Dreaming of Rome

by Dreaming of Rome (retail) (epub)

  ‘Life’s too short for drinking warm wine.’

  Jo looked across at him, remembering what her sister had just told her and a sensation of considerable regret spread across her. Apart from his physical appearance, she knew that she liked this caring, generous man a lot. How he could turn out to be such a pig as far as women were concerned was inconceivable and tragic. And disappointing. She summoned a smile and held up her glass.

  ‘Thanks, Corrado, you read my mind. Cheers.’

  She clinked her glass against his and savoured the ice-cold wine on her tongue. Feeling more than a bit exposed in her sister’s teeny-weeny bikini, she decided to sit down and, as she did so, she felt a warm, heavy, hairy head land on her bare thigh. She looked down at Daisy and her smile broadened.

  ‘The water was very nice, Daisy. I know you would’ve enjoyed it.’

  ‘That’s an idea. Jo, do you feel like coming down to the river with us? It’s just over there in those trees. Daisy deserves a swim.’

  ‘Of course.’

  Jo glanced down at the remains of the wine in her glass and made a quick decision. It would be warm by the time they came back and it was too good to waste, so she swallowed the contents of the glass in a couple of big mouthfuls, feeling relieved that she had managed to do so without getting hiccups. She caught Corrado’s eye and saw him do the same. Slipping into her sandals, she stood up again and prepared to follow him as he unclipped the dog from the lead and dissuaded her from heading back into the pool. There was just one thing worrying her – she was nearly naked.

  She toyed with the idea of wrapping the towel around herself, but in the end decided not to bother. She wasn’t her mother, after all, in spite of her sister’s jibes. All around her most of the other guests were in a similar state of undress so, as it was still very warm, she told herself that if they could wander about in just their swimming things, so could she. The glass of Prosecco she had just gulped down may have contributed to this decision, but she soon found herself walking off across the field wearing next to nothing, with a near-naked man and a very happy dog alongside her.

  The river was wider than she expected, but the water level was visibly low. Fortunately, there was more than enough for Daisy to be able to leap in and swim energetically after the sticks her master was throwing for her. There was a big tree trunk by the water’s edge, and from the look of its smooth surface, it had been used by countless people before her as a convenient bench. Jo sat down and breathed deeply as she watched Corrado bend and flex as he sent a regular supply of missiles flying into the water for the dog to fetch. He really did have a lovely body, but she knew all too well that he was the carrot dangling in front of a donkey that would never get to taste it. She sighed to herself. It wasn’t a lot of fun being a donkey.

  Finally, he straightened up, turned and walked across to the log to sit down beside her. She couldn’t help noticing that he kept a decorous distance between them and, in a way, it was a relief.

  They sat in silence for a minute or two before she summoned up the courage to start talking. Without taking her eyes off the dog, who had settled in the shallows with just her nose sticking out of the water, looking for all the world like a hairy black crocodile, Jo did her best to sound casual.

  ‘So, what did my sister tell you about me before you met me?’

  ‘Why, has my brother been talking to you about me?’

  ‘Yes, they both have, but I asked first. What has Angie told you?’

  ‘Let’s see. You’re very organised, maybe a bit too organised, and a bit bossy. You’re very bright and you’re ambitious. You’re stunningly beautiful, but you’re always playing it down. You were with a guy for a few years, but it all went sour back in the winter. You’re still getting over the break-up, and if I so much as lay a finger on you, she’ll get the local Mafia to come and chop me up and feed me to the pigs.’ She could hear the smile in his voice so she turned towards him and saw him nod. ‘Yes, I think that was the gist of it. Sounds about right?’

  ‘Probably dead right about the bossy thing, but then that’s what big sisters do, isn’t it? But I don’t know if I’m terribly ambitious. Yes, I enjoy my job and I work hard, but having a fancy title after my name doesn’t matter much to me.’

  ‘And the stunningly beautiful thing?’

  Jo felt her cheeks redden. ‘That’s not up to me to judge and, besides, it’s what’s inside that counts.’

  ‘Well, for the record, I think your sister got that dead right.’ Ignoring her blushes, he carried on. ‘Now tell me what Angie and Mario have been saying about me.’ This time he sounded more serious. ‘Was it good or bad?’

  ‘Well, it made me feel pretty silly. They told me about your beautiful house, the size of your company and about how well it’s doing. I’m afraid I owe you an apology for going on about millionaires the way I did this afternoon.’

  ‘You were fine. In fact, if you remember, you even said that if I turned out to be a millionaire you wouldn’t hate me. That’s good enough for me, but I owe you an apology for not telling you the truth about my house. I just thought it might be easier, in view of what you had told me about your bad experience with the rich stronzo in London, if I kept a low profile.’

  ‘Well, I meant it when I said it was a beautiful house.’

  ‘Thank you. I’ll have to show it to you properly one of these days.’

  ‘But why do you drive round in that little Fiat all the time if you’ve got that lovely new car?’

  He smiled, a full, open smile that lit up his face. ‘That’s easy. Have you seen how battered the Fiat is? That’s inevitable in a city like Rome. People bump into each other all the time – and often they don’t stop. And then there’s the smell of dog. All right, on a dry day like today and with the windows open it probably didn’t bother you too much, but on a rainy day, I can tell you… Daisy’s part of the family, but she’s definitely not the most aromatic. But the main reason I don’t use the Range Rover so much is because it won’t fit in the garage below the flat.’

  The bonkodrome, Jo thought to herself. So did the fact that today he had come to pick her up in the little car mean he had come from the flat and, if so, had he been there with some random girl? Shaking a sense of annoyance from her head, she nodded and replied.

  ‘I can see the logic of that. Remind me in a few years’ time that if I’m in the market for a low mileage 4x4, you’re the man to ask.’

  He smiled. ‘I do use it sometimes, but you’re right. It was a bit self-indulgent to buy it and not use it. Anyway, did Mario and Angie say anything else about me?’

  Jo took a deep breath before she answered.

  ‘They said you don’t believe in love.’

  She saw him blink as he considered what he had just heard. It took him a few moments before he replied.

  ‘That sounds a bit melodramatic, but I suppose it’s true.’ He caught her eye for a moment. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying people don’t develop deep feelings for each other, but it’s just the whole concept of love that I believe is an illusion.’

  Jo found herself sitting bolt upright. Now he was even using her exact same words. Fortunately, before she was called upon to respond, he carried on.

  ‘You’re a scientist, Jo. You must have done chemistry and biology when you were studying zoology. If I say names like endorphin, oxytocin, vasopressin or dopamine, do you know what I mean?’

  ‘Yes, they’re neurochemicals,’

  ‘Exactly, all in the brain. If you don’t mind, let me take you as an example. When I sit here looking at you in that sexy little bikini, something happens in my brain. The amygdala, that’s my core memory system, receives the image from my eyes as a series of electrical signals along the optic nerve. This results in a cocktail of these chemicals being sent to my limbic system, what’s often referred to as the emotional centre of the brain. This produces a sensation that people have come to call love. But, in reality, it’s just a bio-chemical reaction going on ins
ide my head as banal as when my brain tells me it’s time to have a sandwich or go to the toilet.’ He gave her a little smile. ‘But a lot more enjoyable.’

  Jo let the reference to her sexy bikini pass and nodded slowly. She had studied many of the complexities of the brain and none of this was particularly new to her. Indeed, recently, she had been thinking along very similar lines. But, nevertheless, she decided to play devil’s advocate.

  ‘Surely that’s just lust, though, isn’t it?’

  ‘Precisely my point. What we interpret as love is just physical attraction. You’re a zoologist. Tell me, what’s the principal, overriding motivation of all animals?’

  ‘That’s easy, continuation of the species. Reproduction is the imperative.’

  ‘Exactly, so when I look at you and like what I see, what’s actually going on in my head is the recognition of you as a suitable mate.’

  ‘But surely there’s much more to do with love than just sex?’ Jo looked around for an example. Her eyes alighted on the wet dog lying in front of them. ‘Take Daisy, for instance, you love her, don’t you? And she loves you, surely?’

  Corrado shook his head. ‘If you took Daisy away with you tonight and fed her and exercised her, she’d soon forget about me.’

  ‘But what about your feelings for her?’

  ‘She’s a good dog and, like I say, she’s a fully paid-up member of the family, but I’d hardly call it love.’ She saw him smile. ‘I’m sure when Shakespeare was writing Romeo and Juliet he wasn’t thinking of Labradors.’

  Jo gave up. ‘So, if you don’t believe that love exists, apart from as physical attraction or some innate primordial instinct to reproduce, why have you got yourself a reputation for breaking so many girls’ hearts?’

  ‘That’s not me, that’s them, I promise.’ His expression was serious now and she saw him drop his eyes. ‘I’m still a relatively young, healthy man. As such, I have desires and urges and I like sex as much as the next man – or maybe even a bit more. But I have never, and I would never, invite any girl into my bed without spelling out quite clearly that my motives are purely physical.’ He looked up from his feet and Jo saw an expression of sorrow on his face. ‘I tell them, but they all think that I’ll change my mind. But I never do. You women think you can change us, but it’s easier said than done.’

  ‘You realise you’re coming across as a very selfish-sounding person? I’m sure you aren’t. I don’t know you that well, but you’ve been anything but selfish towards me.’

  ‘I’m sorry if I sound selfish. I don’t mean to be. I just want to be honest. What would be far worse would be if I were to do like so many men do and pretend to have all kinds of emotional feelings that I don’t have just to get a girl into bed.’

  ‘But surely you must realise the hurt you cause these girls? It’s so selfish to go looking for them when you know you aren’t interested in anything but sex?’

  ‘But I don’t go looking for them, Jo, I promise. They come to me and that’s the truth.’

  From what Jo had seen in Piazza Navona earlier that month, she had to concede that he probably was telling the truth. ‘So, you’ve never been in love and you don’t think you’ll ever fall in love?’

  He shook his head decisively. ‘No. That would be an impossibility, seeing as I don’t believe the phenomenon exists. And you?’

  ‘Yes, of course I have…’ Her voice tailed away into uncertainty. ‘At least, I thought I had.’

  ‘Don’t let me put you off, Jo. I can only tell you what I think, but you’re an intelligent woman and you know your own mind. If you think you’ve been in love, then good for you.’ He looked up again. ‘I’d be delighted if somebody were to prove to me that love exists. Just like I’d be fascinated to see a ghost or a flying saucer.’

  Jo just sat there. She really didn’t know how to respond to him. Luckily, she didn’t have to. A minute later they heard a shout, and the dog came splashing out of the water, shaking herself as she did so, luckily sufficiently far away not to soak them this time. The shout came from Mario, calling to them to come and eat. Corrado also got up and held out his hand to Jo.

  ‘Feel hungry?’

  She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. ‘Now I come to think of it, yes, I’m starving. After that massive ice cream this afternoon I thought I’d never eat again, but I was wrong.’

  He smiled as he released her hand. ‘That’s the limbic system for you.’

  The barbecue was unlike any barbecue Jo had ever experienced before. Yes, there were sausages, but they were very different from the burnt hot dogs she remembered from her dad’s efforts back home. These were probably as much as half a metre long, rolled like a snake into a flat coil the size of a side plate, and held together with a couple of wooden skewers. They tasted spicy, meaty and lovely. Along with them was the Roman speciality, abbacchio allo scottadito, and these little lamb chops were tender inside, crispy on the outside, and very, very tasty. To go with the meat were different salads, some of them with exotic ingredients like edible flowers or tropical fruits, sumptuous peperonata and a mountain of roast potatoes with rosemary. The Prosecco was replaced with a light red Chianti Classico wine from Tuscany to the north and a dry white Frascati from the south east just out of the city.

  Jo was beginning to feel a bit weary as they reached the end of the meal. The sun had reached the horizon by this time and the shadows had lengthened considerably, although the air temperature was so warm, it came as almost a surprise to realise she was still only wearing a bikini. She was about to get up and return to the house to change, when she was galvanised into activity by a tantalising little flash of colour. For a second, it looked as if this butterfly might even have the purple markings of the endangered Purple Emperor, so she jumped to her feet, startling the others around the table as well as the dog who had been slumbering at her feet. She scrabbled desperately in her bag for her phone, forgetting that the last items she had put there had been her bra and pants. As she pulled the phone out, she managed to send her underwear flying across the table, her bra actually shooting off the edge.

  Blushing to the roots of her hair, she grabbed her pants and leant over to see her white bra draped across a bemused-looking Daisy’s head. She made a quick lunge and caught hold of it before the ever-hungry dog decided to try to eat it. As she straightened up again, stuffing the offending articles back in her bag, she received a round of applause from her little sister. By this time the butterfly had disappeared into the twilight so Jo dropped back onto her chair and took a big mouthful of cold mineral water in an attempt to calm herself down. As she did so, she heard her future brother-in-law’s voice, barely repressing a fit of giggles.

  ‘And what do you do for your next trick, Jo?’

  Deliberately avoiding catching Corrado’s eye, she did her best to behave like a grown-up and reply as calmly as possible under the circumstances.

  ‘My next trick, Mario, will be to head back indoors and change.’

  ‘Well, at least we all know you’ve brought your knickers, Jo. Mum would be proud of you.’ Angie was shaking with laughter. ‘So, what prompted that little flight of exhibitionism?’

  Jo took a deep breath and explained about the butterfly. This, at least, succeeded in silencing the giggles. Mario sounded interested.

  ‘What did you say that butterfly’s called?’

  ‘Purple Emperor, apatura iris. You can’t mistake it. It’s got wonderful purple wings flecked with white.’

  ‘I think I know the one you mean. I’m sure we used to have them in the garden when I was a little kid. Corrado, do you remember?’

  For the first time since the underwear incident, Jo glanced across at him and, for a second, their eyes met.

  ‘I think I do. It’s the purple colour I remember. Imperial purple just like the emperors wore back in ancient Roman times. But I haven’t seen one for years, maybe decades.’

  ‘Like so many butterflies, they’re getting more and more rare nowad
ays. I went to a lecture at the Natural History Museum a week ago and the man said there were fewer and fewer sightings in Britain. It would be amazing if I could see one, maybe photograph it. That’s what I was doing in my bag, looking for my phone.’

  ‘I hope Daisy didn’t try to eat your bra.’

  ‘No, she behaved impeccably, thanks.’

  Sensing his eyes flick down across her body, she repressed a little shiver of what had to be lust, stood up and glanced at her sister.

  ‘Now, if you’d just tell me where my dress is, I think I’m going to go and change before I embarrass myself any further.’

  The party showed no signs of breaking up, but Jo was definitely sleepy when she emerged, once again fully clothed, from her sister’s room. As she walked down the stairs, she saw Angie in the kitchen, making coffee.

  ‘Angie, I think I’d better call it a night. I was up pretty early for the flight and it’s been a long day. A very enjoyable day. Thank you so much for everything, particularly the loan of the bikini. I’ve put it in your laundry basket if that’s okay.’

  ‘Of course. Do you want a coffee before you go?’

  Jo shook her head. ‘I’m fine, thanks. All I need is a taxi.’

  ‘No need for a taxi. Daisy and I’ll give you a lift.’

  Jo turned towards the voice and saw Corrado, now fully clothed as well, at the open back door.

  ‘Are you sure, Corrado? The party’s still in full swing. I don’t want to drag you away.’

  ‘No problem. In fact, I need to get back to the flat anyway.’