32 #2
“In here,” Cosimo called out, straightening from looking at the photos.
Arsenio did his best not to smirk as he began to gather up everything, tactfully turning away from his obviously embarrassed brother.
He was tempted to make him squirm as payback for the constant digs and teasing he’d endured over the years about his inability to have a meaningful relationship.
But after what they’d both been through and discussed tonight, he felt he could cut his brother some slack.
That didn’t mean he wouldn’t rib him at some later date though.
“Oh, um hello, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.” The owner of the voice halted at the threshold, filling the doorway with his tall broad frame. Arsenio turned around and was faced with a very surprised James.
“Um, yes an unexpected visit. Er, this is my youngest brother…”
“Oh, you’re Arsenio… I’m so very pleased to meet you.” Before Cosimo could finish his introductions, James was striding towards them both, beaming at Arsenio and extending his hand. Arsenio took it and shook it feeling the roughness of James’s palms.
“Mr Banks I presume?” Arsenio said wryly. “Please call me Seni. Believe me the pleasure is all mine.” He flashed James a wide smile.
“Mr Banks? You make me sound like an old man. Is that how you refer to me Cos? Call me James,” James chortled, his sun worn face creasing into a wide smile at Cosimo.
“No, I don’t. Seni was just being, well… Seni. He was about to leave, weren’t you?” Cosimo glared at Arsenio.
“Oh, don’t leave on my account. It’s nice to finally meet one of Cos’s relatives, I’ve heard so much about you all, it’s nice to put a face to a name.”
Arsenio’s grin widened, noting how uncomfortable Cosimo obviously was. He’d spent the best part of his adult life keeping his private and family life separate. And now, they had accidently collided in Cosimo’s immaculately decorated dining room.
James was the exact opposite of Cosimo, he was naturally fair but was tanned with an unruly mop of thick strawberry blond hair.
His dress sense indicated he was younger than he looked, probably in his mid thirties.
His jeans were designer with a few artful tears.
The light green shirt he wore matched his eyes and was casually opened at the collar and rolled up at the sleeves, showcasing his tanned, powerful forearms. Arsenio noted that he wore brown, suede Chelsea boots with a Cuban heel which were unique and showed James had a flare for style.
The look was casual but perfectly put together and in total contrast to Cosimo’s more conventional attire.
He was still wearing his conservative, though exquisite, pin stripped trousers from his suit, he’d shed his tie and jacket, leaving him in a crisp white shirt and waistcoat.
“No, I had better go. It’s late,” Arsenio replied, to Cosimo’s relief.
“Well at least stay and finish your wine,” insisted James.
“Um.” Arsenio’s eyes darted to Cosimo who shrugged in defeat. There was no way he could avoid it, what with James’ impeccable manners and obvious curiosity. Cosimo walked over to the kitchen and retrieved another glass and the bottle and took it over to James.
“Oh, is that the Gavi, Cos?”
“Yes,” Cosimo replied, pouring James a glass.
“Does that mean that’s Linguine alle vongole I can smell?”
“That’s right.”
“One of my favourites. Your brother’s a very good cook you know, well of course you know,” James chuckled.
“He is.” Arsenio lifted his glass and both James and Cosimo clinked their glasses. “But he’s not as good as Jerome, now he’s the real chef.”
“So Cosimo tells me.” James pulled out a chair and signalled Arsenio to sit down, both intrigued and eager to find out more. Then he sat in the chair next to him. “He has that fabulous restaurant by the river doesn’t he?”
Arsenio leaned back in his chair reeling at how genuinely interested James was. He was a breath of fresh air, relaxed and comfortable and so incredibly nice.
“He does, La Casa d’Italia, you should go there,” coaxed Arsenio. Cosimo glared at him and stomped back into the kitchen to check on dinner.
“I know. I keep telling Cos that but he’s always too tired to go down to town. He works too hard.” James shook his head, then turned in the direction of where Cosimo was. “Seni said we should go down to Jerome’s restaurant one evening.”
Cosimo muttered to himself in Italian, that’s all he needed, Arsenio encouraging James. He’d bloody kill him.
“Did you hear that?” James called.
“Yes, I heard,” replied Cosimo through gritted teeth.
James gave an exasperated shrug to Arsenio and grinned.
“So, I hear you’re a landscaper?”
DANI CHECKED THROUGH HER work station and saw that she just needed some more sugar sachets.
Dani turned to Pino and told him she was running up to the store room for more and asked if he needed anything.
He quickly checked and shook his head. Dani sprinted up to the first floor and stepped into the store room.
She took out a box of sachets from the shelf and then headed back to the restaurant.
As she started to walk down the stairs she heard the lift doors open and Gia stepped out.
“Dani! Great news! The doctor called and everything’s all clear!” Gia beamed.
“Oh, Gia that’s brilliant news!” Dani hugged her, both pleased and relieved for her.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”
“I know. That’s the best Christmas present.”
“It is tesoro, it is. I’m so glad I didn’t tell the boys. All that worry.“ Gia shook her head. “I’ll be glad to see this year over. It’s been very sottosopra!”
Dani furrowed her brow. “Sottosopra?”
Gia chuckled and muttered to herself in Italian. “Um, how do you say? Up and down?” Gia twisted both her hands, left and right in explanation.
“Oh, you mean Topsy-turvy?”
“Si sottosopra!“ Gia laughed, her eyes lighting up and Dani realised that for the past few days they’d lost their usual sparkle.
“CIAO BELLA”
Gia’s eyes darted up from the reservations book that had her so engrossed. She hadn’t noticed Ray Holmes had walked in.
“Raymoundo! How lovely to see you again.“ She smiled widely at Ray who winked at her. Gia immediately rounded the front desk and reached for his hand, then kissed him on both cheeks causing the normally unflustered doctor to blush slightly. “I saw your reservation.”
“I told you I’d come. Here, let me introduce you to my partner.
Elizabeth, this is Gia.” Ray turned to look at the woman who was standing just behind him.
She was medium height with her grey hair cut into a sharp bob and sparkling blue eyes.
She smiled kindly at Gia, whose smile had slipped slightly.
“Pleased to meet you, Gia. Ray hasn’t stop talking about how wonderful this place is.
” She held out her hand for Gia to shake.
Gia gracefully shook her hand. “And I’m his partner in his practice.
It gets a little confusing when he introduces me that way, out of the surgery,” Elizabeth clarified, with a good-humoured huff.
Ray’s eyes darted to Gia, realising his perceptive partner had picked up on Gia’s misunderstanding, and he cringed slightly.
“Oh, he’s too kind.” Gia gently patted Ray’s arm affectionately, her genuine smile returning to its former glory. “The reservation is for six people at eight thirty.” Gia blinked up at Ray.
Caught in the warmth of her gaze, Ray took a second or two to answer. “Um, yes, the other junior partners and doctors are coming too.”
“We’re a little early. Ray was very eager to get here,” Elizabeth added, stifling a smile.
“Oh. Well, let me show you to your table.” Gia beamed back at Ray.
“By all means, lead the way.” Ray signalled with his hand and followed Gia, his eyes transfixed on Gia’s curvy form encased in a chic, cream woollen dress as she sashayed towards the back of the restaurant.
Gia made sure they were settled at their table and left them in the capable hands of Dani.
“Oh. My. God. She’s gorgeous and she has three sons over thirty?” Elizabeth whispered to Ray, then she pulled out her compact from her bag and flicked it open. “I look like a hag next to her, she must be my age.” She inspected her pale face, then frowned, snapping the compact shut.
“I think she’s in her mid-fifties,” confirmed Ray. His eyes still fixed on Gia, watching her gracefully walk to the front desk again.
“Crap, she’s older than me. I feel like a frump. Well, she likes you Ray.”
“You think?” he asked eagerly, turning sharply to look at Elizabeth.
“Oh yes. Her face dropped when you said I was your partner.”
“Um, yes. I really need to be more specific,” he snorted.
Dani came over with the menus and Ray introduced Elizabeth to her. Dani took their drinks order and left them to mull over the menus.
“So what’s good here?” asked Elizabeth.
“Everything!” replied Ray with a chuckle.
JEROME OPENED UP THE tray and placed it over Liz’s legs. She had a long soak in the bath while Jerome had prepared her meal. Then she’d dressed in her sleep shorts and top. Jerome insisted she stay in bed and that he’d bring up her dinner.
“There we are. How are you feeling?”
“A bit edgy,” admitted Liz, her legs were twitching as she spoke. Jerome handed her a glass of wine.
“Here this will calm you down.” He sat on the bed and watched her take a sip.
“Aren’t you eating?”
“I will in a bit. I just want make sure you’re alright first.”
He raised his eyebrows and motioned to the plate of food on the tray and gave her a ‘aren’t you going to eat’ look.
Liz picked up her knife and fork and started to cut through the succulent chicken.
She dipped it in the sauce and popped it in her mouth.
It was of course delicious. Jerome smiled, taking a relieved deep breath, relaxing a little.
He picked up his glass of wine from the nightstand and took a sip.
“This is really good, Jerome.”
Jerome shrugged. “Well if you finish it, I’ll tell you some good news.”
Liz’s eyes darted up to his face. “Good news? About what?”