The evening progressed joyously, and without formalities. There were no speeches or dances, just laughter, conversation and plenty of wine.
The guests of La Viola all popped by to pass on their best wishes before retiring to their rooms.
The evening finally ended with Riccardo and Margherita thanking Sarah and Matthew profusely for their hospitality and generosity. They made their way to the other large downstairs suite for their first night as a married couple.
A wry smile crept across Sarah’s face as she slipped into her own bed shortly after.
‘What’s that about?’ Matthew asked, noting her restraint.
She looked at the time on her phone, guessing that Margherita and Riccardo had been in their room for about fifteen minutes. ‘I reckon Riccardo’s getting a nice little surprise right about now . . .’
‘They’ve never had sex?’ Matthew asked.
‘Oh no, they’ve had sex. He’s just never seen her in lingerie before.’
Matthew laughed. ‘Well, if you’ve had anything to do with it, he’s about to get averylovely surprise.’ Matthew turned off his bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. ‘You did an amazing job today,’ he said, drawing Sarah between his arms to snuggle against his naked chest.
‘Thank you. It was so much fun.’
‘You’re really very talented, Sarah. Everything you touch turns to gold.’
He found her mouth in the dark and coaxed her lips open with his own. She relaxed in his embrace and gave a whimper in reaction to the sensation of his tongue on hers.
With her face cradled in his palm, Matthew pulled away from their kiss just long enough to say, ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sarah.’
ventotto
The incessant heat continued over the following fortnight, but an unexpected slew of rain brought reprieve and rejuvenation.
Sarah checked her phone. It had just gone midnight, and the Jones baby had been unsettled and crying all evening. Even over the sound of the mid-August downpour, Sarah could hear Lucy, one of their newest guests, pacing the bedroom floor above theirs.
Matthew stirred as Sarah sat up in bed. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
‘The baby’s very unsettled.’
He rolled over to face her, craning an ear towards the ceiling. Rubbing his eyes, he too checked his phone. ‘How long’s she been crying?’
‘Around an hour. Maybe longer.’ Sarah got out of bed and began changing out of her cotton slip.
‘What are you doing?’
Pulling on her sweats, she said, ‘I’m going up there to see if Lucy needs help. Her husband couldn’t come, and her in-laws don’t seem the most engaged grandparents. She’s all by herself.’
‘Want me to come?’
‘Stay here. Get some sleep. I’ll be fine.’ She tiptoed her way out the door, crossed the hall and made her way upstairs.
The crying grew louder and more distressed as Sarah approached Lucy’s room. She gently knocked on the door and Lucy, blotchy-faced and teary-eyed, opened the door.
‘Oh, Sarah. I’m so terribly sorry. She just won’t settle.’
Rolling around on a blanket spread across the bed was Sophie, her little chest heaving with every inhale and wail. ‘Oh, poor thing. Can I come in?’
‘Please.’ Lucy opened the door wide and quickly shut it again, conscious of the racket Sophie was making. ‘I’m sorry she woke you. And everyone else, I’m sure.’
‘It’s not your fault. She’s just unsettled.’ Sarah sat on the edge of the bed, and gave Sophie’s tummy a little rub. ‘Hey, little miss. What’s with all the noise, huh?’ Sophie’s red weepy eyes narrowed in on Sarah, and she outstretched her hands towards her. ‘Can I pick her up?’
‘Anything, Sarah. Please.’
