Lucy Gordon - A Family For Keeps

'The ambulance is on its way,' he said.

As he got a better look at the old man his eyes signalled his shock, and he leaned over the back of the sofa, grasping Piero's arm warmly.

'Old friend, don't give us a fright like this.'

Piero managed a faint smile.

'Don't need-ambulance,' he croaked. He looked at Julia. 'I have-all I want-since she came back to me.'

Vincenzo frowned. Her eyes met his, reminding him of what they had realised earlier.

'He doesn't mean me,' she said softly.

Vincenzo nodded. He had understood.

'Of course I came back,' she said to Piero. 'You always knew I would, didn't you-Babbo?'

She hesitated only a moment before using the pet name that only his daughter had used. It was a risk, but worth it. She knew she'd guessed right when he turned a radiant face on her.

'Oh, yes,' he whispered. 'Always. I kept going to wait for you. People told me you were dead, but I knew-one day-you'd be on the boat.' A faint smile touched his lips. 'And you were.'

He gave a sigh and his eyes closed. Vincenzo's gaze met Julia's and she could see that he felt helpless.

Piero's eyes opened again and when he spoke his voice was faint.

'I was afraid-but when you saw me-you smiled- and I knew that I was forgiven.'

She drew in her breath. Suddenly her eyes were blinded with tears.

'There was nothing to forgive, Babbo,' she murmured.

'But there was-' he insisted weakly '-said such terrible things-you know my temper-always sorry afterwards but-this time-this time-'

His breathing came faster, more laboured. A frantic note crept into his voice. 'I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it-'

'Of course you didn't. I always knew that. I forgave you long ago.'

A smile broke over his face, and although the light was fading from him it was the most brilliant smile she had ever seen. Shining through it was the glow of happiness and peace.

Suddenly he seemed to become afraid. 'Elena- Elena-'

'I'm here-always. I love you, Babbo.'

'I love you, daughter.'

Vincenzo turned away, covering his eyes. A few moments later there was the sound of footsteps outside, and a voice calling, 'Is anybody there?'

Hastily controlling himself, Vincenzo went out into the hall where two young men had arrived with the ambulance. He beckoned and they quickly followed him.

One of them gasped when he saw the room. 'What a way to have to live!' he said. 'The sooner we get him to hospital, the better.'

Julia spoke in a muffled voice. 'You're too late.' They drew near to where the two figures clasped each other. Piero's eyes were closed and his rasping breathing had stopped. He lay quiet and peaceful.

'Poor old fellow,' said one of the young men sympathetically.

Julia laid her cheek tenderly against Piero's white hair. 'Don't feel sorry for him,' she said softly. 'He died as he wanted to, in his daughter's arms.'

The two young men took over, laying Piero gently on trolley. Julia planted a last kiss on his forehead before he was wheeled away, down into the garden and into the ambulance boat tied up in the water.

Together they stood at the window as the ambulance pulled away down the Grand Canal, until its lights were no longer visible. When it had gone Vincenzo opened his arms and she went into them.

'I'm going to miss him so much,' she said.

'So am I. But you were right. He was happy at the end and that's what matters.' He took her face in his hand and looked down at her.

'You were wonderful,' he said tenderly. He brushed the hair back from her face, then drew her against him, with her head on his shoulder, and they stood like that in silence for a long time.

'I'm taking you away with me,' he said at last. 'You can't live here alone.'

'All right, I'll move. But not now.' She turned back into the room, suddenly so lonely. 'I want to spend one more night here.'

Piero's few pathetic possessions were still there, including the gifts she'd given him. She sat down on the bed, lifting his gloves, looking at them, stroking them.

'Who was he really?' she asked.

'Professor Alessandro Calfani, a philosopher. Once I thought I knew him well, but now I think I never knew him in any way that mattered. Did you understand what he meant about Elena forgiving him?'

'He told me she used to call him Babbo, but stopped after some kind of estrangement. It sounded as though they had a big row. I guess when he wanted to say sorry, it was too late.'

'But it was all right for him in the end.' Vincenzo sat down beside her, and slipped his arm around her shoulders.

Suddenly the sight of Piero's things hurt her unbearably, and she buried her face in her hands. She struggled to fight the tears, but it was useless, and at last she cried without trying to stop.

'I loved him so much,' she wept against Vincenzo's shoulder.

'So did I,' he said sombrely, holding her tightly as much for his sake as hers.

'Stay with me here tonight,' she said. 'I want to remember him with you.'

He drew her down onto the bed that was only just big enough for the two them, and drew blankets over them.

She was still weeping and he made no effort to stop her. Sometimes he kissed her tumbled hair. Once he drew it back and stroked her face with tender fingers before kissing her gently on the mouth. She looked at him quickly.

'It's all right,' he whispered. 'Go to sleep. I'm here.'

She closed her eyes and he felt her relax. At last her breathing told him that she was asleep. He rested his head against her and had begun to drift off when she stirred and began to mutter.

'Julia,' he whispered, but then, 'Sophie.'

She gave a gasp that was almost a cry, and awoke.

'What is it?' he asked.

'It's a dream-it keeps coming back-'

'What happens in your dream?'

'It's about Annina.'

'You identified with her,didn't you? I can see why now. You loved your husband, and he shut you away for years-'

'And I died,' she said slowly. 'I died.'

'That's what you said, standing before her picture.'

She looked at him quickly.

'But how could you know that? It was only in my dream.'

'You were sleepwalking. You really went up there, and I came with you, just to see that you were all right.'

She searched his face. 'Yes, you did, didn't you?' she said. 'And you said you were my friend.'

'Do you remember anything else?' he asked anxiously.

'Yes.' She gave a faint smile. 'You kissed me.'

'That was the first time I ever kissed you, and you didn't know, not then or next day. I kept hoping you'd remember, but you looked through me.'

'Why didn't you tell me?'

'I couldn't. You needed to remember for yourself.' He grinned. 'I made good resolutions about waiting until the moment came.'

'You didn't keep them very long.'

'True. I'm not a patient man.'

'I'm glad of that.' She reached up and put her arms about his neck. 'I'm so glad of that.'

When he was sure he'd understood her properly he tightened his own arms about her.

'My love,' he said, 'let us drive the ghosts away. They have no place here now.'

'No,' she whispered, drawing him close. 'Not now.'

The next day Julia left the palazzo for good, and moved into the little apartment over the restaurant. It consisted of one main room, and bedroom, with a tiny bathroom and even tinier kitchen.

New Year was almost on them, and she plunged into work, available at all hours, taking on any jobs, to keep her mind occupied.

'Don't overdo it,' Vincenzo advised one evening as she was just coming on for the late shift. 'You were here early, you helped with cleaning up all afternoon, and now you're starting work again.'

'I prefer to keep busy. The Montressis will be back soon. When New Year's over I'll try Murano again.'