They worked in companionable silence for the most part. Much of the time they worked alone and there were some days where they could barely see each other, Mac having duties on the wards. But having one another close by was enough to sustain them through the day. The doctor finished later so if she was at the morgue, Concetta could usually slip into her office and engage in some exploration of her own. Once they nearly got caught with their hands down each other's shirts but it was always a bit of a thrill to learn how to adjust clothing and manner at lightening speed. This meant that they were interrupted and had to leave without saying a proper goodbye but it was better than nothing. Whenever there was 'a work celebration,' she came back home very late. The Strano family weren't to know that this involved a certain houseboat with a certain doctor. After a few more months they moved onto the next stage of their plan, precipitated by the unexpected concern of an aunt.
'Concetta, it isn't safe for you to be out so late at night' complained one of the aunts. 'Sometimes we're all asleep when you come back and then you get up early and start work all over again. We barely get to see you during the week. The customers miss their hostess' she hinted.
'I'm perfectly happy in my job, please don't ask again.'
Zia Chiara sighed, she was failing in her duty to get the stray sheep back to the flock. Concetta took her hands and spoke to her gently.
'Aren't I always there for birthdays and celebrations and church? I wouldn't miss that. This is how people who don't work for their family company live. I enjoy it. It suits me. I get to see so much more during my day. I get to speak to people I've never met before. It's opened a whole new world for me but it doesn't mean I forget about this world.'
Chiara couldn't imagine that anyone in their family would want to live outside of the Italian world. She had no idea how trapped her niece had felt and wouldn't have understood it.
'But you will marry an Italian man?'
Concetta sighed. This constant battle to marry her off was grating on her nerves. She had no intention of marrying ever again but she had to make it seem like fate.
'I have no plans to marry again for a while. Only God knows how it will go.'
Her aunt nodded. Her niece was a good girl. She left it at that.
Zia Francesca was not so convinced.
