Page 33 of A Very Italian Wedding
Someone had hung lights on the trees in the olive grove which meant hundreds of them twinkled like stars as they approached. Rose spotted the small table and chairs just asAurora reached them and turned to wait. Then a man dressed in a white shirt and chinos went to join her.
‘That’s my husband, Leonardo. Marco’sbabbo– his father,’ Elena translated as they drew closer, and Rose recognised him from the photo. There was a strong resemblance to Marco, only Leonardo had deep lines around his eyes and cheeks suggesting he laughed often. Rose’s short acquaintance with frowny Marco suggested he didn’t take after his father in that regard. At least that was her impression of him. ‘He’s just as handsome as he was on the day we met.’ Elena beamed.
‘It’s true, I was with her when she saw him for the first time,’ Francesca whispered. ‘It was love at first sight.’
Rose tried not to react. No wonder Marco had such unrealistic expectations.
She watched Leonardo kiss Luna, Francesca and then Elena on both cheeks, then he took a moment to study Rose before wrapping her in a hug and kissing her too. She tried not to stiffen. Her family weren’t demonstrative, and it felt strange hugging someone you barely knew. But she liked it, despite that.
‘It’s excellent to meet you, Rose,’ he said, his accent thick. ‘Any friend of my almost daughter-in-law is already a part of our family.’
Rose frowned, unused to such immediate approval.
Leonardo took a step away from the round table and Rose could see it had been set up already with Aurora’s shiny crystal ball. There was a pack of tarot cards beside it and a glowing white candle next to that. A chair had been pulled out ready for Aurora and there were two on the opposite side of the table.
‘You’re going to do readings for us at the same time?’ Luna gasped excitedly.
‘Sì,’ Aurora said as she whisked the veil from her head and studied them, her eyes twinkling mischievously. ‘It is unusual,but your lives have been intertwined for many years. Aldo tells me in many ways your fates are closely linked, so it seems right.’
Luna put an arm around Rose’s shoulder. ‘She’s right,’ she said. ‘I’ve known you forever. You’re the sister I never had. I don’t know what I’d have done if we hadn’t met.’
Rose squeezed Luna’s hand feeling a little overwhelmed. She felt the same way but wasn’t going to express her feelings in front of everyone. The crowd gathered around them was huge; everyone was staring, and she barely knew any of them.
The figure dressed in black broke away from the rest of the crowd and drew closer. Her face was still covered by the veil and her shoulders were hunched, suggesting she was uncomfortable about something. There was still no sign of the man she’d been arguing with earlier.
‘Take a seat.’ Aurora drew out her chair and lowered herself into it, her movements slow and dramatic. Then she leaned forward and gazed into the crystal ball. ‘Ah,’ she gasped, nodding. As soon as she did the crowd hushed until all Rose could hear was the pounding of blood in her ears.
Luna took a seat and Rose sat too, and they both watched as Aurora continued to stare into the glass muttering intermittently as her eyes rolled, widened and then narrowed again.
Finally, Aurora looked up. ‘You both have many great things in your future,’ she said, her voice deeper than usual. ‘Issues will be resolved, wrongs will be put right. You will be happier and more settled than ever before.’
Rose relaxed – it was clear now that the reading would be positive and everyone would be happy by the end. It was a piece of theatre designed to liven up the evening and reassure, nothing more.
‘What about the marriage?’ Elena asked eagerly, stepping closer to the table, her hands twisting together. ‘Will it be a success?’
‘No marriage is a success!’ The woman in black shouted, suddenly removing her veil and revealing short, powdery brown hair and a face etched with wrinkles. Her expression contorted. ‘In the end the truth will come out even if it takes a lifetime to see it.’
‘Nonna!’ Elena complained. ‘Please, not now.’ She shook her head as Leonardo and Marco came to flank her.
‘Isabella, not now,’ Aurora warned just as Rose recognised Marco’s grandmother from the photo Ben had shared with her.
‘It has to be said,’ Isabella snapped. ‘Marriage is for fools.’
‘Shall we see if the cards agree?’ Aurora asked pleasantly. The crowd seemed to sigh collectively when, after a long pause, Isabella jerked her chin.
Aurora gazed into the crystal ball again, her expression serious. ‘Sì,’ she said slowly, squinting. ‘I can see the future. There will be hurdles of course, like any marriage.’ She gave the older woman a long look. ‘But misunderstandings can be overcome, wrongs put right.’
‘Some things can never be put right.’ The woman snorted.
‘If we are prepared to be understanding and flexible. If we are prepared to listen and forgive,’ Aurora said.
‘Why should we?’ Isabella puffed angrily and Aurora turned back to Luna and Rose.
‘The future looks good,’ she said. Someone clapped and a few people went to slap Marco on the back.
‘What about Rose?’ Luna asked, nudging her arm. ‘Will she meet somebody soon?’
Rose clicked her teeth. ‘I’m not looking?—’
