A Proposal to Remember

‘They’re gorgeous, Carlo, and I’d hate to have real ones,’ she assured him hastily. ‘I’d be terrified to wear them. Now it’s my turn.’ She moved over to the Christmas tree and rummaged underneath for his presents.

‘This is my main present to you.’ She handed him a small box, hugely pleased with herself.

The man in the shop had assured her that it was the perfect present for an Italian male. Or any male, for that matter.

Carlo ripped off the paper and stared down at the toy car in his hand.

‘It’s a Ferrari,’ Zan said breathlessly. ‘Apparently it’s called an Enzo Ferrari and there aren’t very many and they cost almost half a million pounds. So I thought I’d get you one for Christmas.’

Carlo was very still, staring down at the car with a strange expression on his face.

Zan’s smile faded and she looked at him anxiously. ‘Do you hate it? Have you already got one?’

Carlo seemed to shake himself. ‘No. Not like this.’

‘Good.’ He seemed totally distracted and Zan looked at him i

n confusion. ‘When I win the Lottery I’ll buy you the real one.’

His eyes met hers.

‘Zan, there’s something I have to tell you.’ His voice sounded strange and his expression was deadly serious. He put the car on the floor and reached for her hand. ‘I should have told you before, but I—’

The shrill tone of his mobile phone interrupted them and he said something in Italian that she was sure wasn’t polite.

‘We’ll talk in a moment.’ He flipped open the phone. ‘Carlo Bennett.’ He listened, frowning slightly as the person on the other end spoke briefly. ‘OK—I’ll come in. Yes, she’s coming, too.’

He closed the phone, his expression grim. ‘Helen Hughes has gone into labour.’

‘Well, what’s the problem with that? Oh, no.’ Zan clamped a hand over her mouth and started to giggle. ‘I’d forgotten about her mother staying. She won’t even have had time to put the turkey in the oven yet. Why are you looking so tense?’

Carlo hesitated. ‘Because I wanted to talk to you.’

‘You can talk to me while we get dressed.’ Zan scrambled to her feet and dashed into the bedroom. ‘What stage is she at?’

‘Her waters have just broken and she’s been having regular contractions for the past two hours so they’ve told her to come straight to Labour Ward. They wanted to let me know and I said I’ll go in and check on her. I know you’re not officially working until lunchtime but I thought you’d like to do the same as you’re her named midwife.’

‘Of course I’ll come with you.’ Zan dragged a uniform out of the wardrobe. ‘Try keeping me away! Would you believe, I’ve never delivered twins? I’m really excited. This is the best Christmas ever!’

Carlo looked oddly tense as he pulled on a pair of tailored trousers and dug a roll-neck jumper out of his bag.

She reached for her coat and glanced across at him. ‘What did you want to talk to me about?’

He hesitated briefly and then shrugged. ‘It can wait.’

She smiled. ‘We can talk tonight, after we’ve delivered these twins.’

Whatever it was couldn’t be that important.

* * *

The two men in the car watched them leave.

‘I’ll say this for Santini—he’s got taste,’ one of the men muttered. ‘That girl is gorgeous.’

His friend frowned at him. ‘You shouldn’t be looking at the girl. You should be looking for the bodyguard.’

‘Parini?’