The Wedding Arrangement

CHAPTER SEVEN

HE SURFACED again, having lost track of time, but seeing that it was still dark outside. Turning his head painfully, he saw Minnie standing at the window with her back to him. He tried to speak but the sound that came out was weak, and she didn’t turn towards him. He wished he could see her reflection in the dark glass, but her head was bent.

Minnie, standing at the window, knew that he had stirred, but needed a pause before she could look at him. She kept her head lowered, lest he see her face, and her tears should reveal too much.

She could still hear the explosion. It happened again and again in her head until she thought she would go crazy from the endless repetition. Then everything slowed and she seemed to be wading through glue as she ran to him, her heart pounding at the sight of the smoke and flames.

It was playing back again, the moment she’d rushed in to find them dragging him out of the bathroom and laying him out on the floor, dropping to her knees beside him, cradling him in her arms-like that other time-watching life ebbing away-Please, not again!

She’d held him against her, willing him to live, begging, praying, imploring some unseen power, because she couldn’t bear to go through it a second time.

They had taken him from her arms to get him down the stairs. She’d followed and insisted on going in the ambulance with him.

Now he was safe, his injuries treated, his outlook good. She ought to be glad and relax, but inwardly she was screaming while the tears poured down her face.

‘Minnie.’ His voice was barely a croak, but her ears seemed specially sensitive to him, and now she couldn’t hide any longer. She dried her eyes and forced herself under control. When she turned to him she even managed a smile.

Through a haze Luke watched her come towards him and lean close.

‘You’re all smudgy,’ he whispered.

She rubbed her face. ‘It’s the smoke.’

‘Sorry about that. Were you injured?’

‘Not at all. Never mind me,’ she said with soft urgency. ‘I’ll go soon and let you rest, but first, how do I contact your family?’

‘There’s no need for that. I’d rather not worry my mother. She’ll think it’s worse than it is.’

‘You were lucky it wasn’t.’

‘I was lucky in my neighbours, who came to my rescue so fast. Still,’ he added wryly, ‘I suppose, having won me over, they wanted to keep me alive until the repairs were done.’

‘Stop fishing for compliments. You’re a popular man.’

‘But you can’t think why.’

At one time she would have enjoyed bantering with him, but now there seemed to be a lump in her throat and she was afraid of weeping again.

‘I haven’t given the matter any thought,’ she said, trying to speak steadily. ‘Now, can we please be serious for a moment? I ought to let someone know about this. What about your girlfriend?’

‘What girlfriend?’

‘The one whose picture you keep in your wallet. I found it the first night when I was collecting your things. She has lovely long black hair.’

‘Oh, her!’

‘Oh, her? Is that any way to talk about the lady in your life?’

‘Hardly that.’

She was silent for a moment before she spoke, choosing her words carefully. ‘Does she know she’s been relegated to “Oh, her!”?’

‘Olympia wouldn’t care. To her I was never any more than “Oh, him!”’

‘Yet you kept her picture.’

‘I’d forgotten it was there. Better tear it up now she’s engaged to my brother Primo. In fact-I don’t know-what was I going to say?’ His mind seemed to be filled with clouds.

‘Never mind now,’ she said. ‘Get some rest. I’ll come in tomorrow.’

‘Thank you for-what you did-it was you holding me, wasn’t it? Or did I imagine that?’

‘Go to sleep,’ she said.

‘Mmm!’

She waited and, when she was sure that he was asleep she kissed his forehead. He stirred, but did not awaken, and she slipped out silently.

The next day he felt better, although still woozy. Netta came to see him, bearing a huge gift of fruit, and chattered non-stop.

‘Everyone asked after you. Benito and Gasparo and Matteo, and they sent you some beer, but the hospital wouldn’t let us give it to you.’

‘They’re funny about that,’ Luke said with a weak grin.

‘Such a mess you were, we thought you would die. So we called the ambulance and when they carried you off we followed. All except Minnie. She came with you.’

Did she cradle me, naked, in her arms? he thought.

‘I’m glad I’ve got such nice neighbours,’ he said.

Netta continued bawling kindly confidences at him until a sister came to his rescue and ushered her out.

‘Thanks,’ Luke said when the sister returned. ‘She’s a dear, but-’ He gave an expressive shrug, then wished he hadn’t because it hurt his arm.

‘No more visitors today,’ she said.

‘Ah-well, if Signora Minerva Pepino should come, I want to see her. She’s my lawyer and we’re planning legal action against my landlord.’

He slept again and when he awoke it was dark outside and Minnie was sitting beside him. Her dishevelled, grimy look was gone and she was her impeccably neat self again.

‘Are you feeling better?’ she asked.

He was still talking in a husky whisper, but he managed to say, ‘Yes, I guess I’m well enough for you to say, “I told you so.”’

She smiled faintly. ‘I was going to save that for later.’

‘Go on, get it over with. Aren’t you glad that I ended up my own victim? Doesn’t it serve me right? Minnie, what’s the matter?’ She’d covered her eyes suddenly and when she spoke her voice shook.

‘Don’t say things like that, just-don’t.’

‘You’re not crying, are you?’ he asked in disbelief.

‘No, of course I’m not,’ she said hastily, brushing her eyes. ‘But you could have died in that blast.’

‘Teresa would have died in it,’ he said huskily. ‘She’s old and the shock alone would probably have finished her off. I’d have had that on my conscience.’

‘Then she’s very lucky that you took over,’ Minnie said gently. ‘We all are. Thank God you’re still alive and it’s no worse than a burned arm and face.’

He gave a derisive grunt. ‘That’s no loss. Women never pursued me for my beauty. I might do better as “scarred and interesting”.’

‘You’re not going to be scarred. Here.’

She took out a small mirror and gave it to him. He surveyed himself critically and grunted again.

‘My face looks like a boiled lobster.’

‘Only down one side,’ she reassured him.

He gave a bark of laughter and immediately winced.

‘Just a little redness,’ she said. ‘It’ll go and your looks will be unimpaired.’

He looked at her askance. ‘My face was always shaped for scowling rather than smiling. Now it feels too tender to smile much, anyway. Tell me about the apartment.’

‘Blackened with smoke. The fire was put out almost at once, but it’s not habitable.’

‘I want you to do something for me-I mean, please. Get the right people in, not just to my place but everywhere. I want every boiler in the building replaced, and that’s just for starters. When I’m back home there’s a lot more to be done. I want to oversee it personally.’

‘You need to be better before you can think about anything.’

‘Will you come and see me again?’

‘Of course.’

The nun he’d spoken to earlier appeared by his bed, and smiled at the sight of Minnie.

‘Signora, I am glad to see you. Signor Cayman tells me that you are both planning to take very stern action against the landlord.’

Minnie’s lips twitched. ‘He said that?’

‘Oh, yes, and it’s good. Such landlords are beneath contempt. If I had yours here I would put arsenic in his coffee.’

‘So would I,’ Luke said, darting a wicked glance at Minnie.

‘You’re looking tired,’ she said. ‘It’s time I was going.’

She gave his hand a brief squeeze and departed, leaving him to the tender mercies of the sister.

In three days he was feeling better. He still lacked energy but the only sign of injury was his heavily bandaged arm and hand.

The Pepino family visited every day. Netta would call in briefly to ask if she could get him anything, and the men lingered to play cards.

‘Netta, I want to get out of here,’ he said one evening. ‘Is my place really so bad?’

‘You can’t live there,’ she said at once. ‘Not for ages.’

‘What about a hotel? Do you know one nearby?’

‘You can’t live in a hotel. You come to us.’

‘I couldn’t impose on you. There would be so much work-’

Netta began to weep noisily. In the outpouring that followed several things were stressed-her lonely life since so many of her sons had moved out, how happy it made her to have someone to look after, but, of course, at her age she couldn’t expect to know the joy of being needed, and if he preferred to go among strangers then she would try not to complain, but it was very hard on a poor woman who only wished him well, et cetera, et cetera.

Her sons listened to this with groans that showed they’d heard it all before, and her husband leaned over to Luke, remarking cynically, ‘You may as well give in now.’

Luke agreed and yielded, grinning. Netta’s tears dried as if by magic, and she graciously accepted the financial terms he offered. It was agreed that he would be collected the next day.

Minnie arrived soon after, to be greeted by the news. She expressed herself pleased, but there was a slight reserve in her manner that Luke thought he understood.

Even so, he might have been surprised to hear them talking in Netta’s kitchen that night.

‘What are you playing at?’ Minnie demanded furiously. ‘And don’t give me that innocent look because you’re as devious as an eel.’

‘Bad girl. You should respect your mother-in-law.’

‘I’ll respect her when she stops trying to marry me off.’

‘Marry? Who says marry? I’m looking after an invalid, that’s all.’

‘That’s all, my left foot! This is part of a devious plan.’

‘So? I’m your Mamma, you’ve said so often. And a Mamma is supposed to be devious to help her daughter.’

‘I do not need help,’ Minnie declared, trying to sound firm.

But she knew, from experience, that it was easier to be firm with the wind than with Netta in full cry.

‘Of course you need help,’ Netta said. ‘Four years you are a faithful widow. Now you find a happy life for yourself.’

Minnie eyed her with wry affection. ‘So this is all about my happiness, is it?’ she challenged.

Netta shrugged expressively. ‘He’s rich. You marry him, we won’t have to pay rent ever again.’

‘Netta, you don’t know what you’re playing with. This isn’t a game where you can move people around the board like pawns. I-I don’t want him here. I think he should stay in hospital a little longer.’

‘If he’s here he’s in your power and that’s what you want.’

‘Really? So now you’re an expert in what I want?’

‘Sure. You want a man.’

‘Not this man,’ Minnie said stubbornly.

‘Yes, this man. He’s the one. I, your Mamma, tell you so.’

‘Will you keep your voice down?’ Minnie asked frantically.

‘Then be a good girl and do as you’re told. You want him here where you can work on him, like any clever woman.’

‘Well, maybe I’m not a clever woman.’

‘That’s true. You’re a very clever lawyer, cara, but a stupid woman.’

‘Thanks,’ Minnie said crossly.

‘Don’t sulk,’ Netta advised her. ‘Mamma knows best.’

‘She’s right,’ Tomaso said, looking into the kitchen. ‘You listen to Netta. She’s got it all worked out.’

‘You should be ashamed of yourselves, the lot of you,’ Minnie said, but she spoke without anger.

Their affection warmed her even while she told herself that they were scoundrels conniving for their own benefit. That was true, but it wasn’t the whole truth. Their schemes were survival ploys, and their love for her was genuine. So, as often before, she allowed herself to be seduced by the comfort of their embrace. The fact that she disapproved of them did not make that embrace one whit less comforting.

She was in court the following day and so missed seeing Luke’s triumphant return to the Residenza. Coming home late, she saw Netta’s lights on, and Charlie keeping watch on the stairs to waylay her.

‘She’s here,’ she heard him call inside.

They swarmed out to engulf her and sweep her inside, where Luke rose to greet her. He was smiling and composed but she sensed an air of strain. When Netta ordered her to sit down and eat, Luke insisted on bringing some of her supper from the kitchen and helping to serve her.

‘You look as if you should be in bed,’ she told him quietly as he poured her coffee.

‘I’m a bit tired, but Netta’s looking after me wonderfully, and they’re making me feel like one of the family.’

‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ she said softly. ‘They’re lovely people, but-’

‘But exhausting. I know. Don’t worry. Netta says she’s going to be like a mother to me. Tomorrow I have strict orders to stay in bed until the nurse comes to change my dressing. Then I’ll get up and go up to look at what’s left of my home.’

‘Don’t overdo it. You need all your energy for getting well. Is your room comfortable?’

‘Yes, I’ve got Charlie’s room. He’s kindly moved into a tiny place that looks like a box cupboard.’

‘It would have been better if you’d had that one.’

‘Thanks,’ he said, surprised.

‘No, I mean it’s down the end of the corridor and fairly quiet. Charlie’s room is in the centre, and always noisy.’

‘Well, it’s still kind of them, and I won’t be here for long.’

Before she left, Minnie took Netta aside.

‘He looks very tired,’ she said.

Netta sighed and nodded. ‘Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea. With so many of the family around and the others dropping in, he can’t rest properly.’ Suddenly she brightened and seemed to think of something. ‘I know, why don’t you put him in your spare room?’

Minnie groaned. ‘This is what you’ve been planning all the time, isn’t it? Netta, you are unspeakable, you are shameless, you are-ooh, I wish I could think of something bad enough.’

‘I know,’ Netta said penitently. ‘I’m very bad. But you will take him, won’t you?’

‘I will not. I refuse to be a party to your schemes, do you hear? I don’t know how you have the nerve to-of all the-Goodnight!’

She grabbed her bag and got out of the apartment while she could still control herself, leaving Netta to explain to Luke that there had been an urgent call from a client.

Minnie meant to stay away for the next few days, but the memory of Luke’s strained face haunted her.

Part of her wanted to take him in, care for him and enjoy doing so. But part of her shied away. Being honest, she didn’t hide from the reason. It was connected to the minutes when he’d lain in her arms, burned, bleeding, helpless.

His nakedness had left no doubt of what she’d often suspected, that he was magnificently built with broad shoulders and strong thighs, designed for power. Suddenly the power had gone, leaving him vulnerable, his eyes closed, his head slumped against her. The desire to protect him at all costs had been overpowering, and that was what she feared now-to be overpowered, not by him, but by the strength of her own feelings.

She’d stroked back his hair, caressed his face and shoulders, held him against her heart, weeping frantically. And for a few blinding minutes she’d cared for nothing and nobody else on earth.

Now, despite her resolve to stay away from danger, she knew he wasn’t well, and she had an uneasy feeling that she’d abandoned him when he needed her. So she called the following evening, meaning to stay just a few minutes.

She found the place in uproar and Netta weeping.

‘I meant everything to be all right,’ she wailed, ‘and now everything is all wrong, and I don’t know what to do.’

‘But what’s happened?’

‘My sister Euphrania and her husband Alberto are on their way here to visit us. They will arrive tomorrow and expect to stay here but we have no room. Oh, what am I going to do?’

Suppressing a desire to murmur, ‘Stop overacting,’ Minnie drew Netta firmly aside.

‘This is another of your schemes,’ she said, ‘but it isn’t going to work. He’s not coming to my place.’

Netta gave her a pathetic look. ‘What will become of him?’

‘You’ll have to pass on to Plan C, won’t you?’

‘Pardon?’

‘Yesterday was Plan A and it didn’t work, this is Plan B, and it’s not working either.’

Netta’s eyes gleamed. ‘The day isn’t over, cara.’

‘Your day will be over for good if you don’t stop this,’ Minnie threatened. ‘I won’t have him at any price.’

Netta giggled. The sound infuriated Minnie.

‘I will not invite him, Netta. Understand me once and for all, the answer is no!’ She added, more in hope than conviction, ‘And that is final!’

She stormed away so fast that she collided with Luke coming along the corridor, and he winced before he could stop himself. In the brief harsh close-up view of his face, she saw that he was at the end of his tether.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you.’

‘I’m fine,’ he lied. ‘Minnie, is there a good hotel near here?’

She hesitated, seeing a malign fate draw closer, ready to suck her in, and there was no way to avoid it without kicking him when he was down.

‘Not a hotel,’ she said. ‘Not among strangers.’

‘I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself. Netta, there you are. I was just wondering about a hotel.’

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ Minnie said reluctantly.

‘But of course it is,’ Netta cried, to her astonishment. She named a hotel. ‘It’s a lovely place. You’ll be very comfortable there.’

‘He will not,’ Minnie said hotly. ‘It’s a dump run by swindlers.’

Netta became an avenging angel. ‘The night porter is my cousin’s uncle’s brother.’

‘I rest my case. Swindlers who fleece the guests and provide bad food. Luke could die in his room and not be discovered for days. No way. He’ll stay with me.’

‘I wouldn’t dream of troubling you,’ Luke said at once.

‘It’s no trouble,’ she snapped.

‘Then why did you say earlier that you wouldn’t take him at any price?’ Netta demanded.

In the icy silence that followed, Luke looked from one to the other.

‘Did you say that?’ he asked, sounding only mildly interested.

‘I-may have said something like it, but I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want your fate on my conscience, so you’re coming to stay with me.’

‘Don’t I get a say?’

‘No. And that’s final.’

‘You say “final” very often,’ Netta mused. ‘Only then things turn out not to be final at all.’

‘Netta, I’m warning you-’ She checked herself and drew a long, slow breath. ‘Please be kind enough to collect Luke’s things.’

‘Suppose I say no,’ Luke said. ‘Perhaps I don’t want to.’

She turned on him, breathing fire. ‘Did I ask what you want? You are coming to stay with me, and that’s the end of it. No more argument.’

‘You’d better do what she says,’ Netta told him. ‘When she’s made up her mind, she never changes it. Never, never does she change her mind-’

Then, perceiving that she had pushed her beloved daughter-in-law as far as was safe, she fell silent.

‘Then I guess I’ll just have to agree,’ Luke said with an air of meekness that did nothing to improve Minnie’s temper.

She glanced at the other woman, expecting to see her relish her triumph. But Netta had left the field of battle while she was winning.

The whole family helped him move the short distance to Minnie’s flat, where Netta got to work on his bed.

‘Come and see if it’s all right,’ she commanded Luke, guiding him, not to the spare room, but the large bedroom with the double bed.

‘I’m taking the spare room,’ Minnie told him. ‘Netta says you toss and turn a lot, so you’ll be more comfortable with the extra space.’

‘I can’t take your room.’

‘It’s all arranged,’ she said. ‘So quit arguing.’

He didn’t want to argue. He didn’t want to do anything except collapse on the double bed, which looked wonderfully inviting. Minnie, reading his face, shooed everyone out so that he could have some peace. The last one to leave was Netta, and Minnie went with her to the door.

‘You’re disgraceful,’ Minnie told her amiably. ‘There was no need to hurry it tonight.’

‘Best if neither of you had time to change your mind.’

‘It won’t work, Netta. Luke and I just aren’t on that wavelength.’

‘Hmph! Much you know! Goodnight, cara.’

Minnie laughed and kissed her. ‘Goodnight.’

She closed the door and went back to the bedroom where she had left Luke. But he was already sprawled across the bed, fast asleep.