Forever Ago

Chapter Three - In That Moment

I was woken early the next morning by the birds chirping outside. It was strange to be wide awake and to have no desire to bury me head under the covers and sleep for days like I would have done back in England.  I wanted to be up and doing things. This was until I remembered Janet’s invitation to the dinner later tonight. I spent most of the day trying to decide what to wear, which was unusual for me; worrying about what I looked like wasn’t something that I put much effort into.

The sun was low in the sky when I cut through the vineyard to get to Janet’s farmhouse. Because there had been no time on the note she had left me, I had delayed leaving until as late as possible, not wanting to arrive too early and be stuck making awkward conversation until dinner was ready. I tried not to think in such a negative way, but it was hard to break out of old habits.

The front garden was filled with ripe fruit trees and thriving flowers, there were large stone slabs leading up to a large wooden door. The sun was sinking behind the hills and an old-fashion lamppost lit the entrance to the house Claude had been lucky enough to have grown up in. A part of me was so jealous of him, of the seemingly perfect life he had here in Italy, but somehow I felt he appreciated it more than most would have. And of course, Abi would grow up here too.

I rapped twice on the solid oak door, which felt like it would leave a bruise on my knuckles it was so hard. There was scuffling on the other side and Janet invited me inside.

“Callie, just in time. Come in.” There was laughter coming from the room to the right of me, and the smell of food from the left, which I assumed was the kitchen.

A younger version of Janet walked up and kissed me once on each cheek. This must be her daughter. “Callie, it’s nice to finally meet you. I feel like I know you already from the way Mum goes on about you all the time!” She laughed and I set Janet a curious look, wondering what she had said. She only grinned mischievously. “I’m Kate.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too.” I smiled at her, remembering Janet had said she was pregnant. I wouldn’t have known by looking at her, she was tall and thin; her short, brown hair fell around her face in a youthful way. The only negative thing I could say about her was that she looked tired, which was probably why Claude was taking care of running the bookshop. I heard from someone once that being pregnant makes you tire out more easily.

“Dinner’s ready now. Kate, why don’t you take Callie through to the dining room?”

“Oh, I can help you serve the food if you’d like…” Janet paused in the doorway to the kitchen and gave me an assessing look, I got the feeling that her usual guest didn’t offer to help cook their own dinner. For me, it was unusual not to.

“No need, Callie. That’s what Claude’s for.” She laughed and disappeared into the kitchen.

“You like cooking?” Kate asked as we walking through the door to the right.

“Love it, but I’m not very good.”

The dining room had a traditional dark wood table positioned in the middle and heavy wooden chairs lined the sides. As we walked in laughter filled the room again, giving it a warm, welcoming feeling that made me smile inside. The laughter came from Claude and a tall man who sat together at end of the long table.

“Here, Callie. I’ve set your place next to Claude. Mia Madre said you were friends.” She took my hand in hers and drew me to the chair next to where Claude was sat. Kate addressed the man who sat with Claude in Italian. I noticed the softening of her expression and the gentle tone of her voice as she spoke to him and knew this was her husband.

“Geoffrey, this is Callie. She’s staying down at the cabin, remember?”

“Of course I do. Good to meet you.” He stood up and lent across the table, extending his hand. He was about a head taller than Claude and half his face was hidden behind a brown beard that suited him. Geoffrey’s accent was much more prominent than either Claude’s or Kate’s but, thank God, I could still understand him and I was grateful that he spoke to me in English.