Lucy Greene and Enzo Russo find each other in a twist of fate and instantly desire takes them over.
But as the real world creeps in around them, it seems that fate has played a trick on them.
Lucy Greene is on her year abroad in Italy when she mee...
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I slowly rub my thumb over Lucy's hand as we approach the private room a kindly nurse directed us towards.
When I push open the door, I see the room is darkened for the frail looking man laying on the hospital bed.
I feel Lucy stiffen as a strangled gasp of horror escapes her mouth. She staggers backwards and pushes herself against my hard chest. Instinctively, I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her even closer.
Around the room there are 6 other people, the oldest is clearly Lucy's foster mother. When she looks up and sees Lucy, she smiles and walks over to her.
"Lucy, my dear." Linda says warmly, so warmly I expect her to reach for Lucy and greet her with a hug, but neither of them move.
"How is he?" Lucy whispers as Linda's eyes settle on mine but ask no questions.
"He hasn't got long, but I'm so glad you could come and say goodbye."
"Yes," Lucy nods her head and sniffles, "could I have the room?"
She gestures around her to all the other adults and Linda's eyes dawn with understanding.
Reaching over, Linda gently squeezes Lucy's arm and I feel her body tense at the contact for a moment before she relaxes.
"Let's go and get something to eat." She suggests making everyone file out of the room save for Lucy and myself.
Once we have privacy, Lucy walks quickly over to the vacant seat and settles beside the dying man.
"Hey Robert." She says weakly, "it's me, Lucy."
She hesitates for a moment before reaching over and clutching at his hand. Her reluctance to touch and her surprise at all the other children they have clearly fostered worries me, I wonder if there is more going on here?
"Lucy?" A hoarse voice replies.
"Yes, yes." Lucy nods her head and sniffles, "I'm here."
"I'm sorry you have to see me like this." Robert's voice is hoarse and strained but it's good for Lucy to hear his voice.
"Do you remember that time when I was 9 and I fell up the stairs and broke my collar bone?" Lucy says with a chuckle, making Robert wheeze a slight laugh.
"You were so embarrassed you wouldn't talk to us for days... I had to bribe you with cake."
Lucy smiles and presses her lips to his palm. I settle down on the sofa on the other side of the room and leave them to recount anecdotes from Lucy's childhood.
Eventually, Robert's eyes land on me and he weakly turns his head to look over at me. I stand, recognising that he wants to talk to me as well now.
"And who is this?" He croaks out as I offer my hand for him to shake.
