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Frankie looked up at the large, framed photograph that took up most of the wall, now with festive tinsel draped around it. In the photograph, Diane sat in the middle of her four children, with all her grandchildren clustered round, smiling for the photographer. The only person missing was Diane’s husband, who’d died a few years before. As well as raising four children, Diane had also been the head teacher of the local primary school.

‘You’ve been very lucky.’

‘That I have, but you’ve got to be open to romance, not hiding behind your work. I promised your grandmother I’d look out for you. She was worried you’d never settle down. In fact, she despaired at all three of you!’

Frankie had no idea her grandmother had ever discussed her grandchildren’s matrimonial status, or lack of, with anyone.

After another few minutes’ chat, which luckily veered away from relationships, Frankie said her goodbyes and left with the dogs.

They headed back across the visitors’ car park, but as Frankie opened the van door, Gilbert paused, looking into the distance as he gave a little whine and a nose whistle.

‘What d’you see, Gilby, hmm?’ Frankie looked in the direction he was fixated on, at the other side of the car park, and to her surprise saw her grandfather heading over to his car with what looked to be a bunch of leaflets or brochures in his hands. He opened the driver’s door then turned to wave at someone standing in the doorway of the staff entrance. He got into his car and pulled away and Frankie watched him head down the drive and turn the corner.

She urged the dogs into the van then Frankie got in, waiting a moment before starting the engine.

A few nights ago, when her grandfather was in a thoughtful mood, talking about moving on and change, Frankie had wondered if he’d been alluding to taking it easy in the trattoria or going into semi-retirement. But what if the change he intended was more drastic? What if he was planning on becoming a resident of Cedar Lodge retirement home?

CHAPTER 10

ROCCO

A bleary-eyed Rocco yawned loudly, not bothering to cover his mouth, as he slid a mug of coffee over to Frankie.

Taking a sip of his own, he noticed his sister’s slightly bemused expression as she stared at his hair.

He glanced at his reflection in the chrome juicer on the kitchen counter then pulled up the hood on his bathrobe to hide his wayward locks from further ridicule.

‘If you insist on waking me at some ungodly hour on a Sunday morning, you’ll have to take me as you find me,’ he said.

‘Quarter to eleven is hardly some ungodly hour!’

‘Maybe not to you,’ he grumbled as he sat on one of the barstools.

‘Oh! Have you got someone with you?’ Frankie looked over her shoulder, as if she expected someone to pop out from the laundry room.

‘No, I have not,’ he protested, hoping he’d managed to sound both hurt and offended. ‘How would I have had the time to meet someone in between now and leaving you and your weird doggy dating thing yesterday?’

‘I can’t imagine it would be the first time you’ve made a late-night booty call,’ Frankie mumbled into her mug.

‘I’ve been home alone, resting my leg and trying to have a lie-in.’ Rocco did not have the slightest inclination to hook up with anyone since his encounter with Sienna.

In fact, despite his rather rakish, man-about-town reputation from years ago, Rocco rarely hooked up with anyone anymore. He was an inherent flirt, yes, but very seldom did Rocco now take anything further. His one-night stand with Sienna had been the first in a long time, but everyone seemed to think Rocco was living out his bachelor years, lurching from one party to another with women hanging off his arm.

Just then, Rocco’s silver tabby Maine Coon cat, Willow, jumped onto the counter and marched over to Frankie to demand a welcoming tickle under the chin.

‘So, what’s the emergency?’ Rocco asked, changing the subject as he brushed Willow’s massive, bushy tail away before it accidentally dipped into his coffee. Although he asked the question lightly, he dreaded Frankie’s answer, in case it had anything to do with Jay.

‘It’s Nonno.’

Rocco sat up, his attention now fully on his sister. ‘Has something happened?’

‘He’s fine, don’t worry, but… I was at Cedar Lodge, doing my usual Sunday visit. And I saw him there.’

Rocco waited a moment for the next part of the revelation and when none was forthcoming said, ‘And?’

‘Well, do you not think that’s weird?’

‘He was probably visiting someone. His friends are all of an age now…’