30 #2
Arsenio furrowed his brow. “It’s enough that they’re staying in the same hotel and we have the phone records too.”
Scott nodded. “Sure. Its damning evidence, she can’t dispute it. What’s she going to say? It was a coincidence? He stalked her? I’ve forwarded them to you but they’ll take a while to download.”
“Good, thanks. When’s Sam leaving?”
“In the morning. He’s trying to keep expenses down.”
Arsenio nodded. “Well, tell him to try and get them at least sitting eating next to each other. A shot of them together will be the icing on the cake.”
“Don’t worry, he’s on it.”
“Good. So get in touch with me tomorrow if anything develops and ask Sam to forward his bill.”
“Will do.”
They quickly shook hands and Scott exited the office, leaving Arsenio leaning over his conference table studying the dozens of photos that were strewn across it.
“NOTHING LIKE THE NATIVITY plays we used to do, is it?” whispered Chloe to Dani as they sat patiently waiting for the performance to start.
Dani giggled and shook her head. “Well, it’s a swanky private school, not a small village comprehensive. I mean look at the stage, it could be the bloody West End! We’ve even got numbered seats for goodness sake!”
“Shhh,” giggled Chloe.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.”
Dani looked up and saw the friendly face of Ray as he squeezed his large frame past the other parents on their row.
Adam lifted his eyebrows. “You just made it.” Ray shrugged as a way of an apology and lowered himself into the chair next to Dani as the headmaster started a small speech.
Before long the play was well underway, to the delight of the audience.
Christmas songs were sung with dance routines, making the usual sombre traditional nativity play more modern and infinitely more entertaining.
All the junior school participated, even if it was just singing.
Ollie was one of the wise men, carrying an impressive gold box and Sophie made a perfect angel.
Her soft blonde curly hair topped with her obligatory tinsel halo.
The whole play took just under an hour, there were refreshments set up in the great hall for all the audience so they could wait until professional photographs were taken of the children.
Dani walked with Ray towards the table with the wine set out, purposely avoiding the soft drinks or tea and coffee tables. They’d left behind Adam and Chloe to talk to various parents they knew. Ray picked up two glasses of red wine and passed one to Dani.
“It wasn’t bad actually. I remember going to see Adam when he was younger. Half the cast cried through it.” He rolled his eyes and chuckled.
“Yeah, well this is the first one I’ve ever been to so I’ve no comparison, but it was all very… um… professional. Cheers.” Dani clinked his glass and took a sip.
“Private schooling. You get what you pay for.” Ray shrugged as a form of explanation and took a gulp. “How’s your friend doing?”
“Friend?”
“The biopsy? Did it go well?”
Dani had almost forgotten about this morning, what with the hotel opening, lunch at Betty’s, then racing to get the children ready for the play, it seemed like days ago.
“Yes, thankfully. She wasn’t in too much pain but mentally it’s wiped her out. She gets her results on Thursday.”
Ray smiled softly down at Dani and nodded. “Well, if you or she needs anything, let me know.”
“I will thanks.”
Ray looked around trying to see if he could spot Adam and Chloe anywhere. “I was hoping to see the children for a few moments before I got off, but I can’t seem to spot Adam anywhere and it’s getting late.” Ray’s eyes narrowed behind his designer glasses, focusing on something or rather someone.
“Isn’t that your boss over there?”
Dani turned around to face the direction Ray was looking towards, but she couldn’t see anyone through the large number of parents and visitors. Her heart thumped faster at the thought of seeing Jerome again.
“I can’t see over all these people. But it probably is, his children come here too.”
“No, I meant the hottie. Gia isn’t it?”
Dani’s eyes widened and made a silent ‘oh’ with her mouth.
“I didn’t think she’d be up for it after today…
” Dani’s voice trailed as she stood up on her tip toes, stretching to see over the mass of people.
Ray furrowed his brow for a moment at her comment, then discreetly pointed to where he could see Gia with another man.
Through a small gap Dani spotted Gia sheathed in a figure hugging understated black dress, which only made her look more stunning, talking with Cosimo.
“Ah yes that’s Gia and her eldest son Cosimo,” confirmed Dani.
“Well, aren’t you going to go over and say hello,” urged Ray, straightening himself and smoothing his perfectly knotted tie.
“Sure, come on,” Dani grinned.
They weaved themselves through the sea of people until they were just a few feet away, when Gia spotted Dani.
“Oh Daniella! Che sopresa!“ and to Dani’s, Cosimo’s and Ray’s surprise she pulled her close and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. “I’m so glad to see you, tesoro.”
“How are you?” Dani smiled, conveying far more to her than her simple words.
“I’m fine, better,” Gia answered in a low voice.
“Good. Um, you remember Adam’s father don’t you Gia?”
“Ah, si Raymoundo, how are you? It’s so very nice to see you again.“ Gia flashed him her most brilliant smile and Ray stood stunned for a second, positively awestruck by the glamorous Gia. She extended her hand for him to shake and he grasped it.
“I’m very well. It’s nice to see you too, Gia. You’re looking lovely as always.” His eyes swept over her, taking in everything, from her glossy dark hair to her black stilettos.
“Grazie, and you’re looking very… um dashing,“ she beamed.
Dani bit the inside of her cheek, desperately trying to stifle a grin.
The usually confident and self-possessed Ray had transformed into a flustered blushing adolescent before her very eyes.
“Let me introduce you to my son Cosimo,” continued an oblivious Gia.
Ray reluctantly dragged his eyes away from the warm gaze of Gia and glanced across at an obviously amused Cosimo.
“Cosimo, this Raymoundo. He’s um, well he’s one of Daniella’s relatives.”
Cosimo held out his hand for Ray to shake. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” They shook hands, then Cosimo turned his attention to Dani.
“Dani, how are you?”
“I’m well, thank you. You?” Dani stepped closer to him which effectively gave Gia and Ray some privacy.
“I’m good. Did you enjoy the show?” his eyes sparkled which made Dani smile.
“Yes, it was very entertaining.”
Cosimo leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Both of them?”
Dani creased her brow, unsure of what he meant, until he motioned to Ray and Gia behind her who were oblivious to anyone around them, talking to each other as if they’d known each other for years.
“Ah yes,” Dani chuckled. “I think Ray’s a little taken with your mother,” she whispered.
“I think my mother’s rather taken with Raymoundo!“ he replied.
Dani giggled and Cosimo laughed softly. “So how are you settling in at La Casa? My mother hasn’t stopped talking about you.”
“Your mother’s lovely, she’s made me feel very welcome, she’s trying to teach me Italian. Chef is so nice, he’s let me get more involved over the weeks. And Matteo, he’s just so sweet to me. He’s teaching me Italian too.”
Cosimo nodded as she spoke and waited for a moment, thinking Dani was going to elaborate more about the staff, specifically his brother. But he noted that she’d purposely omitted to mention Jerome.
“So, you came to see your niece and nephew?” asked Dani.
“Yes, I try and come to most of their school events.”
“It’s my first time. I’ve always been too far away to see them.”
“Ah, you’re a school event virgin, then?”
Dani giggled at his comment and he chuckled at her. “Yeah, and it was far less painful than I expected.”
Cosimo laughed loving her quick response. He liked her quick wit and could see why his mother was so fond of her and Jerome so enamoured with her.
“Here you are?”
Dani tensed at the sound of Jerome’s slightly agitated voice.
“Yes, I was keeping Dani company.”
Jerome hadn’t realised Dani was with him and for a moment was caught off guard at seeing her so soon again. “Hello, again. I didn’t realise you were coming tonight.”
“Hi. Yes, it’s my first time.” Dani shot a glance at Cosimo and he winked at her.
“It wasn’t half bad,” chipped in Cosimo.
“Um. Yes, they did well.” There was an awkward pause only filled with the chatter of the people around them. Dani looked around nervously and realised that Ray and Gia had left them.
“How’s Liz doing?” asked Cosimo, his focus on Jerome.
“Fine,” he answered tightly.
“She’s happy with her present assignment?”
“Yes.” Jerome’s answer bordered on the dismissive.
Dani looked into her wine glass, sensing there was something unsaid between the two brothers and that maybe she should leave them to it.
“Any news on the charity fashion show, I know she was excited about that,” Cosimo pressed.
Jerome rubbed his forehead and sighed. There was no way Cosimo was going to let up, he thought, and he knew he was only asking out of concern. “It’s been cancelled.”
“Oh no. I’m sorry for her,” Cosimo said softly. Jerome shrugged.
“The venue backed out,” he added, realising he’d sounded a little too brusque earlier. Cosimo was genuinely interested but the last thing Jerome wanted was to talk about Liz.
“Where’s Mama?” Jerome looked around and Cosimo darted his eyes to Dani in a silent plea for help.
“Um, I think she went to get a drink,” Dani offered and Cosimo stifled a grin.
“Actually I wouldn’t mind a drink. Shall I go get you one?” Cosimo offered stepping past Dani before Jerome could answer.
“Sure, the children will be at least another fifteen minutes.” Jerome shrugged and Dani shook her head and lifted her half-full glass of wine.
Cosimo ambled his way towards the refreshments tables, leaving an awkward Dani and a tense Jerome behind him.
In a feeble attempt to make small talk Dani asked, “Which venue was it?”