Modern Romance July 2015 Books 5-8. Louise Fuller

our homes.’ He took a moment to take some long breaths from his oxygen mask and then continued speaking. ‘I said to Rosa that we should move away and just leave Boro Del Cielo but she would not be run out of town—she said that someone had to stand up to him.’ It was the most difficult conversation. With every sentence Paulo paused to breathe. ‘Rosa went to see him to give him a piece of her mind. A few days later there was a car accident. I didn’t connect the two at first. I was grieving and Malvolio was the white knight, the friend...’ He started to cough.

      ‘Enough,’ Luka said.

      ‘No.’ Paulo was insistent that he finish. ‘He said to put differences aside—he organised the funeral when I could not. He spoke at the service when I had no words. When I told him that I could not stand to be in the home we had loved he moved me here...’ Paulo looked around at what had been his and Sophie’s home. ‘It took a few months for me to come out of the fog and start to see what had happened. He had got us out of our home by any means. By then I knew what he was capable of. He never threatened that harm would come to Sophie— instead, he said how lucky she was that he would look out for her, that our children would one day marry.’

      ‘But the implication was there?’ Luka asked, and Paulo nodded.

      ‘When did you know?’ Paulo asked.

      ‘About Rosa?’ Luka checked. ‘When I found her necklace amongst my father’s things, although I knew that he was corrupt long before that. It’s the reason I rarely came home.’

      ‘You came home that day to end things with Sophie?’

      ‘I did,’ Luka said. ‘I just wanted to break all ties with this place. It wasn’t that easy, though.’

      ‘Love never is,’ Paulo said, and held out the chain to Luka.

      ‘Why are you giving this to me?’ Luka asked.

      ‘I would have liked to be buried holding it,’ Paulo admitted, but then he shook his head. ‘If I was then Sophie would have to know what had happened.’ Paulo spoke his absolute truth. ‘She would never forgive you, Luka. I know my daughter and the fact that your family was involved in her mother’s death is something that she would not be able to forgive. Take the necklace and throw it the ocean when I am gone,’ Paulo said. ‘I will take your secret to the grave.’

      ‘It’s not my secret,’ Luka said.

      ‘It can be,’ Paulo said. ‘Sophie loves you and you love her. You do not need this hanging over you. Please.’ He gave the cross and chain one final kiss and handed it back to Luka. ‘Never tell her the truth. There is no need.’

      Luka pocketed the chain and walked out from the bedroom to the lounge. There was Sophie and she gave him a tired smile.

      ‘How is he?’

      ‘He’s okay.’

      ‘You?’

      Luka didn’t answer. There was lie in his pocket and he didn’t know how to handle it. Her own father had told him that their love could not survive it, but as he went to walk off Sophie halted him.

      ‘I was wrong, Luka. I should have come to London with you that night.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘I just should have. I was angry and I blamed you.’

      ‘When did you decide this?’

      ‘Just now.’

      ‘Five years after the event,’ Luka sneered. His emotions were everywhere. ‘You let it fester for five years.’

      ‘Luka...’

      ‘So what happens when the shoe drops, Sophie? What happens when the next bombshell hits? Am I to wait another five years for you to come around? Am I to wait again for you to swallow that Sicilian pride?’

      ‘You refuse to give me that chance.’

      ‘I do.’

       CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

      ‘REMEMBER HOW WE used to sit here?’ Bella said, as they sat bathed in sunrise with their calves dangling in cool water.

      ‘I do.’ Sophie smiled. ‘I also remember the terrible row I had here with Luka.’

      ‘It is a glorious day for a wedding.’

      ‘A wedding that isn’t going to happen,’ Sophie said.

      ‘He loves you,’ Bella said. ‘I can see it in him. Luka would not leave you standing in the church. He would not have come to Sicily just to shame you.’

      ‘He told me he would never go through with it. Is it wrong that I wish my father would die before three p.m., just to spare him the shame?’

      ‘I think so.’ Bella smiled.

      ‘Luka is as stubborn as I am.’ Sophie sighed. ‘He accuses me of being Sicilian as he trips on his own pride. I’m going to be jilted.’

      ‘You could always have a fall this morning.’ Bella smiled again. ‘Slip on one of those rocks up there...’

      ‘I could,’ Sophie said. ‘Or I could get a cramp, swimming, and you have to save me but I swallowed so much sea water that I was too weak to make it to the church...’

      They laughed, they sat at the water’s edge and laughed, and it felt so good to do so.

      ‘Let him jilt me,’ Sophie said. ‘Let’s really give the people of Bordo Del Cielo some scandal again. The girls are back in town!’

      ‘Sisters in shame,’ Bella said.

      Sophie looked at her dear friend, who was terrified about today too.

      ‘Are you scared to face Matteo?’

      ‘I’m ashamed to face him.’

      ‘He paid for a night with you, remember. You wouldn’t be a whore if it wasn’t for his money.’

      ‘I know,’ Bella said. ‘If he tries anything I will tell him he can’t afford me now!’

      They laughed again and then Bella stood. ‘Come on, we have a lot to do today.’

      ‘You go back,’ Sophie said. ‘I might just sit here a while.’

      ‘I will give your pa breakfast.’

      ‘Thank you.’

      Alone she sat and stared out at the water and at the cargo ships and cruise liners so far out on the horizon.

      Out of reach for ever.

      She was going to cry.

      It hit her as surely as the sensation that she might vomit.

      It felt like thunder rising in her chest and, like a cat hiding, she moved to the shelter of the cliffs and curled into her knees and wept.

      For the father she would soon lose.

      For the future devoid of Luka.

      But most of all for the love she had known.

      A love that could never be replicated or surpassed. She was exhausted, not just from the past but already from a future without him. How she loathed the poets she did not understand, but even with a lifetime to study them she wanted one that matched her, that told her how to deal with a future without Luka in it.

      ‘You’re going to startle,’ Luka said. ‘As you do every time I approach.’

      ‘Well, I’ve never had the chance to get used to the sound of your voice,’ she said, and wiped her eyes and looked up. ‘So, yes, every time we meet in the future, expect me to jump. How did you know I was here?’

      ‘Bella told me. She is sitting in the