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Her father didn’t say anything, just stifled a smile. Valentina sighed her relief, but it was short-lived once she returned her gaze to her mother.

‘You wiped his face with your dress,’ her mother repeated, slightly slower than normal and in a tone that spoke of threat. Was the sandal finally coming off for her? Her mother had never spanked her before. Only her brothers felt the slap of the sandal; they’d hop and jump and cry out, but it was more about the thwacking sound of reprimand than actual pain, and they would both laugh about it later.

‘You have to act as though it’s agony,’ Ganni had explained, making Matteo laugh, as usual. ‘Then she stops. Mama never likes hitting us.’

Valentina had never taken her lack of physical punishment for granted, though; there was always a first time. She eyed her mother’s furious countenance. ‘He was bleeding very badly,’ she said again, beginning to feel ashamed for the extra work she had created for her already hardworking mother. ‘I’ll wash my dress,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry.’

Her mother’s features relaxed slightly. ‘Did your pilot make it, at least?’

‘Yes!’ Valentina replied excitedly. ‘He’s broken in a few places and his head has to be stitched, but he winked at me.’

‘Did he indeed?’ her father said. ‘You’d better tell him to present himself to me, then.’

‘For marriage?’ Valentina said, shocked, thrilled and delighted all at once.

Now her mother laughed. ‘Go and take that dress off,’ she said wearily. ‘Boys, clear off.’

‘What do you mean, Papa?’ Valentina asked as she stepped behind the hanging material that acted as a screen for her and her mother to dress.

‘I was joking, my girl. You’re fifteen.’

‘I’m turning sixteen,’ she qualified.

‘And he’s a grown man, if he’s flying a Spitfire.’

‘So?’

‘Oh, Leni,’ her mother began in that voice that said, One day when you’re an adult, you’ll understand.

Valentina found that condescension deeply irritating. She stepped out in a fresh dress, promising herself to keep it clean. ‘I still don’t understand.’

‘You’re too young for a man like that,’ her mother said, holding up the bloodstained dress and sighing.

‘Like what?’

‘He’s a worldly man,’ her mother dismissed.

‘But I’m not too young to marry Lawrenz.’ Her voice was dulled with sarcasm.

Her father turned around with warning in his gaze. ‘Because he’s perfect for you. And not until you’re sixteen.’

‘He’s perfect for you, Papa! It suits you for me to marry into the Falzon family, but it doesn’t suit me. Lawrenz might seem respectful to the adults around him, but around the rest of us, he’s strange.’

‘Strange how?’

‘He’s moody. Yes, he can be nice, but he can also be a bully.’

‘All men are bullies,’ her mother muttered for Valentina’s hearing only.

‘You’re a child, Leni,’ her father replied, ‘and you’ll do as you’re told. I promise to make you a good marriage. A good man, a good future.’

‘I don’t want your marriage, Papa. I want to decide for myself.’

Her father must have thought better of pursuing the debate, though, or perhaps the warning glance from her mother encouraged him to leave it. Instead he smiled, taking the wind out from her vexation. ‘It sounds as though you helped this man, so your pilot owes our bar a visit at least. He can leave some of his precious English pounds behind for us.’

She sighed – they would probably murmur later to each other that she was an emotional girl and it wasn’t worth having this argument with her – but she had to let the tension go for now. She nodded. ‘I’ll invite him.’ Besides, she didn’t want to pass up the chance to see him again.

Her father smiled. ‘Now, help your mother, Leni. The business is struggle enough,’ and he left to go and get ready to open up the bar.