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It reminded her of Peter.
It was what connected them across oceans. Across years.
Even if they never saw each other again, this was their bond. Life might have worn away at her, but he remained in her mind the dashing golden man of her fantasies. She was now around the age he was when they’d met. How odd. She hoped his life had turned out much happier than hers, but how could it not? How could he fail? His personality was a magnet to all, and he had freedom… if he’d survived.
That thought became physical, clogging at her throat. What if he was dead? Killed by a bombing raid over England, or some other violence? She knew his home was in a place called Bath and she had read in the Times of Malta that the Luftwaffe had targeted important cities in England – particularly cathedral cities – towards the end of the war. But if Peter had survived his battle in the air and subsequent near-drowning, he had surely survived that.
She wouldn’t allow herself to believe anything but that, or… No. She couldn’t bear to think what that might do to her.
The door opened and she looked up. A shaft of light lit a familiar silhouette. ‘Is that you, Robertu?’ she called.
‘Yes, have you finished?’
‘Just now.’ She smiled as he approached.
‘I have some time and thought you might like to go for a walk.’
She checked her watch.
‘It’s all right,’ he said, anticipating her response. ‘He won’t know the bar opens half an hour later.’
‘But my customers might,’ she said dryly.
‘I just want to talk,’ he said, and there was a plea in his tone.
‘Of course. Let’s go. If you say it’s all right, then Lawrenz can take it up with you.’
‘Fine. Do you need help putting all that away?’
She shook her head. ‘I’ll see you outside in a minute or two.’
She returned all the cleaning items and took off her apron. She unravelled the scarf that held her hair and checked herself in the mirror. She hoped Robertu was right about Lawrenz, because she would be the one to pay the price.
Valentina emerged from the darkness of the cathedral, blinking into the sharp afternoon sun.
‘Barrakka Gardens?’ he offered. ‘I know you love it up there.’
She noticed he was carrying a small bag but didn’t enquire about it. ‘That sounds lovely. What a beautiful day it is.’
‘Did Danjel get away all right?’
‘Yes. He even let me kiss him farewell in front of his teammates.’
‘That’s because he’s already so mature – he doesn’t care if others jeer. I don’t think he’ll go through awkward years, that boy.’
She cut him a sideways grin. ‘Not like you?’
He laughed. ‘Don’t remind me. I was so in love with you, Valentina.’
She passed off the comment with a giggle, glancing at him. ‘We were all young and silly.’
‘The problem is, I still am.’ He stared at her, mouth serious.
There it was.
‘Don’t, Robertu. You kn—’
He held his hands up in a warding gesture. ‘I’m just saying. I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.’
