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your voice is special, he may be prepared to help you gain a scholarship to study at the school.’
    ‘Really?’ Rosanna’s eyes lit up with hope.
    ‘Yes, really. And I think you should invite your mamma and papa to my soirée and let them hear you sing too. If they’re in a room with people who recognise how talented their daughter is, then I think it may help our cause.’
    ‘But, Luigi, they’ll be so angry I’ve lied to them for all these years. And I don’t think they’ll come.’ She shook her head dejectedly.
    ‘All you can do is ask them, Rosanna. Remember, you’re almost seventeen – nearly an adult. I understand you don’t wish to distress your parents, but trust Luigi and ask them to come. Promise?’
    Rosanna nodded. ‘Promise.’
    ‘Now, we’ve wasted enough time today. We’re going to learn one of my favourite arias. You will perhaps sing this at my soirée: “ Mi chiamano Mimi ” from La Bohème . It’s difficult, but I believe you’re ready for it. Today, we shall study the music. Come’ – Luigi stood up – ‘we have work to do.’
    On the bus on the way home, Rosanna sat lost in thought. When she arrived home she went straight into the kitchen to find Luca.
    ‘ Ciao, piccolina . What’s wrong? You look tense.’
    ‘Can we talk?’ she asked Luca, and added, ‘privately.’
    Luca glanced at his watch. ‘It’s quiet this evening. I’ll meet you in our usual place in half an hour.’ He winked at her and Rosanna hurried away before either of her parents saw her.
    The Via Caracciolo was bustling with cars and tourists as Luca strolled down towards the seafront. He saw his sister leaning over the railing, looking out at the foamy waves, turned a deep navy by autumn shadow. He watched with a mixture of brotherly pride and protectiveness as two men passed her, then turned back to look again. Although Rosanna would never believe she was as pretty as her sister, Luca knew she was turning into a beauty – tall and slim, her childhood awkwardness gradually giving way to a natural long-limbed elegance. Her long, dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her heart-shaped face containing thickly lashed brown eyes. He could refuse her nothing when she smiled at him, and paying for her lessons was the only reason he was still working in the café, doing most of the work while his father sat at a table in the corner, drinking with his cronies.
    ‘ Ciao, bella ,’ he said as he reached her side. ‘Come, let us have an espresso and you can tell me your problem.’
    Luca guided Rosanna to a pavement table in front of a café. He ordered two coffees and studied his sister’s worried expression. ‘Tell me, Rosanna, what’s happened?’
    ‘Luigi doesn’t wish to teach me any longer.’
    ‘I thought you said he was pleased with your progress?’ Luca was horrified.
    ‘He is, Luca. He doesn’t want to teach me because he says I’ve learnt all he knows. Luigi has an important friend at La Scala. This friend is coming to hear me sing at a soirée at Luigi’s villa in six weeks’ time. He may offer me a scholarship to study at a school of music in Milan.’
    ‘But that’s wonderful news, piccolina ! So why do you look so sad?’
    ‘Oh Luca, what shall I tell Mamma and Papa? Luigi wants them to come and hear me sing at the soirée. But even if they did come, they’d never agree to me leaving Naples and going to Milan. You know they won’t.’ Rosanna’s lovely brown eyes filled with tears.
    ‘It doesn’t matter what they say.’ Luca shook his head.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘You’re old enough to make your own decisions, Rosanna. If Mamma and Papa don’t like it, if they can’t appreciate and support your talent, then that’s their problem, not yours. If Signor Vincenzi believes you’re good enough to win a scholarship to study in Milan, and is bringing an important friend to hear you sing, then nothing must stop you.’ Luca reached for her hand. ‘It’s the news