Read Online Set Me Free by Daniela Sacerdoti - Free Book Online Page B

maybe do something about Leo’s feelings, but he never showed signs of having seen it. This made it all the more heartbreaking: that Leo knew . He could feel with a child’s instinct that his father had somehow rejected him.
    I dreaded the day he’d be old enough to ask me why, and I would have no answer.
    â€œTalking to you is just impossible, Margherita. All you do is throw accusations at me.”
    â€œWell, all you need to know is that we’re going to see my mum and Lara will be fine. You’re welcome to come and see them if you want.”
    A pause. “I’ll be very busy, workwise . . .”
    Of course. Of course.
    â€œBye, Ash.”
    â€œRight. Fine. Bye.”
    I put the phone down and I felt empty. I hoped that the second call would restore me a bit, but first I needed coffee. I made myself a cappuccino and sat at the table once again. I dialled the number for La Piazza. It rang a few times and I began to feel apprehensive – would it be okay to go to Glen Avich for so long? Had I made a mistake to assume she would have us? Oh God, I should have asked her first, before telling Lara and Ash . . .
    But my doubts melted as soon as I heard her voice. That was my mum, my ally and best friend through thick and thin. She would not let me fall.
    â€œHi, it’s me,” I said, stirring my cappuccino, hoping it would keep me going after the sleepless night.
    â€œMargherita! What’s wrong? You sound stressed.”
    â€œYes, well, I am. Oh, it’s Ash, it’s a million things, really. But mainly . . . Lara is having some trouble in school. She needs a change of scene. I need a change of scene. So I was thinking—”
    â€œOf course! Nothing would make me happier.”
    I smiled. “You guessed! I was going to ask you if I could come up.”
    â€œPlease do. Please, please do.” The joy in her voice was like a balm for my aching heart. “It would be such a treat to have you up. How long are you coming for? Why not the whole summer?”
    â€œI was hoping so. But what about Michael?”
    â€œWhat about him?” she said, and I could hear the fondness in her voice.
    â€œWill he be okay with us being there for so long?”
    â€œOf course! He’ll love having you around. You know his daughter and his grandchildren are in Canada, and he misses them a lot. Honestly, he’ll be delighted to have you.”
    â€œThank you, Mum,” I said tearily. The strife of the recent months was really getting to me – I was crying more often than ever in my life, even more than when I was going through fertility treatment.
    â€œNo need to thank me. I’m so glad also because I won’t be seeing either of your sisters. Laura is working all summer and Anna—”
    â€œYes, she told me. She’s going to Colorado to see Paul’s family. I’ll miss her.”
    â€œSo, will I be expecting you tomorrow?” she said hopefully.
    I couldn’t help laughing, even between my tears. “Tomorrow? I haven’t even packed yet!”
    â€œSorry. It’s never too soon . . . I can’t wait to see you. The day after, then?”
    I smiled again. “Schools break up next week down here. I’ll be there next Saturday.”
    â€œOkay, then. I’m so sorry this is happening to you . . . but I’m so glad to have you up for so long! I’ll get the cottage ready and everything sorted for you.”
    The cottage was a miniature two-room building at the bottom of their garden. They were once stables, but my mum and Michael had had them done up for us and for Michael’s daughter to come and visit.
    â€œThank you. Really.”
    â€œAre Lara and Leo happy to come up?”
    â€œLara jumped at the chance. She wants to leave her friends . . . her so-called friends behind. They have been vile to her, after she started having trouble. Especially Polly and