Free The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements Page B

into the sofa, content and tired. ‘That was just what I needed.’
    ‘It was great, wasn’t it?’ Finn said.
    ‘Thank you for arranging it,’ she said. She curled in closer to Finn, and kissed him. He stroked her hair back gently.
    ‘I love you,’ he said. ‘And I thought you looked like you could do with some cheering up.’
    ‘You were right.’
    ‘It’s just a bump in the road,’ he reassured her.
    ‘I know. I’m sure it won’t be long till I get something new. Lauren’s got me signed up to help with a wedding next week, and I’ve already heard about a couple of leads that sound promising – one thing in Nepal. With any luck, I’ll be away again in no time.’
    ‘Do you need to be in quite such a hurry?’ Finn asked, with a half-smile.
    ‘Of course not,’ she said, flippantly. ‘Don’t take it that way.’
    ‘It’s hard not to, sometimes.’
    ‘Oh, come on,’ she teased him, light-heartedly.
    ‘I’m serious,’ he said, his tone changing. ‘Would it be all bad, having a bit of time over the summer together? You’ve been working back-to-back projects for almost a year now.’
    ‘You know how it is,’ Imogen said. ‘If inspiration hits – or I get a good commission – I can’t miss it.’
    ‘I do – and I completely respect that you’re passionate about what you do. It’s one of the things I love most about you. But, at the same time, I wonder if this might also be an opportunity for you to take your foot off the gas for a bit. Maybe this is selfish of me – but sometimes I wouldn’t mind seeing just a bit more of you.’
    His expression was calm but serious, and she realised that it wasn’t the time for off-the-cuff replies any more.
    ‘OK. I guess I see what you mean,’ she said. ‘And I’d like to see you more. If I had the choice . . .’
    ‘But don’t you?’ he asked, gently. ‘Don’t you have that choice, right now?’
    ‘Why are you saying all this? You just want me to stay here in England, taking safe little photos, living a safe little life . . .’
    ‘Of course I don’t,’ Finn said, shaking his head. ‘That’s not what I mean at all. I just happen to be in love with you, Imogen. And I’d like it if we got to see each other more.’
    ‘When you talk like this’ – her heart raced – ‘it all makes me feel tied down.’
    ‘When I say that I’d like to spend a bit of time with you now and then, in between your travels?’
    ‘Yes,’ she said, hotly. ‘It makes me feel trapped.’
    ‘God, Imogen! Do you know what you sound like?’ She glanced down at the floor. ‘You’re not the only one in this relationship. I’m not trying to stop you doing anything you want. I just want us to think about the future, how we could try and find a bit more balance. Is that really such a bad thing?’

Chapter 9
    Since Anna had seen the shop in Italy, it seemed as if one thing after another was starting to fall into place. She and Matteo had put down a deposit on it that week, with a six-month commitment starting in May. A friend of Anna’s from her old marketing job had been in touch looking for a place to rent in Brighton and was interested in her flat. Anna felt much better about the idea, knowing that their home wouldn’t be lived in by strangers, but by someone she knew and trusted. The only issue that remained was whom to entrust the ice cream shop to.
    Anna was typing ideas into her iPad when Matteo joined her for their morning coffee.
    ‘So, how does this sound?’ she asked. ‘“A splash of English Eccentricity on the Italian shores. Come and taste our delicious port-and-Stilton sorbet, and mojito ice lollies!”’
    As Anna had noted down some ideas for the sorbet menu that morning she’d felt a buzz of excitement at what lay ahead for them. Anna thought of the traditional Italian granita – the closest equivalent to the English sorbet, fresh and light with crunchy ice, weighed down deliciously with the fresh fruit flavours it carried. They