Page 40 of A Scottish Teashop in Napoli

But then who could fail to be impressed by the architecture and splendour of the opera house, or be moved by the music? Perhaps the evening would mark a turning point for Dario. Maybe he wouldbe struck by a blinding epiphany and become an opera evangelist overnight.

After all the sadness and turmoil, it was time Elena and Dario had some respite from their grief.

And much, much further down the line, maybe, just maybe…

Friends could eventually become lovers, couldn’t they? Just look at Ross and Rachel, or when Harry met Sally. It took them a mere twelve years!

Was Lucy turning into her meddling mother; trying to fix things, believing she knew best, instead of letting people live their own lives?

She looked up at the diamond-filled sky, untied the balloon from the back of her chair, made a secret wish, and released it into the black night.

Chapter Ten

The day after her birthday, Elena felt deflated. She stood in reception, staring at the rows of brass plaques awarded to the factory every year since 1992.

Miglior Produttore di Mozzarella di Bufala

Best Producer of Buffalo Mozzarella

Mozzarella Moretti

Could their winning streak finally be coming to an end?

Only that morning Valentina had reported that Signor Romano of Trattoria Sorrento had cancelled his regular weekly order – another one to add to the growing list. If things carried on like this for much longer, jobs would have to be cut and eventually administrators called in.

Her mouth went dry, heart sinking at the prospect of finally having to admit the gravity of the situation to Alfonso at that afternoon’s meeting. Hadn’t he been through enough? But despite doing everything in her power to save the company, time was now running out.

‘Aha! There you are,’ said Lucy, bouncing through the door.‘Before I pick Stefano up from Holiday Club, there’s an idea I’d like to run past you…’

‘Not a good time!’ Elena snapped, her back to her.

Lucy stopped in her tracks, eyebrows raised.

‘Right. Erm… I’ll go then. But before I do, would you mind giving these leftover cakes to the staff? I know you said morale has been low since Giancarlo di—Anyway, I… I hope they enjoy them. See you later.’

‘Lucy, I am…’

Elena turned around to see Lucy bolting down the steps. ‘I am so sorry,’ she murmured, head in her hands.

It was late afternoon by the time Lucy and Stefano arrived home.

After making Stefano a snack and herself a cup of tea, Lucy fired up her laptop, ready to put the final touches to the following day’s lesson plan. But she was finding it hard to concentrate, her mind constantly drifting to Elena. She’d never seen her so tense and short tempered before.

‘Zia Lucy, Aunt Lucy,’ said Stefano lolloping into the kitchen and huffing out a breath.

Lucy closed her laptop. ‘You okay, Stefano?’

He sighed. ‘I wish the rain would stop.’

Lucy pondered for a moment. ‘I have an idea. How about we do some baking?’

The boy’s face split into a wide smile.

Lucy scratched her forehead. ‘Now, what shall we bake?’

‘I know!’ he cried, leaping up with excitement. ‘Hogwarts School!’

‘Hogwarts School?! I was thinking of something alittlesimpler. How about some scones?’