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‘It’s just so refreshing being in a place with so much beauty all around. Makes me think I can change things if I want, you know?’
‘I think I do.’ Sarah smiled. ‘Are you OK?’
‘Absolutely.’ Bridget nodded.
Once back on the ground, the four friends had a coffee while giving their legs a chance to recover from the descent, then made their way through the streets to the Uffizi Museum. Their pre-booked tickets allowed them to bypass the queue, which was already long despite the relatively early hour, and walk straight in. As they admired Botticelli’s Venus and Michelangelo’s Holy Family, took in the wonder of Titian’s Venus and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, they lost themselves to the paintings for a while as they walked the corridors of the building, moving from medieval to Renaissance in a matter of footsteps.
Once they’d seen enough, they headed back over the old bridge before stopping for pizza in Santo Spirito. They ate in the warm May sunshine overlooking the square, sharing pizzas covered with ripe, roasted tomatoes and perfectly melted cheese on deliciously thin, crispy bases. In that moment, Stella thought life seemed so simple. Perfect, even, surrounded by her friends. She didn’t want the day to end.
By the time they boarded the plane late that afternoon, Stella’s mind was still full of the beautiful sights, smells and tastes of Florence. And as they flew over the city, sunlight lighting up the Arno like a golden path running through the middle of it, she felt she was going home with a just a little more resolve to move forward than she’d had when she arrived. But, first, she knew she had to go back and look for some answers to her questions. Only then could she leave Simon in the past.
She felt someone squeeze her hand. It was Lucy, leaning across and pointing out of the window. ‘Look at the Arno. So beautiful.’
‘Thank you, Lucy.’
‘What for?’
‘This. For making me come to Florence. I’ve loved every minute.’
‘Brighter days ahead, I promise.’
Stella smiled and squeezed her cousin’s hand back. ‘Can you give me a firm date on that?’
They laughed and watched through the window as the city below them slowly disappeared from view.
18
‘OK, that’ll do for now.’ Caroline shut the oven door and turned to survey the kitchen. It had looked like a flour bomb had gone off just a few hours before, but now, every surface gleamed. The chicken pie she’d made with Max’s help was in the oven and all three children were in their pyjamas watching television in the sitting room. Stella had messaged earlier to say she’d be home soon, so Caroline sat at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea and soaked in the silence for a few moments. She thought about heading home and her heart sank. Having a weekend away from the unspoken tensions in her own marriage had been a blessed relief. Not that anyone would know there were any problems. Caroline was very good at putting on a brave face. In fact, she’d been doing it for so long, it was second nature now.
It wasn’t that Philip was a bad man. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was a very good man. Worked hard, loved his children, had a solid moral compass, all the things Caroline should be grateful for. It was just that, if she was really honest with herself, life with him had become so predictable. And more than that, she felt like he didn’t really see her any more. Or rather, the person he saw was sensible Caroline, safe Caroline, slightly bossy Caroline. He didn’t see the woman who needed to be told she was loved and wanted. The only time she’d tried to talk to Philip about how she was feeling, he’d looked so uncomfortable, she’d changed the subject, telling him it didn’t matter.
As if sensing her sadness, the dog came and sat beside her, resting his head on her lap and looking up at her with his soulful brown eyes. He sighed heavily. ‘I know, me too,’ Caroline said, patting his soft head gently. ‘But what am I supposed to do? I can’t explain it to him, I wouldn’t even know where to start.’
There was a knock at the door. Percy scampered across the kitchen floor, barking at the noise.
‘Mummy!’ The twins raced to the door, clamouring to reach the latch.
‘Here, let me open it.’ Caroline reached from behind them and opened the door to Stella.
Dropping her bags to the floor, Stella scooped up both of her daughters in her arms. ‘Hello, my darlings!’ she cried, tears springing to her eyes. ‘I’ve missed you so much!’ Stella stood up again and embraced her sister as the girls clung to each of her legs. ‘Thank you so much, I can’t even begin to tell you…’
‘Don’t even think about it, it was the least I could do.’ Caroline hugged her sister tightly. ‘To be honest, I’ve had such a lovely time.’ She stood back and ruffled the girls’ hair. ‘I wouldn’t normally say this, because other people’s children are never as nice as your own, but in your case, I really do love them just as much. Sometimes even just a little bit more.’ Caroline laughed, winking at the girls.
‘Mummy, we went to see Matilda!’ shouted Millie, her green eyes shining with delight.
‘I want to tell her!’ protested Isla.
‘You can both tell me, just let me get inside and have a quick chat with Auntie Caroline before she goes.’ Stella turned back to her sister. ‘Is Max back?’
‘Yes, he’s in there. I think he had a good time, too. No gaming rules at his friends’ house, apparently.’
Stella laughed. ‘The dream, as far as Max is concerned.’
‘Hi, Mum.’ Max appeared at the door. He went to Stella and hugged her gently.
‘Hello, my boy,’ whispered Stella, squeezing him back. ‘How are you doing? I missed you so much. Did you have a lovely time? You look tired, I won’t even ask what time you went to bed.’
‘Mum, I’m not a baby.’
