The Italian's Touch (Promotional Presents)

by Carol Marinelli

  ‘I don’t mind going along now and then,’ Fleur offered, and Mario nodded appreciatively.

  ‘Sounds good,’ Kathy agreed, as everyone started to put their hands up. ‘Perhaps you could do a talk at Ben’s school.’

  The rest of the patients were rather more straightforward, although waiting times in the department seemed, as always, to be the main bone of contention. The meeting carried on pretty much as it always did until they came to the last patient.

  ‘I would now like to discuss the treatment Mrs Vera Holroyd received in the department.’

  Fleur furrowed her brow and looked down at her list as Mario spoke. What did he want to discuss? As sad as it had been, it really had been fairly uneventful in terms of the department.

  ‘Danny, I believe you were upset that she waited so long without being given any pain control?’

  ‘Look…’ Danny shifted in his seat uncomfortably. ‘It was no one’s fault. It was exceptionally busy that morning and in hindsight she really didn’t wait that long.’

  ‘But it seemed a long while at the time?’ Mario was staring directly at Danny, and the piece of pizza that had been working its way towards Fleur’s mouth, stopped as she picked up on the sudden tension in the room.

  ‘Yes,’ Danny said, lowering his eyes and pretending to read his notes. ‘But, as I said, in reality it was only a matter of ten minutes or so.’

  ‘You were also, if I remember rightly, annoyed that we couldn’t get Mrs Holroyd moved up to a ward?’

  ‘Yes again,’ Danny said slowly, choosing his words carefully. ‘But it was the same old story—no beds.’

  ‘Which, as we all know, is very frustrating when you have a woman dying and no ward to send her to.’ His eyes never left Danny, who had assumed a relaxed pose now as he shrugged dismissively.

  ‘It happens here every day. It’s no big deal.’

  ‘On the contrary.’ Mario spoke sharply. ‘A woman was in pain and no doctor was available to attend to her, coupled with the fact she had to die down here in Accident and Emergency when she should have been in a comfortable bed.’

  ‘Look,’ Danny said heavily. ‘I know now there was nothing that could have been done differently. It’s just that…’ He looked down again, taking a couple of breaths before continuing, ‘My partner’s mother died last year from ovarian cancer. The plan had been for her to die at home surrounded by the people she loved, but it didn’t work out like that. Geoff panicked at the last minute and we ended up calling an ambulance, and she died soon after in Casualty, on a hard trolley and in pain. Mrs Holroyd was just a bit too close to home.’

  ‘She wasn’t in any pain when she died,’ Fleur said quickly. ‘I stayed with her and her daughter, and in the end Vera, I mean Mrs Holroyd, was made very comfortable.’

  ‘I know,’ Danny admitted. ‘It just upset me at the time. When Geoff’s mother died, we were in a different accident department on the other side of town, and there was nothing I could do to help. I felt so useless. I mean, what sort of a nurse am I if I can’t even help someone I’m close to? I still don’t think he’s really forgiven me.’

  Mario cleared his throat. ‘Perhaps in circumstances such as these we could consider opening up the overnight stay ward, even if it means having to use an agency nurse. I know it might put an extra strain on the budget but, hey, what’s new about that?’

  The floodgates opened then. It was as if Danny’s admission had paved the way for the rest of the staff to open up a bit. To admit that it wasn’t always easy. Wendy confessed she was having trouble with her marriage. She knew she was a good doctor and a great surgeon but right here, right now she could really use a bit of extra support. Luke even admitted that his middle son was suffering from depression and every overdose that came in hit him hard. The pizza had long since gone and they were munching their way through a packet of biscuits when Mario finally concluded the meeting.

  ‘Well, hopefully we’ve all learned a lot today, not just about the department but about each other. It goes without saying, of course, that what was said in here stays in here. Same time next week, guys.’

  Danny stood up, slightly pink at having revealed so much. ‘Hey, Mario,’ he called across the table. ‘Next time no anchovies, please.’

  ‘How did you do that?’ Fleur stood, open-mouthed, after they’d all gone.

  Mario stapled some papers together and stood up. ‘Amazing what a pizza will do, huh? I still can’t believe it myself.’

  ‘I know what you mean,’ Fleur agreed, her voice serious. ‘All of us going about our business, never opening up, and underneath there’s all that pain. Just look at Luke and Wendy…’

  Mario laughed as he stuffed the papers into his briefcase. ‘Not that,’ he said in a theatrical whisper. ‘I just never had the faintest idea Danny was gay!’ And ducking the playful thump Fleur threw at him, they made their way back into the department.

  Almost from that moment, the department seemed to lift. It seemed strange that something as simple as sharing a meal and a few private thoughts could have had such a dramatic effect, but suddenly there seemed to be more comradeship between the staff. You couldn’t shed the worries of the outside world when you pulled on your uniform, but having your colleagues looking out for you, knowing what buttons to avoid being pushed, made it easier all round.

  At any given time one of the staff that attended the weekly meetings was on duty so as far as possible the serious overdoses were discreetly given to Mario rather than Luke. When the going got tough with relatives Fleur, or whoever else was on, might step in a bit sooner to save Wendy the anguish. And as for Danny, realising that he’d lost his confidence a bit, realising he was questioning his vocation, made it a bit easier to drag him out of his office. They weren’t avoiding their own individual issues, as Fleur had when she’d first came back. Instead, they were simply sharing the load a bit more, making it easier to get through a shift on the front line.

  Mario had also managed to work his magic on the home front. Alex, it seemed, adored him as much as Fleur, if that was at all possible, and when he arrived at Alex’s tenpin-bowling party, carrying a terribly wrapped football, Alex was unable to contain his delight, jumping up and down as he introduced Mario to all his friends.

  Fleur was only marginally less contained when she saw him. ‘Thank goodness you’re here. I’ve never known such a rabble, and Kathy vanished twenty minutes ago on the premise of rustling up some coffee. How the hell am I supposed to get this lot bowling?’

  ‘Leave it to me,’ Mario said, rolling up his sleeves.

  ‘But you need to get bowling shoes. What size are you?’

  ‘I’ve got my own,’ he said, producing a pair out of a carrier bag. ‘What is wrong?’ he asked as Kathy, returning with two coffees, joined Fleur in hysterical laughter. ‘Why do you both laugh?’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Fleur gulped, trying to contain her giggles. ‘It’s just not many men I know carry their own…’ She doubled over as Kathy started to roar. ‘Their own bowling shoes!’

  ‘Well,’ he said haughtily, ‘we’ll see who’s laughing in half an hour!’ And, turning smartly on his red leather heel, he made his way over to the excited group, leaving Kathy and Fleur to giggle over their coffee as he marshalled the boys together and in no time had a semblance of a bowling match taking place.

  ‘You’ve got to hand it to him.’ Kathy grinned as they sat back. ‘He’s turned what could have been the afternoon from hell into a very pleasant chance for a gossip.’

  ‘Leave it, Kathy,’ Fleur warned lightly.

  Kathy stood up. ‘No chance. I’ll go and get some chocolate and then you, Ms Hadley, are going to give me the delicious low-down on that Romeo of yours.’

  It was a great party and the evening was even better. Kathy’s grey stilettos made their second trip out in a week, but this time teamed with a dark violet dress, which again Alex had never seen, though Fleur assured him she’d had it for ages! Another trip to the hairdresser’s did s
eem rather extravagant, though, and anyway by the time the tenpin party was over there wasn’t any time. Instead, Fleur made do with a long, hot bath and her faithful old heated rollers.

  Teetering along the street, holding a bottle in one hand and Alex in the other, Fleur felt almost dizzy with expectation, the thrill of seeing Mario undiminished, even though it was by now an extremely regular event.

  ‘This has been the best birthday, Mum.’

  Fleur squeezed his hand. ‘I’m glad, darling.’

  ‘Maybe you should have a party, too,’ Alex suggested hopefully. Fleur didn’t answer straight away. Her last couple of birthdays hadn’t been much fun, and she knew Alex felt it, too. Though she tried not to dwell, to wallow in her grief, her birthday was the one day she kept apart from the rest. It had been on her birthday that she and Rory had finally got engaged and put down the deposit on the house. Now it was the one day of the year that she kept just for Rory. Alex would make her a cup of tea and tunelessly sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and they might have a cake in the evening, but that was as far as it went, and that was how she liked it.

  ‘Not this year, darling. Let’s just keep my birthday between us Alex, OK?’

  ‘Oh.’

  Fleur stopped and turned. ‘What’s the matter?’ Alex had a guilty look on his face that Fleur knew only too well. It was normally reserved for times when he’d said he’d done his homework or reader and Fleur asked to see it.

  ‘I think I might have said something—to Mario, I mean. I was saying how your birthday was a couple of weeks after mine, how we normally didn’t do much…’

  ‘And what did Mario say?’ Fleur sighed.

  ‘Nothing really. Honest, Mum, he might not have even heard.’

  Fat chance, Fleur thought. Well she’d have to have a word with Mario before, knowing him, he went ahead and booked a deluxe suite at the Windsor!

  ‘Don’t worry about it, Alex. You didn’t do anything wrong.’

  ‘You’re not cross?’

  Fleur laughed ‘No, I’m not cross. Come on, we’d better get a move on, and these shoes are starting to hurt.’

  Fleur had been wondering how on earth Teresa was going to fit the contents of the vast family tree of the Ruffinis under one roof, but as they made their way through the room, being kissed on both cheeks by everyone Mario enthusiastically introduced them to, Fleur saw the French windows led into a huge white marquee that had been set up for the occasion. And what an occasion! It looked more like a wedding than an engagement party. Rows and rows of tables laden with flowers were arranged around a huge dance floor, the band was already playing and several couples were happily dancing as children played chase and hide and seek under the starched white tablecloths.

  ‘Fleur, so glad you could come.’ Teresa kissed her in the customary fashion. ‘I hope we’re not too terrifying.’

  ‘Not at all.’ Fleur smiled. ‘Everyone’s being really friendly. Alex has already abandoned me.’ She gestured to where Alex was playing happily with Ricky.

  ‘I’ve put him on the children’s table for dinner, I thought he might have more fun there.’ Teresa looked over at the children rushing past. ‘He’s having a great time, isn’t he?’

  Alex was enjoying himself, Fleur thought as Mario took her arm and led her to the dance floor. In fact, over the last few weeks, since Mario had come into their lives, Alex had come on in leaps and bounds. The bed-wetting was history, he was making friends and he was far less uptight. As she relaxed against Mario, letting him guide her to the romantic beat of the music, she was aware of a couple of curious stares in her direction, most noticeably from one elderly woman who was openly scrutinising Fleur. Fleur flashed a tentative smile but when the woman looked distastefully away, Fleur merely shrugged. No doubt she had put a couple of noses out of joint by being here tonight but, instead of being anxious about upsetting anyone, for once in her life she couldn’t have cared less. If anything, it gave her a frisson of delight. Let them look, let them be jealous, she thought. Mario’s here with me.

  ‘I hope you haven’t eaten today.’

  Fleur looked up. ‘Not a thing, if you discount the chocolate Kathy forced on me. I took your advice, though I must admit I’m starving.’

  ‘And you’re glad you came?’

  Nodding, she nestled back into his chest, swaying in time to the music and wishing the song would never end, but all too soon they were being guided to their tables, to be greeted with more kisses and ‘pleased to meet yous’.

  They started with melon and Parma ham and no sooner was that whisked away than a plate of whitebait was placed in front of her.

  Mario laughed as he saw her face. ‘It’s delicious.’

  ‘I’m sure it is, but you’d think they could have taken the heads off.’

  Mario grinned. ‘Try,’ he said simply, tucking in.

  Try she did, and Mario was right. They were delicious. The meal went on for ever, relaxed, unhurried, the endless courses broken up with dancing and socialising. A beautiful lasagne was next, packed with mozzarella cheese and prosciutto. Fleur tucked in unashamedly, even taking a second helping when the waiter passed by.

  ‘That was the most delectable lasagne I’ve ever tasted,’ she declared, putting down her knife and fork then dabbing her lips with her serviette. ‘I hope there’s a bit of break, though, before dessert. I’m full.’

  This caused a ripple of laughter from Mario. ‘We’ve got a long way to go before dessert. That was just the entrée.’

  Fleur looked up with something akin to faint horror as the waiter removed her plate, only to be followed by another young man bearing breast of chicken wrapped around an olive and sun-dried tomato stuffing. Artichoke hearts and new potatoes were happily piled onto her plate as she took a large sip of water.

  ‘I warned you,’ Mario said, topping up their wineglasses.

  ‘You sat there and let me have two servings of lasagne, you beast,’ she whispered. ‘You’re going to have to help me.’

  ‘No way,’ Mario said, attacking his chicken with his knife and fork. ‘I want to save a bit of room for the Italian sausages.’

  Luckily the Italian sausages didn’t come around till later—much later. In between times Fleur had forced down the most delicious tiramisu she had ever tasted, as well as a couple of sambucas, and had danced and danced till her feet were numb. Watching Mario dive on the sausages as if he hadn’t eaten for a week, Fleur settled for an extremely strong espresso.

  ‘There you are.’ Teresa came over holding two tired little boys with either hand. ‘Ricky and Alex are completely exhausted. Mind you, I’m not surprised. They’ve been dancing for the last two hours.’

  Fleur pulled Alex onto her knee. ‘You’ve had a great time, haven’t you? How about I find my bag and get you home?’

  ‘But Teresa said I could stay,’ Alex protested, wriggling down from Fleur’s knee and looking pleadingly up to Teresa.

  ‘I said that we’d ask your mum.’ She smiled over to Fleur. ‘I can put up a campbed in Ricky’s room. They’re the best of friends all of a sudden.’

  ‘But he stayed last week,’ Fleur pointed out. ‘I really don’t want to impose.’

  Teresa laughed easily. ‘It’s certainly not an imposition. Alex is a pleasure to have, compared with some of the monsters Ricky has befriended over the years. His manners are beautiful.’

  ‘Well, as long as Ricky comes to us next week.’

  To murmurs of ‘Cool’, the two boys scampered off with Teresa. Fleur turned to Mario. ‘I can’t believe I just did that. If you’d known the sleepless nights I had, worrying about the sleep-over last week, and now I’m agreeing to him staying here and he hasn’t even got a toothbrush and pyjamas.’

  Mario took her hands. ‘See, it was easy after all. You know Teresa’s great, you know he’s going to be well looked after and now you’ve got Ricky coming next week. It’s all good for Alex. Who knows? By next season you might even let him run out onto the footy field without that ridic
ulous contraption on his head.’

  She was too mellow from the sambuca to get riled, so Mario pushed further.

  ‘Maybe the following week Teresa might have Alex again. A little bird tells me you’ve got a birthday coming up.’

  She wasn’t that mellow! ‘Mario, please, don’t organise anything for my birthday. I honestly don’t like a fuss.’

  ‘Are you one of these women who never admit how old they are?’ he teased.

  Fleur let her fringe fall over her eyes. ‘Something like that,’ she muttered. It was better he thought that than know the truth and rush around trying to make things better. Some things just couldn’t be fixed.

  She was saved from further explanation as the band struck up a particularly romantic number and Mario practically dislocated her shoulder in his haste to get her onto the dance floor.

  ‘Have you any idea how gorgeous you look in that dress?’ His blue eyes were boring into her, glinting with passion and promise.

  The sambuca was really kicking in now. Pulling him closer, she swayed against him, a wave of lust making her suddenly unsteady. Moving her lips to his ear, her words came out in a husky whisper. ‘Have you any idea how much better I’d look with it off?’

  It was all the incentive he needed, and they left the dance floor as abruptly as they’d joined it. Of course, because they were rushing, the goodbyes took ages. It seemed everyone in the room wanted to kiss them both, and when they finally made it into the warm night air they were giggling as they walked.

  ‘They loved you,’ he enthused. ‘They all loved you.’

  ‘Except for that lady in the blue dress,’ Fleur pointed out. ‘The one with the tight perm.’

  ‘Ah, Zia Rafaella. Well, actually, she’s not a real aunt but that’s what we’ve always called her.’

  ‘So why was she giving me dirty looks?’

  ‘Well, you know I told you I’d have some dark-haired beauty to sit next to if you didn’t come…’

  Fleur looked up at him, her eyes wide. ‘I thought you were joking.’

  Mario laughed. ‘Not at all, except in this case it’s a bit more complicated.’ The smile suddenly disappeared from his face. ‘Fleur, there’s something I need to tell you. How about you show me the beach where you do so much of your thinking?’