‘No. I’ll introduce you.’ Abruptly, Jade added, ‘Sorry that I haven’t spread the glad tidings ahead of your arrival, but your visit was quite short notice.’
Clearly injured, Rosalie said, ‘I only asked. I didn’t want to say anything to embarrass you.’
Jade wanted to snap back, ‘And I only answered.’ But she scolded herself for being touchy and smiled instead. ‘I’ll book a table for eight o’clock, shall I? Give us all a chance to take an hour off. Meet you in Reception.’ She was annoyed that she’d flared up. Rosalie and Erin had seemed to tread carefully around her all weekend, and she’d been feeling as if she was getting used to things. Then one remark and she’d read something negative into it.
I’ll do better, Gran, she promised to the empty air.
At eight, wearing white shorts and flat canvas shoes, she met them in Reception with a smile. She led them outside and around the corner to where the bistro was busy with customers and they could view the side of the cathedral, all gothic grey except for its green domes.
Hector waved, then pointed to a table in a sunny spot bearing a small whiteRiservetosign, before continuing to transfer drinks from his tray to a tableful of middle-aged men, all vaping as they slouched in their seats.
‘OK,’ Rosalie said, as they were seating themselves, in the tone of one who had something to say. ‘Jade, I pissed you off earlier without meaning to. I want you to know that I’m trying not to.’ She put on a pair of sunglasses against the evening sun slanting under their table’s cream-coloured parasol.
With a sigh, Jade rubbed her forehead. ‘I’m sorry I took umbrage. I’m new at having sisters.’
Erin laughed. ‘Good response.’ She picked up a menu card. ‘I could kill a glass of champagne.’
‘Franciacorta is the Lombardian equivalent, and cheaper,’ Jade said, though she’d never been one of those who called loudly for champagne to demonstrate wealth or coolness. She’d been lucky enough to have had a more-than-comfortable upbringing and private education, but with both feet planted on the ground.
Mia hurried out of the restaurant, greying hair blowing back from her forehead, cream-coloured apron swathing her hips. ‘Ciao, Jade.Buonasera.’ She smiled at Erin and Rosalie, who returned her greeting.
‘Ciao, Mia. I’d like to introduce you to my sisters, Erin and Rosalie,’ Jade said in English.
Mia had opened her mouth to speak again, but now her lips slapped together as her eyebrows flew up. Her English was decent, but not fluent, so perhaps she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.
‘We share a father,’ Jade continued composedly, half-amused by Mia’s comical astonishment. ‘Which means that we’ll soon own Pensione Three Sisters between us.’
Mia’s eyes were now saucers. ‘I-it is very nice to meet you,’ she stuttered in the direction of Erin and Rosalie. The enormous eyes swivelled back to Jade as if she suspected a prank.
If only.
‘Could we have a bottle of Franciacorta Brut?’ Erin asked politely, breaking the silence. ‘Three glasses.’
‘Andacqua minerale,’ Rosalie said quickly.
Jade watched Mia head back towards the interior of the bistro, en route catching hold of Hector’s arm and yanking him down so she could whisper into his ear. His thick grey brows flew up like hairy bagatelle paddles. Mia nodded emphatically before hurrying away. Hector followed.
In a few minutes, he reappeared with a black ice bucket and a green-brown glass bottle capped by gold foil and a red roundel declaring it Franciacorta Brut. Next to it on the tray, the clear bottle ofacqua mineralelooked as if it was trying to be invisible. ‘Ciao, buonasera.’ He arrived at their table, depositing three water glasses and three flutes. He took up the bottle of Franciacorta, unpeeling the gold foil with a flourish. ‘Salute.’ He removed the closure with a twist of the bottle, then let the sparkling wine froth into the first flute.
‘Thank you,’ Erin said approvingly, her eyes fixed on the lively, sparkling wine.
‘Grazie mille,’ said Jade.
Rosalie echoed her. ‘Grazie mille.’
Hector looked at Jade expectantly, so she repeated the introductions. He shook hands with both women, declaring, ‘Such a pleasure! Such a pleasure!’ But his eyes slid back to Jade, dark with apprehension.
She replied to his unspoken question. ‘I’m to continue as manager. We’ll go on as before.’ But her cheeks warmed. She definitely should have informed Hector and Mia quietly and confidentially.
Hector’s shoulders visibly relaxed. ‘Enjoy the celebration.’
Celebration? Jury was out on that, but Jade picked up a flute and raised it. ‘Salute.’
‘Salute,’ Erin and Rosalie chorused, then added hums of appreciation as the light, sparkling wine spangled on their taste buds.
To ease her feelings of awkwardness, Jade began a conversation about films and books, and found they all liked a good love story. Rosalie liked romantasy and SF. Erin preferred romantic suspense. Jade liked romantic fiction of all descriptions, so they had enough common ground to chat as they waited for their meals.
When Erin’s phone buzzed, she read the screen, then quickly tapped out a message before putting it back on the table. No-phones-at-the-table in restaurants obviously wasn’t a thing with her.
