Under a Tuscan Sky

by Karen Aldous

  If only Hugh was here to see them, she thought. She shuffled through the remainder. Again, all very idyllic and, Olivia considered, extremely beautiful.

  An image of Hugh sat among the geranium-filled borders in the hotel garden played in her mind. The sharpness of his eyes as she caught them. Suddenly aware she’d got sidetracked, she took out her phone from her back pocket. She had fifteen minutes. She would try and ring him one more time. His name was still on her contact list, so she hit her thumb against it and was just about to repeat the action, when she stopped and threw the phone down.

  She closed her eyes and inhaled. She should stop thinking of herself and think about how much he’d done already. He did, after all, have a business to run and wasn’t at her beck and call. There would be someone else locally to organize the valuations. She should have shown her gratitude and respect more often. He was probably irritated with her for embarrassing him publicly too. She should have thanked him privately. He was probably fed up with her demands, her flirting and kissing. He probably thought she was just a tease.

  Chapter 34

  Quickly, remembering she had to call in to see Gabriella and Nico, Olivia gathered her belongings and dropped them in the hall, closed the shutters and, after locking the front door, dropped her suitcase in the boot of the car before running across to the courtyard and into the office.

  ‘Well I’m off home, happy to have discovered my family and sorted things out,’ she told Gabriella and Nico, who were both in reception. ‘We had a lovely time together the other evening.’

  ‘Here you are.’ Gabriella beamed and slid her glasses back on her nose. ‘I’m so glad you know the truth and have met them. I hope to see you all together when you visit next.’

  ‘It will take time to heal some of the wounds, but it was amazing to get things sorted, well agreed at least, and yes I would love us all to be here together,’ Olivia said, rubbing her palms together.

  Nico squeezed her arm. ‘Just as a family should be. Shame your nonna didn’t see you together. She will be very happy. We are very happy it happen.’

  ‘And so the farm?’ Gabriella waved around her hands, gesticulating. ‘What is happening with the business? Do you know who is buying it?’

  ‘Well if all goes to plan, and the solicitors are waiting for a valuation on Nonna’s remaining possessions, then Landi could be your new boss. It’s with the lawyers now.’

  ‘Oh, Olivia, fantastic.’

  Olivia squeezed her. ‘Yes, he’s so excited, but I don’t want to build your hopes up until everything is finalized. And,’ she said, dropping her smile, ‘I’m hoping Hugh, my friend, can come along and organize the valuations in my absence. Don’t worry, I trust him,’ Olivia said responding to Gabriella’s concerned eyes. ‘I’ve left him a message but not heard from him, so if he calls me or arrives here, could you let him have access? I’ll ask him to email you or me as and when he needs it. Now if he can’t, I will have to find another one, but I’ll let you know. And, please, don’t worry about the farm for now. I haven’t given the agent an answer yet, just in case anyone enquires. We need to hear everything’s signed over, but I will let you know as soon as I know.’

  Gabriella bared her teeth, not quite convinced. ‘Right, that’s good news. You must tell me all about it, one day. Well, safe journey, Olivia. Ciao.’

  After hugging them goodbye, Olivia checked her phone one more time, then with a regretful sigh, pushed it into her handbag and began her drive to the airport. She followed the satnav instructions, now feeling that driving abroad was one of the most stupidest of things she ever worried her silly head about.

  Instead, she focused her thoughts on the more important, and more pleasant things in life. The first was whether her mother or Landi would reconsider giving her away in the absence of her dad. Next, the style of wedding dress she would wear, bearing in mind the venue. Alberto was thinking much grander than she. Next, who she would choose as bridesmaids, and their dresses. She wondered whether she should ask Alberto’s sisters too. It seemed odd as she had only met them the once, but it was not much different to her own family. Would they be offended if she didn’t ask them? And, Landi, should she ask him if his company would want to do the catering? And guests: where would they stay and how many friends would come from England? There was so much to think about.

  Olivia couldn’t believe how quickly the time had gone. She was at the airport returning her car and checking in in no time without a second thought to driving. She had obviously been extremely stressed that day she drove to her mother’s.

  With her case gone, she opened her handbag to check her phone. Still nothing from Hugh. She headed through security and calmly organized her belongings, despite the people waiting behind her. Once through, she located a bar. She ordered a cool beer, feeling thirsty, and sitting on a stall opened her phone. The photo of her and Alberto on the lake stared back at her. Inspired, she had an idea.

  She didn’t have photos of her family, but they did. Immediately she set up a WhatsApp group, inviting her brother, sister, and mother to send photos.

  As she took the first sip of beer after paying for it, there was a quick response. Opening the app she saw a beautiful photo of Orlando, Perla, and the boys sitting on the bench outside the villa, and another of Roz and the boys, which was taken on the ridge, the full-canopied vineyards stretching for miles in the distance behind them. The third and last one he’d sent immediately wrenched her heart. It was Nonna, Mother, Orlando, and the boys. It must have been in the summer, again, on the ridge but sitting in a vine-covered loggia with the swimming pool and hills in the background. Possibly the last photograph of her nonna.

  Wiping the tear from the corner of her eye, she scrolled back and forth trying to pinpoint family characteristics. Her brother had Nonno’s bright eyes, even though his hair was lighter and slightly redder. One of the boys had Mamma’s eye shape, a bit like Sophia Loren.

  She then scrolled back to her photos of herself and Alberto. There were two that were taken up in the cobbled streets, by a passer-by. They were stood outside an old antique shop. The cobbled front spread out in a triangle. When she scrolled in, her eyebrows, she noticed, were like her mother’s, the eye shape less so. She wondered what her and Alberto’s children would look like. Then what her and Hugh’s children would look like.

  ‘Eeeey!’ the sound escaped as quickly as the idea.

  ***

  Back in London, Olivia let herself in to the house, and after trampling over the copious amounts of post and junk mail, ran the tap and emptied the kettle, just to fill it again for a much-needed cup of tea. After turning up the heating, she unpacked her shopping bag: the milk, the bread, eggs, and the pitiful ready meal that she’d rescued alone, on its supermarket shelf. That’s right, they don’t run out of potatoes or fresh veg, just ready meals.

  As she watched the meal circle around the microwave, she searched her handbag for her phone and texted Alberto to let him know she was home safe. Immediately he rang her back and told her how much he missed her.

  ‘There is something else,’ he said his voice lowering in tone. ‘Our launch plans for the new model. We have to put it back. There is a problem. Only small but, luckily, we hadn’t released the date. A week, maybe two, later. I’m very sorry.’

  ‘Alberto, I understand, and it may only be a week. You shouldn’t worry. I have so much to catch up on and I will be working too.’

  ‘I know. Don’t forget I love you.’

  ‘Love you too. Ciao.’

  At the click, the house suddenly felt vacant and extremely quiet. She remembered the ready meal and opened the door. Carrying it to the table, she poured the contents on to her plate and grabbed a knife and fork.

  She was now resigned to the fact that Hugh was definitely ignoring her. Any friendship was blown out it seemed. Professional too. It was now almost, what – she checked the time on her phone – over twenty-four hours since she first messaged him and
there was still nothing. She wrangled as to whether she should organize another company to carry out the valuation.

  She was munching through her chicken chow mein when her phone pinged. It was Roz on the WhatsApp. Opening it, she saw her mamma had added a photo. Rosa was still a bump on Bella. Cosimo was only about a year old, so it was probably taken last year. Under it, was another photo of herself with just little Rosa in her arms, a recent one. Her mother was standing on the campsite restaurant terrace with the lake and mountains in the background.

  Again, Olivia studied them, making comparisons. Rosa definitely had her mother’s big eyes but her father’s fuller lips. What an amazing feeling to have close relations. She still had to pinch herself, but there was a niggling disappointed feeling and sleep was now overdue. Ready to retire, Olivia texted Chiara to tell her she was home safe. After unpacking her case, she fell into bed.

  Just as she slipped into sleep, the message came. She grabbed the phone.

  ‘Hey, sorry I missed you. Just got back. Drove down to Sorrento on some interesting business. Can’t say much yet. Hope to have more in the next few days. Hope you arrived home OK? Re, your nonna’s: yes, be glad to help. I’ll call you tomorrow. Hugh xx PS: Don’t apologize for being happy. Again congratulations.’

  Bells rang in her heart. Hugh was obviously in there pulling the ropes. Even her skin felt as though it was vibrating from the melodic notes of the chimes. He still cared. She was wide awake and needed to hear his voice. Why did she need to hear his voice?

  No, she told herself sternly, she shouldn’t ring him. He’d driven a long way. It was ten-thirty here, so eleven-thirty in Italy. That would be unfair. He would be tired.

  On the other hand, he could be pleased to hear from her. But that would be unfair too. Giving him the impression she needed him. In her heart, it was the most natural thing in the world to want to just ring him and talk to him. They had this ease. He must have genuinely had a reason to not answer. Maybe he’d forgotten his charger, staying at his mother’s.

  When did life become so complicated? No, when did her thinking become so complicated?

  Olivia’s alarm bellowed at six-thirty. There was another message on her WhatsApp. It was Bella. Olivia felt the urge to open it, but the photos could wait. She’d had the message she’d craved. She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep. The alarm sounded again at seven.

  After a long shower, she put on her dressing gown and ran down to the kitchen to put an egg on the stove. She dressed and returned, taking her boiled egg to the table with soldiers: a morning ritual of her gran’s that was hard to break. As she dipped a soldier into the deep yellow yolk, she remembered Bella’s message still on her phone.

  ‘Tch.’ She ran to the bedroom to fetch the phone and sat back at the table, opening the app.

  Two photos. The first one of her and Hugh. A chill induced a shiver and instant goose bumps on her skin.

  ‘What?’ She scrolled in closer, just in case her eyes were deceiving her. Her left hand covered her mouth as she gasped. ‘Huh.’ It was them, no doubt. They were sitting close in the hotel garden, a morning glow on their cheeks and vibrant geraniums splashing colour between the foliage, she and Hugh – gazing into each other’s eyes. ‘Like Nonna and Nonno,’ she whispered. ‘Unbelievable.’ Her eyes remained fixed on the image. ‘Eerily unbelievable,’ she said, with no recollection of the photo being taken. Screwing up her face, she tried to replay the moment, wondering how she missed her sister taking the photo.

  Bella had asked about Hugh. It was possible Bella preferred Hugh to Alberto, but this would have been taken before her sister had met Alberto. Olivia swiped her finger to the next photo, half expecting it to be one of her and Alberto. It made perfect sense. If she had taken one of her and Hugh, there would be one of her and Alberto, but instead it was Bella and Giovanni with a big smiley Rosa. Such a beautiful photo.

  Immediately her mind concocted a connection. Had Bella been passed her nonna’s spirit? Was this another sign from her nonna? The radio beeped its hourly news bulletin. It was time she got to work.

  Chiara was already in the clinic, in her treatment room with a client. Olivia glanced through the appointment book in reception. It had been pretty busy and there were five scheduled in for her today. Wasting no time, she set off to prepare and finally caught up with Chiara at three o’clock.

  Chiara ran towards her. ‘My sweet, how are you? So good to see you.’

  ‘Very well. Yes, you too,’ she said holding her friend who gave her the biggest hug. The feeling was very welcoming, but with it she felt a frisson of tension.

  Chiara stepped back to look at her, wearing a big smile. ‘You look amazing. Italy suits you. You’re glowing. What a trip! A new family, a new man, owner of a farm. Staggering. Let’s see your ring then?’

  Olivia held up her hand raising a smile but also a wary glint. ‘When you put it like that, yes. It’s not so straightforward, however.’

  ‘Oh golly, that’s beautiful, Liv,’ she said taking Olivia’s hand and admiring the shining rock. ‘He must be seriously loaded as well as seriously “hot”. Christ, you have struck gold. And discovering a brother and sister, nieces and nephews. Just amazing, and to find all that inheritance was guilt money. Well, at least we know now why your mother was giving you all the responsibility. That makes sense at least,’ Chiara said, then tightened her lips before they wobbled.

  Olivia placed a hand on Chiara’s shoulder. ‘What is it? Have you got a few minutes? We’ll go into my treatment room.’

  Chiara gave a long sniffle and nodded. Olivia pulled her by the hand and led her across to her room. Closing the door, she asked, ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I don’t know exactly.’

  ‘Is it something I’ve done? I haven’t been here for three weeks. Are you angry?’

  ‘Not exactly.’ Chiara scratched her brow. ‘I’m upset but I can’t really put my finger on it.’

  Placing her arm around her friend’s shoulders, Olivia wasn’t sure what to say. ‘No one is going to replace you if that’s what’s worrying you. You’ll always be my big sister, even though you’re three months younger than me. I still need you.’

  ‘Yes, but you’ll be going to live abroad and I really missed you when you were away. I suppose I didn’t realize just how much I relied on you.’

  ‘Relied on me? Blimey, Chiara, I’ve spent my life depending on you. You’ve never depended on me, ever, from what I can recall. You’ve always been the strong one.’ Sliding her hair behind her ears, Olivia spotted a tear running down her friend’s cheek. She was horrified and wondered how an earth she had managed to upset her. ‘Come over to the couch.’ She took her hand and led her to the couch where they both perched.

  Olivia pulled a tissue from the box on the treatment cupboard and wiped Chiara’s cheek. ‘Do you know exactly what’s nagging you? Are you stressed because of all the work? Worried I will leave you without a job when I marry? Do you even think I would do that to you?’

  ‘I’m really pleased you’re happy; don’t get me wrong. I suppose I feel a bit left out, abandoned if you like. It sounds stupid, but …’

  Olivia pushed the end of her nose at the irony but more so at the prospect. ‘Oh, I hope not. God, that’s the last thing I would want to do to my big sister.’ Olivia’s mouth felt suddenly dry and drained of saliva. The fluid in her spine too. This was a disaster. ‘I’m mortified. How did I do this?’

  ‘Liv, it’s not you. You have clearly found your destiny. I’m not jealous as such, I’m …’

  ‘Resentful?’

  Chiara stared at her for several seconds. ‘No, not resentful, scared, I think. I’m scared I’ll be eliminated or forgotten. It’s hard to explain. I feel like you’re moving on, or grazing new pastures, and … it’s me, I’m not ready to accept it. I want to be in your life, not in your pocket as such, I suppose, but like a sister. Part of your family.’

  Chiara rubbed her temples.
‘God, I’m not explaining this very well. OK, like a mother. That’s sounds so odd, I know, but I remember my mum saying a few weeks back, that when we girls left home, even though we didn’t all leave at once, or go particularly far, she felt that part of her soul left with us, each of us. She said it’s what they called the empty nest syndrome. Maybe it’s similar. I feel I have always been such a big part of your life, and although you haven’t died or left the country completely, yet – if you do, I’ve got this fear of being excluded.’

  She took a deep breath as though mustering up courage. ‘Maybe it’s because you found your real sister and brother, I’m finding it hard. Suddenly, you have another life I’m not part of. It’s stupid and I’m sure you are still getting to grips with it, but I’m finding that hard to deal with. I didn’t want this all to come out. I didn’t mean it to.’

  Olivia’s tears immediately spilled on to her cheeks. ‘Oh, Chiara, please don’t.’

  ‘It sounds pathetic doesn’t it?’

  ‘No, not at all. In fact, I am still struggling with becoming a sister. I wasn’t really ready to meet Bella and Landi, but I didn’t have much time left in Italy and I was in the area.’ Olivia stroked the top of Chiara’s hand. ‘Look, what we have has grown organically since we were four years old. We have so many shared memories, good and bad, so don’t imagine I’m going to abandon you just because I have siblings or I’m engaged. You mean the world to me and will continue to do so, wherever I am. You must meet them, after all, you’re family too. They’re all very nice. And Hugh. He’s the friend I told you about.’

  ‘I would like that. Thank you. I’m so sorry about the outburst.’ Chiara clutched Olivia’s waist. I don’t know why. It must have been seeing you that made me all emotional. You seemed different; there’s a new confidence about you.’

  ‘Probably caught you at a low ebb, that’s all. In all honesty, I’m glad it’s just that. And I’m glad you told me because it’s aired and I can do something about it. You will certainly be a big part of my life, wherever I happen to be. And as for the business, even if I did leave, it would remain here with you. It’s your business too as far as I’m concerned.’ Olivia held out her arms. ‘Oh, silly. I need you to help me with the wedding plans too.’