And Ian says to Archie, “I hope you’ve got your Top Trumps, because I’m dying for a game.”
Archie produces a pack from his back pocket and does a little wiggle. “Woo-woo!”
“Now, never mind the games, who’s in charge of the playlist?” interrupts Gloria. “I’m going to need some input!”
“More importantly, who’s running the bar?” chips in Dom. “Because if we’re getting into party mode, we’re going to need some pre’s!”
Chapter 51
Afew hours later, the party’s in full swing. While Theo slips around the back of the house to set up the pizza bar, I mingle with the guests to check everyone’s happy.
I’m pleased to see various builders and diggers engrossed in conversation. It turns out they didn’t get much chance to talk to one another while they were working, as one group was at the top of the hill while the other was at the bottom—but they’re making up for it now. One older digger is sipping from a Castello Cosmo as he tells the Syrian builder about the pottery they found. And the student has struck up a conversation with a builder from Hungary, ostensibly to ask for advice about her upcoming trip to Budapest, but it looks like her real objective is to flirt—and she’s succeeding.
Signor Mancini is one of the people I was worried wouldn’t know anyone, but he seems perfectly relaxed. This is the first time I’ve seen him out of a formal suit and smart leather shoes, although he’s still doused himself in aftershave. He’s come with his wife, a raven-haired, statuesque woman who recognized Luisa as their children’s history teacher and is chatting to her over Montemagno Margaritas. They’re joined by Vito, who tells them he’s moving out of town and asks the Fiores how they like living in thevillage—in a break from cuddling and pawing Dom. Dom steps away to get the two of them more drinks, and I take the chance to grab him and steer him to one side.
“I can’t get over you and Vito,” I say. “I didn’t even know you’d stayed in touch.”
“Yeah, we’ve been messaging ever since I got home,” he reveals. “I think this might be it, Adam.”
“Well, I’m really happy for you.” I take a sip of my Prosecco. “It may have come as a surprise but I’m loving the plot twist.”
“Me too. I’ve learnt that just because something was my story before, it doesn’t mean it has to be forever.”
I raise an eyebrow. “It sounds like you’ve been talking to Ian.”
“Why, did he tell you the same thing?”
“Yeah!”
We laugh.
“Well, he’s right,” says Dom. “I also think part of the problem was I only ever saw basic, boring relationships. But you inspired me, my sister. You showed me it’s possible to create something different.”
“Oh, Dom, that’s a lovely thing to say.”
His thoughtful expression gives way to a mischievous smirk. “Speaking of relationships, has Theo proposed yet?”
I move to elbow him but he holds up his glasses to defend himself.
“No!” I yelp. But now he’s mentioned it, I realize I would quite like Theo to propose. “I’m not going to let you tease me. Go and get those drinks!”
I hug him and move on to find Ian. I spot him sitting in a hammock, next to Kate. When she arrived from heragriturismo, I worried my sisters wouldn’t be very welcoming, but I managed to take them to one side and tell them about our reconciliation. After that, Ian made a special effort and it looks like he’s now switched into coaching mode: as I edge closer, I hear him and Kate discussing her career plans.
I decide not to disturb them and look around for Gloria, who towers over most of the guests so is easy to find. He’s chatting toGiuseppe and his wife, a ginger-haired woman called Judith, who has a strong Geordie accent.
“You know what I like most about this place?” Gloria asks her, Montemagno Margarita in hand.
“What’s that, pet?” says Judith.
“Your husband’s arms!”
Giuseppe laughs but Judith almost chokes on her polenta chip. I hope Gloria hasn’t overstepped the mark.
“Don’t get me wrong,” he goes on, swigging his drink. “The house is nice and everything but those muscles are something else.”
Judith breaks into a naughty grin. “The rest of him isn’t bad, either.”
The two of them cackle with laughter.
