22 #3
“She’s had plenty of opportunities Seni.” Jerome’s tone was cautionary and Arsenio knew he needed to tread carefully.
“Let’s give it to the end of the week. It’s just another few days and if all’s well we’ll stop Scott. At least you’ll know, for sure by then.” The line was quiet and Arsenio held his breath. He knew if he pushed him Jerome would stop Scott today.
“Fine. Until Friday,” Jerome replied sharply.
“Okay.” Again the line went quiet. “Look, Jerome, I know this is hard, really, I understand. But if Liz has broken it off, then it doesn’t really matter does it? No harm done. You’ll have peace of mind to… well to carry on, right?”
Jerome huffed on the other end of the line.
“Peace of mind? I’m snooping on my wife Seni, you think this gives me peace of mind?
I’m the arsehole husband keeping tabs on his wife, invading her privacy.
That makes me at worst a total psychotic control freak, at best, pathetic.
But hey, I’ll have peace of mind, right?
” he couldn’t have crammed more sarcasm in the last sentence if he tried.
“Jerome…”
“Save it, Seni. Until Friday and then it’s over.”
Seni looked at his phone as the line went dead. Fuck, Jerome was pissed.
DANI GRINNED ACROSS AT Gia as she elegantly bit into her ciabatta sandwich.
“How come I look a total mess, covered in dust? I bet my hair is covered in bits and dishevelled and you…” Dani shook head in disbelief. “Well, apart from a slight sprinkling of glitter, you look exactly the same.” Dani picked at some dried glue she’d spotted on her thumb.
“I’m sure I don’t, but it’s probably because you practically did all the work.
” Gia cocked her head to the side and grinned back at her.
“You’ve done a brilliant job Dani.” Gia looked around the restaurant.
It had taken them roughly five hours to finish and Gia was thankful that Dani had insisted she’d help.
Over the years Gia had accumulated a large selection of Christmas decorations and every year she’d either refreshed them by adding a few new ones or on some occasions, bought a complete new set.
This Christmas she just didn’t seem to have the drive she had had over the past years so she’d been quite happy to let Dani take over.
They’d pulled out all the decorations from the store room in the basement and then Dani decided which ones would work well together.
The result was a spectacular display of multi-coloured jewelled tones against the predominantly cream backdrop of the restaurant.
The lemon tree, in the centre of the restaurant, served as a rather modern slant on a Christmas tree, which was covered in small fairy lights, jewelled coloured baubles and crystals.
Kuch’s bar was also transformed with an array of various decorations hanging down amongst the suspended lighting, seemingly random, yet every one of them strategically placed continuing the harmonious tones of the tree.
Each table had a small arrangement of baubles in a wreath around a candle and the walls had similar large wreaths, which also had fair lights incorporated.
The overall effect was a magical array of luxurious vibrant colours coupled with monochrome lighting, a perfect combination of a modern edge with the warmth of tradition.
They’d sat down to eat some sandwiches Gia had put together while Dani boxed up the unwanted decorations and cleared them away.
“I forgot to hang the wreath on the door and we need to hook up the outside lights too.” Dani twisted to look towards the front entrance. It was already dark outside.
“Leave the lights. I’ll get Peter to sort them out in the morning. You must be exhausted.” Gia smiled fondly at Dani. She’d really enjoyed their afternoon together. “You’ve done more than enough.”
“That’s okay, Gia. I like doing it. I used to decorate the bar for the different events we did. I loved the process of creating a new look, Christmas, Valentines.”
“Well you certainly have the talent for it. I used to love it too, I just seem to be finding it harder now.” Gia shrugged a little. “And to be honest I can’t be climbing up ladders and jumping on and off the bar like I used to either,” she chuckled.
“When my parents were alive, Chloe and I used to be in charge of the Christmas decorations in the bed and breakfast we had. I loved this time of year.”
Gia furrowed her brow sensing sorrow in Dani’s tone.
“You don’t like this time of year now?”
Dani sighed deeply and wrinkled her nose.
“Not so much. It’s a time you spend with your family and with my parents gone and Chloe living away, Christmas has always been…
” Dani tried to find the right word as she stared blankly at her glass.
“Empty I suppose. It’s better that I’m with Chloe and Adam this year but…
” Dani stopped, finding it hard to express what she wanted to say.
“I think I understand. You’re alone. You felt alone even down in London, surrounded by people?”
Dani’s eyes darted up to look at Gia and nodded.
“I know what you mean. Since Alessandro died Christmas has been hard for me too. But I had the boys to focus on. Then, as they’ve grown and gone their separate ways… well it’s not the same. La Casa helps, it’s a good distraction.”
“And you have your grandchildren. Christmas is more for children,” added Dani.
“Yes, though I don’t spend as much time as I’d like with them.” Gia smiled tightly and Dani felt that Gia wanted to say more but stopped herself.
“I have my nieces and nephew here at least. That will be nice, seeing their faces on Christmas morning.”
Gia grinned and nodded. “It really is something seeing your children all excited, that’s the magical part.”
“Well, I think it’ll be a while before I have my own children,” Dani huffed. Gia reached over and patted her arm.
“You’ll have your own children, Daniella. Don’t you believe in… destino?”
“Destino?“ Dani looked puzzled.
Gia twisted her mouth searching for the word and circled her hand in the air listing the explanations. “Your future… er… things happening for a reason?”
“Oh, um destiny, fate, that kind of thing?”
“Yes, that’s it! Exactly. Leaving London and coming here, it’s all part of your destiny.”
Dani pursed her lips together. The unwelcome thought of her breaking her heel and finding Julie riding Jez came into her head in a rush. Was that fate? She shook her head sharply in an attempt to rid herself of that unpleasant memory and nodded.
“Maybe,” Dani sighed and sat back in her chair suddenly feeling weary.
Today had certainly kept her mind occupied.
She’s hardly thought about Jez today, until now.
This Christmas and New Year’s were going to be tough and she was glad she too had La Casa as a distraction.
Dani looked up at Gia who was regarding her intently.
“Destino eh? My new Italian word for today.”
Gia’s face broke into a smile, “Si, il tuo destino. Your destiny.”