so it doesn’t matter.”

  Nora gave her another pat on the shoulder. “Well, he’s certainly not the easiest target.”

  “Exactly, Aunty.”

  “Honestly, you two – fate’s fate, there’s no point fighting it.”

  “Oh hark, Virginia the Wise has spoken!” said Sara, shaking her head and standing up resignedly. “I’m going to go and get changed.”

  “You know what room you’re in.”

  Sara smiled with pleasure at being surrounded by all these happy memories. When she entered the bedroom, which was done out in a romantic style, she found the twin beds, the pictures of seascapes and the worn wooden desk where she’d used to enjoy writing stories when she was younger. That was the part of her life she remembered with the most pleasure, and it made her feel protected and safe even now. Not like at her parents’ house, where everything was always so weird and over the top. Sara had emerged from her adolescence wanting nothing more than a
bit of stability – a solid foundation upon which to build, and roots that gave meaning to her existence.

  And a part of her still did.

  Chapter 9

  You Won’t Have My Scalp

  Grandma Glicine sat at the head of the table. Cheerfully she looked around at her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren eating and laughing. Sara watched her fondly and smiled, realising what her grandmother was surely thinking at that exact moment: her eightieth birthday had been a good opportunity to get the family together – what else was there to celebrate about getting even older? That woman had the mind of a twenty year old and an indomitable character, and she was still able to enjoy the pleasures of life.

  Sara was sitting on her left, where Glicine had wanted her. She’d always been protective of her. How many times she had heard her say in that loving voice of hers, “You’re a bud that hasn’t blossomed yet, dear, but you’re going to become a beautiful rose”. Her grandmother knew that, for all that she pretended to be tough, Sara was as fragile as a flower.

  “So how do you feel about seeing the whole clan together again?” Sara asked her.

  “Nice and noisy – just the way I like it.”

  Sara gave Glicine’s face, its silky skin without make-up, a gentle caress.

  “I’m glad to be here. I’ve missed you, Grandma.”

  “Since you and Virginia moved away, we see each other so rarely, only at holidays. I wish I could have a birthday every other day!”

  “It was hard to get time off to come up here when I was working, and now that I’ve lost my job, finding another one is a full time job in itself. I’ve got another interview in a few days, though, so I hope that goes well, or I’ll have to start considering living under a bridge.”

  Her grandmother laughed. “Don’t worry, something will turn up – and if you’re really in trouble, come to me. I’ve got some savings put aside for a rainy day.”

  “I don’t want them, Grandma,” she said, annoyed.

  “Oh hush, do you think I can take them with me to the grave?”

  “What are you two talking about?” asked Caterina curiously, looking wonderful in a bright red suit with a modern cut and generous décolleté.

  Nora, who was sitting next to her sister, passed the mashed potatoes. “You concentrate on eating, dear sister, you’re all skin and bone.”

  “You bet she is – she jogs for two hours every morning, even when it rains,” quipped Leo, who was sitting opposite his wife. His hair was sprinkled with grey and he was a little scruffy, but he had a winning smile and two eyes so green they looked like gems. Sara looked admiringly at him with the eyes of a little girl – he was a wonderfully handsome prince.

  “I say we drink a toast to Grandma, who puts up with us and loves us all very much,” said Virginia, raising her glass. “We love you very much too!”

  Everyone drank a toast to Glicine, and she could barely contain her emotion.

  Sara looked at her with eyes full of affection and hoped that one day she would be just like her beloved grandmother.

  After blowing out the candles on the cake, the men of the family went into the living room while the women, busily coming and going between the kitchen and the dining room, took the opportunity for a bit of gossip.

  Except for Sara, who was distracted by the desire to check her messages. It had been hours since she’d had a chance to – maybe there’d be one…

  While the others were chatting away happily, she slipped out of the kitchen and went to the shelf where she had left her phone. Nope, nothing. But what did she expect? After all, if she was honest, she knew there was no hope for her and a certain British model. Well, her head might know that, but her heart, however, was another matter. What a fate. What was going to happen to her? Life under a bridge and a man with a mole on his nose eating sushi? Phone in hand, she sank back into the sofa staring absently into the display that reflected back her disappointed face.

  Suddenly, she heard a noise. Right behind her. She spun round and saw Tommaso’s evil little eyes peering out from behind her. Sara jumped in surprise. Why was he laughing and staring at her? A hand shot out. What were those chubby little fingers clutching?

  “Are you out of your mind?” shouted Sara, jumping up and dropping her phone onto the cushions. She put her hand to her head and glared at him desperately. “You just wait ‘til I catch you!”

  His trophy – a long lock of Sara’s curly hair – in hand, Tommaso broke into a run, nearly knocking down Virginia who was coming into the room.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Hold me back, or you’ll be reading about me being arrested for child murder in tomorrow’s paper!” She turned and lifted her hair to show her sister the evidence of the crime.

  Virginia put her hand to her mouth, but couldn’t help herself and burst out laughing.

  “What are you laughing at? I look awful! When I catch him…”

  Sara raced off after her nephew and Virginia was just about to sit down in an armchair with her trusty tablet in hand when the sound of Only Girl startled her. Virginia picked up Sara’s phone, saw the name on the screen and gave a victory punch. She had to answer. “Hello?”

  There was a short silence, then a voice with a strong English accent said, “This is Daniel, is Sara there?”

  “Of course, Daniel, I’ll just go and get her.”

  Phone in hand, Virginia ran through the house. Daniel would hear all the shouting and noise, but her mission was crucial. She raced up the stairs towards her sister’s shrill voice.

  “What’s the matter with him?”

  “He’s only a little boy, don’t shout at him like that or you’ll scare him!”

  “Your son has scalped me. Do you think that’s normal?”

  Virginia held the phone up between Sara’s angry face and the peaceful, submissive features of Alessia. “It’s for you.”

  Sara grabbed the smartphone and snarled, “Who is it?”

  “Sara, your way of greeting me is always so… affectionate.”

  Sara froze. She seemed no longer able to utter a word, and Alessia looked at Virginia with a raised eyebrow while her cousin chuckled and began to push her out of the bathroom where the argument had been taking place.

  “I’m sorry, Daniel. Let’s just say that I’ve had a bit of an unpleasant experience.”

  “What? Nothing serious, I hope,” he said, his voice instantly sounding concerned.

  Sara closed the door and sat on the toilet.

  “It’s mortifying!” She was so furious that she allowed herself to blow off steam. “I love children, I swear I do, but my nephew Tommaso is a little devil and his mother is always making excuses for him, so obviously he goes round making trouble.” She was off and running and unable to stop herself.

  “Hold on,” giggled Daniel, “what’s he done to you?”

  “He cut my hair – snip, and he chopped off the crown. Maybe he was Geronimo in a previous existence.”

  Silence and then laughter.

  “I can’t believe it!”

  Sara blushed and got up to look in the mirror. It looked awful. “Well it’s true. I’m furious!” She touched her hair distractedly and sighed.

  “I expect that a good hairdresser will be able to sort you out and get you looking lovely again.”

  Lovely? Lovely? Lovely? Had he just said lovely?

  “Don’t make fun of me.”

  "“I'’m not! Look at it this way, it'’s a great opportunity to change your look. It'’s fun, you know?"”

  “Well, yes, but…”

  “So cheer up, then. I can’t wait to see your new hairdo.”

  And what on earth was that supposed to mean? Was it really possible that she always practically needed Google translate to understand him? Relax, Sara, relax…

  “So you can fit me in between appointments in that busy schedule of yours?”

  “I must be an awful person if I give the impression of wanting to put you in my diary as
though you were just another commitment. I was actually proposing taking Spank for a walk in the park and cooking you a fancy omelette using everything I’ve got in the fridge.”

  Sara put her hand to her mouth in amazement and held her breath, then shook her head to clear it.

  “Spank?”

  “My little mongrel. She’s adorable – you’ll fall in love with her as soon as you meet her.”

  “I didn’t know you had a dog.”

  She hoped that no one needed the bathroom, because she didn’t want the conversation to end.

  “Yeah, and if I can I take her with me when I travel, but it’s not always possible. She hates planes even more than I do.”

  “How sweet.”

  “So, a walk in the park and an omelette?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Daniel chuckled. “That was an actual invitation, Sara.”

  “Oh, sorry, I thought you were joking.”

  “You should take me seriously sometimes,” he replied.

  “Are you still in Thailand?”

  “Yes – in Bangkok, to be exact, in a restaurant with some friends. I love Thai food.” He sounded happy. Lucky him – he could go back to his friends afterwards. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

  “Yes, Tomorrow I’m supposed go on a mini tour of the islands, I want to see Phuket.”

  Sara didn’t know whether to fake an enthusiasm she did not feel or crack a sarcastic joke, but Daniel got there first. “I ought to get back to them – don’t laugh, but I had to come into the bathroom to talk to you. It’s so noisy in here.”

  Sara bit her lip to hold back a laugh. How wonderful, both shut in separate bathrooms having a romantic conversation. “That doesn’t sound like the ideal place to have a conversation with a lovely bald girl…”

  “I’ll be back in Rome in four days. Can we see each other?”

  I don’t want to make him think that I don’t have any kind of social life… I sort of do. “I’m sorry, I’m out of town too.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Nowhere as exotic as Bangkok.”

  “So?” he asked. A voice in the background shouted, “Daniel, we’re waaaaaaiting!”