It was half an hour before he could find the right moment to express his sympathy at Nicoletta’s plight but gently remind her that their relationship was over. He drove back to Il Rifugio and jogged through the cypresses, only to find Zia’s car absent and Villino Il Pino locked up. He was frustrated but not shocked. It couldn’t have been nice when Nicoletta descended, making wild claims. Zia and Ursula were almost at the end of their holiday and had probably gone out for the day.

He tried to phone Zia but his call went straight to voicemail. Standing outside the locked cottage door, he left a voice message. ‘Zia. I’m sorry that happened. There’s nothing between Nicoletta and me now …’ He hesitated, then added, ‘But I’d rather explain in person if you’d let me know when you come back.’ He repeated the same information in a text then changed and went to his workshop to occupy himself while he waited.

The call never came.

Euphoric didn’t begin to describe Ursula’s emotional state on Monday morning.

‘Now, you’re sure that you don’t mind?’ she kept saying as she pranced around, flinging things into her suitcase.

‘Well, seeing as you’ve already changed your flight to just a few hours from now, don’t you think it’s a bit late to ask?’ she teased. ‘Honestly, I’m really happy for you, Urs.’ Zia treated her friend to a big hug to prove it. ‘You would’ve been going home on Wednesday anyway.’

‘But now Stephan has held out the olive branch I can’t wait.’ She treated Zia to a leer. ‘Just think of the make-up sex.’

‘Mind if I don’t?’ Zia joked. Inside, she was disappointed to lose Ursula two days early but wouldn’t for the world dampen her joy by saying so.

For about the eighteenth time, Ursula checked she had her passport. ‘What about you and Signor Bedtastic?’

Her mask carefully in place, Zia shrugged. ‘Over, I expect.’ Despite Piero leaving her messages, Zia hadn’t replied. After her ignominious flight from the café yesterday she’d suggested to Ursula that they drive off to Città Della Pieve and they’d returned home well after dark. It had been a temptation to do as Piero asked and listen to his explanation but while she was wavering, she’d received a text from Brendon.

After uncomfortable soul searching I realise nothing I’ve said in the past few days has helped our situation. I SHOULD NOT be judgy as I have no moral high ground (but please spare me details if you slept with him). I SHOULD keep telling you that I love you and can’t imagine my life without you. If you ever think you can come back to me, I’ll be the happiest man in the world. Xxxxx