Page 81 of A Place in the Sun
‘So, it is goodbye, then?’ says Sebastian.
‘Yes, it was good to see you again, but I’m not going back. In fact, I’m not going back at all. I may even stay here.’ A whole new idea is hatching in my head.
‘For good?’
‘For as long as this place feels like home.’
36
We wave off the minibus and somehow, after turning down Sebastian, I feel freer. I know I don’t want to go backwards. But I still don’t know which way is forwards.
I think about thenonnas and the children, trying to match-make Giovanni and me, no doubt in the hope that I’ll stay on here, and that they can too. I absorb the view. And it occurs to me that I don’t need to have a man to stay here. If it’s right for us as a family, why take the children back to Cardiff? What is it that makes it home? Home is the people you’re with, isn’t it? Wherever it may be. Why couldn’t it be here? What if we were to stay?
In the kitchen at La Tavola most of the clearing up has been done. Thenonnas are in the garden underthe olive tree enjoying a well-earned glass of wine and congratulating themselves.
‘Of course, my tiramisu was a triumph.’
‘It could have done with more coffee.’
‘More coffee? Your tastebuds were pickled in the wine you drank!’
‘Next time I’ll do my almond cake.’
‘Next time? Who said anything about next time?’
‘I can’t wait!’
‘Me neither!’
They laugh.
‘I can’t help thinking Giuseppe looked rather smart at lunch …’
‘I did too!’
‘You both have sand in your eyes! But he complimented me on my dress!’
‘He said my hair looked nice.’
‘I think I’ll make him a lasagne …’
‘I’ll make him a tiramisu.’
‘I’ll make him one of mine. My mother gave me the recipe.’
In the kitchen, Luca and Aimee are crying.
‘Hey, you two! What’s happened? We had such a nice lunch. What’s the matter?’
Giovanni is beside me. ‘Are you hurt?’
They shake their heads. ‘It’s Stella!’
‘What about her?’
‘She’s gone.’
‘Gone?’
