The Sicilian's Surprise Love-Child. Carol Marinelli

it gets much closer,’ Bruno continued, ‘Aurora knows to come home and we will head to the beach.’

      He wanted to shake Bruno and ask, Is it not better that we all die together? But then, he did not want to worry her mother.

      ‘Grab a cushion from Aurora’s room,’ Bruno said, ‘You know where it is.’

      Oh, he knew.

      The scent of Aurora lingered in the air. He looked down and saw her gold cross on the floorboards. He picked it up and held it in his palm for a moment.

      He caught sight of the book on her chest of drawers and he was intrigued, because he knew that poetry was not her thing. Even before he opened it Nico almost knew what he would see.

      The little packet of pills, half of them gone, had been left for him to see, Nico was sure.

      He replaced the book in her top drawer.