Page 41 of Livia in Rome
Giulio rubs a hand down his face and groans. ‘This is exactly what Nina was worried about...Caterina having secret meetings.’
The minutes drag after that, the clock hands barely moving, even with the bar getting busier around us.
Now, as we sit outside the hospital, it’s still the same.
The parmigiana we picked up for Nina is balanced on Giulio’s knee, bouncing in time to his jitters. I can only imagine what kind of mess it’ll be in when she opens the container – a lumpy disaster of aubergineand mozzarella. The last thing we need is a ruined lunch on top of the bad news we’re about to deliver.
I try to read Ma’s face as she hobbles across the small piazza, her panda-eyed look of exhaustion saying more than she ever could. Whatever happened with Bertolli, it can’t be good.
But first things first.
I pull her phone from my pocket and thrust it towards her. ‘We know you’ve been to see Bertolli.’
Ma actually looks around as if something might swoop in to save her from answering, then she presses her lips into a line. ‘Fine. But can we go inside? I’d rather say what I have to say only once.’
Nina is sitting upright today, and her leg – which had been suspended in a sling during our last visit – is now free, although wrapped in a cast from her ankle to her knee. And there’s a wheelchair in the corner of the room, ready for use.
Nina frowns at Ma – their standard mother–daughter greeting. ‘What are you doing here on a weekday, Caterina?’
Ma looks like she’s about to pull a wax strip off her upper lip. She’s going for the quick-rip method too, because she cuts right to the chase. ‘I’ve been to see Bertolli.’
Nina pales, her blushed cheekbones clownishagainst her papery skin. ‘Caterina . . . you didn’t. Not again . . .’
Giulio and I exchange eyebrow messages over her head.Not again? What does that mean?
Ma clears her throat. ‘Your loan—’
‘Is my business,’ Nina interrupts. ‘Have you been snooping in my private papers?’
‘No, Mamma, you’ve got it wrong. Bertolli’s overseeing your loan. He works for the bank now.’
‘What? No. He’s a property developer. How can he be with the bank?’ A tiny furrow appears between Nina’s brows. She must be frowning hard.
‘The previous manager retired last month,’ Ma explains. ‘Bertolli was hired and he’s the one in charge now, Mamma.’
Nina looks stunned. ‘And you didn’t think to tell me this sooner?’
Ma spreads her hands wide. ‘I didn’t know any of it until yesterday...I didn’t even know you’d borrowed that money! Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘And hear you say I told you so? That I couldn’t manage? That I was past it?’ Nina folds her arms across her chest, looking old and toddler-like at the same time.
‘Well...you have fallen behind on the payments, Mamma. Three months’ worth.’
‘So?’ Nina shrugs. ‘I’ve been late before. They know I’m good for it.’
‘This time is different,’ Ma says softly. ‘Bertolli pointed out a fine-print clause in the contract. He’s demanding the full balance – fifteen thousand euros – or...’
Nina sets her jaw. ‘Or what?’
Ma waits for Nina to look at her. ‘Or he’s going to repossess the bar. And the apartment too. The whole property’s tied up in the loan, Mamma. And I think he’s been slyly waiting for time to run out...hiding from you...from me...’
Nina’s expression darkens. ‘He’s always wanted that bar. Always...’ Her voice trails off and, whatever she’s remembering, it isn’t pleasant.
‘He said he’d take five thousand euros from the debt if I give him my Vespa.’
I’ve been so focused on Ma and Nina, and the volley of words passing between them, that I’d forgotten Giulio was here...Cavolo!I’d almost forgottenIwas here.
Nina snaps back to the present. ‘Over my dead body! You are not giving him that Vespa. And let’s be clear – I’m very much alive.’ The Vespa issue is dismissed just like that. ‘So, what did you arrange with him this time, Caterina?’
