‘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

Despite noting spooky similarities to the phrases Ursula attributed to Steph, Zia found this dramatic message harder to read than all Brendon’s attempts to rekindle their relationship. His tacit acceptance that she had the right to sleep with Piero had the bizarre effect of making her half-wish she hadn’t. She’d thought she could handle a casual hook-up – OK, an incredible night of sex – but the miserable nausea she’d felt when confronted by a sobbing Nicoletta had shocked her. She wasn’t in danger of feeling too much for Piero, was she? That would cast her in the Brendon role. Uncomfortable.

The unpleasant things Nicoletta had said, the contempt with which she’d obviously viewed Zia and the fact that Piero had remained behind with his ex, had all kept her awake last night. But now she shook herself. No. She refused to be this disappointed in a man she’d only just met.

She conjured up a smile and made a show of checking the time. ‘Ursula, if we’re going to make it to the airport in time for you to catch your flight, you’d better get your arse in gear.’

‘Okay, huneeee,’ Ursula half-sang, giddily fastening her luggage.

They were just hoisting Ursula’s suitcase into the car when Piero hurried out of the trees, his frown a slash across his forehead.