‘He will be, Mum. He’ll come back.’
‘Of course he will,’ Stella said briskly. ‘Now, tell me about this personal shopper business. I’m sure she can help you find a nice outfit but I do hope you’re not going to spend too much money.’
23
A key turned in the lock.
‘I’m back!’ Amy called, entering the kitchen. She’d caught the sun; she looked happier, healthier, Fernanda thought.
‘Buonasera,’ Fernanda said. ‘Will you join me for a coffee?’ She’d filled the Bialetti hours ago but hadn’t lit the stove.
‘Yes, that would be nice.’
Fernanda rose from her chair and put on the pot.
‘Tell me about your day. Did you do anything nice?’
‘I just strolled around, went into the little gallery, ate gelato.’
‘Gelato – delicious!’ Fernanda couldn’t think of the last time she’d indulged. She took two mismatched cups down from the cupboard. Sometimes she toyed with the idea of purchasing a new smart, unstained set from Domenico’s shop before checking herself. These were good enough for her; a sinner didn’t deserve anything more.
Amy’s eyes strayed to the fridge.
‘Did you want milk? We haven’t any, I never thought.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m getting used to espresso now.’
‘So, you like Leto?’ It was important Amy did, though why that should be, Fernanda wasn’t sure.
‘Yes, very much.’ Amy paused, licked her bottom lip. ‘Did you manage to fix the lamp in my room? It’s not a big deal but it is nice to read in bed.’
‘It only needed a new bulb, I bought some today. I meant to replace it earlier. I’ll do it now.’ She made to get up.
‘Let’s have our coffee first. Shall I pour?’
‘Thank you.’ Fernanda accepted the cup, bringing it near to her nose to inhale the rich aroma. ‘If everyone was like you, I’d have paying guests more often.’
‘Oh, it’s nothing.’ The girl blushed, actually blushed at Fernanda’s compliment.
They drank their coffee together, her young guest’s chatter a welcome replacement for the intrusive thoughts that had earlier filled Fernanda’s head. She could have sat there for longer but she wanted to sort out the lamp whilst it was still light and before she forgot again.
‘We’ll change that bulb now. Where did I put the box? I should have left it on the table. I must have put it away somewhere.’ Fernanda tutted. ‘I am getting absent-minded.’
Amy took both cups over to the sink. ‘You sit down. I’ll look. Where do you think it might be?’
‘There’s a big wooden cupboard in the other room,’ Fernanda said, before she had time to think. She wanted to cry out, ‘No! Stop!’ but Amy was already at the kitchen door. Fernanda sent up a silent prayer that Amy would somehow find the light bulbs, and nothing more. But as the minutes ticked by, she knew her young guest must have found the pictures. The ones that reminded Fernanda of the sin she must absolve.
Slowly, creakily she rose from her kitchen chair and walked down the hall, her house shoes silent on the tiled floor. Amy was standing stock still, staring at a black and white photograph: a young, soft-focus Fernanda, one hand proudly raised in a straight-armed salute.
‘Amy?’
The girl twitched. She swung around.
‘I see you have found my photos.’
Amy bit her lip. ‘Is that you?’
It was too late to lie, and besides, lying was a sin.
