villa. Nothing is worth the risk of staying here.’
‘Now, Luisa—’ Giacomo began.
‘Don’t you try to persuade me,’ Luisa shouted. ‘I’ve heard enough of your arguments to know how it will go. But I will not change my mind!’ She left the room and they heard the thud of her suitcase falling onto the floor – she had obviously dragged it down from the top of the wardrobe.
‘Papa,’ Livia pleaded, ‘I can’t leave now. Cosimo is back at last, and there’s the problem of the radio. Who will monitor it if I’m away? Perhaps you should explain to Mamma what we’re doing – and how important it is.’
‘I can’t tell her about the radio,’ he said. ‘She’s already hysterical. Firstly, she would never forgive me, and secondly, I worry that if she was arrested or challenged she might inadvertently give us away.’
‘Well, think of another excuse – please, Papa.’
‘Look,’ he said, taking Livia’s hand, ‘I can monitor the radio for a few weeks. It’s wonderful of you to do it, but the situation is too confused here; it’s not safe.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘I hadn’t told you this, but our leader in Puglia, Tommaso Fiore, has been jailed by the Fascist police. There is danger everywhere, and in some ways I agree with your mother. You should go home.’
Livia’s eyes filled with tears. ‘But who will protect you?’
‘I’ll be all right,’ he said cheerfully, ‘you mustn’t worry about me. But if anything happened to you, I couldn’t forgive myself. Just go to the country for a few weeks, until we have a sense of what is going to happen. I’ll cover the radio, and with luck you’ll be back in September.’
‘Are you sure? I worry that Mamma will expect me to stay up there in the hills forever.’
‘I won’t let that happen,’ her father assured her.
Luisa appeared in the hall, her bulging suitcase by her side. She was already wearing her summer coat and hat.
‘I’m ready,’ she said. ‘Livia, go and pack.’
‘I can’t leave straight away,’ Livia pleaded. ‘I have to say goodbye to some friends first.’ She looked at her father for support. ‘Please, Papa.’
He smiled. ‘It’s all right. You go and say goodbye to your friends, we can leave after lunch.’
‘But don’t be too long,’ Luisa said desultorily, taking off her hat.
Livia was in a quandary. She wanted desperately to see Cosimo but knew she should also visit Elena. As her friend’s apartment was closest, she went there first. She arrived to find Elena and her mother washing up at an old stone sink in the kitchen.
‘I’m so pleased you’re here, Livia,’ said Elena, drying her hands. ‘What shall we do today?’
‘I can’t do anything, I’m afraid, I’m leaving Florence.’
‘Why?’ Elena looked puzzled.
‘My mother insists we have to go back to the country – she’s frightened.’
‘Of what?’ asked Elena.
‘Everything, really, but bombing in particular. My father is concerned that the Americans have already attacked Rome and we might be next.’
‘I agree with him,’ said Benedetta as she put the washed china back in the cupboard. ‘No one seems to know which side we’re on anymore.’
‘My father says that Mussolini’s supporters won’t give up without a fight,’ Livia continued. ‘The Germans have over a hundred thousand troops in the north. The Anglo-Americans are in the south and we’re caught in the middle.’
The three women stood around the kitchen table considering the implication of what Livia had said. Eventually Elena broke the silence.
‘I’ll miss you if you go away,’ she said, sitting down gloomily at the table.
‘And I hate the idea of leaving you,’ replied Livia. ‘Why don’t you all come with us?’ she asked brightly. ‘We have plenty of room.’
‘Thank you, Livia,’ said Benedetta, ‘that’s very kind, but I must stay here. My husband’s work is at the hospital. He’ll never leave Florence. But Elena could certainly go with you.’
‘No, Mamma,’ Elena insisted. ‘I must stay and look after you.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ her mother chided. ‘I don’t need looking after, but you would have a nice time in the countryside.’
‘Oh, do say you’ll come, Elena,’ Livia pleaded.
‘All right,’ said Elena uncertainly, looking at her mother. ‘If you’re sure?’ Benedetta nodded. ‘And you promise your mother won’t mind?’ Elena asked her friend.
‘She’ll be fine,’ said Livia. ‘I know she can make a bit of a fuss, but she’ll be happy to have you. But we really need to leave today.’
‘Will you tell Papa for me?’ Elena asked her mother.