Page 5 of They Found Us

“Katie. How are you? How is Mark?”

“We are both fine. How are you? What’s going on there? Are you safe?”

“I’m safe. I only have a minute. Please do not worry, la mia ragazza.”My girl.You are safe there. I will be home soon. Take care. I will ring you tomorrow morning at 9:00. Make sure you answer.”

“I will be waiting for your call.”

“Ti amo.”I love you.

“Ti amo,” I reply as he ends the call.

Holding back the tears, I take Mark outside again.

We spend a few hours clearing the broken pots and fallen branches as well as cleaning outing the chickens and goats. Mark loves our two billy goats, Upsy and Daisy, named after his favourite TV show at the time. He loves the outdoors. I can’t wait for him to have a little brother or sister to play with.

When we go inside for lunch, Mark makes his usual mess with half of his food on the floor. Once he has finished, I put him down for his nap. While he is sleeping, I clear up and get the goat’s cheese and eggs packed up and ready to take to the market. We take our produce and exchange it for other homemade goodies once a week. I enjoy the social side of it. Although we have been here for a few years, we haven’t made any friends as such. We know many people on the island, but only to talk to. I don’t know anything about anyone even though I see them every week.

Then again, I don’t suppose they know anything about us. Leo is very untrusting of everyone. I know he misses Marco. He was like brother to him after his only brother Alex died. Marco and Leo did everything together. Leo never speaks of him—or anything from our past lives, actually. But I know he thinks about him a lot. That’s why I shouldn’t be surprised he went to Marco’s aid the minute he got the call.

When Mark wakes, I strap him into his pushchair. I don’t want a repeat of last night. Mark is so much better behaved for Leo, especially now that I’m pregnant. He knows I’m not as fast and agile as I usually am. Little monkey.

The market is busy as usual. We go to the goods exchange stalls first, where I place our produce down and then let Mark choose some baked goods in return. We usually exchange forsomething sweet that Mark can enjoy, which keeps him occupied while we browse the items that are for sale. It feels very strange being here without Leo. Once Mark has chosen and he is happily eating one of his chocolate brownies, I pick some of our favourite fresh breads. Then we mix into the hustle and bustle to see if there is anything that takes my fancy. The baby stall catches my attention first. It’s full of beautiful tiny handmade clothes and soft toys. Mark spots a blue crochet teddy bear he likes, so I have that, a blanket, and a knitted cardigan for the new baby bagged up and pay for them. At the next stall, I spot someone I recognise. It’s the running lady from the beach that caught Mark.

“Hello, again,” I say as I approach her. “I didn’t get chance to thank you properly last night.”

“Mi dispiace di non parlare inglese.”I’m sorry, I don’t speak English.She smiles and then turns to walk away.

“Va bene, parlo italiano.”That’s okay, I speak Italian.

The lady stops in her tracks and slowly turns back to look at me. Her expression is surprised and quizzical. “Non sembri italiana.”You don’t look Italian.

Her response makes me laugh. “Non sono.”I’m not. I reply.

The lady gives me another smile, but it doesn’t quite meet her eyes.

“Devo andare. Piacere di rivederti.”I need to go. Nice to see you again.And then she goes, leaving me with many questions.

We stop for a coffee halfway around the market. Well, I have a coffee. Mark has a milkshake along with a fruit snack I packed. I’m sat at our table with my back to the entrance ofthe café. In the reflection of the fridge door, I can see anyone who enters. It’s a cautious action Leo has drummed into me that has become natural now. Ensure that whenever we are in a resting position, we can see anyone approaching from behind. Always have eyes on the entrances and exits. Know how many people are in the immediate vicinity—six: two couples and two people sitting alone. Four females, two males. Stay alert without making it obvious that you are paying attention.

While chatting to Mark about his new soft toy, I notice a lady enter the café. She is greeted by one of the waiters, who shows her to a table. The first table in the middle of the café, she refuses. The next, one in a corner, she accepts. It’s the Italian lady again. She speaks to the waiter for a few moments about the weather. He then asks what she would like to order, and they discuss the menu. In English. Fluent English. I thought it surprising that she didn’t speak English well enough to speak to me. Although most of the people who live here aren’t originally from the UK, it’s the main language that everyone uses to communicate. I thought maybe she had just arrived. But no. It seems she just didn’t want to talk to me.

Once Mark and I have finished our refreshments, we make our way out of the café, purposely walking past the Italian lady. She looks in our direction as I approach.

Chapter Four

Katie

“You learn fast,” I say sarcastically.

“Mi scusi?”Excuse me?

“English. I heard you speaking to the waiter. I was only trying to thank you earlier. There was no need to be rude.”

She opens her mouth slightly to say something, but I leave before she can.

On our walk home, I’m annoyed with the ignorance of the lady. I only wanted a friendly bit of conversation. I miss my friends Bella and Emmaline. I miss my mum. Although she never had a bright piece of advice to give, I miss our conversations on the soaps or whatever trash we were watching on Netflix that week. We have a lovely life here, but I miss adult interaction and friendship.

When we arrive home, I try and shift my mindset and be grateful for all that we have and the life that our children will have. But it’s hard not having Leo here.

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