‘Ah,’ Étienne said as he reached for the wine, ‘you are smiling. You plan to attend?’
‘Yes, of course.’ She nodded. ‘How could I not? Em is special.’
‘Indeed she is.’ He smiled as he topped up her glass. ‘I will ask Gabriella to book the flights.’
‘And we need to discuss the present, of course.’
‘Ah no, your father has already dealt with that.’
‘He has? Are you able to tell me or is it a secret?’
‘No of course it is not.’ Étienne brushed away her comment with an amused laugh. ‘Apparently, we are all sending her on a cruise.’
‘A cruise …’ Cat made a face. ‘Well, I know she’ll love to get away but I’m not sure she’ll enjoy being on her own.’
‘Ah, that is another surprise for her. Your grandparents are going with her.’
‘Étienne that is THE best present ever.’ Cat was delighted. ‘She has missed them so much and to be able to spend a holiday, well … Do you know where they are going?’
Étienne shook his head. ‘That part your father has kept very secret. All I know is that it will be for a month and they will leave the day after the party.’
‘Here’s to Aunt Em then,’ Cat said, raising her glass to Étienne’s. ‘And a fabulous seventy-fifth birthday party.’
Chapter Twenty-Nine
So here we are, Cat thought, as she looked around the terrace where she sat with Jodie, drinking wine and catching up with all the local news. A year away had brought very little change both to the hotel and, she suspected, the village. When they arrived earlier this morning, fresh off their flight from Verona, her father had hugged her so tightly she thought he would never let her go. He asked her to speak some Italian, which she did in the most theatrical manner, making both Étienne and Raphael laugh. Now settled into their rooms, their unpacking done, Ruan had taken Étienne off to meet Gareth for lunch, leaving Raphael and her to have a drink and chat with Jodie and Nathan. While Raphael was fascinated by the fact that Cat and Nathan were identical twins, Jodie couldn’t keep her eyes off the young Italian.
‘Lordie, he’s simply gorgeous,’ she said with a sigh as she watched Nathan take him off for a tour of the hotel. ‘So tall, and those dark eyes; nice bum too. Yum.’ She licked her lips.
‘Yes he’s lovely, isn’t he?’ Cat agreed. ‘Therefore it’s no surprise he already has a girlfriend. Fiancée, actually. But he’s absolutely wonderful; impeccable manners, a great sense of humour and a dream to work with.’
‘A girlfriend? Typical. Why are all the good ones taken?’ Jodie let out a sigh of disappointment as she watched the object of their conversation disappear.
‘That’s just the way it is, I’m afraid,’ Cat said with a shrug. ‘Anyway, why should you care? You’ve got Nathan.’
‘Yes, and I love him to bits, of course I do.’ Jodie grinned as she took a sip of her wine. ‘What about you, then? Any gorgeous Italian pining away for you back at the lake? I mean, if they’re all like Raphael, you’re spoiled for choice, aren’t you?’
‘Sadly, there aren’t, and anyway I’m not interested. I’m a Trevelyan, remember? The job comes first.’
‘Oh rubbish. You have to have some fun in life.’
‘I do. Lake Garda is the most fabulous place to live. I have a great social life. You and Nathan must come and stay. It’s very romantic too; we have a six month waiting list for weddings, if you’re interested.’
‘Whoa, slow down a minute, who said anything about marriage? It’s early days, Cat, we’re still having fun.’
‘Only teasing.’ Cat laughed as she finished off her wine. ‘I have to go,’ she said, getting to her feet.
‘What, so soon? You’ve only just arrived. We’ve so much to talk about.’
‘I know. I won’t be long. I need to pay a visit to the birthday girl, see how she’s doing.’
‘She’s fine,’ Jodie assured her. ‘And happy. In fact, more contented than I’ve ever seen her. If she was fifty years younger I’d say she had a secret man tucked away somewhere.’
‘That’ll be the day.’ Cat grinned as she stepped away from the table. ‘See you later.’
‘You’ve been doing what?’ Cat drew in an exasperated breath. This was not at all what she expected.
‘I’ve been meeting Luke,’ Em repeated calmly. ‘We often have lunch together. I enjoy his company.’
