‘Never…’ she vowed, ‘never…never…’
Renzo moved over to unite himself with her, knowing that he’d become complete as never before, revelling in that knowledge. He belonged in her bed and her heart, where he would always be welcome.
As he watched her face, soft and tender on the pillow, gazing up at him with trust and love, he understood at last that a new life had begun for him. Now he could claim her with assurance, relying on a love that had already been tested in the fire.
They had first found each other when the future seemed a blank wall. Now it had opened up to bright vistas, gleaming with happiness too long deferred. Further off lay uncertainty, and perhaps beyond that there might be more sadness. But they would be together, and while that was true nothing could ever make them despair.
While they loved, their son slept peacefully in the cot beside them.
They were awoken in the early hours by a knocking on the door and Teresa’s voice calling them.
‘The hospital called,’ she said. ‘They think Bruno is dying.’
‘Sweet heavens, no!’ Renzo exclaimed.
Mandy was already up, dressing Danny, then hurrying down the stairs to where the car was waiting.
On the journey Renzo grasped her hand and sat with his head bent. She knew what he was praying. ‘A little longer-just a little longer-’
The nurse was waiting for them, holding open the door.
‘He’s still alive, but only just.’
Bruno lay on the bed, his eyes closed, his breathing faint. Renzo leaned down and kissed his cheek.
‘I’m here, Nonno,’ he said, seating himself beside the bed while Mandy sat beside him, with Danny in her arms.
‘What do you mean by giving everyone a scare?’ Renzo asked in a rallying tone. ‘It’s nonsense to say that you’re dying. You’re going to get better, and then we’ll have a wonderful time, all of us. We’re all here to see you.’
There was an almost pleading note in his voice and Mandy’s heart broke for him. This moment meant so much and he’d missed the chance by a fraction.
‘Nonno, please open your eyes,’ Renzo begged.
There was no change in his breathing and Bruno’s eyes didn’t open.
‘Nonno,
For a moment they thought that nothing would happen, but then, very slowly, the old man’s eyes opened and he managed to turn his head very slightly towards Renzo.
But Danny must still be beyond his sight, Mandy thought, suddenly knowing what she must do. She stood up, holding Danny up high in her arms so that the man on the bed could see him. Renzo understood at once and rose from his chair, moving back to let her get closer, and standing just behind her so that Bruno could see them together.
‘You were right, Nonno,’ Renzo said. ‘It’s going to be just as you hoped. Do you understand?’
‘Yes.’ Bruno’s voice was almost inaudible, but he was smiling. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered. ‘Now I…can go.’
Then he closed his eyes.
Mandy moved away to let them be together. Renzo kissed his grandfather once more, but it was all over and Bruno didn’t move again.
Renzo sat on the bed for a long time, his head bent.
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘WHY now?’ Renzo asked desperately.
They were at home. He’d told the sad news of Bruno’s death to the household, then retreated to be alone with Mandy.
‘He’d lived this long,’ Renzo mourned. ‘Why did he have to die when the future was looking so happy?’
‘I think that may have been why,’ Mandy said with a sigh. ‘He was worried about you. Then he found that you had something to look forward to. That gave him peace, and he didn’t have to worry any more.’
Renzo sighed. ‘I know you’re right. He as good as told me that when you were out of the room. I just wish we could have gone back and told him that our marriage was settled.’
‘So do I, but we didn’t really need to.’
‘Let’s make it soon,’ he said suddenly. ‘We’ve been engaged for two years, and that’s more than enough.’
‘Engaged for two years,’ she said, smiling.
‘We’ve belonged to each other since those first two nights. Haven’t we?’
‘Yes, we have,’ she said, reaching for him.
Sue, coming into the room five minutes later, backed hurriedly out without being seen.
She was staying for the wedding, helping the bridal preparations and taking care of Danny while Mandy put in some work for Ferrini. Her new employer had shown a large-minded willingness to take a back seat, and Mandy rewarded him by discovering a new line of enquiry that sent his spirits soaring.
To help her research, Renzo had provided her with a desk in his office, complete with high-powered computer and top-speed broadband. This led to Danny’s first visit to the office, where he was welcomed by Lucia and her assistant.
Mandy relinquished him to their care with an easy mind, and Danny had no objection to being treated as a celebrity.
‘What are they doing now?’ Renzo murmured.
‘Lucia is explaining about the Internet,’ Mandy replied. ‘It’s all new to him. I hadn’t got around to that yet.’
‘But he’s only fifteen months old. At that age all I cared about was eating.’
‘They didn’t have the Internet in those days. It’s a new dawn, Renzo, but don’t worry. Danny will explain it to you.’
He grinned. ‘Kind of him.’
‘Lucia,’ Mandy said suddenly, ‘don’t let him climb on the desk.’
But Danny had wriggled out of Lucia’s arms and mounted the desk with a little crow of triumph, flailing his arms madly at the machines. Lucia reached for him but she was too late by a split second. The next moment there was a noise that shook the building as the state-of-the-art computer crashed to the floor.
For a moment everyone froze, picturing the mayhem that must have occurred within the shell. Then Danny let out a wail and tried to struggle free of Lucia’s protective arms. Mandy hastened towards him, but Renzo forestalled her.
‘Give him to me,’ he said, lifting Danny clear. ‘He’s just alarmed by the noise. He’ll be all right when he’s away from it.’
He walked out into the courtyard and settled on a bench in the sun. Mandy, following quickly, heard him talking earnestly in Italian.
‘It’s nothing to fear-I’m holding you.’
‘He’s nervous of loud noises,’ Mandy told him. ‘Ever since a boiler exploded in our building.’
‘I don’t care for explosions myself,’ Renzo observed. To Danny he said, ‘But noise is just noise. It can’t hurt you. Here-’
He offered his hand and Danny grasped it. His eyes were fixed on his father’s face and he was growing calmer.
‘You see?’ Renzo said. ‘We just hold on to each other.’
‘
Danny grunted.
Mandy backed away, knowing that she wasn’t needed here. Returning to the office, she found Lucia frantic.
‘It was a new machine,’ she wailed. ‘It’s smashed inside. Is he very angry?’
‘He’s not angry at all,’ Mandy said.
