With all my love,
Auntie Julie
x
Remorse cuts through me.
So Dad does know Mum cheated on him. And he knows she was leaving. Auntie Julie’s right: that must have been awful for him.
I writhe around on the step.HaveI been too hard on him? What if all this time I’ve got him wrong?
I’ve no idea what Julie’s hinting at, but I realize I do need to let him tell his story.
I scroll down my inbox until I come to his email. And I compose my reply.
Chapter 43
“Bye!” I shout. “Have a brill time!”
I’m dropping Theo and Callum off at Lucca train station, where they’re catching a train to Florence. They’re off to watch a football match: Fiorentina, our local team in the Serie A—apparently Italy’s equivalent of the Premier League—are playing Lazio at home. It’s the first game of the season and Theo surprised Callum by buying tickets from a friend of Stefano’s. Seeing the look on Callum’s face was pure joy. As it is to watch the two of them bounce into the station, Theo wrapping his arm around Callum’s shoulders.
I can’t help thinking of my own relationship with my dad. If I’ve been too hard on him about his response to Mum’s death, have I also been too hard on him about his response to having a gay son? What if I’ve been punishing him all these years and he doesn’t deserve it?
Well, I’ve emailed him now, offering to visit him in Umbria. I’ll just have to wait for his reply.
When Mabel, Archie and I arrive back at the house, Mabel and I spend a few hours recording videos for social media. I do tours, share some of the property’s history, and even explain that it used to belong to my great-uncle and his Italian partner—although I don’t reveal any of the more personal details of their story.
By late afternoon, I’m worried I’ve neglected Archie, especiallyas he was upset about not going to the football—although Theo did explain that Stefano’s friend only had two tickets, so it would have to be a “big boy” trip. I suggest the three of us go to the beach in Viareggio and he perks up. Then I remember seeing the packaging for Mabel’s sanitary towels when I was emptying the bins. I quickly add that I won’t be taking my swimming shorts: I just fancy breathing in the sea air while Archie has a run around. I’m delighted when she agrees.
As we arrive, we see the beach is busy with the usual Sunday crowds. We weave our way to the shore and I do have a run around with Archie, but he spots some Welsh boys building an elaborate sandcastle and they invite him to join in. I quickly introduce myself to the boys’ mum then spread our towels out a few meters away. Mabel and I sit down, facing the sun but protected by a layer of cream as well as our hats and glasses.
“I’m glad Archie’s making friends,” I tell her. “I do worry he hasn’t been around anyone his own age all summer.”
She nods. “Would you think I’m mad if I said I had a dream about being friends with Taylor Swift?”
“No!” I burst out. “I used to dream about being friends with Kylie all the time!”
She smiles. “Really? What happened? In your dreams?”
“Well, we’d be sitting together in my room and talking about school and boys and who we fancied. And it all felt so real. It didn’t matter that I was only a kid. I was convinced that if we ever met, we’d be best friends.”
Mabel’s eyes glitter. “That’s exactly like my dream. Oh my god, it was incred. Me and Taylor were talking about skincare and she was looking at my clothes and saying I’m gorgeous and I should have more confidence.”
I waggle my eyebrows. “She’s right. Youaregorgeous and youshouldhave more confidence.”
Mabel looks a little bashful. “Thanks.”
I decide not to push the subject.
“I’ve also been thinking about Sharita and Aurora,” she goes on, plunging her hand into the sand. “They flew to Corfu yesterday and snapped some pics of their hotel.”
I sit up. “Sothat’s why you had the dream!”
“Probs, yeah.” Mabel lifts up a fist and lets the sand slowly fall out of it. “Anyway, Sharita messaged me this morning. Apparently, her and Aurora have fallen out.”
“Already?” I say. “That didn’t last long. Do you know what it’s about?”
“Something to do with a boy. She says she wishes I was there instead of Aurora.”
