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‘Are you okay?’
A pause, then, ‘Yeah.’
‘I’m here if you want to talk about it.’
But Rocco never did. It became the topic that was never discussed. Whatever Rocco said to their parents, Frankie never found out, but Maria and Fraser knew to immediately change the channel on the television if Drive With Care appeared on a show. Frankie was upset for herself, but Rocco had also taken the abandonment very badly.
It was a mixed blessing that Frankie hadn’t told anyone about her and Jay. She avoided well-meaning friends and family offering hollow words of sympathy and commiserations, but she also had to keep her heartbreak to herself.
After the Christmas break, Frankie went back to university but her heart wasn’t in it. She went to lectures and tutorials, but where she’d once been an active participant, she now sat listless and uncommunicative. She turned down the chance of the year abroad on scholarship, despite being told it could help advance her future career. Why would she want to chase success when she had to sacrifice those she loved? Nothing was worth that. Frankie preferred the safe cocoon of family life, watching Storm grow from puppy to beautiful dog.
Years passed and reminiscences were forgotten because too many involved Jay Costello as their childhoods and teenage years had been so intertwined. No one mentioned his name again.
No one apart from Frankie’s nonna.
Anna Bartoli often commented to Frankie how she hoped Jay was doing well and mused over why he’d suddenly gone without getting in touch again.
Anna brought the topic up again one night after the trattoria had closed when it was just the two of them sitting, chatting over a glass of wine, sharing a slice of torta.
Frankie ended up telling her nonna everything.
The older woman listened quietly then hugged Frankie tightly, whispering, ‘Il primo amore non si scorda mai.’ The first love is never forgotten.
She’d then held Frankie’s face in her hands and smiled, her dark-brown eyes soft with love for her granddaughter.
‘Love will always find the right path. It wasn’t your time.’
She’d then topped up their wine and never spoke of Jay again.
Drive With Care soared in fame and popularity. Jay was hailed as a local celebrity, even though he never once returned to Drumkeldy. Mrs Costello travelled to see her son, often staying away for weeks at a time, then months at a time after Jay bought her the house in France.
Frankie once read an article about truly successful people having to make sacrifices in their personal life. That’s what Jay had done. He’d turned his dream into a reality.
And her dreams crumbled to dust around her.
CHAPTER 30
FRANKIE, NOW
Christmas had well and truly arrived at Cedar Lodge, Frankie noted as she parked her van in the car park on the Sunday night. Twinkling icicle lights had been strung up all along the roof and a giant inflatable Santa swayed in the breeze outside the main door. Outside the van, Frankie wriggled into her costume, pulling it on over her leggings and sweatshirt before popping on the headpiece with the star attached, arranging it so she could see out of the little gauze eyeholes. With the dogs looking resplendent in their costumes, they made their way into the building.
The inside was even more festive with tinsel adorning all the surfaces.
Kathy poked her head of out the office and gave her a wide grin.
‘I hope that’s you in there, Frankie!’
‘It certainly is,’ Frankie said, her voice slightly muffled by the costume.
‘Brilliant. I’ll let everyone know our star attractions have arrived.’ Gilbert and Storm wagged their tails as Kathy made a fuss of them. ‘Come on through, everyone’s in the day room. Can I get you a glass of Prosecco?’
‘Thanks, but I’m driving.’
‘At least stay for some nibbles afterwards.’
‘Thank you.’
The main room was mobbed with family members of all the residents. The noise of chatter and laughter was almost deafening. In the background, Frankie could hear Christmas music playing.
