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Leaning down, she kissed her father’s leathery cheek. ‘I love you, Dad. I’m here for you. Sleep now.’
A laboured sigh escaped him and his eyes shut.
As she went downstairs and entered the kitchen, she activated her phone and saw twenty-six missed calls from Cesare. Before she could replay any of them, Nathan appeared with a cup of tea.
‘Is everything all right?’
She nodded. ‘Dad’s sleeping.’
‘I meant with you and your husband.’
Surprised, she looked up and caught Nathan’s uncomfortable look. ‘I know we weren’t here for you when you were young. I guess that’s why you didn’t invite any of us to your wedding...’
‘I didn’t think any of you would come.’
He nodded. ‘For what it’s worth, I’ve missed you. I think Cameron and Matthew have too.’ He looked away, shamefaced. ‘Growing up, it was just easier to take Dad’s lead, you know? It’s no excuse, I know, but...heck, Ava, I’m sorry.’
Setting her cup down, she placed her hand over his. ‘It’s okay, Nathan.’ At his sceptical look, she pressed on. ‘It really is. I’ve made my peace with the past, and with Dad. At some point in the future, I’ll try and reconnect with Cameron and Matthew too. I’d like Annabelle to meet her grandfather and uncles eventually.’
Nathan nodded, rose and touched her shoulder on his way out. ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ he said gruffly. ‘Goodnight.’
With tears clogging her throat, Ava abandoned her tea and went upstairs. After undressing, she slipped into her childhood bed. She felt comfort at being surrounded by the things she’d grown up with. Acting on a faint memory, she pulled open her bedside drawer. There it was, an old picture of her mother she’d kept even though her father had got rid of every last trace of her after her death.
Caroline Hunter had the same red hair as Ava and, despite her frail appearance, there was strength in her eyes that resonated within Ava.
She hadn’t been able to beat cancer but, while she’d been alive, her mother had fiercely protected her daughter. Ava knew deep in her heart her mother would’ve done anything for her, protected her from any harm.
In his own high-handed way, wasn’t that what Cesare had been trying to do? She might not agree with the way he chose to do it, but could she really condemn him for it? If their roles were reversed, what would she have done?
Ava gasped in the darkness as clarity shone beacon-bright. Pulling back the covers, she rushed out of her room and hammered on her brother’s door.
‘Nathan, do you have a computer I can use?’
‘Now?’
* * *
She spent the rest of the night researching and by morning her decision was made.
Taking a deep breath, she took her phone out of her bag. Ignoring the countless messages that beeped at her, she searched until she found the right number.
It was answered on the third ring. ‘Ciao?’
‘Celine, it’s Ava. I’m sorry to disturb you so early.’
‘Don’t worry, life’s too short for sleep anyway, right?’ Her voice was light but Ava sensed the question behind her flippancy.
She cleared her throat and glanced out of the window overlooking the small, overgrown garden. ‘I need your help.’
‘Sure, anything you want,’ Celine said.
With another deep breath, she outlined what she wanted.
‘Ava, this is a huge step. Have you talked to Cesare about this?’
Guilt momentarily assailed her. She bit her lip and forged on. ‘I need to do this. For us.’
‘But...’
‘Celine, please. Just help me.’
The other woman sighed. ‘If your mind is made up—’
Ava rang off after she’d scribbled down the phone numbers of two reputable Harley Street practices. She rang the first one at nine. The doctor she requested was on holiday. She rang the second number, shamelessly name-dropped and was immediately put through.
After she explained what she wanted, the doctor made an appointment to see her the next day.
She spent the rest of the day with her father. He looked much better and even recognized her this time. In halting words often interrupted by acute coughing fits, he tried to explain why he’d treated her so badly.
Her mother had fallen sick almost immediately after Ava had been born. Irrational as he knew it to be, her father had secretly blamed her for losing his wife.
‘It’s not an excuse, but every time I saw you I was reminded of Caroline.’
