Page 13 of Italy and Forever

‘And the flowers are in the room? With the alcohol-free champagne? Can I just go up and do a final check before she arrives?’

‘Of course.’ The hotel manager, Trina, was unfazed by Ginny’s barrage of questions. ‘Everything was done according to your instructions. Come up and I’ll show you.’

Dragging her own suitcase and dress bag, Ginny trailed Trina to the lifts, Kira following with her tatty rucksack, and up to the honeymoon suite. It was an airy space, with wooden accents and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the lake, but Ginny’s gaze zeroed in on the details: a bouquet of roses and proteas, a hamper of local specialities – no mouldy soft cheeses – the mini-bar stocked with a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages and a carton of milk, as Ginny had requested.

Ginny was a firm believer in champagne and just because Sophie was pregnant, didn’t mean she should miss out.

She took in the extra pillows and noticed there was even a selection of moisturising creams in a glass cabinet in the bathroom.

‘It’s wonderful, thanks. We have a very special bride, one of our own team. She’s used to working all of this out for other people, so I want to make sure she enjoys all the details too.’

‘Anything else you need, just ask,’ Trina said.

‘Oh, the most important thing.’ Ginny rummaged in her handbag, retrieving a decorative tin of proper tea she’d brought from England. She set it by the kettle, giving Trina an apologetic smile. ‘English tea is just a little different from everywhere else. I’ve brought her favourite blend from home.’

‘Here comes her car now,’ Kira said from her position by the window. As they hurried back to the lift, Kira leaned close and said out of the side of her mouth, ‘You’re making Sophie sound like a bridezilla.’

Ginny swallowed a sigh. ‘I hate that word, as well as the rest of the misogynistic stereotypes around weddings.’

‘O-kay, that’s me told,’ Kira said with half a smile.

‘But it’s precisely because Sophie is not being picky about the details that I am. Sometimes I worry she’s not… I’m sure it’s nothing.’

‘You still need to finish that sentence,’ Kira prompted.

The doors to the lift opened with a ding and they stepped back into the lobby. ‘Sophie loves weddings,’ Ginny explained. ‘I know she tries to be sensitive to Andreas’s fears and warped sense of responsibility, but she truly loves weddings.’

Kira frowned. ‘I know. I was there for the one she officiated at Lake Garda. She made it really special.’ She glanced at Ginny. ‘Don’t interpret anything from that. I’m not going to catch the bouquet.’

‘Damn, I’ve been planning that for so long,’ Ginny joked. ‘But do you get what I mean? She’s distracted with the pregnancy, I know. Her anxiety must be through the roof, but I thought she’d be more enthusiastic about her own wedding.’

‘Her second wedding,’ Kira pointed out.

‘The first one doesn’t count. She told me it was just in the register office with his parents as witnesses. This is it – right? She and Andreas are so perfect together. As perfect as you and Mattia.’

Kira mimed vomiting and earned a poke from Ginny’s elbow.

‘I’m just scared she’ll regret being so distracted and wish she’d thought of some detail down the line, so I’m trying to make sure every box is ticked.’

‘I wouldn’t worry so much,’ Kira said gently. ‘Sophie knows it’s the marriage that’s more important than the wedding.’

‘But that’s exactly my point! It’s the marriage we’re celebrating, the love.’

The look Kira gave her was wary. ‘Maybe you’ll understand when⁠—’

‘Do not say I don’t understand because I’ve never been in love,’ Ginny replied through gritted teeth. ‘You’re the one who’s completely besotted with someone you never would have expected to fall for.’

‘I know.’ Kira grimaced. ‘I sicken myself.’

The sliding doors swished open, cutting off anything more Ginny might have said. She probably should take Kira’s advice and stop worrying, but her spidey sense for other people’s emotions had been vibing more and more loudly about this wedding and the only thing she could do was redouble her efforts.

She skipped to the doors and wrapped her arms around Sophie. ‘It’s wedding week!’ Hugging her friend and colleague was different these days, since Sophie was now nearly seven months pregnant and had the belly to match. The wedding would still be in good time before the baby came at Christmas and Ginny was inclined to believe the autumn wedding would turn out to be a stroke of genius and not only necessity.

Sophie’s smile was bright and gratifying. ‘Ginny, this place is perfect. I can’t believe how quickly you managed to pull all of this together.’

‘Oh, Tita, Kira and Toni all helped loads.’

‘You’ll have to put this hotel in the file. The lake is just stunning, surrounded by mountains – and it’s so quiet.’