Luca led her to the quay and jumped down into a sleek teak craft with a cabin at the rear. He helped her to step in, then untied the rope. The motor roared to life, and the boat moved forward up the canal towards the open water. As soon as they were clear of the last buildings, Luca pulled back the throttle. Caroline was overcome with the sheer power, the speed. Luca glanced back, exhilaration on his face.

“Good, eh? My new toy.” Then he added, “Don’t be scared. I am a good driver.”

“I wasn’t scared,” Caroline replied defensively.

Luca grinned, gave her a wink, and went back to steering. Caroline stared at the back of his head. The smile, the wink had definitely been flirtatious. Watch out for Italian men, she told herself. They cut around freighters entering the harbour and arrived at the Lido in no time at all.

Luca leapt out, tied up the craft and then held out a hand to help her. “You didn’t get too wet, I hope?” he asked.

“No. I’m fine. I enjoyed it, actually.”

He nodded appreciation and set off for a modern white building facing the waterfront. Inside, a white-coated nurse greeted Luca and led them through to a room at the back of the building. There a little old lady lay propped against pillows. Her hair was snow white, her face peaceful, but the eyes she opened were dark and anxious.

“What is this?” she demanded.

“Nonna, I have brought a friend to see you,” he said.

Caroline got the gist of the Italian.

“This one you are finally going to marry?” the old woman asked. “Give us an heir?”

Luca gave an embarrassed grin and turned to translate for Caroline. “She wants me to marry you and produce an heir.” He sat on the edge of his grandmother’s bed. “This is a lady from England who’s come to talk to you.”

The old woman scrutinized Caroline’s face, blinked and reacted with a start.

“England?” Her face was suddenly hostile. “Me, I do not like the English.”

“She just wants to ask you a couple of questions, then we’ll go,” Luca said patiently. “She wants to know if you remember an English lady at the beginning of the war. She stayed in one of our buildings. A Miss Browning. Did you know her? Was she a friend of the family? Does that name ring a bell?”

“No. I do not know her. I never heard of this woman. Why would I be friends with an Englishwoman? Me, I hate the English. I wish them all dead.” She started waving her arms, as if swatting away flies. “Get that person out of here. I never wish to see an Englishwoman again. She has come to cause trouble. To give me grief.”