Page 34 of The Consequence of You
Nico’s parents were also Italian and had resettled in England during his early childhood. Our parents had similar values, and both had arranged marriages. We knew it would be something expected of us one day, but it would only be with a family our parents had chosen.
We’d met in confirmation classes at our local church, and once they’d ended, we kept in touch. We’d just turned fourteen. Neither of us had much experience of being around the opposite sex outside of school, and our hormones soon took over. We exchanged numbers and occasional texts turned into late night texting marathons. Eventually, we began sneaking around, telling our parents we were staying late in our respective schools for choir or cookery, or rugby, when in fact we were meeting each other. Firstly, at the library, then the cinema, then at one of our houses when no one was home.
Tonight was New Year’s Eve and Nico’s parents were out at a fancy party in the city, so we had his house to ourselves. Luca was off to Italy for two weeks work experience with Papa, and Mama was helping him pack, so she was distracted when I said I was going out. She just nodded when I told her I was spending the evening with a friend.
We snuck a bottle of champagne and watched the fireworks erupt over London Bridge on the television. We’d fooled around in every room in the house, revelling in the romance, sparing not a single thought for anyone but ourselves.
Midnight had long passed, and we fell asleep on one of the large sectional sofas.
At 6am I woke with a stiff neck and when I saw all the missed calls on my phone, I knew I was about to get the biggest telling off of my life.
I called a taxi and was home by 7am, desperately hoping I could sneak in before anyone was awake, except when I let myself in the gates, there was a police car on the driveway.
Shit. It was worse than I thought. Mama must have been worried enough to report me missing.
My hands trembled as I let myself into the house to find two uniformed officers whispering in hushed tones into their radios. The door opening caught their attention, and they turned to look at me. They didn’t look relieved I was home, nor did they call out to Mama to let her know I was back. Instead, they exchanged a look and said nothing.
I was in so much trouble.
I walked further into the silent house, slipping my shoes off before I headed into the sitting room to receive my punishment.
Deep down, I knew Nico and I were on borrowed time, but naively, I thought we’d have longer. Taking a deep breath, I walked in.
My brother was sitting on the sofa, another police officer sitting with him, both holding mugs of something steamy. Luca’s head lifted when he realised I was here. His face was ashen and his eyes rimmed with red, and I would remember the look on his face for as long as I lived.
It was one of utter devastation, and I knew instantly, this was far worse than I could possibly have imagined.
One of the female police officers followed me into the room. She led me to the sofa on the other side.
“There is no easy way to say this, Callie. Your mother wasinvolved in an accident in the early hours of the morning.” I gasped, looking at my brother in confusion.
Why wasn’t he at the hospital with her?
My head spun with questions, but in truth, I already knew the answer.
“Luca?”
He stayed silent, but tears began to track down his cheeks. The policewoman took my hand, but I brushed it off and ran to the other side of the room. I dropped to my knees in front of my brother. Desperately wanting him to tell me this wasn’t really happening, that this was all some kind of fucked up punishment for my lies.
“Luca!” I clawed at his knees, begging him to deny it. But of course, he couldn’t. Instead, his silent tears turned to audible sobs and eventually heaving wails. I didn’t want to hear the words but until I did, I don’t think I’d fully believe it.
On shaky legs, I forced myself to stand and face the policewoman. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears as she confirmed what I already knew from the moment I saw Luca.
“I’m sorry to tell you, despite the emergency services’ best efforts, your mother did not survive.”
My mama, a woman so full of life, gone.
Just like that.
No warning, no build up.
Nothing.
Just gone from the planet.
“Where was she going?” I managed to choke out.
Sympathy flashed in the policewoman’s eyes. More than before even. She hesitated briefly, before taking a deep breath.
