The MC jumped back on stage. It seemed it was time for a break. The band laid down their instruments. The ladies behind the trestle tables braced themselves for a surge of hungry dancers.
‘Another beer?’ Leo said. They joined the throng around the makeshift bar. It must have been at least twenty minutes before they were served. Finally, they extricated themselves from the mass of bodies clutching much-needed bottles of Peroni, just in time for the second half. The lead guitarist was already back on the stage.
Amy chugged back some beer and fanned herself with her other hand.
‘Got a bit warm?’ Leo said.
‘Yes.’ She undid a couple of buttons on her short-sleeved blouse, hoping she wouldn’t leave a greasy mark. Her fingers made contact with her precious coin. It had felt right to wear it on such a special evening. On stage, the drummer sat down and picked up his sticks. Somebody whooped.
‘What is that?’ Leo’s voice sounded odd, as though someone was squeezing his throat. He was staring at her necklace.
‘It’s an old one-lira coin. Grandpa left it to me.’ She put her hand to her chest, feeling strangely vulnerable under his searching gaze.
‘Your grandpa’s necklace, is that so?’ He raised his eyebrows.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
Leo didn’t reply. Someone knocked into Amy’s back, sending her flying into him. He didn’t look amused.
‘Scusi!’ a teenage girl laughed, whirling away again.
‘We’re leaving,’ Leo said.
‘Let’s not go just yet.’ Amy’s feet itched to dance. She grabbed Leo’s hands to swing him around but he wouldn’t budge. Why was he being so boring all of a sudden?
‘Amy, we’re leaving. We’re going to see Nonna.’
‘Oh, okay, if you want.’
He led her through the crowd and down the street. She had to half jog to keep up with him.
‘What’s the rush? Why are you in such a hurry to see Fernanda?’
He made a kind of snort. ‘I thought you might have something you want to say to her.’
Amy stopped walking. ‘Look, Leo, I don’t know what’s got into you. I thought we were having a good time. Why are you being so funny with me?’
He flicked his finger against the coin hanging around her neck. ‘Why did you take it? To have a souvenir of your trip? I can’t believe you’d do this to my nonna when she’s been so kind to you.’
She stared at him. ‘Are you accusing me of stealing this?’
‘What do you think? My nonna loses her sister’s precious necklace and a few hours later it turns up around your neck.’
‘I can’t believe this!’ Amy marched off in the direction of Fernanda’s house as fast as she could, her eyes pricking with angry tears. ‘You might as well hurry up. The sooner we see Fernanda, the sooner she can tell you this isn’t hers.’
* * *
‘I was not expecting you back so early.’ Fernanda looked from Amy to Leo and back again.
‘Amy has something to show you.’
Amy’s hand went to her chest. ‘This necklace…’
Fernanda’s eyes darkened. ‘That is mine. It belonged to Violetta. Why have you taken it?’
‘It isn’t yours.’ Amy tried to keep her voice level. ‘Grandpa Lance gave it to me.’
‘You have switched the leather for a chain. Did you think I would not recognise it?’
