“And you interview people as you travel?” he asked.

Keira sipped her wine, finding herself relaxing into their company. “Yes. Part of my approach is to collect stories from couples, to see what secrets they keep, or what advice they have to offer.”

Francesco raised his eyebrows then and looked over at Sabrina. “Well, we have been married for thirty-three years,” he said. “You could interview us if you’d like.”

Keira didn’t need to be told twice. She leaped at the offer.

“Could I? That would be fantastic.”

Cristiano stood then. “That reminds me, I have your luggage,” he said. “Would you like me to fetch it? I think your laptop is inside.”

Keira smiled, relieved that her case had indeed survived. But she pulled her notebook out of her purse. “Actually, I’ve become very accustomed to taking notes by hand over the last few days,” she said. “I think the slower pace of the Italian life is rubbing off on me.”

Everyone laughed again.

Keira poised herself for the interview. “Whenever you’re ready,” she said to Cristiano’s parents.

It was Sabrina who took the lead.

“Physical touch is very important,” she said. Keira noticed her stroking Francesco’s hand. “We don’t find it embarrassing to express love and affection openly to one another. The children don’t either. It is better for everyone when we’re at peace and affectionate.”

Francesco nodded in agreement. “Time is important, too. We spend almost every evening together, out here beside the fire, or walking in the hillsides. Hand in hand, of course. Holding hands is not just for young lovers.” He chuckled. “And absolutely no distractions, no television or anything. We may not always be talking but being together in the silence bonds us more than staring at the television ever could.”

“You learn to love the silence,” Sabrina added. “It is very comfortable. You begin to feel as at ease in the other’s company as you are when alone.”

Keira wrote as they spoke. She remembered her experience in Florence, where she’d connected the senses with romance.

“What about food?” she asked, smiling. “Do you find eating together a romantic act?”

“Of course!” Francesco said. “My wife is a fabulous cook. We eat together as often as possible. It is an activity here, something to be enjoyed. We take our time, both with the cooking and the eating.”

Sabrina laughed. “And we put time and effort into not just how the food will taste, but how it will look. Because beauty in itself is romantic, and there is beauty in the craft of food, culture, art…” She took a big sip of her wine. “I think I may have drunk too much this evening.”

Keira watched on, smiling. Sabrina rested her head against Francesco’s shoulder. They did indeed look completely at ease with one another, so comfortable as to almost be one and the same entity.

Pippa spoke then. “Raff and I have been married less than a year,” she explained. “We hope to have what our parents have one day. But at the moment we don’t need to worry about keeping the romance alive. Italians are naturally romantic. It is in our DNA.” She laughed heartily.