Dreaming of Rome

by Dreaming of Rome (retail) (epub)

  The second half of the programme was an exceptional Spanish guitar player. Jo had learnt guitar at school, but had never progressed much beyond a very hesitant rendering of Bob Dylan’s ‘Knock, Knock, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’, even if she had now forgotten most of the chords. How on earth anybody could play an instrument so perfectly was beyond her. However, she only listened with part of her brain. The other part was fully occupied in analysing her reaction to what Corrado had said.

  She had been close to tears, but why? Was it just that she was so pleased to be friends with such a nice man – apart from his hang-up when it came to relationships? Was it maybe sadness at the realisation that it was now firmly established between them that theirs would always only be a platonic relationship? And if that made her sad, did this mean that deep down she was physically attracted to him? The answer to that was, of course, a resounding yes. She couldn’t fool herself even if she wanted to. The very first time she had clapped eyes on him she had registered, without a shadow of doubt, that he was very appealing. He was right about her, of course, but just for a moment she wished she were one of those girls happy to jump into a good-looking man’s bed and devil take the hindmost. He looked good, he felt good, he sounded good and he even smelt good. Yes, she reflected to the notes of Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’, there was definitely something about him. One thing was for sure though; although she had said she wanted him to be like a brother to her, she knew she’d never really be able to think of him in that way, but at least she now knew they could be friends – however unsatisfactory that might prove to be to her limbic system.

  It was a delightful evening and it ended in an unexpected way. As they were making their way slowly back to the hotel after the concert had finished, she felt a drop of rain on her face, followed by another. These weren’t little spots of rain, but substantial drops that splattered as they made contact with her skin. Seconds later the darkness was split by a blinding flash of lightning and the heavens opened. As the thunderclaps threatened to deafen them, the rain came pouring down so hard, it felt like walking into a bathroom shower. She felt his arm stretch around her shoulders and pull her protectively closer to him. Between the crashes of thunder, he shouted in her ear.

  ‘I was afraid of this. The forecast was for heavy rain after midnight. I thought we’d get away with it. After all, it’s barely ten now, but I’m afraid we’re in for a soaking. There’ll be no chance of finding a taxi now so all we can do is walk and get wet.’

  Jo was finding it remarkably cosy pressed up against him, even though she could already feel the water running down the skin of her back as far as her pants. Her hair was plastered down across her head, but she really didn’t mind. After the clammy heat of the evening, the rain was refreshing, cooling, but definitely not cold. She twisted her head so she could look up at him, and smiled in the streetlights.

  ‘So we get wet. Who cares?’ She wrapped an arm around his waist, pressed herself tighter against his chest and, to her surprise and his, started singing, quietly at first, but then louder as he joined in with her. The song that came spontaneously to her lips was Gene Kelly’s famous ‘Singin’ in the Rain’.

  She couldn’t remember all the words, but it didn’t matter. Corrado laughed out loud as the rain fell even harder and he relaxed his grip on her shoulders. He caught her by the hand, splashing through the puddles and spinning round a lamppost, mimicking the legendary scene in the old movie. They laughed all the way back to her hotel and they were still laughing – and streaming with water – as they came in to the lobby. Corrado reached out his arms and the two of them hugged warmly.

  ‘Right, you’re home. I think I’ll just carry on, seeing as I couldn’t get any wetter if I tried.’

  ‘You could come up to my room and dry off if you like. I’m sure the concierge will be able to get you a taxi in a little while.’

  She was still laughing, but the smile was wiped from her face as an image elbowed its way into her head and wedged itself stubbornly in place. It was the image of the two of them up in her lovely big room, next to her lovely big bed, stripping off each other’s soaking wet clothes and drying themselves off with the lovely soft white bath towels before falling onto the bed and into each other’s arms. It was one hell of a graphic image and, in spite of the cooling effect of the water on her skin, she felt herself blushing bright red. He must have noticed, but he made no comment. Maybe he thought it was just reaction to the rain. He pulled her towards him again and kissed her on the cheeks.

  ‘I’m looking forward to the walk home. It’s been a great evening.’

  ‘It really has.’ She stopped him and was unable to resist the urge to pull his face back towards her and deposit a tiny, soft kiss onto his lips. She caught a look of surprise in his eyes, but he didn’t stop smiling. Then she stepped back, still blushing.

  ‘Goodnight, friend, and thank you.’

  ‘And a very good night to you too, friend.’

  As he disappeared back out into the deluge, she glanced across at the dark-haired girl behind the reception desk and saw her smile.

  ‘It looks like you’ve had an exciting evening, Signorina.’

  Jo smiled back before heading for the lift.

  ‘It’s a night I’ll always remember. Always.’

  Chapter 10

  Jo and Victoria met up for a quick lunch together the next day in a sandwich bar a block away from the conference centre. The storm had blown itself out during the night and the only remaining signs of the torrential rains were occasional puddles, fast evaporating away in the hot midday sunshine. Victoria was looking and sounding very happy and she told Jo that things between her and George were proving to be amazing. So amazing, in fact, that she even dropped the L-word into the conversation a couple of times. Jo was impressed – and a good bit envious, irrespective of whether she believed in love or not.

  ‘Good for you, Vic. I’m really happy for you. And do you get the impression George feels the same way about you?’

  Victoria nodded. ‘Very much so. He’s already talking about when and where we can meet up back in London.’

  ‘That’s really great. I like him a lot, too. I think this one’s a keeper.’

  ‘Dead right. And what about you and your hunky chemist?’

  ‘That’s my future brother-in-law you’re talking about, you know.’ Jo told her the story of the open-air concert and their drenching, and Victoria laughed at the image of the two of them dancing through the downpour. She must have picked up on something in Jo’s tone or expression as she didn’t waste any time.

  ‘It sounds to me as if this has to be the man for you, Jo. He’s handsome, he’s great, he’s loaded and he makes you laugh. Now all you’ve got to do is to see what he’s like in bed and you’re good to go.’

  ‘It’s the bed part that’s the problem. All he feels for me, if he feels anything at all, is lust.’ She caught Victoria’s eye. ‘Now, don’t get me wrong, Vic. I’ve got nothing against good old-fashioned lust, but sex with him would just mess everything up. It’s not just me, it’s Angie and Mario as well I have to consider.’

  ‘Yes, I can see how that could get complicated. But surely there’s the possibility that he’ll have sex with you and realise he loves you and you can ride away into the sunset together, happily ever after.’

  Jo shook her head. ‘He made it quite clear to me that his other girls all start out with that idea in their heads and it all comes to nothing. I may look daft, but I’m not that daft. No, I’m afraid the only solution is the one we’ve come to. We’ll just be friends.’

  Just at that moment, her phone rang. She picked it up, looked at the caller ID and glanced up at Victoria.

  ‘Guess who? Hi, Corrado, how are you?’

  ‘Fine, thanks, and dry again. No ill effects from your soaking?’

  ‘No. I had to dry my passport and banknotes with the hair dryer, but they’re fine and, remarkably, as you can hear, my phone still works.’


  ‘Great. I was wondering about tonight. You’ve got a drinks thing, haven’t you? How long’s it going to last? Would you like to have dinner with me afterwards?’

  Just friends or not, Jo’s heart gave a little leap. She had been hoping to see him again. After all, she was off back to London in just two days’ time.

  ‘Supposedly six to eight. After that I’ll be free and I’d love to see you, but I really mustn’t have another big meal.’

  ‘Well, how about this for an idea? I said I’d like to show you my house; you know, the one on the Appia Antica. Why don’t I come and pick you up at eight and we can have a light snack back there?’

  Jo’s subconscious, which had been behaving itself so far today, suddenly presented her with an image of herself dressed in a stunning and very revealing long black evening dress, her hair piled up on her head like a Hollywood diva, standing by his dinner table, reaching out her arms towards him as he walked over to her with a smile on his face and love in his heart. As his fingers ran up her bare arms and flicked the thin straps of her dress off her shoulders, his lips pressed gently against…

  ‘Oh, God…’

  ‘Is something wrong, Jo?’ His voice on the phone sounded worried and, from the expression on her face, so was Victoria.

  ‘Um, no, I just dropped something.’ Jo deliberately refused to meet Victoria’s eye as she thanked her lucky stars that this wasn’t a video call because her cheeks were burning redder than the tomatoes in her sandwich. ‘Um, yes, that sounds great, Corrado, thanks, but I could take a taxi. There’s no need for you to come and collect me.’

  ‘It’s not a problem. See you at your hotel at eight. Don’t worry if you’re delayed. I’ll wait.’

  As he rang off, Jo dropped the phone back on the table and braced herself to meet Victoria’s eye.

  ‘He’s invited me to his house for dinner tonight.’

  Comprehension dawned on her friend’s face. ‘I see. So just the two of you, alone in a house with lots of beds.’ She grinned across the table. ‘Well, if nothing else, it’ll be a good test of your willpower.’

  ‘No, not completely alone. The dog’ll be there.’

  ‘Oh well, that’s all right then. No problem.’ Victoria’s grin had just broadened.

  Jo gritted her teeth. Today was Thursday and she was going home on Saturday. That meant she had another day and a half to get through – a day and a half to prove to her limbic system that she was more than just a slave to her animal instincts. Victoria was right. It wasn’t going to be easy.

  However, before Jo’s dinner date, she found she had another daunting, and very unwelcome, experience waiting for her. At five o’clock as she waded through the crowd of other delegates hurrying towards the exit of the conference centre to go back and change in readiness for the evening’s events, she was suddenly confronted by none other than Markus standing outside on the pavement barely a dozen paces ahead of her. As she spotted him, so she saw his eyes alight upon her. As they did so, a broad smile appeared on his face and he raised his hand in greeting.

  Jo’s first reaction was to stop, and all her instincts were telling her to go back into the hall and hide, but no sooner had this thought occurred to her than she realised this would only delay the inevitable. As far as she knew, this door was the only way out and all he had to do was to wait. What on earth could she do? Then, as she stood there, racking her brains for a solution to her dilemma, she spotted a friendly face on top of a very tall body. It was Ricky coming up behind her and this gave her an idea. She reached out and caught hold of his arm as he reached her.

  ‘Hi, Jo. Is something wrong? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.’

  ‘Something like that. Listen, Ricky, can you do me a big favour?’

  ‘Sure. Anything.’

  ‘Can you be my boyfriend for a couple of minutes?’

  He looked puzzled, but amused. ‘Well, you could never be accused of going for long relationships. A couple of minutes? Wow, you’re some maneater.’

  ‘It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. For now, just play the part of my boyfriend.’ She managed a weak smile. ‘We’re very much in love, by the way.’

  ‘But of course.’ Without batting an eyelid, he stepped forward, caught hold of her and hugged her tightly to him. ‘Darling, how wonderful you look tonight.’ He put on an exaggerated English accent and sounded like Noel Coward. Jo had a sudden urge to giggle in spite of her predicament.

  ‘Thank you, darling. You say the sweetest things. Now, let’s go outside, shall we?’ Lowering her voice, she whispered surreptitiously. ‘The guy by the door is an arsehole.’

  ‘Of course, darling, what else?’

  Ricky was definitely entering into the spirit of the charade now. He stretched an affectionate arm around her shoulders and together they headed for the door. As they stepped out into the warm Roman evening, Markus took a step towards them. He was still smiling, but he clearly hadn’t been expecting to see Jo in the arms of another man, particularly not one who was about six foot six.

  ‘Jo, how lovely to see you again.’

  ‘Markus, fancy meeting you here.’ Jo was well aware it sounded corny, but she had never been terribly good at improv. ‘What brings you to Rome?’ She gave Ricky’s hand a little squeeze.

  ‘Business. Maybe you didn’t get my texts?’

  ‘I’m afraid my phone got soaked and it’s still drying out. I just hope it still works.’ As if suddenly remembering, she pointed towards Ricky with her free hand while ostentatiously hugging him tightly with the other. ‘Sorry, I should have introduced you. This is Richard. He’s been in the US and he’s just come back.’

  ‘Ah, right, I see.’ She saw Markus weigh up the evidence before him and come to the inevitable conclusion. ‘Well, I thought I’d just drop by to say hello. Now, I’d better leave you to it. I hope you enjoy your stay in Rome.’

  And with that, he turned away and left.

  ‘So, darling, where are we going now? Back to our love nest or somewhere even more exciting?’ Ricky sounded highly amused. Jo gave him a real hug and reached up on tiptoe to give him a peck on the cheek.

  ‘Ricky, you were amazing.’

  ‘That’s what my wife tells me.’ He was grinning. ‘Well, sometimes.’

  ‘And she’s right. Look, I’ve got to shoot off now, but I’ll explain it all to you at the cocktail party. But really and truly thank you. You got me out of a hole.’

  ‘Pleased to have been of service, Jo. See you later.’

  * * *

  The drinks party took place in the main lobby of the conference centre and it was packed. Jo easily located Ricky looming above the crowd and gave him the background to their encounter with Markus. She saw him shake his head sadly.

  ‘Just as well I didn’t know that before or I wouldn’t have been so nice to him. You were dead right about him being an asshole.’ He gave her a little smile and a mock bow of the head. ‘On behalf of the fifty point four percent of the population of this planet with male chromosomes, I would ask you to accept my apologies. We aren’t all like that asshole.’

  Jo grinned back at him. ‘And on behalf of the forty nine point six percent of the population of this planet with female chromosomes, I accept your apology. Thank you.’ She clinked her glass of Prosecco against his bottle of beer. ‘So, what now? Straight back to California?’

  ‘Pretty much, with a couple of stopovers. I’ve been away for almost a month now. The kids won’t recognise me if I stay away any longer.’

  Jo got him to produce some photos of his family. He had a very pretty and surprisingly petite wife, three boys and a baby girl and an attractive weatherboard house with palm trees in the garden. They made a great, happy family and she was pleased for him, and more than a little bit envious. As she had told Victoria, maybe the time was coming to settle down herself. The only problem was where to find a suitable partner. And now that Corrado had provided her with a tantalising glimpse of what the complete package might l
ook like, she knew it wasn’t going to be easy. And she wasn’t going to settle for second best.

  She did the rounds of the delegates, shaking hands, exchanging business cards and receiving a surprising number of kisses from male and female delegates alike. There was a relaxed, end-of-term atmosphere and she was delighted to find she appeared to have been accepted into this gathering of scientists far more illustrious than she was. Professor Dietrich came along to greet her and the old lady surprised Jo by adding her own kisses to her cheeks.

  ‘Thank you so much for your help, Joanne. You did me a real favour and you did it beautifully. I look forward to seeing you at future conferences. I must make sure I tell Ronald how well you did.’

  Jo blushed and thanked her warmly. At least, she told herself as the great lady walked off, even if her love life wasn’t exactly prospering, her career definitely hadn’t been harmed by this week in Rome.

  She ducked out of the party at a quarter to eight, which just gave her enough time to rush back to the hotel and change out of her heels. Maybe she and Corrado could do a bit of moth-hunting later on. After all, they wouldn’t be doing anything else…

  When she came back out again, she found Corrado waiting with the Range Rover and the dog. This time Daisy was out of the car and sitting obediently at his side. When she spotted Jo, she jumped to her feet and wagged her tail so hard the whole rear half of her body wagged with it, but she obeyed the command to wait until Jo crossed the road towards her.

  ‘Ciao, Daisy. And it’s good to see you too.’

  Jo bent down to make a fuss of the dog before straightening up and smiling at Corrado. He was wearing shorts and a Harley Davidson T-shirt and he looked, unsurprisingly, stunning. She reached up and kissed him on the cheeks, studiously avoiding the messages her amygdala was signalling to the rest of her brain.

  ‘Ciao, amico mio.’

  ‘Ciao, amica mia.’ He gave her a welcoming smile that reached deep inside her. ‘Wow, I haven’t seen you with your hair up before. You look beautiful.’