nodded, and Lydia turned her head away, shutting her eyes against the tears. She was so, so cross with herself. They’d been so close to winning, and if she’d only been more careful, gathered up the stupid dress so she could see the steps.
She swallowed hard and looked back up at Claire’s worried face. ‘Tell her well done for me when you see her.’
‘I will, but you’ll see her, too. We’ve got rooms in the hotel for the night. I’ll ring them now, let them know what’s happening. We can go there when they discharge you.’
‘No, I could be ages. Why don’t you go, have a shower and something to eat, see the others and I’ll get them to ring you if there’s any change. Or better still, if you give me back my phone and my purse, I can call you and let you know when I’m leaving, and I’ll just get a taxi.’
‘I can’t leave you alone!’
‘She won’t be alone, I’ll stay with her. I’m staying anyway, whether you’re here or not,’ Massimo said firmly, and Lydia felt a curious sense of relief. Relief, and guilt.
And she could see the same emotions in Claire’s face. She was dithering, chewing her lip in hesitation, and Lydia took her hand and squeezed it.
‘There, you see? And his brother works here, so he’ll be able to pull strings. It’s fine, Claire. Just go. I’ll see you later.’ And she could get rid of Massimo once Claire had gone …
Claire gave in, reluctantly. ‘OK, if you insist. Here, your things. I’ll put them in your bag. Where is it?’
‘I have no idea. Is it under the bed?’
‘No. I haven’t seen it.’
‘It must have been left on the ground at the airport,’ Massimo said. ‘My men will have picked it up.’
‘Can you check? My passport’s in it.’
‘Si.’ He left them briefly, and when he came back he confirmed it had been taken by the others. ‘I’ll make sure you get it tonight,’ he promised.
‘Thanks. Right, Claire, you go. I’m fine.’
‘You will call me and let me know what’s going on as soon as you have any news?’
‘Yes, I promise.’
Claire gave in, hugging Lydia a little tearfully before she left them.
Lydia swallowed. Damn. She was going to join in.
‘Hey, it’s all right. You’ll be OK.’
His voice was gentle, reassuring, and his touch on her cheek was oddly comforting. Her eyes filled again.
‘I’m causing everyone so much trouble.’
‘That’s life. Don’t worry about it. Are you going to tell your family?’
Oh, cripes. She ought to phone Jen, but she couldn’t. Not now. She didn’t think she could talk to her just yet.
‘Maybe later. I just feel so sleepy.’
‘So rest. I’ll sit with you.’
Sit with her and watch her. Do what he should have done years ago.
She shut her eyes, just for a moment, but when she opened them again he’d moved from her side. She felt a moment of panic, but then she saw him. He was standing a few feet away reading a poster about head injuries, his hands rammed in his pockets, tension radiating off him.
Funny, she’d thought it was because of the blood, but there was no sign of blood now apart from a dried streak on her dress. Maybe it was hospitals generally. Had Angelina been ill for a long time?
Or maybe hospitals just brought him out in hives. She could understand that. After Jen’s accident, she felt the same herself, and yet he was still here, still apparently labouring under some misguided sense of obligation.
He turned his head, saw she was awake and came back to her side, his dark eyes searching hers.
‘Are you all right?’
She nodded. ‘My head’s feeling clearer now. I need to ring Jen,’ she said quietly, and he sighed and cupped her cheek, his thumb smoothing away a tear she hadn’t realised she’d shed.
‘I’m sorry, cara. I know how much it meant to you to win this for your sister.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said dismissively, although of course it would to Jen. ‘It was just a crazy idea. They can get married at home, it’s really not an issue. I really didn’t think I’d win anyway, so we haven’t lost anything.’
‘Claire said Jo’s been there for ages. She would probably have beaten you to it anyway,’ he said. ‘She must have got away very fast.’
She didn’t believe it. He was only trying to make it better, to take the sting out of it, but before she had time to argue the doctor came back in, checked her over and delivered her verdict.
Massimo translated.
‘You’re fine, you need to rest for a few days before you fly home, and you need watching overnight, but you’re free to go.’
She thanked the doctor, struggled up and swung her legs over the edge of the trolley, and paused for a moment, her head swimming.
‘All right?’
‘I’m fine. I need to call a taxi to take me to the hotel.’
‘I’ll give you a lift.’
‘I can’t take you out of your way! I’ve put you to enough trouble as it is. I can get a taxi. I’ll be fine.’
But as she slid off the edge of the trolley and straightened up, Massimo caught the sheen of tears in her eyes.
Whatever she’d said, the loss of this prize was tearing her apart for her sister, and he felt guilt wash over him yet again. Logically, he knew he had no obligation to her, no duty that extended any further than simply flying her to Siena as he’d promised. But somehow, somewhere along the way, things had changed and he could no more have left her there at the door of the hospital than he could have left one of his children. And they were waiting for him, had been waiting for him far too long, and guilt tugged at him again.
‘Ouch!’
‘You can’t walk on that ankle. Stay here.’
She stayed, wishing her flight bag was still with her instead of having been whisked away by his team. She could have done with changing out of the dress, but her comfy jeans and soft cotton top were in her bag, and she wanted to cry with frustration and disappointment and pain.
‘Here.’
He’d brought a wheelchair, and she eyed it doubtfully.
‘I don’t know if the dress will fit in it. Horrible thing! I’m
