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‘That would be lovely,’ Maria said, beaming. ‘The children are going off to the country with their cousins for a couple of weeks, and I won’t know what to do with myself.’
‘Oh? Where’s Francesco?’
‘Like your husband, he’s away working for a week or two. Gozo. But unlike you, I can’t wait for my husband to return.’
Valentina took a breath. Maria had always been a blunt instrument. ‘Then you must come,’ she said.
Maria gave a nod. ‘Let me know when you’re going. Goodbye, you two. Be good.’ She winked.
As she left, Valentina and Peter stared at each other in shocked silence.
‘Have we got signs on our heads?’ Peter asked.
‘No, but she knows what my life is like with Lawrenz. She’s right, I haven’t been this happy for years. And she was always onto me where you were concerned – knew I had fallen for you from the moment I saw you.’
‘She talked to me about that, did you know? Told me to be careful with your heart.’
‘I guessed.’
‘I was a little clueless, I suppose, but I was never a danger to you.’
Valentina gave a gentle smile. ‘You were, you know. It didn’t matter that you thought of me as a child, that you were not the kind of man who might take advantage of a lovestruck teenager. I would have run away with you if you’d so much as whispered it.’
He shook his head. ‘Should I be apologising for the other night? We got a little swept away, but you’re a married woman. And… well, vulnerable. Did I take advantage?’
She shook her head, making sure he saw her mischievous smile. ‘I wouldn’t change it for all the world. I got what I wanted.’
‘And that’s enough?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘But I don’t see how I can have more. No one can see us – I mean, Maria might have already guessed. And soon Lawrenz will be back…’ He took a breath, but she continued before he could speak. ‘I have been thinking about what you said. About finding a way out.’
He looked grave. ‘And?’
‘I will take steps, is all I’ll say.’
He nodded. ‘Good. I want to say I’ll be there for you – and Danjel – but you won’t trust it, I suspect. So I’m going to say, if you need me, I will come from wherever I am, whenever you ask.’ He paused, searching her face. ‘So ask.’
Valentina nodded. This man, this angel of her youth, was everything she’d dreamed of and more. But she had to be the one to save herself.
‘So I’ll see you the day after tomorrow at the cathedral?’ he asked.
‘So long as you think I won’t be thrown out.’ She made a wry face.
‘You won’t,’ he said, chuckling. ‘As my colleague, no one will question it. You belong there as much as anyone else.’
She nodded, feeling the anticipation ripple through her. ‘What time?’
‘Come in the morning, just before nine, so we can be flexible for Her Majesty’s schedule. Are you going to watch them arrive tomorrow?’
‘Yes, of course. I feel as though the whole country is travelling in from far and wide to welcome her. And you?’
‘I’ll be at the memorial.’
‘I thought you might – I hoped you would.’
‘It will feel right to lower my eyes to those who fought so bravely and gave their lives for Malta, for the Allied offensive.’
She nodded, and then clapped her hands gently. ‘Peter, I haven’t felt this excited since I was a child. To see the Queen, to be able to share Malta with her, and perhaps even Caravaggio…’ She trailed off, so overwhelmed with pride.
