Still Falling by Bella Costa

anything, you’ve come away from the experience with one amazing
talent.”
    “We’ll keep this one secret though?”
    “Mum’s the word.”
    Tony saw to it that Serena made it back to the cottage, and arranged to
pick up Serena the following morning for a day out and a light lunch.   Serena’s mother agreed to ring if Serena was
too ill to go out.  

 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Chapter
eighteen

 
 
    As it was Serena managed to get through the night with no major problems
and was bright eyed in the morning.   Under duress Tony had arrived dressed in jeans and an open neck shirt
with a leather jacket.                 “I’m
not having lunch with my chauffer!” Serena had insisted.   Marco had watched Tony arrive and then
watched the two of them leave a short while later.   This young man was really getting under his
skin and Serena’s mother was being her usual tight lipped self about her
daughter.  
    He wondered briefly if Serena realised the kid was only after her
money....and her car.   He had heard that
she was doing really well for herself and money wasn’t an issue for her.   He didn’t know why, but he had been relieved
to hear that.   He turned moodily away
from the window.
    Tony had driven straight to his Brothers Bistro after disembarking from
the ferry.   The short fifteen minute
drive had been event free but the traffic was heavier than usual and Tony was
relieved to get there in one piece.   After a bit of a fuss they had managed to get unconscious Serena into a
guest bedroom and Tony had called the doctor’s office for advice.  
    Serena woke to find young Micky trying to pull her shoes off and Tony
telling Nico adamantly that the water was far too cold to bath her forehead
with.  
    “Guys please!” All three, including little Marco, stopped and smiled at
her.
    “She wakes!”   Cried
Nico.   “See I told you the water
was fine”
    “The water is not fine.   It is too
cold.   You shocked her into waking and
next you will shock her into a heart attack!”
    Serena watched incredulously as the two brothers continued their argument
into the next room, already forgetting that Serena was there.   She sat up and lifted little Micky onto the
bed next to her.  
    “Is this what you have to put up with all the time Micky?”   She asked the little guy.   “How do you remain so happy?”  
    She pondered the little guy’s future.   His mother had died when he was a week old just as her own father had.
      “You’ll be alright,” she said
pinching his cheek.   “Now show me how to
find my way out!”  
    It was decided by all, that whilst they were at the Bistro they would
lunch here.   Serena was getting really attached
to the trio and had more fun listening to them trying to outwit each other to
impress her, than she had in ages. She hadn’t even noticed Marco seated at the
far end of the court yard watching broodingly over the top of his coffee.  
    He is so young, even if he is a good looking kid.   He couldn’t be much older than nineteen.   What could Serena be attracted to?   He can’t do much to provide for her.   The amount of time he is spending with Serena
made it obvious that the youngster didn’t work.  
    He might be young and virile in the bedroom department but how much
experience and protection could he offer?   Marco had watched Serena’s face light up as the toddler on her lap did
something to make her laugh.   His heart
squeezed.   Marco had imagined that he
would watch Serena doing just that with their son one day.   
    With his mood souring, he was deeply regretting coming here today.   With its closed and private courtyard, it was
one of the few places in Napoli that the
paparazzi didn’t hang around and he could relax.   He wasn’t feeling quite so relaxed now.   He left a few minutes after Tony and Serena.
    Serena was truly exhausted by the time Tony bundled her into the car