‘Isabella, this is my friend Walker,’ Rosie said, ‘and this is the Malone family.’
Aha, Walker. Etienne’s friend. Well, they say like attracts like, and they were both equally gorgeous. Isabella lifted a hand in hello but was conscious of the grave expressions on their faces.
‘There was a house fire at the Malones’ last night,’ said Walker in a soft Scottish accent. ‘Luckily, we got everyone out, including the dog.’ He threw an encouraging smile at the youngest child. ‘But Millie’s bedroom was badly damaged, being directly next to the kitchen where the fire started.’ He nodded towards the older girl, who still hung her head.
‘Oh, my goodness, how awful,’ Isabella said, wondering immediately how Rosie thought she could help.
‘They’re staying with friends for the moment, until the house is made safe and the insurers have visited,’ Walker continued. ‘But I’m trying to make sure they have everything they need for the immediate time ahead. We don’t know how long it will be before they can move back in.’ Isabella nodded respectfully, wondering if the fire service usually went this far above and beyond.
‘And Millie is finding year eleven tough already with GCSEs next year,’ the mum said, wringing her hands together and throwing an anguished look at her older daughter. ‘That’s stressful enough for her, without the house burning down on top.’ Rosie passed her a tissue as fresh tears threatened to fall.
‘All of Millie’s revision books were in her bedroom. All her work from the last few years. She has nothing to revise from.’
‘Walker has already contacted the school and they are pulling together spares for all the textbooks,’ Rosie said with a sweet smile towards him, ‘and we’re trying to add to it from the bookshop– for free of course,’ she said, patting Mrs Malone’s arm, who immediately needed another tissue.
‘Thank you so much. I can’t afford to replace everything, I’m in debt up to my eyeballs as it is. Pay day loans aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. All my own fault.’ She shook herself. ‘Anyway, it’s Millie’s language we’re most worried about,’ Mrs Malone snuffled. ‘She wants to study languages at college and then hopefully university, but her teachers have already said she needs to put in the effort to get a good grade. . .’
‘So, we wondered whether you might know of any good foreign language podcasts or YouTube channels?’ Rosie raised her eyebrows so high that they peeked over the top of her glasses. Mrs Malone wrung her tissue as Millie continued to stare at her feet. Isabella wondered if the girl might still be in shock.
‘What language are you doing?’ Isabella asked Millie quietly. When she didn’t immediately answer, her mum put a soft hand on her shoulder.
‘Italian,’ Mrs Malone answered for her daughter.
‘That’s why we thought of you. . .’ Rosie chipped in.
Isabella cocked her head, considering.
‘Posso aiutare,’ she said then, directly to Millie.
Nobody else spoke, not knowing what she’d said.
‘Millie,posso aiutare,’ she repeated.I can help.
Inch by inch, Millie lifted her head. Her face was white as paper, her eyes as wide as pools. She’d had a real scare, that was for sure. She bit her lower lip as she stared back at Isabella.
‘I need to pass,’ she said.
‘I can help,’ Isabella clarified. ‘We don’t need a tape, it’s better to practise in person. I’m Italian. You’re keen. You’ll be fluent before you know it.’
‘We just thought you could recommend an audio,’ the mum stammered, but Millie was looking at Isabella hopefully and Isabella flapped her hands to dismiss the suggestion.
What with the imminent restaurant opening she already had her work cut out for her, but she couldn’t just stand by if she could help. She thought for a moment.
‘Do you do art at school as well?’ she asked abruptly.
Millie looked blind-sided by the change of direction, but nodded.
‘Great, then you’re good with a paintbrush?’
Millie nodded again, unsure as to where this was going.
‘How about an hour after school, every day, you help me with the painting at the restaurant and we’ll practise Italian? Deal?’
Millie glanced at her mum, who widened her eyes and gave a quick single nod of her head.
‘That would be great,’ she said, adding a shy, ‘Grazie.’
Isabella smiled. ‘Prego. You’re going to be best in your class.’
