– this surely was a role she could play. She pulled her coat around her and marched boldly through the gates.
The policemen started when they saw her. They clearly recognised her and tipped their caps.
‘Good morning,’ she said politely.
She walked confidently up to the front door and rang the bell. Constanza opened the door. ‘Signorina Bellucci, what are you doing here?’ Constanza asked nervously.
‘I think I may have left something behind from when I was living here,’ Isabella replied boldly. ‘I just need to look for it.’
As she stepped into the hall, Amadeo, Vicenzo’s cousin, walked through from the kitchen, followed by a couple of policemen – one tall, the other short and squat.
‘Amadeo, darling,’ Isabella said grandly, embracing him. Holding him to her, she whispered: ‘Vicenzo wants me to fetch something for him from upstairs. Pretend we’re old friends, and while I’m upstairs, distract the police… It’s so lovely to see you again,’ she said loudly, releasing him. ‘Shall we have coffee in a moment? There is so much to discuss. But before we do, I think I left a ring here a few weeks ago… I’ll just go up and get it and then we’ll chat, yes?’
The policemen watched her walking calmly upstairs. The taller of the two looked as if he was about to follow her, but Amadeo clicked his fingers and the dogs ran into the hall from the sitting room. They wound themselves around the policemen’s legs.
‘They are beautiful dogs,’ said the short policeman.
‘They are very easy to train,’ Amadeo replied. ‘They can do tricks; shall I show you?’
In Vicenzo’s bedroom, Isabella closed the door quietly and wedged a chair against it. She searched under the Turkish rugs, and eventually found the piece of nailed-down carpet. She took a pair of scissors from the dressing table and prised up the nails. Between the joists, there was the list of names Vicenzo wanted. She folded the paper until it was no larger than a book of matches, and slipped it inside her bra. Then she smoothed out the carpet, covered it with the rug and went back downstairs.
‘Did you find it?’ asked Amadeo.
‘No, it’s so annoying. It was a little pearl ring my mother gave me when I was young. I can’t find it anywhere. I thought perhaps I’d left it here, but it wasn’t in the bedroom, or the bathroom.
‘I’ll ask Constanza to look for it, shall I?’ said Amadeo.
‘Oh please don’t bother,’ said Isabella. ‘I’ll ask her myself. Shall we have that coffee?’
Outside in the street, Isabella put her hand to her chest, checking the folded paper was safely tucked away, and began to walk quickly towards the church where she had arranged to meet Vicenzo. He was waiting for her in the crypt of skulls and was staring at the altar, flickering in the candlelight.
‘You are amazing,’ he said when she handed him the list. ‘I knew you could do it. I’m so grateful.’
She felt proud of herself, she realised, as if she had achieved something remarkable.
‘They didn’t suspect anything?’ he asked.
‘I don’t think so,’ she replied. ‘I did my “grande dame of the cinema” act. They seemed quite charmed, in fact.’
He slipped the paper inside his coat pocket and took her in his arms. ‘I am in your debt,’ he said, kissing her lightly on the lips.
‘I would do anything for you,’ she murmured.
‘I know,’ he replied.
‘Will I see you again?’ she asked.
‘Yes of course. Not tomorrow but the day after, here in the church, at two o’clock.’
‘Good,’ she said. ‘Until two o’clock then.’ And she kissed him.
Twenty-Eight
Florence
April 1944
It was still dark when Livia was woken by a soft knocking sound. She stumbled sleepily along the corridor. ‘Jacob, is that you?’ she asked through the secret door.
‘Yes, I’m sorry, but it’s Sara – she’s started.’
A rush of energy jolted Livia properly awake. They had been unable to find a midwife and now that the moment was upon them, she realised there was no alternative – she would have to deliver Sara’s baby. She moved the coat rack as quietly as she could and opened the door. Jacob looked exhausted.
‘I’ll get some things,’ said Livia, ‘and see you up there.’
She put the kettle on the gas to boil, and then went to her room to dress. In her father’s room, she searched for sheets and towels in the linen cupboard. He stirred in his sleep.
‘It’s only me, Papa,’ she said quietly. ‘Sara’s having her baby. Go back to sleep.’