‘But I don’t want anything, my dear. Why are you making yourself miserable for such a foolish reason? I don’t need anything.’ Bachisia’s voice was gentle. ‘Don’t worry about me. It’s only the debt to Anna-Rosa Dejas that bothers me. I’ll never be able to pay her back. But she’ll be patient.’

Red with anger, Giovanna wrung her hands. ‘That’s what I wanted to say to that filthy animal tonight. At least pay for the rags I wear. Pay for them, or I hope someone will put a bullet through your heart.’

‘Don’t raise your voice, my dear. It’s no good getting worked up. He might throw you out.’

‘Let him. I hope he does. At least I could work for myself and for you, not for those damned people. Here she comes,’ she said, lowering her voice as Martina appeared, a black shape against the pale background of the yard. ‘Now she’ll scold me because I left the house empty. She’s afraid the money’ll be stolen. She’s got so much, she doesn’t even know how much she’s got. She can’t tell the notes apart, nor the coins. She’s got ten thousand lire, a thousand scudi—’

‘Two thousand.’

‘Well then, two thousand scudi, hidden. And I don’t even have a drink to cool me down. I’m burned up inside.’

‘It’ll be all yours soon,’ said Bachisia. ‘Be patient and wait. When the angels take her to paradise, it’ll all be yours.’

Giovanna coughed, scratched her neck, and rested, breathing heavily.

‘I wish they’d throw me out. I don’t care. That almost-priest, the parish clerk says I’m Brontu’s real wife, but I feel as if I were living with him in mortal sin. Remember how we got married? On the quiet, in the dark, without even a dog. Without a marriage feast or anything. Giacobbe Dejas – I hope he chokes – laughed and said, “Let the battle begin.” And it has.’

‘Listen to me.’ Bachisia’s voice was low and urgent. ‘Don’t be foolish. You’ve always been crazy and you always will be. It’s stupid to be so desperate. All poor daughters-in-law live like you do. There’ll be a harvest time for you too. Be patient and obedient. Everything will pass. Wait until the baby’s born. Then things will change.’

‘Nothing will change. At least up until now I didn’t have children. Soon that’ll be another burden to drag around with me. To crush me. Do you want to know what I think? My real husband is Costantino Ledda.’

‘You don’t know what you’re talking about. Shut up or I’ll shut your mouth for you.’

‘Even if he returns I won’t be able to go back to him, because I’ll have someone else’s children.’