Page 124 of A Scottish Teashop in Napoli

Applying a dash of red lippy and an extra squirt of Gucci Guilty, she peered at her reflection. She looked different. Despite very little sleep and just having cried a river of tears, her eyes were sparkling, her skin translucent, glowing. There was no denying that something more than flirtation was brewing. Did he feel it too?

She drew a wobbly breath and headed back to the box.

As she entered, Dario rose to his feet and pulled out her chair.

Her face flushed again. She wasn’t used to such chivalry.

The lights dimmed and the curtain was raised.

The music swung back and forth, like a pendulum, carrying Lucy along with it; one minute joyous, melancholy the next.

A giant tear rolled down her face as Mimi and Rodolfo snatched their final precious moments together.

Dario’s hand nudged towards hers. Their fingers entwined.

She didn’t want the music to stop or for him to ever let go of her hand.

Ear-splitting applause cracked the air and flowers cascaded onto the stage as the performers took their final curtain call.

‘Bravo!’ whooped Lucy, snatching her hand away from Dario’s and jumping up from her seat. ‘Bravo!’

The orchestra disbanded and the house lights glared, forcing her back to planet Earth with a bump.

‘Hungry?’

She turned around to find Dario leaning against the open doorway in the half-light.

She paused for a moment, desire flowing through her.

She swallowed hard and smiled. ‘I’m starving actually.’

‘Allora,I know a good pizzeria near here. It is basic, but they make some of the best pizza in Napoli.’

‘Perfect,’ said Lucy.

Dario bowed his head. ‘After you,signorina.’

As they emerged into the square, Lucy cursed herself for having allowed Elena to coax her into wearing four-inch heels – again. Hard as she tried, she couldn’t endure another minute of this torture.

‘Un momento,per favore,’ she said, stopping by the fountain and removing the offending shoes.

Dangling her throbbing feet in the cool water, she began to shiver.

Dario placed his jacket across her shoulders and sat down beside her. They both looked up at the dazzling night sky in silence. The space between them was electric – until her growling stomach shattered the moment.

‘Dario!’ cried Lucy with mock disgust.

Dario’s mouth fell open. ‘Me? Is you.’

‘How dare you!’ she said, playfully spraying him with water, then running as fast as her tight dress and bare feet would allow.

He caught up with her in a flash, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her up high in the air.

As she came back down to land, she turned towards him. Their eyes met, he drew her close, gently tipping her chin, just as her stomach growled again – louder this time.

Dario tried but failed to remain in the moment.

‘Mamma mia!’ He held out his hand, eyes dancing with amusement. ‘Andiamo.’