Chapter 19 Rafaella #2
In the months after he’d left, she’d pined, waiting for a letter or at least some passing comment from Romola that he had asked after her.
Nothing had come except careless mentions of his many conquests in the capital, and she’d finally forced herself to face facts.
Cosimo might never be hers, but the way he’d made her feel …
she could find that with someone else, surely, just as he had?
For five months now, she had been chasing that thrill with her boyfriend, with scant success.
Only on a handful of occasions had Fon made her catch her breath, and that was usually accidental rather than by design.
She knew the scarcity of Cosimo’s presence brought novelty, excitement and glamour that Fon couldn’t possibly compete with; but why, with Fon, did it always feel like she was kissing a friend, whereas with Cosimo it had felt like kissing the stars? What was she doing wrong?
Romola flexed her foot, and Rafaella admired her painted toenails. ‘You know, it’s so weird being here when you and Gina are working all the time.’
‘Yeah … sorry,’ she shrugged. ‘No more school holidays now. Summer is just hotter for us, not different.’
Romola looked immediately embarrassed that her seasons were marked by different locations: Cortina in the winter, Tuscany at Easter … For Rafaella, the port was her only landscape, and living and working here all year round were her only options.
‘Not that that’s your fault,’ Rafaella said quickly. ‘It’s how it is.’
‘I just wish it wasn’t,’ Romola sighed.
‘Me too. But it just means we have to make the most of the days we do get together.’
‘I agree. Like on Sundays.’
Rafaella looked over at her, hearing a pointedness to the words and seeing in her friend’s bright eyes that she had a plan. Romola never didn’t have a plan.
She gave a mischievous grin that was just like her brother’s. ‘What are you doing this afternoon?’ she asked, straightening in her chair.
Rafaella smiled back, a bubble of excitement in her stomach. Whatever this was leading to, she knew she would do it. ‘… Nothing special.’
‘Because Cosi and Fede want to go down to El Ciolo.’
El Ciolo was a small swimming cove, far south on the road to Santa María di Leuca. The cliffs were precipitous and especially high there, but the water was beautiful.
‘That’s a fair way.’ Rafaella pushed her feet against the wall and tipped onto the back legs of the chair, trying to push down her excitement at the prospect of a day out with the Franchettis. With Cosimo. ‘How are they getting there?’
‘Fede’s going to take his new car with the food and towels. You and Gina could go with him, or ride on the scooters with me and Cosi. Whichever you prefer.’
‘Gina knows about this?’
‘She’s outside with the others, waiting for us.’
Rafaella almost fell off the chair. ‘What? … You mean while we’ve been talking in here all this time …?’
Romola jumped up, looking delighted with her well-executed surprise. ‘I had to see for myself that things were really all right between us. They understood. But we should really get going now.’
‘But wait – I can’t just … go! What do I need?’ Rafaella asked, following her into the room and turning on the spot in a panic. Cosimo was outside?
‘A bikini.’
‘That’s it?’
Romola shrugged. ‘That’s it.’
‘Mamma, we’re going to El Ciolo,’ Rafaella said, putting her head into the kitchen a few minutes later. Her mother was making ravioli, rolling a bowl along on its rim to score the divisions.
‘Be back by seven!’ she said in her best warning voice. ‘I need you to help me with Silvana’s veil.’
‘Si, Mamma,’ Rafaella nodded, even though she was terrible at embroidery.
They walked outside to find Cosimo and Gina sitting on the two Lambrettas and chatting with Fede, who was leaning against a brand-new bright yellow cinquecento.
The tiny cars were the latest sensation, found everywhere in Rome, but not yet down here.
In fact, this was the first one Rafaella had seen in real life.
‘Nice car, Fede,’ she smiled.
‘Thanks!’ he said, patting the roof affectionately.
‘Bikes aren’t good enough for him,’ Romola teased.
‘That’s not true! It’s just, I need to study in the bigger libraries sometimes, and it’s too far by bike,’ he protested.
Rafaella watched him. Was that true? Or did he have other reasons for wanting to be able to travel far and wide?
‘So – everything all right?’ Cosimo asked, looking at his sister anxiously.
‘Si!’ Romola said, wrapping an arm around Rafaella’s shoulder in proof and squeezing her gleefully.
Cosimo and Gina visibly relaxed. The cold war had ended.
‘How are we doing this, then?’ Cosimo asked. ‘Fede’s saying he has to stop on the way to collect something.’
Or see someone? They would be passing Marina Serra to get to El Ciolo, and Rafaella couldn’t forget what she’d seen there.
‘… So one of you can ride with me and the other with Romy.’
Rafaella felt herself stall. She should definitely go with Romola …
‘I’ll go with Romy,’ Gina shrugged. ‘Seeing as I’m already sitting on her bike.’
‘Great, so then you’re with me.’ Cosimo gave Rafaella the most platonic smile she’d ever seen.
‘… OK,’ she said, going over to him and positioning herself on the scooter side-on.
‘Actually, you’d be safer sitting astride,’ he said, half turning his head towards her. ‘It’s ten kilometres and it’ll be better balanced for me on a fast road …’
‘Oh … sure,’ she said, changing position and swinging her leg across so that her body was behind his. She sat as far back on the seat as she could.
Fede climbed into the little car and patted his door excitedly. ‘See you down there, then?’
‘See you down there!’ Romola said, switching on her ignition and looking over at Rafaella and Cosimo. She paused. ‘I know it’s a disgusting prospect, but you will have to actually touch my brother if you don’t want to die!’
‘Well, obviously,’ Rafaella muttered, inching forward. ‘I was just being … considerate … It’s hot out here.’
‘Certainly is,’ Gina quipped, watching them intently.
‘Race you, Cosi!’ Romola cried, pulling away in a flurry of revs, making Gina squeal and punch one arm in the air.
‘No, Ro!’ Cosimo called after her. ‘I’m not …!’ He half turned back to Rafaella with a sigh. ‘I’m not racing her.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
He nodded. ‘We’ll just take our time and get there safely. Enjoy the views.’
‘Sounds great. Will your thumb be OK?’ She looked at the bulky dressing on it.
‘Oh, that. Ignore it. Looks worse than it is. I’ve only kept it on to appease Mamma. It’s actually fine. I’ll take it off when we get there.’
‘OK.’ Beneath her hands, she could feel the vibration of his voice through his chest. She could detect the thud of his heartbeat against his ribs. She could feel every muscle in his back as he moved, kicking off the stand.
Cosimo cleared his throat. ‘Hold me tighter,’ he said, pulling on her arms. ‘Just to be safe.’
She shuffled in closer to his body, feeling her legs flank his, her body fully pressed against his back now.
Was it her imagination or had his pulse quickened?
He revved the engine once, twice, and as he pulled away, she rested her cheek against his shoulder.
Just to be safe.