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I chewed my bottom lip, still worried about what he would do with them. Just thinking about it felt like a heavy sludgy weight in the pit of my stomach.
Mom tentatively said, “Is it bad that I don’t care? All I want is for you to be safe, and those awful men deserve what’s coming to them.”
“Oh Mom! I want us to be safe too. Forever. But that includes Marco, and how can he ever be safe or happy if he…” My voice trailed off.
I took a deep breath and let it out shakily.
“I wish I could hold you, baby,” said Mom wistfully. “Tell you everything is going to be alright.”
One of her nurses bustled in. “Oh, you’re back!” she said cheerily to me. “Did you have a lovely holiday? In Greece, was it? I thought you’d be all lovely and tanned!”
Mom and I exchanged a quick look. I almost giggled at how ridiculous the secret we were hiding was.
“Oh, to go jet-setting off into the sunset with a devilishly handsome man,” the nurse continued. “What an absolute dream! Anyway, I’m afraid I’m going to have to steal your Mom away for now. It’s time for her sponge-bath.”
I winked at Mom and blew her a kiss. “Enjoy!”
I returned to my room to find Chiara, Amara, and Vittoria waiting for me. I had no time for astonishment because little Amara flew into my arms, nearly knocking me over.
“Beth! I’ve missed you lots. I wanted to give you a big snuggle-bug in a rug hug! And I brought my crocodile book so you can read it to me!”
I beamed as she cuddled me.
“Be careful, Amara!” said Vittoria. “Beth has been a little unwell. We don’t want to tire her out.”
Chiara gave me a warm hug. I was glad to see her looking better than I had worried she might be.
“How are you?” I asked, mindful of little Amara in the room.
“Good, thanks to you.” She smiled tiredly. “I’m keeping my trusty golf club handy at all times, and thinking of taking some lessons so I can practise my swing.” She winked.
I expected Vittoria to chide her, but Vittoria said nothing. She stayed standing by the window, looking out of it, while Amara and Chiara chattered on.
“We’re staying in a hotel,” said Amara excitedly, “because Uncle Marco said he made a big mess at the house and Nonna was so mad at him and it was so funny! And look at these flowers we picked for you. Uncle Marco said he didn’t know which ones you liked best, which is just silly, because I told him he should know!”
She pointed to the beautiful cheery bouquet of colourful tulips and white roses in a vase on my nightstand.
“They’re lovely.”
She wrinkled her nose and whispered, “Chiara wanted to get you a purple bunch with big puffy blue flowers, but I said that was yucky and this one is best because it’s like the sunshine, isn’t it?”
“Like sunshine and summer. I love it.”
Chiara rolled her eyes and tugged Amara’s ponytail.
“We’ll be going back home tomorrow,” Chiara said. She bit her lip, and added hopefully, “Are you coming too?”
I shook my head. “I thought I’d go home and rest for a bit. But I’d love to visit you if I can?”
She sighed, but didn’t protest. “Okay.”
I lay back against my pillows and rested while they chattered on. The visit to Mom had taken more out of me than I’d thought.
Eventually, Vittoria said, “Beth must be tired, girls. Chiara, why don’t you take Amara to the café to get some hot drinks and cake?”
Chiara hugged me before she left. “I’m sorry I left you,” she whispered, looking upset.
“Don’t be silly,” I said firmly. “You went to get help, like I told you to. You were so brave. And we’re both fine now, and that is all that matters.”
