We danced until we were hot, then Stefano suggested we go out onto the terrace to get some air. “And some more champagne, of course,” he added.

“And canapés?”

“Naturally, if Aidan has not eaten them all.”

The terrace, lit by strings of lanterns, was high above the bay. Stefano took two glasses from a passing waiter’s tray and led me to the parapet. Far below, the lights of Castiglioncello followed the coast like a diamond necklace. I breathed the warm air and smiled at Stefano over the rim of my wineglass. “This place is so beautiful! How lucky you are to live here!”

He did not reply, but leaned against a pillar and looked into my face. “Are you absolutely sure you wish to be a teacher?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“But you are unlike any teacher I have ever known. Exquisitely beautiful, as perfect as a china doll, and happy to embrace new experiences such as … your mother would disapprove of, shall we say?”

“My mother,” I assured him loftily, “knows very little about me!”

“In truth, I am a little surprised she allowed you to come to Castiglioncello with Aidan at all.”

“Oh, don’t be!” I told him. “He is her favourite nephew!”

There was a sudden clatter. Stefano looked round, then back at me, half-smiling. “Speaking of her favourite nephew…”

Aidan was being helped up. As he fell he had taken a tablecloth with him, spilling loaded platters and a bowl of punch on the stone floor of the terrace. In the flurry of scurrying waiters and exclaiming guests that followed, Aidan’s voice could be heard protesting that he was perfectly all right, that everyone should just carry on, though he felt a bit strange, must be too much champagne, and maybe he had better go.

“Stef, my good fellow!” he cried as we approached. “Will you take care of Sarah? Put her in a car after the party?” He leaned against the wreck of the table, breathing noisily. “I feel a bit peculiar.” He loosened his tie. “Seems warmer out here than it did indoors.”

I felt his forehead. “Aidan, you’re terribly hot! You must be ill. Come on, let’s go home.”

“Not at all, wouldn’t dream of it. You stay here with Stef and have a good time. One of Gio’s people will take me back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Quite sure.” He smiled wanly. “You two enjoy yourselves, won’t you? Now, where’s Paolo?”