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She hung up.

There was no point in feeling sorry for herself. It was Valentina who deserved the sympathy. No wonder she didn’t want Jay in her life.

Feeling an overwhelming surge of love and affection for her sister, Frankie called Valentina, who answered on the second ring.

‘Hi, Frankie.’

‘Hi, just checking to see how you are after your party.’

‘A bit tired. But it was really lovely. Thank you for organising it. You, Mum and Rocco did a brilliant job.’

‘It was our pleasure. We wanted you to be happy. And to know how much you’re loved and how we think you’re amazing.’

‘Wow! Steady on, Frankie! You’ll start me off again.’

‘I wanted to call you. Yesterday you said that everyone in our family has a tendency to keep things bottled up and not be honest and open.’

‘Right.’ There was an edge of wariness in Valentina’s voice.

‘So… I wanted to let you know, when I got your phone from Nonno, I saw a couple of the messages from Jay. I didn’t open them, but read enough to get the gist.’

‘Ah. I’m sorry for not being upfront from the start.’

‘You’ve got nothing to be sorry about.’

‘It just seemed so complicated because of Rocco falling out with Jay and if he knew I’d met him⁠—’

‘Valentina, I understand. I really do. What are you going to do?’

‘Nothing.’ Frankie could hear the stubbornness in Valentina’s voice. ‘I told Jay not to get involved.’

Frankie took a breath before asking, ‘And he’s okay with that?’

‘Yup.’

She couldn’t comprehend how Jay wasn’t fighting to get to know his unborn child. Frankie didn’t understand some people. ‘Are you okay with that?’

‘I’m fine.’

Frankie suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness and disappointment. ‘I’m going to go, let you get a good sleep.’

‘I can’t possibly sleep, I’m trying to eavesdrop on Rocco.’

‘Why?’

‘He and Alison are downstairs.’

‘And?’

‘And they clearly like each other!’

‘They do?’

‘Yup. They’ve been talking for a couple of hours and they’re going on a date.’

‘They are?’

‘Yes! If you want any more goss, let me go so I can listen in, bye!’