One Summer in Italy

by Sue Moorcroft

  ‘She must be. But she said she’d never had a thing to do with him until you’d left. Not since …’

  ‘Since he got her pregnant with me?’ she said numbly.

  ‘I guess.’ Kris had a lot of American friends at the international school and was always saying ‘I guess’ or ‘I figure’. ‘Dad said it was bloody funny how easily she’d been able to find him as soon as the shit hit the fan. And Mum said—’ Kris cleared his throat, ‘—Mum said, “Look, it’s simple. When I went to Bettsbrough on that hen weekend everyone was teasing him because his dad had a garage and if anyone tried to take a shortcut across the forecourt his dad used to shoot out and shout at them to get off, that their surname was Gunn and everyone called his dad Bullet.” She just had to look up Gunn, garage and Bettsbrough on the internet then she could click their contact button and say she was an old friend trying to get in touch with him. Your real dad, I mean. Turns out he even works at the garage.’

  Amy pulled in a long shuddering breath. Her biological father’s surname was Gunn. Suddenly he didn’t seem so shadowy. ‘So what’s his first name?’

  ‘I didn’t get it, if they said.’ Kris sounded sympathetic.

  ‘So my dad’s name is Something Gunn and he lives in a place called Bettsbrough.’ Tears began to splash down hotly onto her bare arm. ‘Mum knew all this and didn’t tell me?’ Fresh anger began to tighten her skin. ‘And this man’s been to see Mum and Dad and nobody told me that either?’ Her voice began to shake so hard she could scarcely get out the words. ‘And he knows about me and hasn’t been in touch?’

  Kris’s voice had gone all tight and small too. ‘I guess.’

  ‘So where were you and Louis while this man came to our house?’ Now Amy couldn’t bring herself to call him ‘my real dad’.

  ‘Don’t know. We could have already been in bed or it could have been when we were both out. After—’ he made a gulping noise ‘—after you’d gone, me and Louis went to an adventure park thing in the forest with Sean and Eddie and their parents for three days. They, like, asked us all of a sudden and I thought it was Mum and Dad wanting to get us out of the way for a bit. Louis kept asking me whether I thought they were going to split up while we were away. He kept crying. Maybe it was then.’

  Crying all the harder at the thought of Louis crying, Amy tried to think what to do. Rage washed through and through her at the thought that people kept knowing things about her life all the fucking time and not fucking telling her. Amy rarely said the F-word, even in her head. But some fucking people! She even thought again about going home to Neufahrn solely to rage into their house and scream in her mum’s face that she had to just stop hiding things. That she had to tell Amy everything there was to know about Amy’s life.

  Then she thought of Louis and Kris and how shitty another huge row would be for them, and that they were having a rough ride anyway because of Amy and her inconvenient parentage. She wouldn’t willingly put them through more crap. ‘Right,’ she choked. ‘This man knows I exist, he’s been to see Mum and Dad and then just dropped out of sight, has he? Decided he doesn’t want to know me? Right? Well, what about if I want to know him? Let’s see how he likes that.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ whispered Kris apprehensively.

  ‘I’m going to go and find him.’ Amy reassured Kris that he’d done the right thing in telling her and ended the call. She wiped her cheeks on the backs of her hands, sniffing hard. There weren’t many people traversing the hill now but a kindly, plump, middle-aged woman stopped to ask Amy if she was OK, while the woman’s husband looked on.

  Amy managed a tremulous smile. ‘Just homesick. I was talking to my family.’

  ‘Aw, bless. Here, lovie, have a few tissues.’

  Thanking her, Amy wiped her face and blew her nose then assured the couple that she was OK now and when they’d started back on their journey up the hill she called up the web on her phone.

  It wasn’t hard to follow the route her mother had already taken, though at first she misspelled the place name and Google told her it was Showing results for Bettsbrough to set her right. It sounded vaguely familiar but there were so many places with ‘brough’ or ‘borough’ that they all sounded alike to a girl who’d lived in Bavarian Germany for half her life. She typed into the search engine ‘bettsbrough’ ‘gun’ and ‘garage’ and … abracadabra! There was the link to the Gunn’s Motors website. Still sniffing angrily she bookmarked it and then put monteliberta to bettsbrough in the search engine and went to a travel site that worked out the whole trip for her.

  She had her debit card in her bag and with a succession of angry little stabs at her phone screen booked her entire passage from here to the UK, stalling only when she didn’t have her passport number so couldn’t complete check-in. Tucking phone and card away she stormed up the hill to her room to grab her passport and finish the process.

  She remembered saying to Sofia ‘I’ve lost the old me.’ Maybe when she found her real dad she’d get some inkling of who the new her was. For a start, she was someone who was going to confront the man who wasn’t even brave enough to get in contact with her once he knew he was her dad. What a cowardly tosser.

  Chapter Twenty

  When Sofia began her shift on Thursday at 7 a.m. the first guest she had to deal with was Levi. Aurora wasn’t around, as she’d begun to leave Sofia alone on the front desk during quiet periods.

  ‘Bike’s all packed. I’m ready to check out,’ he said, waving his key card. He waited in silence while Sofia printed his check-out sheet, forearms resting on the marble next to his red motor cycle helmet.

  Glancing through the printout before passing it to him she summarised the contents. ‘You prepaid your room and there are no extras.’

  ‘Agreed.’ He gave her his key card in exchange, warm from his hand, and his eyes locked with hers. ‘I hope things go well for you.’

  ‘And for you.’ Sofia’s thoughts flew back to the way he’d held her last night as he’d kissed her. Having already said goodbye like that, this clinical exchange felt incongruous.

  He sighed and straightened up. Sofia could hear from the solid thunks as he shifted his feet that he was wearing his biking boots. ‘Will you say goodbye to Amy for me? I saw her yesterday evening but she was in a rush. It was all a bit … awkward and unsatisfactory.’

  ‘I’ll tell her when I see her.’ And as there was nobody else in reception so early in the morning she added, ‘Try not to worry about her. I’ll let you know she’s OK for as long as we’re together.’ She felt tender inside, as if his pain and perplexity were contagious.

  ‘Thank you.’ He hesitated, nearly spoke, didn’t, then turned and strode across the marble floor and out of the doors, his jacket over one shoulder.

  Sofia stared after him until she heard his bike roar to life, the engine drop to a gentle grumble and then roar again before it diminished down the hill. She imagined him slowing through town then picking up speed as he headed for the autostrade that would take him on today’s leg of his journey.

  She turned back to the computer and worked steadily through the morning, switching on a smile whenever one was needed. She checked out other guests and printed the sheets ready for when those checking in began to arrive. Eleven o’clock came and went and she glanced through the doors to the sunlight of Il Giardino several times, hoping to catch sight of Amy as she knew she was on early shift today. She took phone calls, gave out maps and information and soothed guests who were ruffled by inefficient towel changing or breakfast ending before they’d heaved themselves out of bed.

  It was nearly three and the end of the shift when Aurora arrived to replace her. ‘My mother would like to see you in her office, please.’

  Sofia looked up, startled. ‘Now?’ The summons, unfortunately familiar, usually signalled her getting sacked. Benedetta hadn’t seen her kissing Levi in the dark of the gardens last night … had she? The woman must have night-vision goggles if so. Well, what the hell. If she had, she had. Sofi
a could always put in motion her plans to leave, though it would be complicated by not having talked to Amy yet and Levi’s room not being available for her to retreat to while Amy worked her one-week notice. Maybe Chiara would give her a bed. It probably wouldn’t please Mia if she threw herself on the charity of her uncle.

  ‘Yes, please.’ Aurora turned to greet an approaching guest.

  Sofia was left to make her way to Benedetta’s office and tap on the partly opened door. Benedetta beckoned her in with rapid, agitated movements. ‘Where’s Amy? Do you know where she’s gone?’

  Coming to an abrupt halt, Sofia gazed at her in astonishment. ‘Gone?’

  Benedetta jumped up and began to pace. ‘She didn’t arrive for work at eleven so I sent Noemi down to knock. When she received no answer she tried the door and it was unlocked. All Amy’s things have gone and the room key was on the bed.’

  Benedetta’s office seemed to shift around Sofia in a slow swoop, making her grope behind herself for a chair to fall into.

  ‘You don’t know?’ Benedetta demanded.

  ‘No.’ Sofia’s voice sounded distant. ‘I saw her yesterday evening. She didn’t seem particularly happy but she didn’t say why.’ She wanted to ply Benedetta with questions about what time Amy left, and how, but Benedetta was very obviously in the dark. Where the hell had Amy gone? What was she running away from this time? Guilt stole over her. Why hadn’t she tried to detain Amy yesterday evening and make greater efforts to see why she was being so distant? Because she was too absorbed in her own worries, she answered herself. She’d thought about Amy only as a consideration, an influence on what she, Sofia, did next.

  She moistened her lips. ‘I take it you’ve tried to ring her?’

  ‘She’s not answering.’

  Panic painted a broad stripe of sweat down Sofia’s back. Amy was still reeling from the shock of what had happened to make her flee her home. True, she’d got herself to Montelibertà and Casa Felice but Sofia knew that wolves like Davide were drawn to her, scenting a lamb that had strayed from the flock.

  She realised that Benedetta was putting a cup of coffee before her on the desk and encouraging her to drink. Automatically, Sofia did so. ‘Have you asked Matteo and Noemi whether they know anything? She made friends with their group. Maybe she met someone there that she’s gone off with?’ But she knew she was grasping at straws.

  Benedetta paced a couple of steps to and fro once more, if not wringing her hands then clasping them so tightly that the knuckles gleamed. ‘Noemi is on duty in Il Giardino and Davide has talked to her already. She says Amy left them after eleven last night. Matteo is on his rest day so I’ll phone him now.’ She suited her action to her words but, although Matteo answered straightaway, he had no light to shed on Amy’s whereabouts.

  Benedetta took another turn about the room. ‘I don’t like such a young girl vanishing from my hotel.’ She spoiled this laudable comment by adding, ‘If anything’s happened to her and the word gets out, it could be very bad for Casa Felice.’

  Disregarding Benedetta’s not exactly unselfish slant, Sofia wiped her sweating palms on her skirt. ‘I’ll get my phone and try her myself. She might pick up for me when she wouldn’t for you.’ She jumped up and hurried off to grab her bag from the back office. Her first call went to voicemail and she left a message. ‘Amy, are you OK? Everyone’s wondering where you are. Ring me back!’ The second and third attempts went straight to voicemail too. By then, she was back in Benedetta’s office where Benedetta was still doing her pacing thing again.

  ‘Why doesn’t she answer?’ Benedetta snapped. ‘You’re her friend.’

  Just in case Amy was refusing to answer on purpose, Sofia began to text, thumbs flying across her screen at the adrenalin crashing around her body. She decided that a white lie was called for in the current situation.

  Sofia: Amy, if you get this text ring me. Benedetta is talking about contacting your parents to say you’ve disappeared and asking if they want to involve the police.

  Thirty seconds later, Amy rang. Sofia fumbled to answer. Before she could speak Amy said, ‘Tell her not to be so stupid. She’s got no right to call my parents. She’s just being a horrible stressy witch as usual.’

  Sofia pressed the phone to her ear, hoping Benedetta couldn’t overhear sufficiently well to translate Amy’s English. She decided not to waste time with explaining that the mention of her parents had only been a ruse. ‘Are you OK? Benedetta called me in to say you’d taken off and I’ve been frantic ever since.’

  ‘Have you?’ Amy’s voice sounded suddenly small and unsure.

  Sofia let some of her exasperation filter into her voice. ‘Why wouldn’t I be frantic at you leaving without a word? Especially as I’ve spent most of the past couple of days trying to pin you down to a conversation about us moving on together.’ She disregarded the frostily raised eyebrows with which Benedetta greeted this news.

  ‘Did you? I thought—’ Amy’s voice was smaller than ever. She paused and in the hush Sofia caught the unmistakeable sound of a public announcement system.

  Her heart bounced off the pit of her stomach. ‘Where are you?’

  A hesitation, then Amy answered. ‘Roma-Ciampino airport.’

  ‘Holy shit. Where the hell are you off to?’

  Another pause. Then Amy spoke with more determination. ‘OK, I’ll tell you but I don’t want you to tell anyone else.’

  ‘Benedetta’s extremely concerned too. I’m in her office,’ Sofia said, to make it plain that Amy might be overheard.

  Immediately, the younger girl became flustered. ‘Just tell her sorry, that I got some news and I’m on my way to …’ She paused, obviously trying to come up with something. ‘On my way to see some of my family.’

  ‘Hang on.’ Sofia passed the message on to Benedetta, who muttered about a ‘silly English girl’ and told Sofia in Italian to pass on to Amy in English that she’d forfeit wages in lieu of notice. Sofia stopped and glared. ‘I’m sure you don’t mean that. You’re going to pay her for the hours she’s worked. Aren’t you? Because she’s a seasonal worker, so you can’t demand notice.’

  Benedetta’s face darkened but she reluctantly conceded, flapping her hands at Sofia. ‘I’ve wasted too much time on that girl. She should be back with her family. She’s too young.’ Evidently her concern was over now she knew Amy hadn’t been coerced or abducted from Casa Felice.

  Sofia was glad to leave the office, getting Amy to hang on while she hurried through the hotel, across the terrace and into the staff garden. Dropping down onto the bench she and Amy had shared so often, she panted, ‘What’s going on?’

  A long sigh came down the phone line. ‘I’m sorry I went without telling you. I thought … Well, I thought you were going on to a seaside hotel on your own, so you didn’t want to be bothered with me any more.’

  ‘What?’ Sofia was dumbfounded. ‘I was trying to discuss us going on together on Monday evening, but we were interrupted by you getting a call from your little brother. I’ve been trying to get to talk to you about it ever since.’

  ‘Oh. You didn’t say anything about me – just you leaving.’ Amy sounded more sheepish than ever. ‘I’ve been feeling really shit.’

  ‘Amy! We’d already agreed—! Look, let’s not worry about that now. Tell me why you’re at the airport.’

  Another public address announcement came down the line making Sofia grip the phone impatiently. Amy spoke again, sounding doubtful. ‘I think they might have just called my flight. Hang on.’ Sofia sat through shuffling and scratching. Then Amy came back on the line. ‘No, that was Heathrow not Stansted. I’ve moved seats now so I can see the screen.’

  ‘So you’re going to the UK?’ Sofia took a deep breath to prevent herself adding ‘Why would you do that?’ and tried to sound relaxed. ‘What time’s your flight?’

  ‘Seventeen thirty-five. I’ve been through security.’

  Amy really was on her way. Sofia mentally apologised for doubting her tr
avel capabilities. ‘So what’s taking you to the UK? Are you going to your grandparents?’

  ‘No!’ Amy sounded hurt and angry. ‘I’m going to England to find my real dad and tell him what a shit he is.’

  For a couple of seconds Sofia was too shocked to speak. Then, ‘I didn’t think you knew who—’

  ‘My brother Kris rang and told me he’d heard Mum and Dad – Stephen-Dad, I mean – having a row. That man, my real dad, has been to our house in Munich.’ And the whole story of how Freya had got in touch with Levi came tumbling out, caked with outrage and hurt, the same story Sofia had already heard from Levi’s perspective. ‘So I did the same as Mum and found this garage on the internet and I’m going to go find him and tell him he might be too cowardly to face me but I’m not too cowardly to face him. He hasn’t made any attempt to get in touch with me. I can’t get over the fact that Mum knew who he was, Dad knew who he was, he’d been to our house, and nobody told me!’ Amy was sobbing now. ‘I honestly don’t know who I can trust any more. Everybody just lies!’

  Sofia listened with rising alarm, thinking frantically. Despite her promise to Levi, should she tell Amy now that she actually knew her read dad pretty well? It might prevent the news being such a massive shock than if she turned up at Gunn’s Motors and heard it there. But once Amy knew that Sofia had been perpetuating the deceit … Sofia had a strong feeling that Amy would instantly cut ties between them. All the younger girl’s hot-headed behaviour to date pointed to that result.

  Levi’s secret had never seemed both harder to keep and more impossible to reveal.

  She cast around for a way to talk Amy out of her precipitate exit. ‘The thing to remember is that nobody’s actually done what they’ve done to hurt you. Maybe they’ve been a bit ill-advised but—’

  Amy indicated her contempt for that viewpoint by snapping uncharacte‌ristically, ‘Oh, balls!’ Then, ‘I think I just heard my flight being called. Bye, Sofia. I’m going to have to turn my phone off now.’