‘We’re here,’ Ben said helpfully as she looked around, blinking. The sky was blue, so she knew it was still daytime, but the motorway and deluge of fast cars were all gone. Instead, the Citroën was parked in front of a gorgeous golden-stone villa with a pretty matching veranda bursting with multiple clay pots of pink and white flowers that spilled down their sides.
‘Where’s here?’ Rose croaked, clearing sleep from her throat as the oval wooden front door of the house suddenly flew open and a woman with a bright pink silk scarf wound around her hair and an enormous pair of Jackie Onassis-style sunglasses came bursting outside, beaming.
It took Rose a moment to recognise Marco’s Aunt Aurora from Ben’s photo. She was probably somewhere in her late sixties. Despite that, her curvy frame was encased in another extravagant, multicoloured dress, with pink and blue sequins sewn across the collar, cuffs and hem. The style was eccentric and very avant-garde. Rose took a moment to absorb the overalleffect – lamenting the sorry state of her trousers again – as Ben hopped from the car and met Aurora at the bottom of the veranda’s steps. Then he picked her up and twirled her around, his face a picture of pure pleasure.
Rose sat back and watched. She was suspicious of anyone who wore their heart on their sleeve so obviously as Ben. He seemed determined to flirt with everyone – from Mandy to the woman in passport control to the man who’d led them to the hire car. Even Coco wasn’t immune.
But those bright smiles and easy conversation surely hid something – like vanity, a lack of self-esteem or a fear of commitment. She guessed it would only be a matter of time before his shiny surface began to dull, and she’d get to see below the surface where the real Ben lurked. That’s what her rules were designed to expose. Over time they left no stone unturned, no chance for people to commit to a relationship they – or their children – would ultimately regret.
She opened the door and carefully prised Coco’s carrier from the back seat, checking on the dog who was still fast asleep.
‘Bello!’ Aurora trilled as Ben finally stopped spinning and put her down. ‘It’s so good to see you in the flesh. It’s been too long.’ Her accent was all Italian, but she spoke in perfect English – probably for Rose’s benefit.
‘It’s only been two months,’ Ben laughed, blossoming with pleasure.
‘I saw you coming an hour ago in my crystal ball, so I made sure I was packed and ready to leave.’ The woman quickly skirted the car and swept Rose into a hug without introducing herself. Rose found her nose pressed into the woman’s dress and smelled cherries and incense. She tried to pull away, feeling awkward. She wasn’t used to such open affection. ‘And you must be the friend of our Marco’ssposa!’Aurora bellowed as she finally released her.
‘She means his wife,’ Ben translated as he wandered around the car. ‘I know it should be fiancée, but in four days…’
‘You speak Italian?’ Rose ignored his assumption that she wouldn’t be able to persuade Luna to postpone the wedding.
‘Isabella taught me that too.’
‘Ben is a man of many talents,’ Aurora said affectionately. ‘Although his manners could do with some work.’ She pouted as she widened her eyes at Rose, clearly indicating she expected to be formally introduced.
Ben flushed. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘Rose Loveheart, please sayciaoto Marco’s Aunt A.’
‘Hello,’ Rose said stiffly.
‘It’s Aurora Gallo,’ the older woman expanded, offering Rose her hand, which she took. Then the older woman turned it over and began to study Rose’s palm muttering as she nodded. ‘I’m sure Ben’s told you I’m a clairvoyant. I’m also Elena’s older sister. That’s Marco’s mamma, you’ll see the resemblance when you meet.’
‘Ben mentioned that,’ Rose told her.
The older woman narrowed her brown eyes as she looked up from Rose’s palm. ‘You have an interesting future,’ she murmured. ‘And the power to smash a vulnerable heart,’ she declared as she let go of Rose’s hand and winked at Ben.
‘I would never…’ Rose began. She’d seen far too much of that in her life.
‘My tarot cards predicted we might have two romances instead of one this summer – and now I see why. You have a clear palm,’ she told Rose. ‘A solid line indicating one marriage. When I read your cards, I’ll tell you if it’ll be happy.’
Rose winced and Ben shook his head. ‘I think you’ll find Rose is trying to take the number of romances from two to zero.’ He picked up Coco’s carrier and walked towards the villa leaving the verbal landmine he’d just thrown to explode.
‘Is she?’ Aurora asked, sounding more delighted than concerned. ‘The cards didn’t mention it, so perhaps she’ll change her mind…’
Rose didn’t bother to argue. She wasn’t going to get into a squabble with Marco’s relatives about the speed of the nuptials. Hopefully, this whole thing could be handled quickly once she met with Luna and they’d had a chance to talk alone. Then they’d be making their way back to England.
‘Is it okay if we put the dog in your garden before we go? She’s been stuck in this thing for hours and I’ve an inkling she’d like to stretch her legs,’ Ben said.
Coco let out a delighted yip and Rose saw the carrier bounce as the dog scrambled to the front flap, trying to get out. She couldn’t help being both impressed that the man had thought about Luna’s pet’s needs — and guilty because it should have been her.
‘Of course! How thoughtless of me.’ Aurora threw up her arms flapping her triangular billowy sleeves which glittered like gold in the sunlight. ‘You should all come in – have a glass of wine and freshen up. I’m packed, but I might throw in another couple of outfits. I heard from my sister that the restaurant has a new chef and I do love making Aldo jealous.’ She waggled her eyebrows as she overtook them and skipped up the stairs to the veranda, while Ben waited for Rose.
‘Aldo?’ Rose asked.
‘I’ll let Aurora explain.’ He shook his head. ‘She has an interesting take on romance and she’s always trying to fix people up,’ he confided as they walked side by side. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing what you make of each other. Perhaps she might even teach the Love Doctor a thing or two…’
Rose doubted anyone could teach her about love. She’d been through heartbreak, marriage and multiple divorces, and thatwas just as a spectator to her parents’ relationships. Still, she wasn’t going to explain that to Ben.
The villa was gorgeous inside with high ceilings and large windows which had all been shuttered because it was the afternoon – although the grey marble floors still shone under the lights Aurora suddenly clicked on. The whole place felt gorgeously cool compared to the dry heat in the driveway, and Rose took a moment to enjoy it as she looked around. Aurora pointed to the garden, and Ben nodded and took Coco out of the carrier and disappeared.
