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Chapter Five
Please pick up.
Please, please, please.
I was trying to reach Lorenzo, but his phone was just ringing.
He’d left at the crack of dawn to drive to Florence, so he was probably still in a meeting with the supplier.
Shit.
I called again then left a message.
‘It’s okay, darling.’ I stroked Leo’s back, trying to calm him down. He’d been crying all morning.
I put my hand on his forehead again. He was burning up.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and tried to give Leo my breast, but he wouldn’t take it. It was probably the fourth or fifth time I’d attempted it, and each time he’d refused. Normally he’d jump straight on it as soon as he woke up, but today he seemed to have completely lost his appetite.
My heart was racing. I knew he was sick but had no idea how to help him.
I stood up again and tried singing. I was definitely no Mariah Carey. If I auditioned forThe Voice, I was pretty sure not a single judge would turn their chair round for me, but strangely, when I sang to Leo, it often stopped him from crying. He was particularly fond of ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams and ‘Head Over Heels’ from the Eclectic Detectives, probably because Lorenzo and I played it so much when I was pregnant. Leo also liked ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,’ but this morning, even my best crooning attempts weren’t helping. Today, Leo was impersonating Simon Cowell and his screams were telling me I definitelydidn’thave theX-Factor.
I had no clue what to do.
I was tempted to ask Google. But whilst it’d been invaluable helping me with my Italian, I was afraid that if I typed in his symptoms, it would tell me he was dying and I was already freaking out.
Mum.
She’d know what was best.
I dialled her number.
The phone rang out.
Don’t know why I bothered. She rarely answered her mobile straightaway. The house phone was always a better bet.
Answerphone.
‘Mum, it’s me. Please can you call me back ASAP? Leo’s burning up and isn’t eating. I’m really worried. Ring me, please.’
Leo’s cries became more high-pitched. How could something so small make so much noise? He seemed to be getting hotter. I carried him to the bathroom, reached for a towel, ran it under some cold water and rested it across his forehead. He started kicking in protest. I held him tighter to stop him from falling. Poor thing. If I’d been screaming as long as he had, my lungs and throat would be killing me.
Bella! She was a mum, so might have some advice.
Aaaarggh.Another voicemail.
Of course. She’d be teaching.
I tried Lorenzo again. Still ringing. Maybe he was back at the restaurant by now? Even if he was, it would take fifteen minutes to walk there. It wasn’t like I had a car or could just jump in a taxi or even on a bus. This wasn’t London. It was at times like these that I wished I had a friend or family member close by.
Who else could I call?
Think.
I knew there was one person Ishouldbe able to ask, but I really didn’t want to.
Marta.
