Chapter 7
They decided to order a bottle of Brognoligo. Disa chose ’nduja arancini and burrata with honey and walnuts, and Jamie went for fritto misto, followed by tagliolini with asparagus and zucchine.
‘Excellent choices.’ Molly took down the order and headed to the kitchen.
‘What are you thinking?’ said Jamie when she’d disappeared inside.
‘Nothing in particular. Why?’
‘You kept looking at her.’
Disa shrugged. ‘She’s a pretty girl.’
Jamie raised an eyebrow. ‘Sure?’
God, he really didn’t miss a trick. But if he’d noticed, did that mean Molly had too? She’d tried so hard not to stare, but it had been almost impossible. And now she’d hesitated before answering, and he’d noticed that too.
Time for more fibbing.
‘She seemed familiar, and I think I know why. Before we booked this holiday, I was looking up articles about Venice online. I came across a blog written by an English girl who lived here, and I’m pretty sure it was her.’
Molly was returning, bringing them an ice bucket on a stand along with their bottle of Brognoligo.
‘Do you have a blog?’ Jamie asked her, as he signalled for her to go ahead and pour the wine she’d just expertly uncorked.
‘Yes, I do!’ She looked thrilled. ‘Do you read it?’
‘Not me.’ He indicated Disa, who was beginning to wish she’d come on her own. Forcing herself to sound normal, she said, ‘I kept thinking I knew you from somewhere, then realised it was from the photos on your blog.’
‘Wow, it happens every now and again.’ Molly nodded happily. ‘Although I don’t have thousands of followers. Have you ever messaged me? What’s your name?’
‘I didn’t send any messages,’ Disa said hastily. ‘I just used to read the posts.’
‘Ah, well, that’s fine too. I hope you enjoyed them. There you are.’ Molly finished filling their glasses. ‘Let me know if there’s anything else you need.’
When she’d left, Jamie tapped his glass against Disa’s. ‘Cheers. Here’s to young love. I wonder how Leon and Fen are getting on without us?’
Less than five seconds later, a notification flashed up on Disa’s phone, and she said, ‘I think we’re about to find out.’
The message from Fen said: Hope you’re feeling better. We’re having the best time – this place is stupendous! See you soon. The accompanying photograph was of Fen and Leon beaming into the camera with dozens of neat rows of vines stretching into the distance behind them.
Disa smiled; young love indeed. It might have been decades ago, but she still remembered how it felt, could imagine how her granddaughter was feeling right now.
Then again, Fen and Leon had only known each other for twenty-four hours. First impressions weren’t always the most accurate, and crushing disappointments could lie ahead. In her time, she’d had experience of that too.
She showed the photo to Jamie, then placed the phone face-down on the red tablecloth and said, ‘Tell me about Leon.’
‘Ah, the inquisition.’ He reached for his glass. ‘You mean apart from the gambling problem, the cocaine addiction and that time he served three years in prison for financial fraud?’
‘You haven’t heard about Fen yet. Sounds like they’re made for each other.’
Jamie laughed. ‘He’s one of the good guys.
What you see is what you get. He’s honest, loyal, terrific company and always up for an adventure.
When we were at uni, he won a pickled-onion-eating competition.
Six years ago, he gained his helicopter pilot’s licence.
One disappointment; he hates olives. I know, it’s ridiculous. ’
‘Fen can’t stand cucumber,’ said Disa. ‘And you can’t hide it in any meal; she can sniff it out at fifty paces. Says it tastes green.’
‘It’s nice seeing the two of you together. You get on so well.’
Disa felt her heart expand, as it always did when she thought about Fen. ‘I love her so much. She’s my only grandchild. We’ve always been close.’
‘That’s good.’
‘And now you’re making me do the terrible proud-grandma thing and show you my favourite photo.
’ Unable to resist the ever-present temptation, she found it on her phone.
‘This was one afternoon when I’d collected her from school.
It had been snowing all day and you’ve never seen a more hyped-up six-year-old.
We were heading home through Birdcage Walk in Clifton and Fen was twirling around, being a fairy, with snowflakes in her hair.
She said she loved me to the moon and back and that this was the best day of her whole life.
’ Disa’s eyes prickled with emotion at the joyful memory.
‘Which made it the best day of my whole life too. And that’s when I took this photo of the two of us. ’
‘I can see why it’s your favourite.’ Jamie studied their happy faces beneath the archway of metal framework and interwoven branches that made up Birdcage Walk, with snow blanketing the ancient, wonky gravestones of St Andrew’s church beyond the iron railings on either side of the long tunnel of trees. ‘It’s a keeper.’
‘OK, sorry, one more. Then I’ll stop, I promise.’
On the surface, it was just another snap of the two of them laughing together, this time taken on a spring day on the hotel terrace overlooking the Avon Gorge, with the suspension bridge behind them.
‘Been there, many times. When was this taken?’ He was being polite, but was evidently wondering what made this one so special.
‘Eleven years ago. Eighteen months after my husband died. We lost him in a skiing accident.’ Disa took a sip of wine.
‘A huge shock, obviously. I was devastated. So was Fen, of course. But I honestly don’t know how I’d have got through it without her.
The grief was awful, it was like being crushed under a lead blanket.
I couldn’t see it ever lifting, couldn’t imagine ever feeling normal again.
But Fen didn’t give up on me. When I couldn’t face leaving the house, she stayed in and kept me company.
She was so patient, like an angel. Somehow I got through the first year.
Then the next few months. A fortnight after that, I asked her what she’d like for her seventeenth birthday the following week.
And Fen said, would I agree to go out with her for the day? ’
She paused, shook her head. ‘I wanted to say no, but how could I? I had to agree. She planned everything herself and put together an itinerary: breakfast in a favourite café, then a trip to the zoo we used to take her to as a child, then swimming at the Lido, followed by dinner and drinks on the terrace right here.’ She tapped the photo on the screen.
‘She also gave me a letter she’d written, telling me Declan wouldn’t want me to waste the rest of my life being sad, that he’d want me to be happy again.
Honestly, that girl, she was only seventeen, but it was the most incredible letter.
Don’t worry, I won’t show you that too.’
She half smiled, lost in admiration. ‘I’d heard it all before from friends, obviously.
But this time it felt different. For once I believed it might actually be true.
It was like a light being switched on in my head.
More than a light,’ she amended. ‘A massive chandelier. So I ordered a bottle of Declan’s favourite champagne, and we sat there for the next hour reminiscing, telling each other funny stories about him, and it was unbelievably cathartic.
And when Fen took this photo of us, I knew I was on my way out of the darkness at last. I was feeling properly happy again, and there was no need to feel guilty about it.
I was sixty-two years old, still alive, and from then on I decided I was going to make the most of every day.
That was my big turning point.’ She raised her glass and broke into a proper smile.
‘All thanks to my gorgeous granddaughter.’
‘You’re lucky to have each other.’ Jamie shook out his napkin and moved his water glass as Molly returned with their first courses.
‘I almost didn’t want to interrupt, you were so deep in conversation.’ She placed the oil-drizzled burrata in front of Disa. ‘Buon appetito!’
Over lunch, they chatted about Jamie’s school days, and about Disa’s career as an estate agent, then moved on to comparing the various types of holidays they’d taken over the years.
At the end of the meal, Molly brought each of them a coffee and a digestivo and confided that she’d messaged a friend, who was wildly envious to hear she had Jamie Hamilton in her restaurant.
‘You’re lucky she’s in Norfolk, or she’d be turning up here with her furry handcuffs. ’
Clearly accustomed to such comments, he looked amused. ‘I’m sorry to miss her.’
‘I don’t suppose I could bother you for a photo?’
‘Of course, no problem.’
She produced her phone and passed it to Disa, who took a couple of snaps of the two of them together.
Then Jamie excused himself to visit the men’s room inside the restaurant, and Disa asked Molly for il conto, per favore.
She might not know much Italian, but it was always nice to use the smattering she possessed.
It was less than two minutes later, while she was waiting for Molly to collect the small pile of notes she’d left on the saucer, that Jamie reappeared and said sternly, ‘Disa! What d’you think you’re doing? Put that money away.’
Disa jumped and gasped, her heart leaping into her throat, because here was Molly, and she’d heard him say her name. Would it mean anything to her?
They were about to find out. Mentally bracing herself, she met the girl’s gaze and saw . . .
Nothing. No recognition whatsoever. Instead, she was wagging a reproving finger at Jamie. ‘Now, now, no fighting on the premises. We don’t allow arguments.’
Not so much as a flicker. Which was good news, for now at least.
‘I wouldn’t dream of arguing.’ Rolling up the notes, he pushed them into the corner of Disa’s still open handbag and showed Molly a credit card. ‘I invited myself along, so I’m paying. I insist.’
‘Thank you.’ Disa felt the tension leave her body; she gave in with good grace and turned to Molly. ‘I bet this place looks magical at night. I might have to come back one evening with my granddaughter.’
Holding out the machine so Jamie could use his card, Molly smiled at her. ‘I hope you will. It’d be lovely to see you again. And thanks so much for reading my blog – I’m glad you liked it.’
‘I did. And that dress you wore to the wedding yesterday was gorgeous,’ Disa said cheerfully. ‘It really suited you.’
To say something? Or not to say something?
Jamie didn’t want to pry, but on the other hand, he’d never been able to resist getting to the bottom of a mystery.
While Disa disappeared to the ladies’ room, he had a quick look at Molly’s website.
Then Disa returned and together they left the restaurant.
‘Did you not want her to know your name?’ He said it casually and observed her quick intake of breath. ‘Sorry, just curious. And you said you used to read her blog, but you must have checked it this morning to see what she wore to yesterday’s wedding.’
This time, Disa exhaled audibly. ‘I realised that as soon as I’d said it. I blame the wine.’ She gave him a wry look. ‘You don’t miss a trick, do you?’
‘Sorry,’ he repeated. ‘It’s just, once you’ve noticed one thing, you start paying more attention. But if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask any more questions. And that’s a promise.’
As they paused to allow a woman with a pushchair to pass them on the narrow footpath, Disa looked as if she was considering it. After a few seconds she said, ‘If I tell you, how do I know you’ll keep it to yourself?’
She was definitely tempted. Jamie said, ‘You’d have my word.’
She returned his gaze, hesitated some more, then shook her head. ‘No, I can’t do it. I mustn’t.’
Now it was even more of a mystery. ‘OK.’
‘It’s not that I don’t trust you. But it wouldn’t be fair to tell you before Fen, and she doesn’t know yet. She should be first.’
‘Right.’
‘But that’ll happen at some stage this week. I’m almost sure it will. And if all goes according to plan, you’ll hear about it then. How about that?’
‘It’s a deal.’ He nodded.
‘And in the meantime, I’d be grateful if you’d keep this to yourself. Don’t mention it to Leon. Or to Fen, obviously.’
‘Don’t worry. I won’t.’ To reassure her, Jamie added, ‘I’m very discreet.’
She looked relieved, then broke into a smile. ‘I guess you have to be, what with you getting as much attention from women as you do.’
‘Meaning?’
‘I googled you this morning. Quite a high turnover in the girlfriend department.’
‘Ouch.’
‘I suppose it goes with the territory when you’re sporty, good-looking and famous. Anyway, why wouldn’t you make the most of being in demand?’
‘I don’t always,’ he reminded her. ‘You rescued me this morning.’
‘Ah, but have you given her enough of a chance?’ Disa’s clear blue eyes glinted with mischief. ‘If you really get to know her, maybe she could turn out to be the love of your life.’
He grinned. ‘You never know.’ They’d been making their way back towards the Ponte dell’Accademia, but Disa had come to a halt. ‘Everything OK?’
‘Everything’s fine. Except I can’t stop thinking about a handbag I spotted in a shop yesterday.
I told myself I wasn’t going to buy it, but I don’t think myself is very happy with that decision.
In fact, she’s keen for me to change my mind, and I think she might be right.
You go ahead, get back to the ship. I’m going to find that shop and take another look. ’
‘How will you feel if the bag’s been sold?’
‘I’ll be devastated.’
‘In that case,’ Jamie told her, ‘if it’s still there, you’ll know you have to buy it.’
She smiled. ‘Of course. That’s the rule.’