He knew he’d spoken her name-but how loud? Had they heard him? He fell back, passing a hand over his screwed-up eyes, wishing things would become clearer.

‘Thank you,’ he said again, forcing his eyes to open.

Piero looked in to say, ‘The ambulance is here.’

‘What damned ambulance?’ Ruggiero roared. ‘I’m not going to hospital.’

‘I think you should,’ Polly said. ‘You have had a bad accident.’

‘I landed on my shoulder.’

‘Partly. Your head also took a thump, and I’d like it properly looked at.’

‘Signorina,’ Ruggiero said through gritted teeth, ‘I’m grateful for your help, but please understand that you don’t give me orders.’

‘Well, the ambulance is here now,’ she said, riled by his tone.

‘Then you can send it away.’

‘Signor Rinucci, your head may be injured, and I urgently suggest-’

‘You may suggest what you like,’ he snapped, ‘but I’m not getting into an ambulance, so spare me any more of your interference.’

‘Such pleasant manners,’ said a voice from the door. ‘It must be my son.’

Hope swept into the room.

‘Mamma,’ Ruggiero said painfully, ‘how did you-?’

‘Evie called my cellphone,’ Hope said, also in English, taking her cue from the others. ‘And as I was shopping nearby I had only a little way to come.’

‘You just happened to be shopping nearby?’ Ruggiero growled.

‘Yes, wasn’t it a fortunate coincidence?’ Hope said smoothly.

‘If you believe in coincidences.’

‘Be quiet and watch your manners,’ his mother said firmly. ‘You’ve now been rude to everyone-’

‘He hasn’t been rude to me,’ Evie observed mildly.

‘Give him time. He will.’

‘Especially if she mentions an ambulance,’ Ruggiero retorted.

They argued. He was obdurate. In the end his mother sighed and gave in. The ambulance was sent away.