Nico stood in front of Ginny. “Loretta has returned from meeting her friends. She has told me about your celebration. I am sorry it did not take place...”
“It is okay,” Ginny said. “It was my decision and my family supports me.”
“This is what the family is for,” he said.
They both smiled at each other and something unspoken flitted between them.
“Heather has left something behind,” Nico said. He took a packet of tarot cards out of his pocket. “Would you like to keep them?”
She shook her head. “They won’t help to predict my future. I need to sort that out for myself.”
“I am also giving away the pink vase.”
“Maria’s vase?” Ginny asked gently.
“Loretta and I have spoken and I accept my wife is never coming back to me. It is something I knew deep down and tried to deny.” He held a hand to his heart. “It is the right time for me to move on, too.”
“Perhaps one of your next guests might like the tarot cards, or the vase,” Ginny said.
“Maybe. I will think about this.” He looked back toward the hotel. “But, right now, Loretta wants to blow out her candles.”
In the dining room, Ginny, Edna, Eric, Curtis, Nico and Loretta stood around the dining table. Nico lit the candles on the cake and the tiny flames reflected in Loretta’s eyes. “It looks so pretty,” she said. “I told Papà we couldn’t light them until you returned.”
“Thank you,” Ginny said, feeling touched.
Nico started to sing, “Tanti auguri a te,” to the tune of the “Happy Birthday” song. His voice was rousing and the others joined in, singing in a strange mix of English and Italian.
Loretta leaned forward and blew out her candles. “Grazie, Papà,” she said softly.
“I hope you are all hungry,” Nico said. “I have also made pizza.”
“Starving,” Curtis said.
“It’s a little too early for my digestive system,” Edna said. “I can probably force down a small slice of cake.”
Loretta widened her eyes as if a great idea had just landed. “If we all change into our pajamas it will be like a slumber party,” she said. “I have always wanted another one.”
“What...withus?” Curtis asked.
Loretta cocked her head. “Sure, if you promise not to dance.” She turned to Nico. “Please, Papà, can we?”
“Of course. Why not?” Nico rolled his eyes light-heartedly. “I will get the blankets and pillows. I expect you will want to watch a movie, too?”
Loretta let out a delighted squeal, sounding more like a child than a young woman. “We won’t all fit into my bedroom so we can use the dining room.” She whizzed around throwing cushions onto the floor. “Everyone, change clothes,” she said.
Her enthusiasm was infectious and they all retreated to their rooms to change into their nightwear.
Ginny took off her cream dress and put on her nightie and dressing gown. She wiped off her makeup as the theme tune toA Glorious Escapestarted up downstairs.
When she left her room, she almost crashed into Loretta on the landing.
The girl had a handful of embroidery thread. “Edna told me to get this from her room,” she said. “I want to make friendship bracelets and I’m not sure how to do it.”
“I can show you. I used to make them for my daughter.”
Loretta flashed her a smile. “Thank you, Ginny.”
Downstairs, they located Nico in the kitchen. His cooking was like choreography as he reached for a copper saucepan with his right arm while opening the oven door with his left. He’d left the back door open, allowing a light breeze to weave inside.
