‘Whether you play backgammon,’ Elin said.
Georgia looked between them, realising how serious the expressions were on their faces. ‘I do, actually. Although I haven’t played for quite some time.’
‘Perfect,’ they both said in unison, as if they were exhaling on the same breath.
‘You all play?’
‘We’re all fiercely competitive, it’s an after-dinner tradition,’ Elin explained. ‘We’ve dreamed of Luca meeting a woman who can beat him, because he’s so arrogant when it comes to backgammon. If you can beat him…’
Marj laughed, finishing Elin’s sentence. ‘You’d have an instant invitation to join the family!’
‘He’s that good?’ Georgia watched as the women exchanged glances, realising that he was clearlyverygood at the game.
Deep laughter echoed behind them, and they all three spun around to see Luca standing there, his arms folded across his chest as he stared his sister down.
‘Yes, he is that good,’ Luca said, unfolding his arms and reaching for Georgia’s hand, drawing her back towards him. ‘Especially when he’s playing against his sister. It’s unfortunate that she didn’t inherit our family’s exceptional talents for the game.’
They all laughed and Luca winked at her, and in that moment, Georgia thought of her parents, imagined how they would have treated Luca if she’d been the one to bring him home for dinner. It was one of the many times she’d thought of them and wondered what it would be like, how different her life might be. And even though she’d only been a girl when she’d lost them, she knew they would have been just as welcoming.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered, as Luca leaned in and kissed her cheek.
‘For what?’
‘For bringing me for dinner, for letting me be part of this. Your family are wonderful.’
Luca’s smile lit up his eyes, and she knew that if she stared into them for too long, she’d never want to stop.
‘Georgia, I know you came here hoping to find your own family, but I want you to know that you are always welcome here,’ Marj said, embracing her warmly at the door, her arms wrapped tightly around her as she spoke. When she stood back, she placed her palms to Georgia’s cheeks and looked into her eyes, her smile genuine. ‘Perhaps we were the family you were supposed to meet? At least I’d like to think so. It’s been very special getting to know you tonight.’
‘Being with you all, it’s been wonderful. Thank you for inviting me into your home.’
‘Have you decided what to do with the tiara?’ his mother asked. ‘It’s none of my business, but after all these years…’
‘Mama,’ Luca warned. ‘It’s a big decision.’
‘My inclination is to donate it to a museum, or at the very least exhibit it so that everyone can see it,’ Georgia said. ‘But there’s so much to consider. I think I’ll engage the law firm who held the information for all these years to advise me.’
‘Well, whatever you decide will be the right way forward,’ his mother said. ‘There’s nothing wrong with choosing to keep it, or selling it and putting the millions to good use. The decision is yours.’
‘Thank you. I’m certainly feeling the weight of it.’
‘You’re welcome any time, Georgia, don’t be a stranger.’
‘Good night, Mama,’ Luca said. ‘Thank you for a lovely dinner.’ He hugged her.
Georgia kissed the older woman’s left cheek, and then her right, as well as Elin’s, before raising her hand to wave good night in return. Luca surprised her by taking hold of her hand as his family watched them go, and they held hands until they reached his car.
When they did, he stopped and lifted her hand, kissing her knuckles, their fingers interlinked. ‘I was thinking we could go back to my place for a drink?’ he said. ‘Since it’s your last night here?’
She met his gaze and stepped closer, refusing to be embarrassed. This was her last night to be bold, to say yes to what she wanted. She also realised that she hadn’t seen his house and she wanted to know everything about him, so she could remember him when she’d returned to London.
Georgia stood on tiptoe and kissed him, looping her arms around his neck as he slipped his hands around her waist.
‘I take it that means yes?’
23
LONDON, 1952
