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‘My parents and two of my brothers and their families are in Napoli My other brother lives further north, where he oversees the fa in has been in the faenerations, and therefore not strictly mine Any of the family can, and do, arrive to stay whenever the whim takes them’ Love softened his face

‘Obviously that doesn’t bother you’

‘Why would it? It’s how it’s always been My grandparents, their parents before them Soe hoot their own place and likes their independence’

‘Think of the family history Not everyone has that, not so openly anyway’ Elene thought back to her childhood ‘I can’t remember a time when my family hasn’t always been there for each other either, but there isn’t the depth, the sahed ‘That’s special’

Mattia nodded ‘You’re right I never gave it a lot of thought, ranted: the houses, the comfort, the businesses that provide so much—the past, with its ups and downs, the people who ca and those that lifted the coaze had wandered to the view beyond theand a thoughtful expression tightened his face ‘After what Sandy did I came to fully understand and appreciate how lucky I aht to keep it that way for all my family if necessary’

Elene watched hi hi about her situation Had she just been issued with a warning? Or was Mattia telling her these things because of the custody problem? It didn’t matter how relaxed she beca always came back to that Aimee’s future and her role in it

Returning his attention to her, Mattia asked, ‘You have siblings?’

‘Two younger sisters The one I es the vineyards o, and the other a lawyer at a major firm in the city’ The firuardianship

‘Groine’s so we have in co over one corner ‘You’ll know your wines then’

‘The Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, definitely, but not the Italian varietals Though I put so about them last time I was here’ She cracked a smile, determined to keep on the upside of happy ‘Too much

effort’

Mattia’s laugh was sharp and unexpected ‘Go you’

Inside sheabout why she was here she felt free and happy, as if there was a future to look forward to involving a ht love Careful No, caution could take a back seat while they were getting on so well, when she was having plain old fun Nothing to do with letting go the restraints on her heart

‘This shrimp is delicious’

‘Glad you like them’

‘What’s not to like? Thank you for bringing me here It’s special’

‘You’re welcome’ His chest rose, fell, and he asked, ‘Have you ever been in a serious relationship?’

Her smile slipped away ‘Yes’

‘It didn’t work out?’ While she was trying to decide how to answer, he continued ‘You used to say you weren’t interested in relationships’

Tell him He told you about his fiancée They needed to know these things to understand each other better, and she had nothing to lose Craig had already taken her pride ‘I lived with a guy for three years, got engaged, was about to be er picked at the tablecloth ‘Craig liked to control everything about hting hiuilt was horrendous whenever I let him down’

Mattia sat back, his gaze soft, non-judgemental

‘Looking back, I can’t believe I let hi on stone; one drip doesn’t alter a thing, many make an impression’

‘Yet you found the courage to leave’

‘You talk about your loving family Well, mine and Danielle savedthat would probably make me draw up the barriers Instead they refused to stay away, despite Craig telling them to, and if I didn’t turn up for family dinners Dad would drive around to collectbecause it was only going to get worse She helped ’ She’d leftto do with Craig’s choices of clothes and make-up, books and music