The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop Part 32

She pointed through the gap in the doors. 'Daddy!' she called out, spying her father waiting.

'I think we'd better go before she beats you to the top of the aisle,' Imogen said, laughing.

'OK.' Anna took a deep breath. 'This is it, then.'

'Yes,' Imogen said. 'It is. Let's do this.'

Imogen and Bella followed Anna down the aisle, pa.s.sing Anna's and Matteo's families. Imogen kept her eyes focused on her sister, and led Bella past the relatives, all of whom she wanted to play with.

At the top of the aisle, Imogen brought her restless niece up into her arms as they watched Anna and Matteo say their vows. This was it. Things were changing. Anna, the elder sister she'd always adored and idolised, was making official her commitment to Matteo, and to their small family. Imogen was close enough to see Anna's tears, and hers started to fall too. Matteo with his easy smile and ability to roll with the ups and downs of life was the right man for Anna, and a great father to their daughter. To see them promise to always be there for one another, whatever happened, didn't seem like either of them making a compromise, or a sacrifice. It simply seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

As they exchanged rings, a cheer went up from the crowd, and Bella leaped into her father's arms.

Imogen looked out at the guests: Jan and Tom, whooping and calling out; Carolina, linking arms with her parents, who were both smiling broadly; Martin and Clarissa, holding each other close. And there, on the third row back, was Finn. She tried not to let her gaze linger there too long.

As Matteo and Anna pulled away from one another, Imogen brought her sister in towards her for a hug. 'Congratulations!' she said.

'We did it!' Anna said, her smile irrepressible. 'We actually did it, Imo.'

After the ceremony, a procession of hooting cars, led by Anna and Matteo in a white Cinquecento, headed up to a nearby cliff-top village. There, they trooped out towards the marquee and bar set up with a breathtaking view of the coast.

Imogen looked out at suns.h.i.+ne on pastel-coloured, picture-book houses, and the coastal road snaking out of view. The bride and groom were chatting and laughing, Anna's hair blowing gently in the sea breeze, Matteo's hand clasped tightly in hers. This was better, thought Imogen. Much better, than watching a wedding from the outside.

'Dreaming?' Imogen turned to see Carolina by her side. In a navy empire-line dress, her dark curls pinned up loosely, she looked elegant and serene.

'I guess I was,' Imogen said. 'Your brother and Anna look happy, don't they?'

'He's got excellent taste, Matteo,' Carolina said with a smile.

'Anna, too, of course. Have your parents enjoyed the day?'

'Oh, everyone's had a wonderful time, yes.'

Tom c.h.i.n.ked a gla.s.s, and announced that everyone should take their seats for dinner. Imogen's eyes drifted over the crowd, and came to rest on Finn, who was leading Bella up to the top table.

'You should talk to him, you know,' Carolina said, kindly.

'I don't know. It's complicated.'

'There's something about weddings,' Carolina said, with a wink. 'It's a different set of rules.'

Anna and Matteo danced their first dance together as the sun set on the sea.

The dance floor filled: Tom led Jan up there by the hand; Evie and Luigi swayed gently to the music; and Carolina danced with Bella, their laughter ringing out. Elisa and Matteo's father were up there, too, Elisa's high heels lay on the ground, kicked to one side, as her husband twirled her round. Carolina was right, Imogen thought: when there was so much love in one place people united regardless of blood ties there was a different set of rules.

She saw Finn standing by the edge of the dance floor, a gla.s.s of wine in his hand. Steeling herself, she approached him and stood by his side. 'Have you got a minute?' she asked.

He smiled, confused. 'I suppose so. I don't have anywhere in particular I need to be.'

She took his hand, leading him away from the crowd and towards the ocean. They sat on a bench there.

'I've really missed you,' she said. 'I know when we b.u.mped into each other I acted like everything was OK, but it's not. I still think about you about what we had every single day. I was so stupid to risk it all by not being honest with you.'

Finn looked at her, then glanced away. 'Don't say this stuff unless you mean it, Imo. We've been through so much this year and I don't think I can have my head messed with any more.'

'I do mean it,' Imogen said. 'And the one thing I've always wanted is to be with you. Nothing happened with Luca, and he knows that nothing ever will. You're the only one I've ever wanted to be with. It's just that . . . that it scared me, I guess. The idea of marriage, settling down.'

'I get that,' he said. 'And there's no hurry. Really there isn't. I just wish you'd given me a chance to say that to you at the time. I can't help the way I feel, that I was so caught up in loving you I couldn't wait to propose. But I always knew you might not say yes. I never wanted to settle down for the sake of settling down it was because I loved every day with you and didn't ever want there to be a day when things were different.'

'Instead, it was the thing that broke us up,' Imogen said.

'Yep. Perhaps I should have seen that coming. I knew it was never going to be the easiest path being with you. But you know what? I don't care. I don't care about easy I care about you.'

'I love you, Finn,' she said, tears rising to her eyes. 'I've learned my lesson, I really have . . .' The words gushed out, uncontrolled. 'If you give me another chance, I'll be honest one hundred per cent.'

'Promise?'

'I promise.'

He held out a hand and drew her in towards him. She relished the warmth of his skin.

Imogen bit her lip, tears rising to her eyes. 'I do want the same things as you, Finn. I know I haven't made that clear. But I want to be with you. For the long haul.'

'Do you really mean that?' Finn said.

'Of course I do. I wouldn't be here begging for you to take me back if I didn't,' she said, reaching out her hands, which he took in his.

'Hang on, did you say begging? I don't think I heard that part . . .' Finn said, smiling.

'Please,' she said, playfully. 'Please.'

'OK, then. Move back in with me, then. Because you know what? I've really, really missed you. The house is empty and quiet, and G.o.d knows I'd never find another use for the darkroom. You know I'm rubbish at taking photos.'

She started to laugh, then moved closer to him. He touched her hair gently, tucking a loose strand back behind her ear. Their eyes met and he brought her in towards him and kissed her.

Strains of music drifted over to them through the night sky. Italy had taught Imogen so many things that summer, but what she was looking forward to, more than anything, was going back home.

Acknowledgements.

Three years ago I met with my editor, Jo d.i.c.kinson, and we got talking about the joys of ice cream. From there came the idea for Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop, and then this Italian sequel. Thank you Jo for all your brilliant support as an editor and a friend.

To the wonderful team at Simon & Schuster Carla Josephson, Sara-Jade Virtue, Rumana Haider, Eleanor Fewster and Matt Johnson.

To Caroline Hardman, the best agent there is.

To my mum, Sheelagh, expert in both toddler-juggling and spotting continuity errors and tirelessly committed to both.

To James we made it through this whirlwind year together. Thank you for your love, patience and for all the laughter.

Finally, to my son Finn, I hope you don't mind being in this story. It turns out OK for you in the end.

end.