Dreaming of Rome

by Dreaming of Rome (retail) (epub)

  She woke to the feel of a warm touch against her bare leg. There was now a very welcome gentle breeze blowing and her skirt had ridden up a bit. The feel of skin on the naked flesh of her thigh was exhilarating and arousing. She was wide awake in a flash and she lay there, eyes tightly closed, wondering what would happen next.

  What happened next was that she felt a tongue start licking her knee. At the same time, she felt a tickle on her thigh as a remarkably hairy chin landed on her bare skin. The licking turned into slobbering and realisation dawned. She opened her eyes to find a pair of big brown eyes looking up at her. Seeing her awake, Daisy roused herself, abandoned her position by Jo’s waist and crept up the cushion on her elbows until she was right by Jo’s neck. She then stretched out a big black paw and rested it on Jo’s shoulder. Jo found herself with mixed emotions. Being the centre of attention of the affectionate dog aroused a lovely comfortable sensation of belonging. However, much as she loved Daisy, she couldn’t stifle a feeling of disappointment. She reached out and scratched the dog’s ears.

  ‘Hi, Daisy. Did you have a little nap too?’

  ‘Not so little, Jo. You’ve been asleep for almost an hour.’

  Jo pulled herself up onto her elbows and looked towards him, flicking her skirt back down across her legs as she did so. Corrado, now once more wearing his shirt, was sitting on the seat on the opposite side of the sundeck looking at her with a smile on his face.

  ‘Believe it or not, it’s half past five. In less than an hour we’ll have to set off for the airport again or you might miss your flight. And if I don’t get you back to England, your mum won’t be too pleased with me.’

  ‘Oh, Corrado, I’m so sorry. What a waste. We could have spent that time talking.’

  ‘Don’t even think about it. I could see you were tired. You looked very peaceful when you were asleep.’

  Jo got up and took a seat opposite him. She knew the time had come to make a decision. She also knew it was the moment for some straight talking.

  ‘Corrado, about your very kind offer, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.’ She saw him sit upright. ‘I like you an awful lot and I get the impression – hopefully I’m right – that you like me too. Tell me straight, do you think we’re going to be able to live alongside each other on your lovely boat for two whole weeks without getting involved? You’ve been very honest up till now, telling me you aren’t interested in a lengthy relationship. I want to be equally honest with you and tell you I’m not up for a transitory physical affair, however appealing it might be. I’m thirty now and I know I need more than just that. Besides, there’s the whole question of Mario and Angie to complicate matters. Do you think we can manage to co-exist as just friends?’

  He nodded slowly. ‘I’ve been doing a lot of thinking myself, and I believe we can. I know perfectly well what sort of girl you are and I really wish I could tell you I was looking for the same type of relationship you want, but I can’t. It wouldn’t be right for me to tell you I believe in something when I don’t. But, as a friend, I know we can have a fabulous holiday together.’ He raised his eyes towards hers and smiled. ‘I’ll just have to keep thinking of you as a male friend.’

  Jo smiled back at him, her decision taken.

  ‘Then, in that case, captain, consider me your first mate. I’ll be delighted to come with you.’

  She saw a happy expression spread over his face as he leant across the table towards her and held out his hand.

  ‘That’s terrific news. I’m really looking forward to it.’

  ‘Me, too.’

  ‘Now that I know you’re coming, I’ll sail her up to Porto Ercole one day this week and we can start from there. The whole area round there is really unspoilt; just cliffs and rocks, little bays with hidden beaches, and the clearest, bluest sea you’ve ever seen.’

  This sounded fabulous, but Jo added a word of caution. ‘I’ve only ever sailed a bit in dinghies, so I don’t really qualify as a real first, second, or even tenth mate. You’ll have to teach me everything. I hope I don’t annoy you too much. I wouldn’t want to have to walk the plank.’

  ‘Don’t worry. Ippona’s a biggish yacht, but she’s rigged so she can be sailed single-handed if need be. The sails unfurl electrically, the anchor winch is electric, and there are all sorts of electronic gizmos so that I can sail her on my own if necessary. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.’

  ‘Well, I’m really, really looking forward to it. I can’t wait for next week, captain.’

  ‘Me, too, mate.’

  Chapter 17

  Jo didn’t wake up until almost nine o’clock on Sunday morning. Her plane had been late leaving Rome the previous night and she hadn’t got to bed until past midnight, but she had slept like a log. Now, in the warm glow of the August sunshine flooding in through the curtains, she reflected on the past twenty-four hours. It had been a wonderful day in Rome and she knew she liked Corrado more and more. Now that the decision had been made, she gritted her teeth and prayed that they would both manage to make it a great holiday and nothing more.

  She showered and dressed and put the kettle on. As she waited for the water to come to the boil, she checked her emails and one suddenly drew all her attention. It was addressed to Doctor Joanne Green and it was from Professor Waltraud Dietrich at the United Nations. Its contents were electrifying. She read it carefully, three times. After an introductory paragraph repeating her compliments at Jo’s performance in Rome and mentioning that she had spoken to Ricky about her, the second paragraph almost took Jo’s breath away.

  I was very interested to read your résumé, particularly the subject of your doctoral studies and thesis. Conservation and climate change are very high on the agenda of the UN at present and can only continue to increase in importance as the years go by. It has fallen to me to assemble a team of international experts charged with a task that is vital not only to our different countries, but to the very survival of the planet. I would very much like it if you felt prepared to join us. I am attaching a PDF with details of our mission statement, conditions of employment, salary and so on for your information. Please take your time and consider it carefully. I am returning to my home country of Austria for a holiday in a few days’ time and will be stopping off in London on my way back to the States in early September. If this proposal interests you, or if you require any more information, I would be delighted to meet up with you again at that time.

  The email finished with a further plea for Jo to give serious consideration to this offer as Professor Dietrich felt sure she would be a major asset to the team. By the time Jo had finished reading it through, she was literally speechless. She checked out the PDF with all the small print and was even more flabbergasted. The starting salary on offer worked out to almost exactly twice what she was currently earning and came accompanied by a comprehensive package of pension, medical insurance and a generous relocation allowance. She read it wide-eyed, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what was on offer.

  Her mind still on the email, she made the tea and sat down to drink it while she mulled over the implications of the job offer. From a career point of view, it was ballistic. This would elevate her to the ranks of the very few internationally-known scientists working in this field and she couldn’t resist a little smile at the thought of how Ronald would receive the news when she informed him she had decided to accept. And there was little doubt in her mind that she had to accept. Apart from what this would mean for her career and her finances, it would give her the chance to make a direct contribution to the future of the planet, and no scientist could ask for more.

  There was no question that this would mean a major upheaval in her life. Moving all the way to New York would separate her from her parents, her sister, Victoria, and all her other friends, both here and in Italy, amongst whom, of course, was Corrado. This development only served to further strengthen her resolve to ensure that during their holiday together they kept each other at arm’s length. Falling in love with him – an
d she knew this was still all too possible – would inevitably end in tragedy, either professionally or emotionally. Or both.

  She was still turning this over in her head as she travelled on the train to Oxford. She barely noticed the suburban sprawl around London flashing past and then the gradual appearance of fields and woods. By the time she walked out through the barriers to hug her mother, she wasn’t feeling any more settled in her mind. The ramifications of Professor Dietrich’s email had certainly shaken her up. Her mother noticed immediately that something was bothering Jo and as they sat down side by side in the car, she made no attempt to start the engine. Instead, she reached across and took Jo’s hand.

  ‘What is it, Joanne? Is something wrong?’

  Jo did her best to shake herself out of her introspection. She glanced over at her mother and smiled.

  ‘No, mum, nothing’s wrong. It’s just that I’ve been offered an amazing new job.’

  She saw her mother beam. ‘How wonderful! Tell me all about it.’

  So Jo told her. As she did, she watched the result of her words on her mother’s face. Her expression went from amazed, to delighted, to stunned as the realisation dawned that her daughter was likely to finish up three thousand miles away. As Jo reached the end of her tale, she waited for her mother to react. The reaction took a minute or two to arrive and when it did, it came as quite a surprise.

  ‘You’ve got to take it.’

  ‘You think so?’

  ‘Of course. It’s a wonderful opportunity for you. You must be so excited.’

  ‘But what about you and dad?’

  ‘Sweetheart, we’ll manage.’ Her mother squeezed Jo’s hand tightly. ‘Now that your father’s mobile again, we’ll have to come across to see you in New York. We’ve never been to America and everybody says it’s an exciting country.’ Jo could see that her mum was putting on a brave face and she loved her for it. She leant across and gave her a big hug.

  ‘And, mum, I’ll come back to see you two as often as I can. It said in the email that the job would involve some travelling, so I’m sure that would include regular visits to Europe.’

  As she spoke, she wondered if these visits might include Rome.

  Lunch with the neighbours turned out to be quite enjoyable after all. Needless to say, Jo had to recount her exploits in Rome to the assembled group, but she scrupulously avoided any but the most fleeting mention of Corrado. It was only later that afternoon, after everybody had left, that she broke the news to her parents that she’d be leaving next weekend to spend two weeks floating on the Mediterranean alone with him. Her mother was predictably concerned, and her father envious, and maybe a bit concerned as well but, in his case, it was for the nautical part of the holiday rather than the romantic one.

  ‘That sounds wonderful, Joanne. He is an experienced sailor, now, isn’t he?’

  After her conversation with Corrado the previous day, Jo was able to reassure them.

  ‘He’s had the boat for five years and he’s done sailing courses in the UK as well as Italy and he’s got his Yachtmaster certificate – whatever that is.’

  Her father knew what this was and looked approving. Her mother, however, was far more concerned about her daughter going off with a man with a reputation as a womaniser.

  ‘Are you sure this is a good idea, Joanne? Aren’t you worried he might… you know…?’

  ‘I’m not worried, mum, honestly.’

  Jo told her mum that Corrado’s behaviour yesterday had been exemplary and she genuinely had no fears of being assaulted by him out in the open sea. She avoided mentioning that she was more worried about how she herself might behave towards him. There was no disguising the fact that she still found him very, very attractive and the fact that he was prepared to repress his natural instincts for the sake of their friendship made him, if anything, even more attractive. Still, her mother didn’t need to know this, so she repeated her belief that she and Corrado would be able to co-exist just as friends. Her mother nodded, but couldn’t help adding a caveat.

  ‘You’ll be going to some very romantic places, I’m sure, Joanne. Just try not to do anything you might regret. And more to the point, remember Angela and Mario. You wouldn’t want to mess things up for them, would you?’

  ‘No, mum, I’ll be careful, I promise.’ For a moment she let her guard slip. ‘Besides, what would be the point of getting involved with him when I know I’m going to be flying off to America in a month or two?’ And that was the crunch. Now it was even more essential that she avoided falling for him lock, stock, and barrel, or she could find herself three thousand miles away and completely heartbroken. As it was, she knew she was going to miss him an awful lot.

  ‘So, you’re definitely taking the United Nations job?’

  Jo took a deep breath.

  ‘Yes, I think I am. I’ll write to Professor Dietrich this evening and tell her I’m very, very interested.’

  * * *

  Jo spent most of the week getting ready for her sailing trip. She spoke to Corrado on the phone most nights and, on his recommendation, went out and bought herself a waterproof anorak, deck shoes and a baseball cap which happened to have the logo of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute on it, hoping this wasn’t tempting fate. She also invested in two new pairs of shorts, another bikini – although this was a whole lot cheaper than her Gucci one – and a trip to the beauty salon. She bought sun cream and new sunglasses and even painted her toenails for just about the first time in her life. After all, she told herself, as she was going to be barefoot for most of the time, she might as well add a bit of colour.

  On Thursday night she went to the pub with Victoria and George after Italian class and told them all about her day trip to Rome and her decision to go sailing with Corrado in two days’ time. Then she told them about the job offer. George, as ever, was very supportive, while Victoria immediately saw through to the heart of the matter.

  ‘This means arrivederci as far as we’re concerned, and as far as everybody else is concerned here in the UK and, of course, over in Rome.’

  Jo caught her eye. ‘Yup, that’s right, but the operative word is arrivederci, “see you again”, not farewell forever. And that’s the same for you guys and for everybody in Italy.’

  ‘Everybody in Italy? You sure?’ Victoria smiled at her. ‘Of course, in one way, this simplifies things for you.’

  ‘It does?’

  ‘Here you are, about to set off on a two-week trip around the islands of the Mediterranean just wearing a few strips of clothing, alongside a ridiculously desirable man – sorry George, obviously nothing like as desirable as you – who won’t be wearing much more. At least, now you know that if your self-control lets you down and you do end up in his bed, any awkwardness will only last for a few weeks before the Atlantic Ocean intervenes to screen him from you.’

  Jo smiled back at her. ‘That’s a good point, as far as it goes. The thing is, Vic, what worries me is that I really, really like this guy. I’m terrified it won’t take much for me to fall head over heels in love with him – even if he doesn’t believe it’s a thing.’

  ‘And would that stop you going to New York?’

  Jo shook her head, although with how much conviction, she wasn’t prepared to calculate. ‘No, I’ve got to take the UN job. That’s a must.’

  ‘And when do you need to give them a definite yes or no?’

  ‘I’ve said I’m very interested and I’ve got an appointment with Professor Dietrich in London three days after I get back from Italy. I suppose that’ll be it.’

  ‘Well, at least you’ll know by then, won’t you?’

  Chapter 18

  Jo packed all her things into a bulky holdall and lugged it out to Luton airport on Saturday morning feeling excited, but also apprehensive, about what awaited her over the next two weeks. She checked in her bag, went through security, and headed straight to a cafe for a cup of tea and a croissant. She bought a paper, but she barely flicked through it, lost in h
er thoughts. It was only as she followed the crowd along to the departure lounge that her head suddenly cleared as she got a very unwelcome surprise.

  Standing in the queue, only about twenty places ahead of her, was a familiar figure. As his head turned slightly sideways, she confirmed her initial impression. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, Markus. He didn’t appear to have spotted her yet, so she shrank down behind the bulky couple in front of her and debated what to do. George had asked her to get in touch if she had any contact with Markus and had given her his card. She fumbled in her bag until she found it and then backed out of the queue and up the stairs out of sight. Slipping off to a quiet corner, away from anybody else, she phoned the number on the card and waited. After only two rings, it was answered by a woman’s voice.

  ‘Yes, hello.’

  ‘I’m trying to contact George…’ She had to consult the card to remember his surname. ‘George Wilson. He gave me this number. It’s very urgent.’

  ‘Hold the line please.’

  A few seconds later, she recognised his voice. It sounded a bit tinny, as if he was speaking on a mobile.

  ‘George Wilson.’

  ‘George, it’s Jo. I’m at Luton airport and I’ve just seen Markus. He’s going to be on the same flight as me to Rome.’

  ‘That’s terrific, Jo. Thank you so much. What’s the flight number?’ She passed it on to him and waited. ‘Right, Jo, listen. We got word a couple of days ago that a meeting between him and his bosses was imminent and we’ve been staking out Heathrow and Gatwick airports. I’m afraid we’ve got limited resources, so there’s no way I or any of my colleagues can get to Luton now in time to catch your flight. I’ll pass this information onto my opposite numbers in Rome and they’ll be waiting at the other end to follow him.’