Chapter 3
3
ROSE
Rose felt a palm tap her shoulder and jumped in surprise as she stirred from her nap, stiffening immediately as she tried to work out exactly where they were.
‘We’re here,’ Ben said helpfully as she looked around, blinking.
The sky was blue, so she knew it was still daytime, but the motorway and deluge of fast cars were all gone.
Instead, the Citroen was parked in front of a gorgeous golden-stone villa with a pretty matching veranda bursting with multiple clay pots of pink and white flowers that spilled down their sides.
‘Where’s here?’ Rose croaked, clearing sleep from her throat as the oval wooden front door of the house suddenly flew open and a woman with a bright pink silk scarf wound around her hair and an enormous pair of Jackie Onassis-style sunglasses came bursting outside, beaming.
It took Rose a moment to recognise Marco’s Aunt Aurora from Ben’s photo.
She was probably somewhere in her late sixties.
Despite that, her curvy frame was encased in another extravagant, multicoloured dress, with pink and blue sequins sewn across the collar, cuffs and hem.
The style was eccentric and very avant-garde.
Rose took a moment to absorb the overall effect – lamenting the sorry state of her trousers again – as Ben hopped from the car and met Aurora at the bottom of the veranda’s steps.
Then he picked her up and twirled her around, his face a picture of pure pleasure.
Rose sat back and watched.
She was suspicious of anyone who wore their heart on their sleeve so obviously as Ben.
He seemed determined to flirt with everyone – from Mandy to the woman in passport control to the man who’d led them to the hire car.
Even Coco wasn’t immune.
But those bright smiles and easy conversation surely hid something – like vanity, a lack of self-esteem or a fear of commitment.
She guessed it would only be a matter of time before his shiny surface began to dull, and she’d get to see below the surface where the real Ben lurked.
That’s what her rules were designed to expose.
Over time they left no stone unturned, no chance for people to commit to a relationship they – or their children – would ultimately regret.
She opened the door and carefully prised Coco’s carrier from the back seat, checking on the dog who was still fast asleep.
‘ Bello !’ Aurora trilled as Ben finally stopped spinning and put her down.
‘It’s so good to see you in the flesh.
It’s been too long.’ Her accent was all Italian, but she spoke in perfect English – probably for Rose’s benefit.
‘It’s only been two months,’ Ben laughed, blossoming with pleasure.
‘I saw you coming an hour ago in my crystal ball, so I made sure I was packed and ready to leave.’ The woman quickly skirted the car and swept Rose into a hug without introducing herself.
Rose found her nose pressed into the woman’s dress and smelled cherries and incense.
She tried to pull away, feeling awkward.
She wasn’t used to such open affection.
‘And you must be the friend of our Marco’s sposa !
’ Aurora bellowed as she finally released her.
‘She means his wife,’ Ben translated as he wandered around the car.
‘I know it should be fiancée, but in four days…’
‘You speak Italian?’ Rose ignored his assumption that she wouldn’t be able to persuade Luna to postpone the wedding.
‘Isabella taught me that too.’
‘Ben is a man of many talents,’ Aurora said affectionately.
‘Although his manners could do with some work.’ She pouted as she widened her eyes at Rose, clearly indicating she expected to be formally introduced.
Ben flushed. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
‘Rose Loveheart, please say ciao to Marco’s Aunt A.
’
‘Hello,’ Rose said stiffly.
‘It’s Aurora Gallo,’ the older woman expanded, offering Rose her hand, which she took.
Then the older woman turned it over and began to study Rose’s palm muttering as she nodded.
‘I’m sure Ben’s told you I’m a clairvoyant.
I’m also Elena’s older sister.
That’s Marco’s mamma, you’ll see the resemblance when you meet.
’
‘Ben mentioned that,’ Rose told her.
The older woman narrowed her brown eyes as she looked up from Rose’s palm.
‘You have an interesting future,’ she murmured.
‘And the power to smash a vulnerable heart,’ she declared as she let go of Rose’s hand and winked at Ben.
‘I would never…’ Rose began.
She’d seen far too much of that in her life.
‘My tarot cards predicted we might have two romances instead of one this summer – and now I see why. You have a clear palm,’ she told Rose.
‘A solid line indicating one marriage. When I read your cards, I’ll tell you if it’ll be happy.
’
Rose winced and Ben shook his head.
‘I think you’ll find Rose is trying to take the number of romances from two to zero.
’ He picked up Coco’s carrier and walked towards the villa leaving the verbal landmine he’d just thrown to explode.
‘Is she?’ Aurora asked, sounding more delighted than concerned.
‘The cards didn’t mention it, so perhaps she’ll change her mind…
’
Rose didn’t bother to argue.
She wasn’t going to get into a squabble with Marco’s relatives about the speed of the nuptials.
Hopefully, this whole thing could be handled quickly once she met with Luna and they’d had a chance to talk alone.
Then they’d be making their way back to England.
‘Is it okay if we put the dog in your garden before we go? She’s been stuck in this thing for hours and I’ve an inkling she’d like to stretch her legs,’ Ben said.
Coco let out a delighted yip and Rose saw the carrier bounce as the dog scrambled to the front flap, trying to get out.
She couldn’t help being both impressed that the man had thought about Luna’s pet’s needs — and guilty because it should have been her.
‘Of course! How thoughtless of me.’ Aurora threw up her arms flapping her triangular billowy sleeves which glittered like gold in the sunlight.
‘You should all come in – have a glass of wine and freshen up. I’m packed, but I might throw in another couple of outfits.
I heard from my sister that the restaurant has a new chef and I do love making Aldo jealous.
’ She waggled her eyebrows as she overtook them and skipped up the stairs to the veranda, while Ben waited for Rose.
‘Aldo?’ Rose asked.
‘I’ll let Aurora explain.
’ He shook his head.
‘She has an interesting take on romance and she’s always trying to fix people up,’ he confided as they walked side by side.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing what you make of each other.
Perhaps she might even teach the Love Doctor a thing or two…
’
Rose doubted anyone could teach her about love.
She’d been through heartbreak, marriage and multiple divorces, and that was just as a spectator to her parents’ relationships.
Still, she wasn’t going to explain that to Ben.
The villa was gorgeous inside with high ceilings and large windows which had all been shuttered because it was the afternoon – although the grey marble floors still shone under the lights Aurora suddenly clicked on.
The whole place felt gorgeously cool compared to the dry heat in the driveway, and Rose took a moment to enjoy it as she looked around.
Aurora pointed to the garden, and Ben nodded and took Coco out of the carrier and disappeared.
‘Please can I use your bathroom?’ Rose asked as her attention caught on the stain on her trousers and she winced.
‘I had an accident on the plane.’ She flushed as she realised what she’d implied.
‘Not that kind of accident, someone spilled coffee on me.’ She pointed to the brown blob.
‘And my suitcases have gone missing, so I can’t change into fresh clothes.
I thought I might try to clean this off.
’
‘ Sì , of course!’ Aurora declared.
‘But un momento , I’ve plenty of clothes and –’ she studied Rose, ‘– you’re not quite the same size, but I’m sure it’ll work.
I’ll get you something of mine to borrow.
’
‘Oh I couldn’t,’ Rose said forcefully.
The clairvoyant’s clothes were extravagant, and she didn’t do colour or glitter.
Ever.
‘I insist!’ Aurora said, leaving Rose in the hallway as she disappeared up a swirling marble staircase at a jog.
Rose heard her chattering to someone a few moments later, but when Aurora appeared again carrying a number of colourful dresses under one arm, she was alone.
‘Is everything okay?’ Rose asked as Aurora handed her some dresses, keeping a few extra colourful ones for herself.
‘You should change,’ the older woman said.
‘There’s a bathroom over there.
’ She pointed to the back of the hallway and then went to get a large suitcase from where it had been left underneath the stairwell.
She opened it and shoved the new clothes inside.
‘Did I just hear voices?’ Rose asked as she balanced the outfits on one arm and heard the dull ring of her mobile which was still in her handbag.
She recognised the ringtone as ‘Heartbreaker’ by Pat Benatar – which meant her father was calling.
Rose ignored the call – she didn’t have time to speak to him now.
Had no idea what to say to him or her mother.
The two envelopes were still in her handbag waiting for a response, and she had no idea what to do.
‘Don’t worry about the voices.
That was me talking to Aldo.
I’m sure he’ll chat with you when we’re in the car,’ Aurora said as she wheeled her black suitcase towards the front door.
‘In the Citroen?’ Rose echoed.
She hadn’t been expecting more company in the small car.
Ben hadn’t mentioned any other passengers, and she wasn’t even sure how they were going to fit Aurora’s suitcase inside, let alone another man.
‘Go and change.’ Aurora wafted a hand towards the bathroom.
‘I’m sure we all want to set off soon.
We’ve got an engagement party to attend!
’ She grinned.
Rose nodded and looked through the dresses, choosing the one with the least glitter on it before hanging the others over the wooden banister at the bottom of the stairs.
Then she headed in the direction Aurora had pointed.
She didn’t want to change, but she didn’t want to remain in the soiled suit either.
She prided herself on her neat appearance and didn’t want to turn up at the Marino home in dirty clothes.
Perhaps if she washed the trousers and laid them out in the Citroen for the rest of the journey, they’d be dry by the time they arrived?
Feeling better now that she had a plan, she went to the bathroom.
Rose emerged ten minutes later carrying her damp trousers and wearing a pink dress with a flowing skirt and billowing sleeves that covered half of her hands.
The top of the dress slid down her shoulder and she pulled it up feeling self-conscious.
The outfit was a tiny bit too big, too long and way too extravagant, but at least it was clean and she wouldn’t be wearing it for long.
Her luggage was bound to turn up soon.
She paced the hallway, searching for Ben and Aurora.
She could see Ben was still in the garden, and he was throwing a ball to the demon, who was clearly besotted with him.
Bemused, Rose watched them play for a moment, a little hurt by the way the shih tzu was behaving.
For some reason, animals didn’t warm to her, no matter how hard she tried with them, and she had no idea why.
She was rigid with her rules and pets liked boundaries.
Why were people like Ben adored by everyone without even trying, was it just his pretty looks?
She didn’t know him well enough to judge but couldn’t help finding it irritating.
Aurora began to chatter to somebody again, and Rose spun around searching for her.
She spotted an open doorway on the other side of the stairs leading into a dim room.
She silently made her way towards it and peered through.
Aurora was sitting in the half-darkness at a round table covered in a blue lacy tablecloth.
In the centre of the table was a huge, shiny crystal ball.
‘You wish to see my office?’ Aurora exclaimed when she spotted Rose.
‘Oh!’ she gasped as her eyes lit.
‘ Bellissima ! My dress suits you. I knew it would. You can keep it; I predict there will be plenty of opportunities for you to wear it in Bellemilia. Keep the others too, and I have more you might have need of.’ Rose didn’t comment and Aurora turned back to stare in the glass ball.
‘Come, come.’ She waved when Rose didn’t move.
‘Okay.’ Rose took another step into the room, trying to ignore the full skirt as it swished around her ankles.
‘This is not what I expected,’ she confessed.
‘Then again I’ve never visited a clairvoyant before.
’
Aurora nodded. ‘You expected red tablecloths, flickering candles and ghosts shrieking boo ?’ She chuckled, signalling at Rose to take the seat on the other side of the table.
It was dim in the room, but her eyes gradually adjusted so she could see past the shadows to the furniture.
‘Yep,’ she admitted.
‘I think I expected to see ghouls too.’ She giggled for the first time in what felt like days – but it sounded odd.
Then she pulled out the chair Aurora had indicated and sat.
‘Is there a secret compartment or a passage in here. I’m sure I just heard you talking to someone.
Was it Aldo?’ She looked under the table but found nothing but wooden legs.
‘ Sì .’ The older woman nodded.
‘It is Aldo.’
‘Where is he?’ Rose asked, twisting around to check the room thoroughly.
‘You won’t be able to see him, cara .
He’s a spirit.’ Aurora quirked an eyebrow when Rose widened her eyes.
She should have expected that, the older woman had talked about ghosts, but it was still a shock.
‘You don’t believe in them?
’ Aurora asked.
‘I only believe in what I can see – I’m sorry.
’ Rose put her hands flat on the table as an urge to fiddle with them overtook her, suddenly aware Aurora’s gaze had grown more intense and she was trying to read her.
Isn’t that how clairvoyants knew so much about their clients?
It was similar in her job, analysing people – although she never had to resort to making things up.
Psychology was a science – a series of rights and wrongs, black vs white.
There was no room for fantasy or wistful imaginings.
‘Ah. Yet you believe in love?’ the older woman asked, gifting her with a smile that wasn’t malicious.
Instead, it was filled with understanding, and it was clear she wasn’t trying to catch Rose out.
Rose frowned. ‘That’s different,’ she said.
Although she had no idea how to explain why it was.
‘Because you believe. I know trust is an issue for you,’ Aurora said, nodding at the globe.
‘That’s not true.’ Rose’s stomach bunched and she worked hard not to appear affected by the clairvoyant’s observation.
She trusted people – she couldn’t think of any examples right now, aside from Luna.
But she did.
Aurora nodded as if she knew exactly what Rose was thinking.
‘Perhaps you’ll believe in a little more after this trip.
Don’t you British often say that there are more things to heaven and birth…
’ she added mysteriously.
‘I think you mean there are more things in heaven and earth,’ Rose corrected.
‘Exactly.’ Aurora smiled before leaning forward and staring into the shiny glass ball.
‘I see great things for you…’
‘A tall, dark and handsome stranger?’ Rose quipped, aiming to lighten the mood, as her mind flashed up an image of Ben with his sharp jawline, haunting eyes and kissable mouth…
She cleared her throat.
‘ Sì .’ Aurora’s eyes widened.
‘Perhaps you have a little of the gift too?’
‘I’m sorry, I don’t think…
’ Rose wafted a palm at herself.
‘I know, but you will,’ Aurora said with a grin, then she cocked her head as if listening to something.
‘Aldo says we should leave soon or we’re going to get caught up in something on the roads.
’ She stood suddenly and Rose got up too, watching as Aurora turned towards the wall on her left and tugged out a hidden drawer.
She grabbed a large canvas bag, a pack of what looked like tarot cards and a pair of reading glasses before popping them all inside the bag.
Then she gathered up the crystal ball and placed it inside too, topping it all off with a bottle of water and a red lipstick.
‘Come on, cara ,’ she said briskly.
‘Let’s go and find Ben.
Your future awaits.’
Rose followed shaking her head.
Her future involved persuading Luna to postpone her marriage to Marco, then getting them both back to England before her friend could change her mind.
Then her life would return to normal.
There were no tall dark or handsome anythings in her future, she was sure of that.