Still Falling by Bella Costa Page B

okay?”
    “Si, but where is your shirt?   On
second thoughts, perhaps I shouldn’t ask.”
    Tony just
grinned wider.
      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Chapter
twenty

 
 
    Serena’s mother was waiting for them when they returned.
    “Marco called for you earlier.   He
said he wanted to walk with you to the beach.   He didn’t seem too happy when I said you had already gone with a
friend.”
    “Marco should just mind his own business.”
    “Serena, Marco is a good boy.   He
is just looking out for you.” She scolded.   The older woman then noticed Tony standing sheepishly outside the door.
    “Santa Maria.   What have you done to your face Tony?   Come, come let’s get
some ice on that.”
    Tony was about to object but he noticed Marco staring at them from a
window balcony in the big house.   With a
smirk he entered the cottage, one arm draped loosely around Serena’s
shoulder.   While her mother busied
herself making an ice pack, Tony & Serena briefly discussed her past with
Marco.
    “So let me get this straight.   You
never actually dated Marco.   No dinners, no holding hands, nothing?”
    “That’s about right.”
    “Man, you guys have one weird relationship.”
    “We don’t have a relationship and never had.   That’s what I’m trying to tell you!” Serena
grumbled.
    “If you say so.”   Teased Tony, holding up his hands in surrender.  
    Worried about
how late it was, Serena’s mother invited Tony to spend the night on the
sofa.   Tony had no intention of
objecting.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Chapter
twenty one

 
 
    Over the next few days, Serena spent much of her time with Tony, always
stopping at the Bistro for a bite with Nico and Micky before taking the ferry
back to the island for Serena’s sunset walk. There were no further
interruptions from Marco and only a few small incidences with nausea and black
outs, but nothing Tony or her mother couldn’t handle.  
    Serena was beginning to think that perhaps Tony was trying to set her up
with Nico but as much as she enjoyed his company, she didn’t think it was a
likely match.   Their worlds were miles
apart and she couldn’t see Nico as anything more than a big brother.   Serena needed a degree of independence and
Nico needed a housewife and mother for poor Micky.  
    Sitting in the Bistro waiting for Tony to take her to chemo, Serena
suddenly realised that somewhere along the line, since starting work with Jo
four years ago she had inherited an extended family.   Her whole life it had been her and her
mother.   Now she had Tony and Nico who
were like brothers to her, Jo who was like a meddling big sister that she
couldn’t say no to and the gorgeous Micky who would make any aunt proud.   Best of all they had accepted her as part of
the family.   Even her mother seemed to be
getting in on the action having long telephone discussions with the new
extended family about Serena, and what was good for her.   She hugged herself unconsciously.  
    What better support could she ask
for?
    “Hey Serena!   How do I smell?” asked Tony bringing his face close to hers.
    “Mmm, nice.   I hope that’s not for me?” she asked batting her eyelids and looking
coy.
    “I dunno.   You gonna put on a cute
little nurses outfit at the clinic and play doctors?”
    “Naughty!” laughed Serena.
    “Tony, have you finished my aftershave again?   Those nurses are gonna kick you out for
contaminating the air!” Yelled Nico from inside.
    “Let’s go before
Nico really gets started,” said Tony, guiding Serena out the Bistro court yard
to the car.
    Her mood dropped as the car drew ever closer to the clinic.   Tony must have picked up on this and left her
alone to her thoughts.   Inside and set up
on the drip, Serena drifted off to sleep on the adjustable medical chair while
Tony went on the hunt for available nurses.  
    When she was done her mood had gone really low.   All she