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Her grandfather engulfed her in a huge hug.

‘Your grandmother would be so proud. I was telling her my plans the other day.’

‘You were telling her?’ Frankie said incredulously.

Matteo saw the expression on his granddaughter’s face and gave a little laugh. ‘Yes, I still talk to her. Don’t worry, I never get an answer!’ He winked again. ‘But Anna is still very much with me. In here.’ He tapped his chest. ‘I’ve told her all about Elizabeth and I mentioned that Jay is back. She’d be very happy about that! She always hoped you’d find each other again. As did I.’

Frankie started at her grandfather.

‘You knew about me and Jay? Nonna told you?’

Matteo seemed surprised at Frankie’s reaction. ‘Of course she told me. We told each other everything. That’s why I still talk to her; old habits.’

Frankie had thought no one else knew.

‘I didn’t tell anyone else,’ Matteo said. ‘And I may have mentioned to Jay that I knew, maybe a couple of years ago.’

‘What?’ Frankie felt she was being incredibly slow catching up. ‘You and Jay spoke a couple of years ago?’

‘Yes, we’ve been in touch for a few years. He contacted me a few weeks after your nonna died. He wrote a lovely letter, saying how sorry he was. I know he didn’t reach out to you or Rocco but we kept up our correspondence over email a few times a year. I was the one who suggested Jay come back here. I thought home was where Jay needed to be. And I thought it was the right time for you too.’

‘I can’t believe you meddled like that.’

‘I’m Italian! Of course I meddle.’

And once again, Frankie realised so much was kept hidden in the family. Despite appearing as a loud, “wear your heart on your sleeves” bunch, Frankie wondered just what secrets everyone was holding onto.

A phone pinged from the bar and Matteo went over to pick it up. ‘Is this yours? Someone left it here last night. It’s been making beeping noises all morning.’ He held up the mobile.

Frankie recognised the floral case. ‘It’s Valentina’s. I’ll see her later at the baby shower.’ She took it from her nonno and slipped it in her pocket.

Matteo held Frankie’s shoulders for a moment before kissing her on both cheeks.

‘We will celebrate properly after Christmas. In fact, I’ll let you and Chris plan the celebration together. Your first test.’ He checked his watch. ‘Now I have to go as I have a date with Lizzie. And you have a baby shower to organise!’ he added, ushering Frankie out through the door.

CHAPTER 47

FRANKIE

Excited and full of trepidation at the thought of running the trattoria, Frankie drove home. Half a mile from the turn-off to her barn, Valentina’s phone began to ring on the passenger seat. Frankie glanced down and to her surprise recognised the number that was calling: Jay.

Wondering why Jay would be calling Valentina, Frankie turned off the road and bounced along her drive until she came to a stop. Cutting the engine, she picked up Valentina’s phone just as it pinged at her to indicate a voicemail. Frankie was still staring at the screen when a text message popped up from Jay’s phone.

CALL ME!

Then a second later another one came through.

We need to talk about the baby.

The back of Frankie’s neck prickled.

Frankie rubbed her thumb up the phone to reveal at least a dozen missed calls and as many texts. All from Jay. Frankie could read the start of the messages which included:

Frankie told me you’re pregnant and that you’re…

The dates fit with when we met in London. Can...

I don’t understand why you didn’t get in tou…