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‘Yes, thanks … and you?’
Sophia inclined her head and indicated the chair opposite. ‘Join me for breakfast. Alessandro left early for the office.’
The faint knot in her stomach relaxed a little, for the thought of facing him across the breakfast table hadn’t sat well.
The tempting aroma of coffee permeated the air, and there was a carafe of orange juice, together with a few cloche-covered dishes resting on the table.
It was a perfect way to begin the day.
‘Carlo will collect us in half an hour and be at our disposal before we head back to Lake Como,’ Sophia relayed, and Lily offered an impish grin.
‘Sounds like fun.’
Her aunt laughed. ‘It will be. Serious shopping is on the agenda.’
No idle promise, Lily perceived as Sophia focused their attention on the quadrilatero situated in the heart of Milan.
‘We will begin with Via Montenapoleone,’ Sophia stated knowledgeably, sparing Carlo a twinkling smile. ‘Familiar territory, is it not?’
‘Indeed. I have extensive knowledge of every shop.’
‘Carlo is very patient,’ her aunt confided with a light laugh. ‘He is my driver, he accompanies me on shopping excursions, and he also acts as bodyguard.’
Bodyguard?
‘Merely a protective measure,’ Carlo informed.
The question had to be why it was deemed necessary.
‘Do not look so concerned,’ Sophia bade gently. ‘Since Giuseppe’s death, Alessandro and Carlo have taken it upon themselves to escort me wherever I choose to go.’
Two strong masculine men, each a recipient of Giuseppe and Sophia’s benevolence during their youth, who cared enough to give of their time, their resources, to ensure Sophia’s safety and well-being.
It was a commendable act, and one Lily could only admire.
‘Let’s begin, shall we?’
She gave her aunt an infectious smile. ‘Lead the way.’
It came as no surprise when Sophia was greeted by name and afforded deferential treatment at many of the shops they visited.
‘The Charity Gala, signora? For you?’
‘And my niece, Lily.’
‘Ah, I have the perfect gown. So elegant.’ She paused as she considered Lily’s slender curves and height. ‘For Lily, perhaps something from the Spring Collection. An opaque floral silk chiffon in delicate shades of powder blue, lavender, with a hint of pink. There is simplicity in the style, and with your hair swept high …’ Her head tilted a little. ‘Or the red, sì, the red would be stunning with your colouring. We shall view them both.’
Of the two, Lily adored the red silk chiffon with its bias cut skirt, ruched bodice. Elegant, the design showcased her delicate shoulders, narrow waist, and Sophia clapped her hands together as she accorded it perfectto.
‘We will take both.’ Her eyes twinkled with pleasure and she lifted a hand at Lily’s protest. ‘It is my gift to you.’ A light laugh escaped her as she took hold of Lily’s hand and lifted it to her lips. ‘All these years I am your godmother, and there have been so few opportunities for us to spend time together.’
‘Zia, please. It is much too generous.’ She turned towards the vendeuse. ‘The red gown, for which I shall pay.’
‘Cara, we will not argue.’
‘We have exquisite stilettos to match the gown.’ As if by magic the delicate shoes were presented for approval, and as promised, they were perfect.
‘Lily, you may pay for the stilettos,’ Sophia conceded graciously. ‘But that is all I will allow.’
It was an exceedingly beautiful gift and a very special
memory she would treasure for a very long time, and she said so as she hugged her aunt with genuine appreciation.
‘Now I shall stand strong,’ Lily insisted as they emerged onto the street. ‘Lunch is on me, at a restaurant of your choice.’ She paused fractionally, then lobbied with an impish twinkle, ‘We will not argue, sì?’
Sophia gave a delighted laugh. ‘You remind me so much of your mother, when, as single young women, we shopped together.’
Carlo retrieved their signature-emblazoned carry-bags, and spared both women a musing look. ‘Success?’
‘Indeed,’ Sophia agreed. ‘Yet we are far from done.’
Carlo merely smiled. ‘Of course not.’
Together they strolled towards Via Manzoni, pausing frequently to browse the shops, venturing into a few, purchasing items that enchanted the eye, as Sophia and Carlo pointed out places of historic interest, the aristocratic palazzi along Via Manzoni, the Grand Hotel, the Archi di Porta Nuova, a city gate once part of the medieval walls.
There was a sense of timelessness, a lingering knowledge of centuries past, and how life must have been then in comparison to today’s era.
Lunch offered a leisurely respite, and they sampled excellent cuisine, shared a light white wine, concluding with coffee before they emerged onto the street to visit a famed museo where paintings graced the walls and precious ceramics were featured.
It was Sophia who suggested they dine before returning to Lake Como, and Carlo drove them to a charming little osteria owned by a couple who made divine pasta sauce. So much so, Lily savoured the taste with a view to determining an elusive ingredient.
‘I have tried to persuade the chef to divulge the secret of his sauce,’ Sophia confided. ‘All he will do is smile, lift his
hands and offer “a bit of this, a touch of that”. Incredible, is it not?’
‘A hint of chilli, unless I’m mistaken,’ Lily posed in contemplation. ‘With perhaps a sprinkle of brown sugar to sweeten. And scallions, I think, for their crisp light taste.’
‘You would like to experiment in my kitchen?’
Lily offered an impish smile. ‘Perhaps we can experiment together. Tomorrow?’
‘I’d like nothing better.’
‘Such an honour,’ Carlo declared. ‘Only Alessandro has been permitted to try his hand in Sophia’s kitchen.’
Lily raised an eyebrow. ‘Alessandro?’
‘He worked kitchens in places no respectable person knew existed,’ Sophia revealed, sobering a little. ‘Liaised deals with undesirables likely to double-deal or worse, rather than pay up. And sleep anywhere he could find a place to lay his head.’
‘Always on the alert, and with means of protection,’ Carlo added quietly.
Lily looked at him carefully. ‘You speak from experience.’ It wasn’t a question, merely a statement.
‘Yes.’
‘As one of Alessandro’s … partners.’ She refrained from adding. in crime.
‘An interesting description,’ Carlo conceded in a lightly accented drawl.
An understatement, if ever there was one, Lily conceded, aware the reality had been far worse than either man would admit.
It was late when Carlo brought the car to a halt outside the main entrance to Sophia’s villa, and he delivered their purchases indoors, refused coffee, and bade both women buona notte.
Lily turned to Sophia as Carlo left, and issued genuine thanks for a wonderful day.
‘You’re most welcome, cara.’ Sophia hugged Lily close. ‘We will sort our purchases in the morning. Goodnight, Lily,’ she bade gently. ‘Sleep well.’
‘You, too, Zia.’
Together they ascended the staircase, then parted as Lily moved to her guest suite.
The large bed looked inviting, and she removed her clothes, took a leisurely shower, then she slid between the sheets and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
It was almost seven when she woke, and she stretched her limbs, then she threw back the covers and padded to the set of windows, tilted the indoor shutters and watched in admiration as sunrise coloured the gardens to a beautiful kaleidoscope of landscaped glory.
A new day lay ahead, and she completed her morning routine before choosing dress jeans and a casual top, then she slid her feet into flat shoes and was about to leave the room when she remembered to check her laptop.
There were several emails awaiting her attention, a few of which she quickly skimmed before reaching an update from Parisi’s manager reporting that all was going well in the restaurant.
The sender of the next email was James, and her initial reaction was to delete it unread. Except curiosity led her to the deleted folder minutes later, and she read the apologetic missive, citing his remorse, heartbreak, and the plea for reconciliation, followed by a promise to be loyal and loving. if only she’d give him another chance.
It didn’t even qualify an answer.
Without pause she closed the laptop and made her way downstairs to find Sophia sipping coffee at the dining-room table while she perused the daily newspaper.
‘Good morning, cara,’ Sophia greeted with a warm smile, and indicated the table’s contents. ‘Coffee? Juice?’
Lily slid into a chair and helped herself to juice, drank it slowly.
‘Some of the fashions from the runway are written up.’ Sophia indicated the page in question. ‘Together with photos from the party. This week’s trade magazines will feature both in more detail.’ She moved the newspaper so Lily could view it.
Lily had no problem reading the Italian script, and she skimmed over the photographs, then came to a halt as she recognized one of her standing next to Alessandro at the party.
Except it wasn’t so much the photo that drew her attention, but the teasing caption speculating her identity, and if she was his latest romantic interest. Concluding with watch this space.
It angered her that innuendo and supposition combined with clever angle photography lent evidence to there being a grain of truth to the gossip.
‘Where do they get this stuff?’ Lily demanded over a second cup of coffee.
‘Cara, don’t allow it to distress you,’ Sophia attempted to soothe. ‘It’s how the media makes a living, and Alessandro has a propensity to attract attention.’
‘Which I don’t choose to share.’
Sophia commiserated in silence, all too aware Lily had captured Alessandro’s interest. She knew him so well, better than most … enough to recognize the occasions when he merely played the social game. Somehow she very much doubted this was one of them.
‘Have something to eat, then we shall attempt to duplicate pasta sauce, hmn?’
As a distraction ploy, it worked, as they combined experience, instinct and flair to create what promised to be ambrosia.
‘What do you think?’ Sophia queried as she dipped a spoon into the simmering sauce and held it out for Lily to taste.
‘Close.’ So very close, but something was missing. She made a sudden decision. ‘Another pinch of brown sugar, and I’m going to add a bay leaf. Maybe that’ll do it.’
‘This is so much fun. I remember Mamma would make her own pasta and teach your mother and me how to make panini. Her kitchen was always the focal point of our house, filled with different aromas. She had the most comprehensive herb garden … and her vegetables were the best tended in the village.’
‘I’ve heard some of the stories … how the chickens each had names,’ Lily declared with a warm laugh.
‘There were a few ducks, turkeys, and a pig you named Mirabella.’
Sophia chuckled. ‘Poor Mirabella. She didn’t realize she was a pig. I woke one morning and she wasn’t there.’ She shook her head. ‘Papa explained, Mamma consoled … but I haven’t been able to eat pork since.’
While the sauce continued to simmer they took out fine flour, eggs and made pasta, which they ate for lunch with fresh crusty bread.
‘Hmm, this is so good,’ Sophia complimented, while Lily lifted a hand and tilted it back and forth.
‘But not quite right.’ Her forehead creased a little. ‘Next time I’ll ditch the bay leaf and add a pinch of paprika.’
‘Lily, this dish would draw genuine praise in the finest restaurant.’ Sophia’s eyes lit with a mischievous sparkle. ‘You are bent on a mission.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘But not today,’ her aunt said firmly. ‘This afternoon Alessandro is taking you on a scenic tour of the lakes. There is much to see.’
Alessandro? ‘I’m sure he’s much too busy,’ Lily protested, only to see Sophia shake her head.
‘If that were so, he would not have offered.’
The fact that he had disturbed her more than she was prepared to admit. Why seemed a logical query, for which she had no sensible answer.
Lily was ready at the appointed time, attired in tailored black trousers, a fine red cashmere sweater beneath a tailored black jacket, with comfortable black flats on her feet.
Alessandro’s sleek black car slid to a halt adjacent the entrance, and it appeared he’d chosen comfort over formality, given the absence of a tie, the few top buttons of his shirt open, to which he’d added a butter-soft leather black jacket.
It gave him a rakish look, one he wore with remarkable ease, she perceived as he greeted Sophia before turning towards Lily.
‘Shall we leave?’
Sophia was right, Lily determined as Alessandro drove into the hills to a vantage point where the splendid vista of lakes stretched north to the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
