With his encouragement, Ginny left her job and went to college, to study counseling. Finally, she felt like she’d found her forte in life. And a lot of it was thanks to Adrian. He was solid, caring and kind, offering her the stability that had been missing throughout her childhood.
Ginnyhadto find a way to draw them both back together again. Surely, that was the only genuine way to harness her heartache.
She tookThe Power of Twooff her bedside table and reread a passage.
Stage Two. Sadness and remorse.
You probably feel like withdrawing from the world. It’s an important part of the healing process. Lick your wounds and prepare yourself for the next stage, even if you feel like there’ll never be one. Your sadness might be all-consuming and that’s okay—for a while. Try to make friends with it rather than treating it like an enemy.
It sounded easier said than done, but Ben and Ally’s smiling faces gave her hope.
At lunchtime, Ginny reentered the dining room and heard Nico singing and clattering around the kitchen. Although his cooking smelled delicious, Ginny sensed unease among all her guests sitting around the dining table. Eric sat rigidly, toying with his tin and Edna’s eyes were glued to her sewing.
She gave a small cough to get their attention. “Thanks so much for the clothes. I’m sorry if I was tetchy before, I’ve been under a lot of stress.”
Heather looked directly at her. “You’ve got this,” she said. “We’re all friends here.”
Ginny nodded thanks. “Let’s push ahead with the plan to select activities that will make us feel better. What works for you might work for others, too.”
“Hmm,” Edna said doubtfully, staring at Curtis.
“How can we measure heartache?” Heather asked, taking a pencil and paper from her pocket and jotting down a formula.
Ginny glanced at Eric. He hadn’t said more than a few words since they’d all met, so it was unlikely he was going to suddenly express his feelings. He might even feel awkward putting forward a suggestion. “We could write our ideas down,” Ginny offered. “It gives us more time and freedom to think of something.”
Eric nodded gratefully.
Ginny remembered the evaluation scale she’d seen in Nico’s information pack. Scoring their heartache before and after each activity could track its effect on their emotions. It would help to remind her she hadn’t made a big mistake by bringing everyone here.
She told the others about her idea.
“Sounds cool,” Curtis said. “I usually write reviews for books, hotels and stuff.” He squirmed when Nico flashed him a disparaging look.
“Measuring heartache isn’t an exact science.” Edna tutted. “Everyone thinks they’re an expert these days.”
Curtis folded his arms. “I’m entitled to my opinions.”
“I’ll design a form,” Heather said. “Teachers have to assess and grade everything we do in school.”
“Gianfranco has a...” Nico mimed paper sliding out of a printer. “He can make copies.” He headed back into his kitchen.
Ginny thought about what activity to put forward first. Venice seemed too romantic and a spa treatment together seemed too intimate when they’d only just met. They all needed something to lift their spirits and she thought of something that fitted the bill. “I’ve always wanted to visit the Uffizi in Florence, to seeThe Birth of Venus,” she said. “The gallery is supposed to be wonderful.”
Nico reappeared carrying huge bowls of ravioli, served with butter and cheese. “I am happy to drive you all there.”
“Grazie,” Ginny said.
“The journey takes around ninety minutes and we should set off early to avoid traffic and queues.”
Appreciative murmurs soon sounded around the table as everyone tucked into their lunch. The pasta was the best Ginny had ever tasted. She closed her eyes as the delicious flavor lit up her taste buds. The dining room brightened as shafts of sunlight cut through the windows, warming her face. She was proud that she wasn’t sitting at home, moping around about Adrian. Listening to her guests chatting together gave her a renewed sense of purpose and Nico’s photos on the walls added to a sentiment of family.
Perhaps things were going to be okay in Italy after all.
10
Venus
The next morning, Ginny stifled a yawn as the others filtered into the courtyard to join her. An air of sleepiness and irritation clung to everyone like a damp duvet. Looking around her, she wondered if there was ever a greater mishmash of people vacationing together.
