Page 215 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

Was it the same in Milan? Susie pondered as she awoke on the dreaded day. Were there red roses by the fountains? Was there so much romance in the air that Dante would pause and finally think of her? Would flowers finally arrive from him today?

She lay listening to Juliet playing. It was a different piece than usual, and actually rather beautiful. It made her think of Dante, although that wasn’t unusual. Everything did these say.

She checked her phone, chiding herself for vague hope, while knowing damn well he wouldn’t call now...

It had been weeks of nothing and she knew his big case started on Monday—no doubt he was busy working, or out with some gorgeous beauty who understood that when Dante said he didn’t get involved he meant it.

As she did most Saturdays, she called home.

‘How are you, darling?’ Mum was sounding cheerful.

‘Busy,’ Susie said. ‘One more week till you come. You need to tell me your flights...’ She scrambled for a pen. ‘I’m really looking forward to seeing you.’

‘And we’re excited to see you too—but I’m afraid it’s not going to be until April.’

‘Sorry?’

‘The twins’ move has been brought forward. They’re moving that weekend.’

Susie felt her heart plummet as she was told how they needed Dad to shift some heavy stuff...how there was simply no other day...

‘But, Mum...’ Susie tried to quash her wail of despair. ‘I’ve booked the days off.’

‘I know you have, darling,’ Mum said. ‘But their landlord wanted tenants in immediately, and they’d have lost the flat otherwise. You know that we’d do the same for you...’

Actually, Susie didn’t!

‘But it’s my birthday...’

‘Susie!’

Mum gave a little laugh—the one that she always used to warn her that she was being petty. And possibly she was. It wasn’t a milestone birthday...it didn’t actually matter...

Except it did.

She wanted one birthday where it was all about her.

One cake that was her own, and not just another candle stuck in beside the twins’ double ones, which always seemed to shine so much more brightly.

‘Susie, wearecoming—it just won’t be next week.’

‘Mum, please—’

‘Now, stop being silly!’ Mum gave her little warning laugh again. ‘You sound as if you’re jealous.’

‘I am.’

‘Pardon?’

‘I am jealous,’ Susie confirmed. ‘I’ll call you next week. Bye.’

Ending the call, she took a breath and waited for guilt or panic to arrive. But bizarrely she felt a bit better for having said it.

She went into the kitchen and smiled at Louanna, who was dressed in black.‘Buongiorno...’

‘There’s coffee in the pot,’ Louanna said.

‘Are you working?’ Susie asked.