Matthew’s eyes welled. ‘How do you know, though?’
‘Know what?’
‘When you have foundthat person?’
Andreatook a deep breath and turned to face the photo of his wife which sat on the side table by his bed. ‘You know they’re your forever when the thought of losing them seems unbearable. Without them, you cannot go on.’ He exhaled. ‘That’s how you know.’
Matthew closed his eyes and dropped his head into his hands, leaning his elbows on the kitchen bench. ‘I didn’t think I would ever feel that.’
Watching his grandson succumb to the emotional release, he wished he could be there in person to offer his comforting embrace. ‘Until?’
He raised his head and locked eyes with his greatest confidant. ‘Sarah. Sarah makes me feel like that.’
‘Do you love her?’
Matthew’s eyes closed, and after a moment’s pause, he nodded.
‘And does she love you?’
‘I don’t know.’ Matthew shrugged, finally returning his grandfather’s gaze. ‘How can I ever be enough for her? She deserves—’
‘Exactly what you deserve. A life of being loved. And you need to tell her. Now, go, get some sleep. Go and enjoy sleeping next to her. I would give everything to have your nonna here with me now.’ Matthew could discern a quiver of his lower lip. ‘Walk your journey with love, Matteo. At the end, it’s all we have left to give.’
‘I’ll try.’
Andrea’s face grew stern. ‘Promise me one more thing.’ His eyes cast momentarily skyward. ‘When my time comes. Don’t come back for me.’
Matthew’s expression contorted in distress. ‘Nonno—’
‘Shh. I’ll be gone. Don’t leave her. Stay there. You don’t need to come back here for me. I want you there.’
Matthew bit down on the inside of his cheek, then nodded as his throat threatened to close. ‘I love you, Nonno.’
‘I love you, too. I’ll always be with you. With you both.’ Andreaheld Matthew’s gaze for a beat longer than normal before managing a gentle wave, lips pursed to withhold tears, then disconnected the call.
Matthew suddenly felt drained and depleted and awash with sadness. He connected his phone to the charger by the stove and decided it was best to head to bed.
Turning off all the lights as he moved across the hall, quietly, he stepped inside, trying not to disturb Sarah.
‘Everything ok? Is someone up?’ she asked, sitting up in bed, looking at the time. ‘I heard voices.’
‘That was just me. Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you. Nonno rang.’
‘At this time?’ Sarah patted the edge of the mattress on her side of the bed, and Matthew accepted the invitation to sit beside her.
He drew in a long thoughtful breath and dropped his head onto her shoulder. ‘I think he called to say goodbye.’
trenta
The sound of a car tearing down the gravel driveway caused both Matthew and Sarah’s ears to prick with curiosity. With Matthew busy on the phone, they exchanged a look before Sarah stepped out the front door to investigate.
A cloud of sandstone-coloured dust met her. She coughed and spluttered her way through it, fanning it from her face with both hands. As it settled, she was disheartened to see Luca and Silvia’s chauffeur-driven car parked out the front.
Stepping from the vehicle was Silvia. She wore her trademark stilettos and a skimpy red chiffon dress which left little to the imagination as it blew about in the breeze. Raising her gaze to assess the villa, she tutted loudly as she removed her dark designer sunglasses.
‘To what do we owe the pleasure, Silvia?’ Sarah was careful to appear friendly and welcoming, not wanting to mirror the less than impressive greeting she and Matthew had received at Luca and Silvia’s property.
Matthew moved to the back of the door and pressed his free ear to it, with the phone glued to the other.
