The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop (7 page)

‘No, not an argument. We don’t really argue. But it was upsetting.’ Anna’s voice caught as she spoke. ‘Imogen, I think this is big. He wants to go back to Italy.’

‘Really?’ Imogen asked, putting a hand out to touch her sister’s shoulder. Anna nodded. ‘That’s a bit of a turnaround, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. He always said he’d be happy to live here – that provided we went back to visit from time to time it would be fine. But with Bella our whole lives have changed, been turned upside down and back round again. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he feels differently now to how he did back then.’

‘Well, it might not be such a bad idea,’ Imogen said.

‘That’s what I’m starting to wonder. I mean, initially I was dead against it, and then, well, this morning reminded me, there’s a lot of history here. Some of it wonderful and some of it difficult. Maybe making a change might do us some good. I mean, if Evie’s considering it – at her age, then . . .’

‘Evie?’ Imogen said, surprised.

‘Oh, yes. Sorry, I thought I’d mentioned it to you already. The shop’s not doing very well. I think it’s only a matter of time before she sells it.’

‘I didn’t realise that. Poor Evie,’ Imogen said, quiet for a moment as the news sank in. ‘But back to you . . . I mean, I don’t want to see you go anywhere, believe me. That’s the last thing I want. But I remember when you got back from Italy last time, after the course when you met Matteo. You seemed so energised and happy.’

‘I suppose I was,’ Anna agreed, her mind drifting back.

‘You loved it over there. Why shouldn’t you go back?’

‘I don’t know. It’s just . . . There are a couple of reasons I’m not sure about it.’

‘Starting with Matteo’s family . . . and ending with Matteo’s family?’ Imogen asked.

‘They are good people. And I’ll always be grateful to his mum for raising him the way she did. But we’re different. His mother is really full on. I don’t think it would work, us living right by them.’

‘Do you have to, though? Is he set on Siena?’

‘No,’ Anna said. ‘Actually, I suppose he never said that.’

‘Italy’s a big enough country. Why not suggest somewhere else? It’d still be far easier for his family to visit, but you’d get to have your own space.’

‘That’s an idea.’ Anna thought about it. ‘I’ll talk to him about it.’

‘Good luck, Anna,’ Imogen said. ‘I’m sure it’ll all work out.’

That evening, when Bella was in bed, Anna turned to Matteo. What she and Imogen had talked about earlier that day had been running through her mind, and it had made her realise that the main sticking point, really, was his family – and the thought of losing their independence – not the move itself.

‘I’ve been thinking about what you said, about Italy,’ Anna said. His eyes lit up. ‘Thinking, that’s all,’ she added, trying to manage his expectations. ‘If we were to go there – and that’s still a big if – it wouldn’t be for ever, would it?’

‘Any time there – a couple of months, longer – it would be wonderful,’ Matteo said. ‘I’m not expecting you to move. It wouldn’t be fair after what I promised you.’

‘Could we try somewhere new?’

‘Other than Siena?’ he said.

‘Yes. It’s not that I don’t like it – it’s a beautiful place. But we have our own family now, and if we were to run a business of our own I think it might be nice to . . .’ She paused, stumbling over the words.

‘Not to do it in the shadow of my family, you mean?’ She was anxious that she’d offended him. ‘I don’t see why not,’ he said.

‘I was wondering about the coast. We both love being by the sea – and Bella would like it.’

‘Yes. I guess she would. Whereabouts, though?’

‘The Amalfi coast?’ Anna said. ‘Sorrento, maybe?’ She recalled what Evie had said about the place, how happy she and Vivien had once been there. ‘I know it’s a long way from Siena, but your family could still visit easily enough. It would be our place. Our new start.’

He mulled it over. ‘It’s a beautiful place.’

‘You’d consider it?’

‘Yes. Of course.’

‘So shall we start researching where to go – with an open mind?’

‘Absolutely,’ he said, his smile widening.

Chapter 6

Finn and Imogen were at the Rose, their usual Sunday lunch spot when they were both in town. The weather outside was dull and grey, but inside it was cosy, and they were relaxing with glasses of wine and roast beef with Yorkshire puddings.

‘How was Anna when you saw her?’ Finn asked.

‘OK,’ Imogen said. She paused, recalling the conversation she’d had with her sister. ‘Fine. Well, confused. Matteo seems to want to go back to Italy – and I have a feeling I might have just persuaded Anna to do it.’

‘What?’ Finn said, surprised. ‘Move the whole family out there?’

‘Yes. I mean nothing’s decided. She was quite hesitant – but I think I might have talked her into at least considering it seriously.’

It had seemed like a great idea when she’d been talking to Anna, but now, a day later, the reality had started to sink in. What would she do without Anna here in Brighton with her? Anna was as much part of her life as . . . taking photos, breathing . . . chocolate cake. Bella, too. If they left, it would leave a massive hole in Imogen’s life – and she couldn’t even bring herself to think about what it would do to their parents.

‘I want her and Matteo to be happy, and I think they probably would be – if the setup was right. But the truth is I don’t really want her to leave,’ Imogen said. It was upsetting her now even thinking of it as a genuine possibility.

Finn covered her hand with his, and their eyes met. She felt instantly reassured, by his touch, the steadiness of his gaze. Finn had a way of making her feel grounded, complete.

‘I’d miss them too. But I guess I can understand where Matteo’s coming from. He must want Bella to see some of the country that he grew up in. I imagine if it were me, and we had a kid—’

‘Well, yes,’ Imogen said, eager to change the subject.

‘How likely d’you think it is that they’ll go?’

‘I’m not sure. There’s no plan yet.’

‘They’ll make the right decision for them. For what it’s worth, I think it’s great that you’re supporting her. And, if she does go, I’m sure you’ll be able to work something out – with the business, I mean.’

‘Yes,’ Imogen agreed, her heart heavy as she said it. ‘God knows what we’re going to do about that.’

‘Anna knows you’re going to Brazil, right?’

‘Yes. And, even if I weren’t, she knows that my days of running that place are firmly behind me.’

‘Talking of plans,’ Finn said, ‘I’ve given some thought to what we were talking about – expanding the business.’

‘Oh, yes?’ Imogen replied.

‘It really does feel like time to grow. As well as the surf lessons, I’d like a space for video screenings, so that we can film the students when they’re surfing and they can see how they look out there. That way we can work on fine-tuning their skills. Andy and I have been talking about a shop, too, selling surfboards, bikinis, wetsuits . . .’

‘Sounds good.’

‘I actually went out to see a couple of places today.’ He pulled some brochures out of his bag. ‘There’s a new build down the coast, about half an hour away. It wouldn’t be cheap to lease, but it would give us a lot of room.’

Imogen cast her eye over the photos of the commercial seafront units, shiny glass and steel contrasting with the colourful beach huts and Georgian houses nearby.

‘What do you think?’ Finn asked tentatively.

‘Honestly?’

‘Of course,’ he said. ‘That’s why I’m asking. You know I value your opinion on this stuff.’

‘I think they’re horrible,’ Imogen said, wrinkling her nose. ‘Sorry. Cold and characterless. Not like the surf school at all.’

‘I’m with you,’ he said. ‘Damn. I was kind of hoping you’d disagree.’

‘There must be other places out there,’ Imogen said.

‘Yes. I’m sure there are, and Andy and I will keep looking. It’s just going to be hard – leaving the arches. It’s where we started, and neither of us really want to move.’

‘There are compromises, and compromises,’ Imogen said, closing the brochures and passing them back to Finn. ‘And this would definitely be going too far.’ Imogen’s mind drifted back to a recent conversation with her sister.

‘What are you thinking?’ Finn asked.

‘That maybe you should have a talk with Evie about all this,’ Imogen said, her mind whirring.

‘Evie? Why?’

‘You might be able to help each other out. I’ve only just thought of it. Anna mentioned that Evie’s been having financial issues at the shop and was considering selling up. Maybe you could offer her a deal.’

‘You see, this is just one of the many reasons I love you, Imo. You’re full of good ideas – and always tell it like it is.’

‘That’s what I’m here for.’

He kissed her.

Even as she enjoyed the kiss, the moment of being close to Finn, she felt a stab of guilt, because the truth was that, even then, part of her wasn’t there at all. She was already daydreaming about going away, about bright sunlight, and adventure, and the colours of life she’d not yet seen – and she just hoped that it didn’t show.

The next day, Imogen made a couple of phone calls, to Anna and Evie, and that afternoon they all met, together with Finn, at Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop.

Once Anna had brought over the drinks, Imogen got straight to the point.

‘OK,’ she said. ‘Evie, Finn’ – she pointed to them both – ‘you work next door to each other and yet there’s something really important that I don’t think you’ve been talking about. And so I thought it was worth us all getting together.’

Evie looked at Imogen quizzically, but Anna caught her eye, urging patience. ‘Hear her out. I think this might be useful to you.’

‘Finn wants to expand his business – but not just anywhere. Right?’

‘Yes,’ Finn said, gently. Imogen could tell that he didn’t want to make Evie feel uncomfortable. ‘I mean, ideally, Andy and I want to stay here at the arches. But it’s just a question of . . .’ He trailed off.

‘Well, I have the feeling Anna’s already mentioned this to you, or I suspect we wouldn’t all be here now,’ Evie said. ‘But I’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to make a new start, cut my losses. The souvenir shop’s been good to me over the years, but times have changed, and I need to move on with them.’

‘Would you consider selling to Finn?’ Imogen asked. ‘To create a surf shop attached to the current surf school?’

‘Yes,’ Evie said, with certainty. ‘I think I would. One of the things that’s been holding me back is the idea of selling to strangers, not knowing what the place would be used for after I’ve moved on. Not that I’d want to control that, but, you know, having an idea would be nice.’

‘Well,’ Finn said, ‘I’m pleased to hear that. Obviously, this is only the start – we’ll have a lot of facts and figures to put together before we agree to anything. But I’m really happy that you’ll consider it.’

Finn’s face had lit up, and Imogen took his hand under the table, squeezing it. Anna looked over at Evie. ‘You OK, Evie? This must be quite emotional for you.’

Evie paused, as if she were mulling it over. ‘You know what. I thought it would be. I really did. But now that it might be really happening . . .’

They all waited to see what she would say, and Imogen desperately hoped for confirmation that they weren’t pushing Evie into anything.

‘I just feel relieved,’ Evie said. ‘And, actually, a little bit excited.’

That afternoon, Imogen met with Sally at her house over on the other side of town, near Preston Park. They’d planned the meeting to go over the final details for the trip before fixing their travel dates for Brazil. On the walk over, Imogen thought about what Finn had said. It seemed as if they were putting roots down in Brighton, more and more. It wasn’t as if she wanted to live anywhere else, but, at the same time, it made her feel uneasy. She was still young. There was so much that might change. And maybe she wanted some of that change.

When Sally opened the door to Imogen, it was clear something was wrong. Her eyes were red, and she looked exhausted.

‘Come in,’ Sally said. ‘But I’m afraid I’ve got bad news for you. The publishers have cancelled the trip.’

‘What?’ Imogen said in disbelief. ‘They haven’t.’

‘They have. Budget restrictions. That’s it – no final research, and no new images.’

The words sank in, but the news still didn’t feel real to Imogen. ‘But . . . Why?’

‘They had a worse year than expected,’ Sally explained, ‘and have decided to run my story as narrative-led, using the pictures that I took when I was out there.’

‘There’s nothing for
any
more photos?’ Imogen said, her spirit sinking.

‘Nothing,’ Sally confirmed. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ve let you down, and I feel like I’m letting the project down, too. The photos I have don’t do the place or the animals justice at all.’

‘It’s not your fault,’ Imogen said, still numb and dazed from the news. ‘It’s just one of those things, I suppose.’

‘I shouldn’t have made it seem so certain.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Imogen said. She’d have no work for the next month, she realised glumly. And the closest she was going to get to a rainforest that year would be watching nature documentaries on iPlayer.

‘I wish there was something I could do,’ Sally said.

‘I’ll be fine.’ Imogen waved away her concern. Inside, though, she felt crushed.

‘Something else’ll come up,’ Sally said.

‘Of course it will,’ Imogen said. ‘I’m sure it will.’

Chapter 7

On the following Saturday evening, Anna and Matteo bathed Bella, read her some stories together, and then Anna tucked her into bed with her soft rabbit, pulling the string on a musical toy to help her drift off to sleep. Anna pulled her bedroom door closed softly behind her.

She crept into the kitchen, poured herself and Matteo a glass of red wine, then passed one to him. ‘And . . . relax,’ she said, smiling.

Matteo gave her a hug. ‘I love Bella. In all her craziness. But this time,’ he said, ‘it’s special.’

Anna smiled. ‘Definitely.’

‘Come over here,’ Matteo said, beckoning Anna over to the sofa. ‘There’s something I’ve been wanting to show you.’