‘The venison.’
‘Sorry,’ says Roxy, giving Irene the thumbs up.
‘That’s all. See you back here at six sharp.’
She claps her hands and the small group disperses, as Roxy grabs my arm. ‘Do you want to hang out?’
‘I have to do a final check on the wines,’ I say.
‘Can I come with you to the cellar and help?’
‘I also need to make a call,’ I say, pulling a disappointed face.
I have not spoken to Heather in days. We’ve been on WhatsApp, but suddenly I have an urgent need to speak to her. I’m sure something’s going on with Cristian. She hasn’t said so, but I can always tell with Heather.
I make my way to the cellar. The fourth step is the best one to get coverage, so I sit on the cold stone and dial her number. She answers on the third ring.
‘Birdy,’ she says breathlessly, and I feel a rush of love at her voice, and the sound of my very own name.
‘How are you doing?’
‘Oh, great,’ she says, and I’m surprised to hear her sounding like I’ve woken her up. It’s six p.m.
‘Are you tired?’ I say.
‘I was taking a nap,’ she replies. ‘Sorry. How are you?’
‘There is absolutely nothing to report, but I want to hear about you, and the big romance. How is it all going? You’ve seemed a bit flat?’
‘No, no. It’s okay. I’ve realized that my Italian wine knowledge is a bit lacking, so I’ve been practising that, and my Italian. I’ve got the time, which is a wonderful luxury.’
‘You’ve got good Italian,’ I say.
‘I have restaurant Italian, which basically means I can order food,’ she laughs. ‘You think anyone who says hello in an Irish accent is bilingual.’
I laugh. She’s right. I’m absolutely hopeless at languages. Learning to pronounce the names of the various European wines has been one of the biggest parts of the challenge.
‘I just wanted to check in seriously that you’re okay,’ I say. ‘It’s a big thing going to Italy with someone you’re getting to know – even ifit’s only temporary or whatever. Especially with the girlfriend complication.’
‘Yes,’ she agrees, but stops short of revealing whether Cristian’s still got a girlfriend or not, and I don’t want to push her.
‘Okay, so you’re great, Cristian is great and you love Italy?’ I say.
‘Well, of course it’s notallgreat,’ she sighs. ‘There are lots of challenges, but Cristian is looking after me well. I see him most days.’
‘Well, that’s good. But I have to say something, and can you please listen? I’ll feel like a shit friend if I don’t say it, okay?’
‘Um, okay.’
‘I know you feel very strongly about Cristian, and Iknowyou made the best decision for you in that moment,’ I say, ‘but I want you to know that if you have any doubts, or need anything from me – like, ever – call me and I will jump on a plane if I can, okay?’
Silence on the line from Heather, and I hope I haven’t overstepped the mark. I hope it’s both supportive of her decision and offers the safety net she needs, just in case.
‘I had to say it,’ I say quickly.
‘Okay,’ she says quietly. ‘I’ll let you know. I promise.’
I breathe out a bit, and then ask the question that has been playing on my mind since that afternoon by the loch.
