The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop Part 15

'Everything been OK here?' he said, his voice flat and matter-of-fact.

'Good, thanks,' Anna said. 'Luigi popped in earlier, then we had a run of schoolchildren come in. Just now, we had a couple of Spanish backpackers, said they'd heard about our cappuccino lollies on a train coming here, that we're the talk of the interrailing crowd.'

'That's great.' He glanced away, his gaze unsettled.

'I thought so. A new stream of customers, potentially. Are you all right?'

'It's Mamma. We talked when we were out.'

'Oh, yes?'

'She's concerned about what we're doing here she thinks we're pushing the boundaries a bit too much, too soon. People around here were used to a cla.s.sic Italian gelateria, and what we're running here isn't that.'

'And we never wanted it to be,' Anna said, trying to remain calm. 'We've said that all along. Our plan is to do something new out here, take chances. And things have been going really well so far.'

'I know . . . but you know how it is.' Matteo gave a shrug of resignation. 'Mamma and Pap think we're going against the family traditions by diversifying.'

'And what? You agree with them?' Anna felt her cheeks grow hot.

'They might have a point. After all, what we've been doing for a couple of years, they've been doing for-'

'Over thirty,' Anna said shortly.

'There's no need to be like that,' Matteo said. 'She's on our side. They both are.'

'I'm sorry. But Matteo, it's our business. We don't need to get everything right all the time. The plan was always to do this our way.'

'And we will,' Matteo said, his voice soft. 'But perhaps with a couple of changes. That's all.'

The next day, while Matteo was outside looking after Bella, and the shop was quiet, Anna called Imogen. They spoke for a while about what had been happening in Sorrento. Anna told her about Elisa coming to live in the summer house with Carolina, and how she had started to interfere in things.

'Do you think I'm being oversensitive?' Anna asked. She felt too emotionally involved to judge the situation for herself any more.

'I don't think so, no. That kind of thing would drive me mad,' Imogen said. 'And, of course, it's the very reason you didn't go to Siena in the first place.'

'Yes,' Anna sighed. 'I'd really hoped we might avoid this happening. But perhaps I was being nave I should have realised she'd find some way to make herself part of our lives here. Although I don't think I could have predicted that she'd do this, come and live right around the corner.'

'Yes. Hmm. That's tough.'

'We came to Sorrento so that we could make a start with just the three of us,' Anna said, frustration coming into her voice. 'I know that Matteo's family have decades of experience with ice cream, but I want us to do this ourselves.'

'Of course you do. We made Vivien's a success you don't need to lean on anyone else.'

Anna felt better just for letting it out, being able to talk openly with her sister, rather than bottling things up as she felt she had to with Matteo.

'I shouldn't be so negative,' she said. 'There are some really nice people here and Carolina's great, I've always liked her but there are things I'm starting to miss. Popping out for a coffee with you, feeling like I'm in my world for a bit. Do you know what I mean?'

'Yes, I do. I miss you loads.'

A lump rose to Anna's throat and she realised that she was feeling more homesick than she'd let herself admit.

'How are things back at home? What's the news?'

'Things are fine. The guesthouse is doing really well. I set up a new booking system for Martin, and it's a good job, as word-of-mouth recommendations have really started to spread.'

'Lots of weekenders?'

'Mainly, although there's one guest who's been around quite a while. Since it opened, actually.'

'Oh, yes?'

'It's a bit of a strange one. She's called Clarissa. She's a nice woman, says she met Granny back when the shop was Sunset 99s.'

'I'm sensing there's a "but" here.'

'I'm not sure what's going on with her. She's been asking me about Granny, and Martin, too. Just the occasional question, like she's trying to build up a picture of her, or something. I guess it's natural in that house there are a few personal things, you might get curious . . . But I'm starting to wonder if something else is going on. She's grieving still, I think, said her stepfather pa.s.sed away.'

'Well, that'll probably be it, won't it? Maybe she thinks you've been through the same thing and she's trying to make a connection.'

'Maybe.' Imogen paused. 'Anyway, I don't want to be mean, she's perfectly nice.'

'How are things going at Vivien's? I got the latest set of accounts from you, thanks. It looks like things are OK.'

'They are. Evie's doing a sterling job of keeping things ticking over. The customers absolutely love her, and she insists that she's fine doing it on her own.'

'I'm glad. I'm so pleased we trusted our gut feeling on that. Granny would have loved it, wouldn't she, knowing that Evie was there, running the show.'

'Yes. And it's definitely softened the blow of losing the souvenir shop for her. She's seemed strangely relaxed about the fact that Finn, Andy and Andy's dad are smashing walls down over there.'

'They haven't wasted any time. Finn must be excited,' Anna said, half-wishing she could see what was going on at the arches for herself. She was used to knowing all the comings and goings in that little stretch of seafront, rather than hearing about them from someone else.

'He is. It's keeping him really busy he's working late a lot.'

'Have you talked to him, about how you've been feeling?' Anna said. Imogen fell quiet. 'Sorry. It's your business.'

'No, it's fine. It's just he's been busy . . . and I've been . . . well. Actually I haven't been busy at all, not with work at least.'

'You haven't?' Anna said.

'No. Listen, how are you fixed for the start of July?'

'No plans. Other than the usual juggling Bella and a load of ice cream cones, trying to fit in the occasional shower and conversation with Matteo. Why do you ask?'

'I'm wondering about a visit.'

Anna felt a rush of excitement at the prospect. 'Don't tease, Imogen. Do you really mean it?'

'Of course I do,' she said.

'How long for?'

'Ten days or so? Would that be OK?'

'The entire summer would be OK,' Anna said. 'We've got s.p.a.ce for you and Finn to stay here at our apartment.'

'Oh . . . it'd probably just be me,' Imogen said.

'How come?'

'Finn's been busy with the building work on the shop.'

'That's a shame.'

'I'll ask him, anyway,' Imogen said.

'Do you think Mum and Dad would want to come out, too? I've been meaning to ask them, just wanted to get everything set up here first.'

'I'm sure they'd love to, but Anna . . .'

'I understand. They can come later on. They OK, though?'

'Yes, I think so. Mum's at a bit of a loose end still, but Dad seems fine. They come up to the guesthouse every now and then to check in on things.'

'Dad's getting used to the idea?'

'Oh yes, he's fine now.'

Anne paused. 'I'm so excited, Imogen. I really hope you can come. I'd love to show you around.'

From the Sorrento ice cream shop, Anna spied Matteo approaching across the square, with Elisa and Bella, and dashed out to tell him the good news she'd just heard.

'I've just been on the phone to Imogen, and she's coming out to visit,' Anna squealed. Then she turned to Bella and gave her a hug. 'Your auntie's coming!'

'That's great,' Matteo said, smiling broadly.

'Your sister's coming? That's wonderful,' Elisa said. 'Nice girl, Imogen. A little . . . how do you say? Well, like a boy. The way she dresses.'

'Mamma,' Matteo said, quietly.

'But perhaps that look is fashionable, in England,' Elisa said, correcting herself. 'Anyway, that's nice. She'll give you a little company.'

'I'm looking forward to it,' Anna said.

'Perhaps she'll be able to help you with some of the housework in the apartment,' Elisa said. 'It seems like you don't have much time to do that.'

'I don't think we'll be doing that while she's here, Elisa,' Anna said, keeping her voice calm and level and trying not to let Elisa's comments rile her.

'Well, you shouldn't let things slip for too long. Perhaps Carolina could help. The home that she and Filippo have in Siena . . . well, it's like something off the television: every surface gleaming, the bed linen ironed . . .'

Anna took a deep breath, to stop herself from talking back. It always seemed to be Carolina and Filippo this, or that the money, the meals, the house. It was tiring to be compared with someone who seemed so perfect.

'Carolina's situation is a little different,' Matteo said, diplomatically. 'She and Filippo have a housekeeper, anyway.'

'Well, I never had one and-' Elisa started.

Keen to change the subject, Anna pointed to the plastic bags Elisa was holding. 'What did you get?'

'I couldn't resist buying my beautiful granddaughter some new things,' Elisa said, unpacking one.

Bella peered at the pink fabric excitedly and when her grandmother held it up, revealing the full extent of lace and frills, the little girl clapped her hands together in joy.

'See! I knew this little one would like it,' Elisa said, pleased with herself.

'It's a lovely thought,' Matteo said, diplomatically. 'Thank you, Mamma.'

'Yes, thank you, Elisa,' Anna added, as her daughter touched the frills, squealing with delight.

'Oh, that's just one dress. There's plenty more.' She delved into another bag and pulled out a pair of glittery pink shoes, with heels, and a makeup set.

Anna looked at Matteo, a little alarmed, and their eyes met. She waited for him to say something.

'I'm not sure, Elisa . . . She's not even two yet. She's still very young for-'

'Shoes!' Bella exclaimed, grabbing at them with a look of unbridled delight.

Anna glanced over at Matteo for support, but he remained silent. Now they were living here there was no option of 'disappearing' the gifts to the back of Bella's wardrobe. Elisa would expect to see her wearing them. With her grandmother's help, Bella opened the lipstick and Elisa dabbed a little on her mouth.

'It's really kind of you,' Anna said. 'Although I think it's best if she doesn't wear heels for a while. They are beautiful, but her feet are still growing and we need to be careful.'

'Oh, she'll be fine. We always put Carolina in shoes like this. And look, Bella loves them, doesn't she?' Elisa exclaimed. 'I think she prefers them to the other clothes she's wearing these days.'

Anna looked at the Osh Kosh blue-striped dungarees and red Clarks sandals she had dressed her daughter in that morning. 'She seems happy enough in them.' They were perfect for the things that Bella loved doing best: running, hugging dogs, playing in the mud. 'To be honest, I'm not sure she even notices what she's wearing.'

'They aren't very feminine, though, are they? Have you seen the other little girls around here?'

'I don't want her to look like everyone else.' The emotion rose in Anna's voice, and she was unable to keep her irritation hidden.

'Well, Matteo agrees with me. Don't you, Matti?'

'Mamma . . .'

'You see? He also thinks she's lucky to have a grandmother like me, to buy her such pretty things. Don't you think, Bella?'

Bella pulled pink garment after pink garment out of her grandmother's shopping bags, gurgling happily.

'Very lucky,' Anna said.