Page 76 of My Lemon Grove Summer
‘She was really brave! If she hadn’t come . . .’ says Sophia, and then she bursts into tears, and Carina, with a look and a nod to me that says everything she needs to say – thank you and sorry – spins her daughter towards the steps and into the villa, chattering away about getting her out of her wet clothes and something to eat and drink.
Sophia stops at the top of the steps by the front door and waves. I feel a sudden pang, and I’m not sure if it’s a pang for the mother I didn’t really have or the mother that I’m never going to be. But it hurts, really hurts. I know there won’t be any children now with Lennie. And in any case, I realise with an ache in my heart, it isn’t Lennie’s children my arms long to hold. A huge lump forms in my throat.
‘We should get you back. Lennie will be worried,’ Luca says. I nod, and tears spring to my eyes.
We turn to leave.
‘Thank you,’ says a gravelly voice. ‘Grazie.’
I turn back to Romano, and we stare at each other wordlessly.
‘You saved . . . well, she is like a granddaughter to me,’ he says eventually. ‘You protected my family.Grazie mille.’
I nod.
‘Will you come in? Get dry. Have something to eat?’
‘No,grazie,’ I say. ‘I’m glad she’s home safe.’
‘Name it,’ he says. ‘Whatever it is.’ He takes a step towards me, and I look at Luca.
‘He wants to do something to repay you, to say thank you. It’s how things are done around here.’
I look at Romano, and then say slowly, ‘I want my lemons back. That’s all. I just want to be able to make a life for myself here.’
‘By rights, all the lemons around here belong to me . . .’ He cocks his head, as if not really understanding what I’m saying.
‘And don’t we know it,’ Luca practically growls. I see his fists clench.
‘It’s business. Good business,’ Romano says to me, but I know he’s addressing Luca.
‘Look, I just want to know where the verdello are,’ I say. ‘You said to name it. Well, I am naming it. The verdello we took from “your” lemon trees, just let me have them. I’ll pay for them, just as soon as I’m paid for the limoncello. Just give me this chance.’
He shakes his head. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I know nothing about any verdello.’
‘Pfft!’ I throw up a hand and turn away. There’s no point. He’s never going to give anyone what they want if it doesn’t benefit him.
‘Papà! It can only be you!’ Luca’s voice is slow and measured. ‘You have run things around here for way too long. You control everything and everyone with your money, your bullying, your intimidation . . .’ He swallows. ‘And your lies. It may have got you what you wanted, control. But it will never get you respect . . . not real respect. And I cannot be a part of your world any more. I’m done with you.’
And having said his piece, finally telling his father how he feels, he turns to walk away.
‘Luca! Wait!’ Romano calls.
I wonder if he’s going to try and fake his dicky heart again. But I don’t turn round to find out. Neither of us turns around; we just keep walking.
‘Wait!’ This time it’s Sophia’s voice, and both of us glance back to see her leaning over the balcony above the front door.
‘Take care of yourself, Sophia,’ I try and give a cheery wave.
‘No, wait. Wait there!’ she says, and she turns from the balcony and darts back inside.
Moments later, she appears at the wooden front door, with its heavy, ornate knocker, and comes running down the stone steps. She’s wearing a big fluffy white dressing gown
‘Sweetheart, you’ve already said thank you. I’m sure Zelda doesn’t need you to say it again,’ says Romano, trying to guide her back inside.
‘It’s fine, Sophie,’ I say. ‘You’re safe and that’s all that matters. Take care of yourself, and no more hiding out in tunnels!’
‘No, wait, you don’t understand. I went back to the tunnels . . .’ I hear her begin, but I’m not really listening. I need to get back to the farmhouse now. I need to see Lennie and tell everyone that Sophia’s safe but that the verdello are gone and with them our chances of staying on here. I wonder whether to do the ‘I have good news, and bad news . . .’ line.
