“Thanks for everything, boy,” Eric whispered.
“I will make sure he gets the food and water,” Nico said. “Please do not worry.”
“My vehicle awaits you all,” Gianfranco called out. “The air-conditioning is as cold as ice.”
Ginny, Edna and Eric moved reluctantly toward his minibus.
Nico made a show of shaking their hands, reaching Ginny last. “Goodbye, Ginny Splinter,” he said, smiling so the sides of his eyes crinkled.
She really didn’t want to say it back to him and her voice came out strangled. “Bye, Nico.”
“Have a safe journey home.Torna presto!Come back soon!” he said too cheerfully.
“Yes,” was all Ginny could manage.
Her legs felt weak as she walked to the minibus and got inside. Eric and Edna were already seated and the vehicle shook as Gianfranco shut the door.
Nico and Gianfranco loaded all their luggage and Ginny leaned her temple against the window. She gazed at Splendido longingly. It was too sad to think she might never see the hotel again. Loretta appeared on the doorstep, waving and blowing kisses.
Something deep inside Ginny told her to leap out, to run back to Nico and hug him with all her might. She could hear him behind the minibus, talking to Gianfranco in Italian. They were laughing and Ginny watched Nico walk back toward the hotel. When he reached the doorstep, he turned around and raised his hand. He looked so much smaller, as if the guests were taking a piece of him with them when they left.
Gianfranco got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Ginny gripped her handbag and looked at Nico again.This can’t be it. There has to be more, she thought. Her chest tightened and she knew she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to him properly.
When Gianfranco released the handbrake, Ginny unfastened her seat belt. “Wait,” she called out.
Edna stared at her in alarm. “What’s wrong? Have you forgotten something?”
Ginny glanced out of the window again and could no longer see Nico. Had he already gone back inside? She thought he’d stay to wave them off and she grabbed hold of the door handle, willing him to reappear.
Gianfranco muttered something about being late.
Eric was flying home first and he glanced at his watch.
Gianfranco set off slowly and the minibus wheels crunched on the path leading to the gates. Ginny looked back at the hotel with watery eyes.
A banging noise suddenly sounded on the back window, making them all jump.
“Che diamine?!” Gianfranco exclaimed.
Nico ran forward and dashed in front of the vehicle, waving both hands. He darted around and tugged on the door handle. “Stop. I have forgotten something.”
Gianfranco wound down his window. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” he asked, patting his chest. “What is it?”
“Lunches. I have made sandwiches for the journey.”
Gianfranco rolled his eyes and tutted. “Hurry up,” he said.
Edna spoke into Ginny’s ear. “If you have something to say to Nico,” she said, “do it now. Don’t have any regrets.”
Ginny turned to meet Edna’s gaze and nodded. She promptly opened the minibus door and got out. “I’ll help you,” she told Nico, walking side by side with him back to the hotel.
The dining room was cool and quiet and they both eyed the shopping bag full of sandwiches sitting on the table. Then they locked eyes with each other. Nico cupped a hand to Ginny’s face and held it there. He pressed his lips against her cheek, so lightly his kiss felt like the touch of a feather.
Ginny’s toes tingled and she closed her eyes, willing the kiss not to go any further, while also wanting it so badly. She was going home, to her husband, trying to find a new shape for their lives to take. In a different time, in a different place, who knows what might have happened between her and Nico. But for now, she had to let him go.
“I wanted to sayarrivederci,” Nico said. “It means, to when we see each other again.”
“Arrivederci,” Ginny whispered.
