I went to fetch some water and when I returned, Valentina was dozing, her legs stretched out in front of her, her body propped against the chair, her belly like a hill stretching the fabric of her dress tight. I didn’t like to leave her there alone, so I fetched a blanket and lay down on the grass beside her, a book open in front of me but not paying it much attention. If a fly or mosquito landed on Valentina’s bare ankles, I shooed it away.

My thoughts were all about Anna and what might have happened to her after she was sent to the psychiatrist in London. What had they done to her? I wondered. What had happened to change her from a feisty, courageous teenager to the cowed, anxious, damaged woman I had always known?

When I heard the roar of the Alfa Romeo’s engine that signalled Joe and Francesco’s return, I pushed myself to my feet and met them at the gate. We were standing by the car, Francesco raving about how wonderful it was, his eyes bright and cheeks flushed, when another vehicle came down the hill. In amongst the approaching cloud of dust and exhaust fumes was Vito’s truck.

Francesco glanced anxiously from me to Joe and back again.

Joe straightened his shoulders and did his best not to look worried.

‘It’s okay, Francesco,’ he said. ‘Everything’s going to be okay.’

‘I’ll talk to Vito,’ I said to Joe. ‘You take Francesco to find Valentina.’

‘I’m not leaving you with Vito,’ said Joe.

‘He won’t do anything to me.’

The truck bumped onto the parking area.

‘Joe!’ I hissed, signalling that he should take Francesco away, but before either of them could move, Valentina stepped out from behind us. She walked calmly towards the truck and met Vito when he was already almost upon us, holding his arms out to her, his face a mask of concern.

‘There you are!’ he cried. ‘I didn’t know where you were, baby! I’ve been looking everywhere.’

Valentina stood stiff as he embraced her, pulling her close so that her back bent awkwardly. He kissed her on the mouth as she remained rigid.

I looked to Joe, desperately uncomfortable. He was looking the other way.

Vito was staring into Valentina’s eyes, holding her face between the palms of his hands so she had no choice but to look at him.

‘We finished early and I went back to the pizzeria to surprise you, baby,’ he said, squeezing her face. ‘You weren’t there. I’ve been looking everywhere. You never said you were going out. I thought something had happened to you!’

‘What would have happened to me?’ Valentina asked.