36 #5
“Don’t get too excited, she’s a few pot plants on the balcony and a couple of herbs growing in the kitchen. They’re hardly Kew Gardens,” Arsenio muttered so only James could hear. James chuckled softly.
“Oh, please call me Gia. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving and so eager to finally eat here, everyone I know raves about it,” replied James and Gia’s face lit up with a genuine wide smile.
“That’s lovely to hear. I hope you don’t mind but we’ve already ordered for everyone.”
“Not at all, I eat anything, Gia. In fact I prefer it. I wouldn’t know what to choose.” James chuckled and Cosimo shook his head slightly. James was flirting with his mother and she was lapping it up!
“Well, drinks first. What are we all drinking?” Jerome asked as everyone settled into their seats.
Cosimo took the seat to the right of his mother, sitting between her and Kara, hoping he’d be able to at least monitor what his mother said to James.
Taking another deep breath he looked over to Arsenio who was eyeing both James and Gia with amusement.
Jerome poured everyone some Prosecco and passed around the glasses.
Arsenio winked at Cosimo and mouthed, ‘Are you okay?’ He nodded; his face had lost some of its tightness.
The worst was over. He shook his head slightly listening to James and his mother talk about plants, then lifted his champagne flute to Jerome and Arsenio in silent thanks and took a welcome sip.
By four o’clock Kara and Alessandro started to become restless and Liz decided it was better if they left.
The restaurant was still full from the second sitting and the Ferrettis were now on coffees, happy to spend the time talking.
Reluctantly, Jerome gathered up the children and after they said their goodbyes, they headed for the car.
“If you need to stay Jerome, until it quietens down, I don’t mind. I know it’s a busy few days for you,” Liz suggested, sensing his uneasiness.
“You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. The kids will be playing with all their new toys and I need to pack anyway, so…” she shrugged.
Jerome unlocked Liz’s car and put the bags of presents in the boot, “I’ll have to get a taxi back, or maybe get Peter to drop me off.” They’d all driven down in Liz’s car as Jerome was sure they’d be leaving together. Sensing his hesitation she put her hand out for the keys.
“Really, just go back in. They’ll be pleased for the help.”
Jerome huffed, then leaned over and gave Liz a swift kiss on the lips.
“Thanks, I’ll be a couple of hours at the most.” He then opened the back door and kissed both Kara and Alessandro as Liz lowered herself into the driver’s seat.
Once he’d shut the back door Liz put the car into gear and sped off out of the car park.
Jerome took a moment to light a cigarette.
He’d only managed to smoke a handful today, but the stress of the lunch had gotten to him and he still had a long night ahead of him.
He blew out a steady stream of smoke and watched it disappear into the dusk.
It hadn’t been a bad Christmas day after all, he thought to himself.
Liz had been amiable around his family, though she’d hardly eaten any of the rich food they’d served.
She’d forked around her chicken with Marsala, scraping off the sauce, leaving most of it and eating only the green salad and a few bites of sauce-less chicken.
Jerome hadn’t wanted to draw attention to her, so he’d let it pass.
He just hoped it was because the food was too rich and not because she was back on the slimming tablets again.
By the time Jerome went back inside he’d noticed that Gia and James were missing from the table.
“Where did they go?” he asked Cosimo.
“Mama wanted to show James her plants,” he huffed.
“Well, I think they hit it off. He’s a great guy Cos. You must be relieved.” Jerome poured himself a glass of sparkling water wishing it was something stronger.
“Yeah he is and yes I am. I still can’t believe she agreed to it.”
“Does this mean we’ll be seeing more of him now?” coaxed Arsenio.
“Maybe,” grinned Cosimo. He glanced up to the bar and saw that James, with his mother had returned and were now talking to Dani.
He furrowed his brow. “You know Kara asked me if James was my best friend.” Cosimo shook his head.
“It made me realise that if I start socialising openly with James… well people will ask questions, judge.” Cosimo blew air up his face.
“How the hell do I explain to a five year old girl that he’s my partner? ”
“What did you say?” Jerome asked tentatively, a smile curled around his lips at the thought of his inquisitive daughter.
Cosimo leaned back in his chair and answered, “Well, I said yes he was. What else could I say?”
“So James is your BFF? That’s a new way of looking at it. Or maybe he’s Mama’s,” Arsenio chuckled looking over in the direction of the lemon tree, where his mother and James had now moved to.
“Shut up Seni,” said Cosimo and Jerome together.