‘Oh, yes. I have asked God. He says, she will fight him all the way, and eventually fall in love with Antonias, not Tony.’ With that, she wished them both goodnight and went upstairs to bed.

‘What’s it like, Jake, sleeping with the same woman every night? Don’t you ever get bored?’ Tony was swaying slightly and his eyes were glazed, but he was suddenly curious.

Jake looked at him seriously. ‘There is a big difference between the sex you have with your women and making love with someone who is your friend, lover and life partner, someone you can trust implicitly. It has meaning, it’s not just a release of the animal instincts.’ Jake watched Tony taking it in. He knew he wouldn’t remember this conversation in the morning but maybe, one day, he would understand. He hoped so.

After a week of enjoying good food in their bellies and hot sun on their backs, Tony decided it was time to get down to business. ‘Now it’s time to stir up a little trouble back home, Jake. Are you ready to contact Angus?’

‘Sure. I’ll give you your due, you’ve taken longer than I thought to get around to it. This place does you good. You’re like a different person here.’

It was true. They had gone riding through Italy on little mopeds, and buzzed around the vineyard on them, having some fun. A thought had occurred to Tony and he had tried to brush it off, but he couldn’t help it. It felt good to be home. Here was home. So was Elle, and he didn’t want to betray her after everything she had done for him, but this was his true home.

Tony told Miriam that he had bought a house by the sea, although without going into any details. Jake interrupted and told her that Tony was getting in the decorators and had hired some designer to furnish it. He was leaving it all to them. After all, what did he know about a house that big?

‘I thought, maybe Elle could look after things there. After all, she lives nearby.’ Tony looked at his grandmother for approval.

‘That’s an excellent idea, Antonias, she is a good woman and has served you well. She will look after things for you.’ She realised Tony didn’t want to take sides, to have to choose between his fondness for Elle and herself.

‘It’s a beautiful house, Nonna, enormous and with lots of land attached to it, and out of the windows you can see the sea and the waves crashing against the beach. Maybe you’ll come and visit one day.’ Tony waited pensively.

‘I’m an old woman for travelling, but maybe I will, one day. In the meantime, I expect lots of photos.’

She felt that was good enough for him. He had two women in his life, and each was some kind of mother figure. It was for the best that he kept them apart. That way he wouldn’t feel awkward, showing either of them attention in front of the other.