‘That makes sense. Now, please go and sit down. I’ll go and explain to Domenico that you’re staying here tonight, then we’ll have that cup of tea and you can tell me what on earth happened with Leo.’
Amy nodded mutely.
‘I’ll be right back,’ Stella said. Hearing Amy’s problems might take her mind off her own. Or, more likely, give Stella twice as many reasons to stare at the ceiling, mulling things over in the small hours when she should be fast asleep.
42
It was no use. Fernanda couldn’t reach any further. She shifted position slightly; the chair beneath her wobbled alarmingly. She sucked in her breath sharply. There was no need to panic. She had climbed up, so she must be able to get back down. But how? And now there was someone knocking at the door.
A key rattled in the lock. It had to be Gino or Leo. She hoped it would be her grandson. He was more likely to laugh than give her a ticking off.
‘Mamma!’
Fernanda winced. Now she was in trouble. ‘In here, Gino!’
Her son thrust open the door. ‘Mamma mia! What are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?’
‘I’m only standing on a chair.’
‘And you’re stuck.’
‘Who said I was?’
‘Mamma, of course you are! You didn’t come to answer the door. Here, let me help you down.’ He put his arms around her waist, lifting her as though she were as light as a slice of softpanarellosponge cake. It always amazed her how her little boy had grown into such a strong handsome man.
‘Thank you. It was much easier to climb up.’ She gave him a rueful smile.
‘It’s a good thing I came past to see how you were. I was worried you’d still be upset about that girl. It’s horrible to learn you had a thief in the house. But what on earth were you doing climbing up there? Dusting Violetta’s portrait?’
‘I’ve decided to take it down.’
‘I don’t know what you were thinking, the glass could have broken and cut you if you’d slipped and fallen. Let me do it.’ He lifted the picture down easily, without recourse to the chair. ‘Where do you want it? Are you moving it somewhere else? If you’ve got a new hook, I can bring my drill over later.’
‘It’s going away in a drawer.’ She watched his face move as if unsure of what expression to adopt. ‘Pietro’s remains returning to the village, the plaque Leo is carving… I think it’s time I faced the truth about Violetta. To acknowledge what she did.’
‘I think you’re very brave, Mamma,’ Gino said softly. ‘I know how much you loved her.’
‘I still do.’ Fernanda choked back a sob. ‘But it’s time to take her portrait down.’
‘I should stay for coffee.’
‘No, you get on. You stopped by to check I was okay after that horrible incident with Amy and I am. You get back to Leo’s house, I’m sure there’s more left on that DIY list. Or are you seeing Stella?’
Surprise crossed her son’s face.
‘I can say her name, you know. And Gino, I know you love her. You always did. Will you invite her for dinner tonight? It’s about time, don’t you think?’
Gino’s face lit up. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course. I want to make her welcome. I hope it is not too late.’
‘It’s never too late, Mamma.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I’ll see you tonight. I’ll let myself out.’
He undid the front door, whistling to himself as he stepped back into the street.
Fernanda picked up the portrait of Violetta. She studied it for a long time.
‘I am so sorry, Violetta.’ She turned it upside down and slipped it into a drawer. She tied on her apron and gathered up her dustpan and brush, polish and a cloth. Keeping busy would stop her from dwelling on what she’d done.
