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‘I was just calling to check on you and Biscotti.’

‘She’s much better!’

‘Fantastico!’ My shoulders instantly loosened.

‘It’s such a relief. The vet said she should be fine now. She just needs to rest. Will you be coming for dinner this week?’

‘Ah, I do not think that I can, I am sorry, Mamma. I have a new group of guests. Next week will be easier though because they will organise their own activities.’

‘Oh, right. Okay.’

My chest tightened. I could tell that she was lonely. My mother was English and although she had moved here many years ago to be with my father I knew she still felt isolated.

With my sister away studying in Rome, my brother living in London and me busy working at the hotel, she missed us. Even though I did not live far from her, because of the long hours at the hotel, it was difficult for me to see her and my father was rarely home. He was always off doing his own thing.

‘Are you sure you will be okay? I can speak to my boss and see if…’

‘No, no. I’m fine. Don’t worry. I just miss you, that’s all.’

‘I know, Mamma. I miss you too. Have you thought any more about going to London, to see your family?’

‘I can’t…’ Her voice trailed off. ‘I need to be here for your father. He needs me.’

‘He can take care of himself.’ I ground my jaw.

‘He’ll… It’s better if I stay here.’

I hated that she felt she could not go away. All because of what happened the last time she did. I hated him for doing that to her. But I did not want to get into that again with her now. It would only upset her.

‘I promise to visit on Sunday. And maybe next week we can go to the beach together.’

‘I’d love that!’ Her voice instantly brightened.

‘And I will bring a surprise for you.’

‘I can’t wait!’

‘I must get back to work now. Give Biscotti a kiss from me.Ti voglio bene, Mamma. Ciao.’

‘I love you too, son. Have a good day.’

After I hung up, sadness washed over me.

My mother was a broken woman, all because of my father. She would be better off without him.

If she had left him years ago, she would have had the chance to start a new life.

I knew this for sure because I had experienced the same betrayal and hurt.

It took a long time to get my life back on track, but now I was doing well. As long as I continued to stay focused, soon I would have the opportunity to follow my dream again, like I had tried to do years ago before my plans were derailed.

I wished that Mamma would realise soon that it was not too late to change her fortunes. But because my father controlled the finances, she was worried that shewould not be able to survive without him.

That was why I had set up a secret bank account and every month I had put every cent that I could into it, so that when she did finally decide to leave my father, Mamma would have money for a fresh start.

If I kept working hard at the hotel, in just a few months, there would be enough for her to move back to England and pay for at least three months’ rent.

This was important to me because if I got the opportunity to work in the US, I would not feel comfortable leaving Mamma in Italy with my father. But if she moved to England she would have her family, friends and my brother nearby which would put my mind at ease.