Someone to Love (24 page)

Diego was sitting by my side clutching a bouquet of fragrant flowers. His eyes lingered on me. “Because you can't resist me…” he said, brushing my knee.

A shiver went rapidly down my spine.

After listening to my parody of Friday night dinners, Diego had insisted on joining me and being my knight. He sensed the feeling of discomfort and inadequacy that the thought of that stupid ritual caused me and wanted to share it with me, or maybe he just wanted to have fun.

A faint moan came from the back seat. Given how terribly late we were, we had no choice other than to take the puppy with us. If I had left her at home with Bubu, they would have destroyed the house. Yet the situation amused me and, more importantly, I had an excuse to leave early.

We called her Primrose, because she had been abandoned in front of the police station on a spring day.

“Anyway, you don't have the faintest idea of the trouble you're getting yourself into, and don't say I didn't warn you…”

“You know what?” announced Diego. “I think I can withstand a few hours of gratuitous violence. I've had a lot of experience and I think I've seen it all by now.” he concluded.

I changed gear and shrugged. “No you haven't, you don't know my family,” I insisted. “My mother will have fun making fun of me. And then I hope she likes you or she'll make fun of you as well.”

“Together we can survive this,” he said, and stared at me. “I have a pair of handcuffs with me in case of an emergency!” he exclaimed, jokingly.

I blushed instinctively.

“Five euros to know what's going on through your mind, kitten.” I shook my head decidedly. “No way!”

“Please, tell me,” he insisted, persuasively. I snorted. “The idea of the handcuffs isn't bad at all. I dreamed so often of using them…” I whispered, with my cheeks burning. He laughed, and his laugh was contagious. “I knew it. You're naughty, my girl! As always, you immediately think about sex,” he said.

“Stop it, we're almost there and it's not the right time to talk about these things.”

I had to appeal to all my self-control not to give in to his provocation.

“Why didn't you stay at home tonight?”

“All right, all right… But we'll continue this conversation later,” he said. “Are you going to pretend that there isn't anything between us for much longer?”

“Why, is there something between us?”

“Yes,” he replied, a bit confused. “There was a kiss wasn't there?”

I shrugged. “Diego, do we really have to talk about it now?”

“Better safe than sorry, right?” he sighed, frustrated. “That is a really good question but unfortunately for you, we've arrived,” I pointed out, parking the car. “Try to enjoy these last moments of pure normality. Are you nervous?” I asked, trying to look serious.

He turned towards me and looked at me, stunned. “Shit, Mia, and you call this home? You didn't tell me you were loaded.”

“Look, there's a fountain!” I said, teasing him. “I didn't think there was any need to.”

The lawn had recently been mown and one could smell the perfume of freshly cut grass in the air. Different coloured roses climbed along the portico, framing the majestic two storey villa, with its mansard roof. A large terrace surrounded one third of the house.. My parents lived on the first floor whilst the second was hardly ever used since Lucy and I had left home.

“Wow!” added Diego, once out of the car and scratching his head. “It's one of the most beautiful villas I've ever seen.”

I undid Primrose's harness, hooked the lead and closed the door with a bang.

“Come on, let's go!” I said, with a tense smile.

When we arrived at the stone steps leading to the entrance, Diego offered me his hand to help me up. I had no time to ring the door bell before it swung open. I expected to be greeted by Nancy, but instead I found my sister.

Her long shiny soft hair fell to her shoulders and two diamond earrings lit her face. “Hello, dear sister,” she greeted me, leaning forward. “You brought company, I see. I'll have to tell Nancy to add an extra place at the table,” she concluded, startled, indicating the man at my side.

“Diego, very pleased,” he said, anticipating me. “I've heard a lot about you,” he added.

Lucy raised her perfect eyebrows. “Diego, what a beautiful name. You're so tanned, have you been on holiday recently or is it from a beauty salon?” she chirped, inviting us to enter.

“Neither, I'm actually from Apulia… I moved here recently.”

Lucy gave a sharp yelp and jerked back. “And what's that dog doing here?” she asked in a small voice.

I had forgotten about Primrose, who had spread her paws and was urinating on the entrance hall carpet.

“No, naughty girl!” I scolded her, patting her leg. “Nancy, quick!” cried Lucy, in a high pitched voice.

“It's just a puppy. I couldn't leave her at home. I'll keep an eye on her, don't worry.” I re-assured her and gave her a cheeky grin. “Bad, Primrose! Naughty.” Diego looked at me with one eye and raised a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh.

“What happened?” asked Nancy anxiously, as soon as she reached us. “Hello, Mia,” she greeted me with a hug. “And who is this handsome young man?” she added.

“Thanks for the ‘young man'. It's a pleasure to meet you,” said Diego holding out his hand.

“Nancy, that hairy thing did a lake here on the carpet,” hissed Lucy, now in the grip of hysteria. “It makes me feel sick…” I looked at the stain widening. I was only sorry because Nancy would have to deal with it, but Lucy's look was something unforgettable.

“I'll take care of it, meanwhile you go in,” said the housekeeper, rolling up the carpet.

“Take a seat,” Lucy invited us.

In the living room, her husband Federico was chatting to my father in front of the fireplace, holding a glass of red wine between his fingers. My mother had hidden well, because I couldn't see her anywhere. Maybe she had the flu?

“Welcome!” cried a shrill voice from behind us.

I whirled round, along with Diego. But where the hell had she appeared from?

“Good heavens, mother! What manners!” I snapped.

“Good evening, ma'am,” said Diego. “These are for you,” he added, handing her the bouquet.

My mother spread her lips into a smile and put her nose between the petals. She might have fooled a careless eye, but I knew her well enough to know she was pretending to be surprised. “What perfume! Thank you, you really shouldn't have,” she said, inviting us to enter.

My father and Federico turned round. My father's face lit up. “Oh, honey!” he said, approaching and squeezing my hand with his strong grip. Then he turned to Diego and Primrose: “I didn't know you were bringing guests. ”

I flushed.

“Sorry, Dad, I couldn't leave her at the clinic and decided to bring Diego at the last moment,” I said naively. “I hope it's not a problem.”

My dad looked around and whispered in my ear. “I'll straighten it out with your mother. Please, this way,” leading us to the table.

I was relieved: although my father and I didn't have a strong bond, I knew I could count on him.

I tied the lead to the leg of the chair and sat down.

“So, you are a friend of Mia's?” my mother asked, taking a sip of water.

“Actually, your daughter and I are dating,” specified Diego, settling a napkin on his lap.

I choked on my water. What was he talking about?

Diego answered my confused look. “Sorry love, was it supposed to be a surprise?” He stroked my back.

“Yes. No. Yes.” I nodded to make the concept clear.

Everyone was looking at me with suspicion.

I wanted to shout:
No, I'm not pregnant!

“I knew it, I told you!” yelled my mother. “Stop it, it's not necessary,” assured my father.

“I should have imagined it! My daughter is young and she likes to change her suitors often. I can't blame her…” she said.

I fiddled with my fork, moving it a few centimetres. I had no reply to that gratuitous jab.

“Your daughter is an adult and has the right to make her own choices as she sees fit,” said Diego.

The air was becoming unbreathable.

My father tried to change the subject. “Diego, right?” he asked in a loud voice. “Are you from Turin?”

“No, until a few months ago I lived in Gallipoli with my family. They live in the countryside with my younger brother who gives them a hand with their farm. However, I used our second home by the sea in order to be closer to work.” he took a breath. “I'm not saying it just because I was born there, but it's a beautiful city.”

I was surprised by the ease with which he was playing his part. I was sure he was beginning to understand what trouble he had put himself in by accepting my invitation.

“Really?” exclaimed my father, euphoric. “When I was young I used to go there every summer, I often think of the sea and the evenings on the beach strumming a guitar,” he muttered, momentarily lost in memories.

Diego nodded. “I can imagine, but I'm happy here. I have a nice job and a beautiful woman that I hope will remain by my side for a long time.” he uttered those words with sincerity, squeezing my hand under the table.

My sister and my mother let out a little cry. I gave them an icy glare, with the hope that a sudden sore throat would block their every opportunity to speak. I counted to ten, expecting them to add something clever, but it didn't happen.

“Diego, you're so romantic tonight. You amaze me…” I murmured.

Federico, who until that moment had not yet opened his mouth, took charge of the conversation. “If I'm not being indiscreet, what do you do?” he asked, twirling a glass of wine between his fingers.

“I'm a cop and I collaborate with Mia's clinic. We met during a patrol,” he explained.

Federico cocked his head. “I dare say a fairy-tale meeting,” he joked, turning to all of us. For sure he thought of himself as a very amusing entertainer.

I gritted my teeth. I wanted to get into Lucy's head to understand what she found so interesting in this slimy man, then I remembered that he was rich…

“Our meeting has saved lives, and that's the important thing,” I sighed, wiping my mouth with the napkin. Nancy came back into the room with the rest of the meal and there was a short armistice.

“Of course, darling,” said my father. “I am proud of you and your work,” he concluded, lowering his gaze.

My father had actually uttered those words? He had never said that before, and I thought he considered me a complete failure. I was wrong. What he lacked was only the courage to admit it. Emotion threatened to overwhelm me. I wanted to get up and throw my arms around him to thank him, but my feet were glued to floor. He had finally managed to see me.

I felt sharp little teeth on the back of my foot. “Ouch!” I cried, lifting the tablecloth to see what was going on down there.

Primrose was excited and rolled on her back, with her paws grabbing my sandal as she tried to chew it. As I lowered my hand to remove her from my feet she ran to the opposite side of the table. Right under my mother's chair. On reflection, it was strange that she had been so quiet, that she hadn't made any noise. I realised she had been enjoying herself all this time by nibbling on the lead until it broke in two.

I smiled to myself.

“Oh my goodness!” cried my mother. “It's licking my leg,” she finished, with a tremor in her voice.

“Come on, Mum, don't panic, we have a policeman here poised to drive that huge monster away.” I joked. Primrose held onto my mother's shoe even more tenaciously and she screamed and leapt to her feet.

“Mia, don't just sit there, do something!” snapped Lucy, shocked and leaning forward in her chair.

Diego started to get to his feet and then sat down again.

“Primrose?” I called, raising the tablecloth again. “Let go of mother's shoe!” I said authoritatively. I knew they were empty words because puppies are disobedient by nature, Primrose was really headstrong and in any case she would have had absolutely no idea what I was asking of her.

“Please, let go…” whimpered my mother, running to the other room in the grip of hysteria.

“No stop there!” I cried in one breath.

For a split second Primrose stopped and gave me a look of defiance, while my mother kept hopping. I slapped myself. “Not you,” I said, exhausted, indicating Primrose. “You, Mum! You stand still or she'll think that chasing you is a game, and it will be worse,” I concluded, enunciating the words clearly.

“How would I know that you're speaking to me and not to the dog?” she snapped, hiding behind the couch.

“What a fun dinner, it's better than a movie,” said my father, sitting comfortably and emptying the meat platter.

“And we didn't even pay for a ticket,” added Diego with irony.

I threw myself on Primrose and grabbed her. She tried to wriggle, biting my hands.

Meanwhile, Nancy returned. “Can I help in any way?” she asked.

“Yes, get one of Dad's tennis balls. We'll use it to distract her.”

She left the room and returned shortly after with a ball. I let it bounce and Primrose, who I had put back on the floor, rushed after it in pursuit. “Can I go back to the table?” stammered my mother, re-emerging head first from behind the sofa.

It was really funny to see a woman so sure of herself, frightened by a tiny puppy. “Sure, Mum, she won't bother you for a few minutes,” I said seriously. “Just enough time for the sweet,” I finished, going back to sit next to Diego.

Moments later, Nancy made her entrance. “The cake is ready,” she said, calling for our attention.

“I like that little one,” exclaimed my father, pointing at the puppy and smiling.