like an even bigger failure, her being nice to you, but not to me,’ he’d said.)
That had been hard. But, out of loyalty to Liam, she’d backed off.
This was different: this was about the children. Their relationship mattered.
‘Violet and Lenore are at camp this week,’ she reminded Dilly and TJ. ‘Maybe they’re not at home.’
‘Can’t we try?’
What time was it in Atlanta?
‘Seven thirty-nine in the morning.’ Bridey had read her mind.
‘Okay.’ Jessie had decided. ‘I’ll message Paige and see what she says.’
Within seconds Paige had pinged back: Sure!
‘Okay!’ Jessie exclaimed. ‘We’re on.’
They went to Ferdia’s bedroom and dialled up.
Then there they were – Violet, Lenore and Paige, their smiling faces filling the screen. A clamour of talk broke out, everyone speaking at once.
‘Why didn’t you come to Italy?’ Bridey demanded.
‘TJ!’ Violet called. ‘Do you still wear boys’ clothes? Because so do I!’
‘No way!’
‘Lenore, I got a unicorn squishy!’ Dilly waved it at the screen. ‘I could get you the cupcake one with my holiday money!’
‘Dilly, I have the cupcake one!’ Lenore squealed.
Jessie filled up with a painful mix of love and sadness. This was what happened when people split up, but obviously the bond was still there between the kids.
‘Jessie.’ Paige beamed. ‘What a surprise. Is everything okay?’
‘Totally. Just, we missed you guys. I’m so sorry we couldn’t make it work with the Italy dates but – and maybe I’m out of line here – but would you maybe think about the girls coming to Ireland for Hallowe’en?’
‘Excuse me?’
Oh, God, boundaries. Backtrack, backtrack.
‘Sorry, Paige. It was just an idea. So that the girls could see their cousins. But it’s not my business. I’m sorry.’
‘Jessie.’ Paige tried to cut through all the voices. ‘Jessie! Jessie. We’ve got to go now. Nice talking to you all. Say goodbye, girls.’
The connection was cut.
‘What? No! Wait!’ Bridey, TJ and Dilly erupted in confusion. ‘What happened? Mum, what happened? Ring them back!’
‘They had to go.’ Jessie strove for the right words to restore calm. ‘They only had a few minutes before they went to their camp.’
‘How do you know that?’ Bridey was very suspicious. ‘Show me the message.’
‘She doesn’t say it in words but it’s an adult thing. It was implied.’
TJ burst into a storm of weeping.
‘Oh, bunny.’ Jessie gathered her up.
‘They don’t want to be friends with us any more!’
‘They do, they do! They were just busy.’
Jessie had no clue what had just happened. Had she been out of line in suggesting the Hallowe’en visit? That must have been it. They probably already had plans. Me and my interfering, control-freak ways.
As soon as she got some privacy, she’d apologize to Paige, try to patch up this omnishambles. If she parked the bunnies at the pool – What was that?! She’d spotted something or someone through the trees. Then it came into full view: a man in dark clothing.
‘Sweet Jesus.’ She felt the blood leaving her face. ‘It’s Do-I-Amooze-You.’
‘What?’
‘Giacomo. Coming up the path.’ Muttering to herself, ‘Worried we were getting too relaxed, so he’s here to remind us what fear feels like.’ It was no surprise that Giacomo was visiting now, when Johnny was many hard-cycling kilometres away.
‘He’s scary,’ Dilly said.
‘Don’t I know it!’ Then, ‘Ah, he’s not.’ She couldn’t frighten the bunnies. ‘It’s just his way. But whatever you do, kiddos, don’t complain about the Wi-Fi.’
‘What might happen?’
‘Let’s not find out. Bridey, get the bottle of Baileys. It’s up in my room.’
She looked out again. Christ, he was nearly upon them. How did he do that? He seemed to relocate from spot to spot at enormous speed, but she never actually saw him move.
Standing at the front door, the girls lined up behind her in the dim hallway, she wondered if the discount in the rent was actually worth this.
‘Aha-ha-ha! Giacomo, what a sorpresa! Entrez-vous, venite.’ Whatever the fecking word was.
‘Buon giorno, bella signora, Jessie.’ Poker-faced, he bowed his head and gave her the bottle of grappa that she’d come to dread, then bestowed a double kiss.
Stepping over the threshold, he removed his black cap and looked down at the girls. ‘Le piccole signorine. He-he-he.’ He gave a warmth-free smile.
‘Buon giorno, Signor Giacomo,’ Bridey said. ‘We are having a nice holiday in your house.’
‘The Wi-Fi is very good,’ TJ blurted.
‘Aaaaah.’ Giacomo studied her coldly. ‘Bella ragazza. He-he-he.’ He pinched her ear as she gave Jessie a terrified look.
‘Good girls,’ Jessie’s voice was high-pitched. ‘Off to the pool now. Don’t drown.’ To Giacomo she said, ‘Come in. Sit down. Although it’s your villa, you can