Not Just a Convenient Marriage. Lucy Gordon

be safely under your wing,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

      ‘Don’t worry about anything. Goodbye for now. I’ll send some English newspapers up if you need distraction.’

      He was as good as his word. She spent the day browsing the papers, eating, sometimes nodding off. The doctor called and said she was improving enough to get up the next day.

      Once she got out of bed and went to the window where, by a lucky chance, she saw Damiano and Charlie in the alley below, deep in conversation.

      He’s safe, she thought contentedly. Oh, thank goodness we found this man.

      She returned to bed and dozed for another hour. When she awoke there was a soft knock on the door.

      ‘Come in,’ she called.

      It was Pietro, carrying a mug.

      ‘English tea,’ he said proudly. ‘Careful!’

      The last word was directed at Toby, who came flying into the room and leapt on the bed, forcing Pietro to back away to protect the tea.

      ‘It’s all right, I’ve got him,’ she said, clutching Toby. With an unconvincing attempt at severity she added, ‘You pestiferous pup. You can’t stop hurling yourself at me.’

      ‘Pestiferous?’ Pietro queried, setting the tea down beside her. ‘Is that an English word?’

      ‘Yes. It has several meanings, but one of them is “annoying”.’

      ‘Ah! Irritante.’

      ‘Definitely.’ She wagged a finger at Toby. ‘You are irritante.’

      ‘Wuff!’ He licked her finger.

      ‘He just takes everything in his stride.’ She laughed.

      ‘He does with you, because he loves you.’

      ‘And I love him. Oh, yes!’ She put her arms around the dog. ‘He reminds me of my own lovely Jacko.’

      ‘You have a dog?’

      ‘I used to, a few years ago. He died. But he’ll always be with me because we were so close. He was the first one who really loved me.’

      He stared. ‘Didn’t your parents love you?’

      ‘Yes, in their way, but—I think having a girl was a big disappointment for them.’

      ‘But that’s not fair,’ Pietro said indignantly.

      ‘Life often isn’t fair,’ she said wryly. ‘Some things we just have to put up with. Anyway, when they finally had a son the family was complete. And I always had Jacko to turn to. He belonged to my father, but he and I were specially close.

      ‘One day I walked into the room and Jacko’s whole face lit up with delight at the sight of me. Nobody had ever reacted to me like that before, and I just had to love him. I could tell him things I couldn’t tell anyone else.’

      Pietro nodded. ‘Yes. They understand everything.’

      ‘I’m sure you talk to Toby a lot.’ In a teasing voice she added, ‘Does he give you good advice?’

      ‘No, but he listens.’

      There was a forlorn note in his voice that made her reach out to him, touching him gently on the shoulder.

      ‘What is it, Pietro? Are you unhappy?’

      He didn’t answer, but she could see confusion in his face, and guessed he wasn’t sure whether to confide in her.

      ‘Can’t you tell me?’ she asked softly. ‘I’m a good listener. Almost as good as Toby.’

      He smiled, clearly reassured by her understanding, but still unwilling to speak.

      ‘Tell me,’ she urged. ‘Please, tell me.’