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Stella ignored the buzz of her phone, trying to relax and feed, and not let Sophia pick up on her tension.

Then it buzzed again. And again.

Then she heard the wail of a siren and then another.

Please not an accident.

A thousand and one worst-case scenarios were going through her head, a hundred possibilities…

She saw that it was Daisy calling and picked up. ‘What’s going on?’

‘There’s been an anonymous complaint put in about the road closure.’ Daisy sounded breathless and sirens were wailing in the background. ‘When they looked into it, there’s a permit that hasn’t been filed.’

‘No, I’ve just been through them with the police.’

‘They’re the local police though,’ Daisy said. ‘It’s the stradale, the traffic police, that received the complaint. They are here with more on the way. Look, the buck stops with me, I signed off on it, but if you…’

‘Daisy, I got all the right permits. Everything was filed.’ Her head went back on the seat, and worse, Sophia seemed to pick up her tension and started to cry. ‘Everything is in place.’

‘Apparently not, and now they’re threating to shut down filming. Damon is freaking! I mean it, Stella, he’s losing it.’

‘Okay, I’m coming now.’ She ended the call and then kissed a hot and bothered Sophia. ‘I’m sorry, darling.’

‘Gina—’ she must have seen the drama unfolding because she came straight in ‘—I’m going to have to sort something out…’ She hated this. ‘Can you finish feeding her for me, please?’

She shouldn’t have come back to work so soon. Stella was close to tears as she left the trailer. Only it wasn’t the permits she was upset over. Nor Damon just waiting for a chance to be irate, it was being parted again from Sophia and knowing that she had to tell Gabe.

And face the ultimate rejection.

That was why she hadn’t hounded him, Stella deep down knew. Why she hadn’t set up camp outside Rinaldi Finanziaria to let him know…

She couldn’t stand it for Sophia.

* * *

‘Where’s Stella?’

Her name was being called by many and Gabe, who of course had access to all areas, stood by a very irate director.

Damon was screaming, literally pulling at his hair and demanding that she appear.

‘She’s on her way.’ Sir Charles was attempting to placate him as police swarmed the area and they were in no mood to play.

From what he could work out, a very necessary permit had not been obtained and Gabe, though his expression remained impassive, was concerned for Stella.

Maybe he should have agreed when she’d suggested she ought to toughen up. Otherwise, he might be taking care of Damon soon, and that would not help things.

Che giornata di merda, Gabe thought.

‘Where is Stella?’ Sir Charles was looking worried.

‘Here!’ came her lovely voice, and she was walking straight into the fire. ‘Damon, it’s fine—everything’s in order. Let me speak to the police.’

She was brilliant at her job because she was practical and calm, even if he knew she must be nervous inside.

That coffee and conversation had helped, because the local police were nodding.

‘It’s not just a local permit that’s needed,’ Donatella was chiming in. ‘I’m sorry, I should have thought to tell you…’