Dreaming of Rome

by Dreaming of Rome (retail) (epub)

  He was still looking unusually serious, but he was quick to reply. ‘All the more magical because you’re here … mate.’

  They spent almost an hour sitting there, enjoying the view and the relative cool under the vine-covered pergola. She gradually managed to get him talking and they spoke about all sorts of things, from Angie and Mario to their respective parents, and Jo felt more and more relaxed with him and got the impression he, too, was relaxing. There was no innuendo, no awkward glances at her fairly skimpy bikini, nothing to make her embarrassed. Gradually, she began to get used to being more than half-naked alongside him. Maybe, she told herself, his serious air was nothing more than his having to get used to being with her like this as well.

  As if by some unspoken agreement, neither of them mentioned the events at the airport and there was one other subject she didn’t feel ready to air quite yet. For now, she said nothing about her decision to move to the US. She knew full well that even though they were just good friends, very good friends, she was going to miss him an awful lot. Somehow, talking about it would only bring that moment even closer.

  ‘Jo, look, there’s one of your little friends.’

  Jo had been daydreaming, her eyes staring vacantly out over the Mediterranean. Hastily she returned her attention to Corrado. Her friends? Here? Then she saw what he had seen. Barely a metre from them, there was a lovely moth, its wings divided between vivid yellow and black and white segments. The lower half of its body was bright red and the overall impression was of a blaze of colour. It was sitting on a vine leaf, in the shade of the pergola, wings wide open. It wasn’t new to her, but it was a beautiful little animal all the same.

  ‘It’s a Tiger Moth. They aren’t that rare, but it’s unusual to see them in the sunshine.’ She racked her brains for a moment. ‘I think this one’s a Cream-spot Tiger Moth, epicallia villica.’ She turned towards him proudly. ‘See, the brain’s still working, even if I am on holiday.’

  ‘Impressive.’

  She sat and watched it silently until it fluttered away and out of sight. ‘Beautiful…’ She subsided into reflective silence for a while, just enjoying the moment, the surroundings and his company. It was a good while later when she heard his voice.

  ‘It’s gone six. I thought we could eat at Porto Ercole tonight if that’s all right with you. So, if you feel like it, shall we head back to the boat?’

  ‘You’re the captain.’

  They swam back to the boat at a leisurely pace, accompanied by the Labrador. When they reached the low platform at the stern, Daisy flopped her paws onto the deck and – in a no doubt well-practised manoeuvre – Corrado swam up behind her and gave her a hefty push up, out of the water. As Jo was about to climb the ladder after her, she felt Corrado’s hand on her arm.

  ‘Hang on. Stay back unless you want a shower.’

  Sure enough, Daisy then set about shaking herself dry as the two of them trod water and waited until it was safe to proceed. Once on the deck, Jo realised she hadn’t brought a towel out of her cabin and she was still dripping wet, but Corrado pointed forward.

  ‘I’ve put the cushions out on the foredeck. I normally lie there in the sun for a few minutes to dry off before going in. Good idea?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  Jo followed him round the side of the main cabin to the sundeck and lay down on the sun-warmed cushions. As before, Corrado took up station right over on the other side while this time the dog also sprawled in the sun between them, rolling around and grunting happily to herself as she dried out. Jo lay back and after a few minutes felt her eyes begin to close. She was perilously close to nodding off when Corrado’s voice dragged her back to consciousness.

  ‘Jo, something very strange happened today…’ His voice tailed off uncertainly. This was so unlike his normal confident self, that she was wide awake in an instant.

  ‘What, Corrado? Is something wrong?’

  ‘No, nothing’s wrong. It’s just that it’s something I can’t quite get my head round…’ His voice tailed off again.

  Jo hesitated, giving him time to collect his thoughts. But then, as she let her eyes roam round the foredeck of the boat, she blinked, stared, blinked again and rose silently to her feet. She glanced across at Corrado and put her finger to her lips, mouthing the word, ‘Butterfly.’

  She made her way across to the coiled anchor chain and stood in wonder. There, shimmering in the light of the setting sun was none other than apatura iris, the elusive Purple Emperor in all its deep bluish-purple glory. She stood stock still, hardly daring to believe her good fortune. Seconds later she felt a gentle touch on her bare shoulder and turned her head slowly back to see Corrado, holding out her handbag.

  ‘Here, I thought you might want your camera. I presume it’s in here.’ He kept his voice to a whisper. ‘It’s the Emperor, isn’t it? I remember it from when I was a little kid.’

  Jo nodded and carefully removed the phone from the bag and took a series of photos of the beautiful butterfly as it gently flexed its wings in the sunshine. Then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. Jo watched it dance away back towards the shore until it disappeared from view. She turned towards Corrado and sighed.

  ‘How… amazing… was… that? And fancy seeing one here. They normally inhabit the tree tops. And thank you for bringing me my camera.’

  She glanced down at the phone and checked that the photos had come out well. Reassured, she stuck it back in her bag and looked up at him again, remembering the moment before the appearance of the Emperor.

  ‘Sorry about that, Corrado, you were just starting to tell me about something that happened today.’

  He gave her a look that was almost apprehensive, but then mustered a smile. ‘Don’t worry. It can wait. Now, I suggest we head back to the marina.’ His smile strengthened. ‘So, Mr Mate, I’ll get the engines started and then would you keep an eye on the anchor chain as it comes up and shout if it snags?’

  Jo was kicking herself as he went off. Somehow, she had the impression he had been about to speak about something far more important than just a butterfly – endangered or not.

  * * *

  The restaurant was right on the harbour side with tables sheltered underneath an awning looking straight out over a little beach and down the coast towards the south. By the time they got there, the sun had disappeared below the low hills surrounding the harbour and lights had begun to twinkle in the distance. Jo took a seat beside Corrado and felt the dog slump down at their feet. It was a beautiful evening and she felt relaxed once more after the stresses of the day.

  They were in southern Tuscany now and so Corrado suggested they start with traditional Tuscan bruschetta made with the local unsalted bread and wonderful thick green extra virgin olive oil. After that they both opted for skewers of grilled prawns and squid along with a mixed salad. They drank cold white wine and sparkling mineral water. It took until Jo was already on her tiramisu before Corrado managed to start putting his thoughts into words.

  She listened spellbound.

  ‘Jo, listen, I have to tell you something. I don’t know what it means. Maybe you’ll be able to help me, but it’s something that happened today. Back at the airport, when that thug pointed a pistol at you, I felt compelled, no, not compelled, that sounds as if it was a conscious action. I just knew I had to protect you. I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you. I’ve never felt anything like this before.’

  ‘You were incredibly brave and I’m immensely touched.’ Jo could hardly believe her ears. Where was he going with this?

  ‘Not brave. Like I say, it was just instinct.’ He reached over and took her hand in his, his eyes catching hers for a moment before returning to the twinkling lights along the distant coast. ‘Jo, if you had asked me a month ago if there might ever be any circumstances when I would risk my life for another human being, I would have laughed in your face. We are animals and our two primary instincts are reproduction and survival. The idea of risking my own surviv
al so somebody else can live makes no sense… made no sense. And yet, today, back at the airport, I did just that.’ He turned his head back towards her. ‘What does it mean, Jo?’

  She looked deep into his eyes in the flickering light of the candle on the table in front of them. He looked puzzled, troubled and vulnerable. She squeezed his hand and told him the only thing she could.

  ‘That’s something you’re going to have to work out for yourself, Corrado. Think it through and it’ll come to you. As for me, all I can say is that I feel sure I know what it means.’

  ‘You do?’

  She was still reeling from this admission from him. Could it be that the pragmatic scientist was beginning to accept that his actions could be provoked by more than cold hard science? And if this were to prove to be the case, what did this mean about his feelings towards her and his intentions? What did this mean for his future and for hers?

  ‘I’m pretty sure I do. Take your time. I’m sure you’ll work it out.’

  As she spoke, her mind was still racing. He might not know it, but there was very little doubt in her mind that sooner or later the penny would drop and he would realise what was happening to him. And then? Suddenly her relaxed state transformed into something far more tense, and she struggled to come up with something to lighten the atmosphere. Luckily, at that moment Daisy intervened, producing her usual whine from under the table. Corrado didn’t need to translate this time. Jo knew what it meant.

  ‘It sounds like Daisy wants a walk. Why don’t I get the bill? And an espresso for you, maybe?’

  Predictably, he refused point blank to let her pay for the meal. She fought hard, but in the end had to give way, but only after extorting a promise from him that she would be allowed to pay for other meals. He agreed, although she had a feeling he would offer further resistance next time.

  By the time they got back to the boat, it was past ten o’clock and she was feeling exhausted after everything that had happened. She would dearly have liked to sit and talk, or rather listen to him talk, but her eyes were already closing as they stepped on board. By the look of him, he was equally weary. Once they were back in the saloon with the doors closed in case of mosquitoes – although they hadn’t been bothered by any insects over dinner – she went across to him to say goodnight. It took a lot of willpower not to kiss him, but she did hug him, repeating her thanks for his bravery at the airport. The hug didn’t last long before he stepped hurriedly back and bade her goodnight.

  ‘Sleep well, Jo. The doors are locked, although I’m sure this is a very secure place. Besides, we’ve got our guard dog on patrol.’

  Daisy’s wicker basket had emerged from the master cabin and was now in the saloon, midway between the two staircases. Far from being on patrol, Daisy herself had wasted no time in flopping down in the basket and was looking at the two of them through half-closed eyes. Jo went across and scratched her ears.

  ‘See you in the morning, Daisy.’ She gave Corrado one more glance and a gentle smile. ‘Goodnight, Corrado, and thanks for everything.’

  As she lay in her bed after what had been an amazingly eventful day, the thought going round and round in her head was how on earth she might react if he were to come out with a declaration of real love, not just animal lust. While she had no doubts at all that a healthy shot of animal lust was bubbling away just below the surface in her own body, she knew she wanted more than that. And if he loved her, how did she feel about him? Did she love him? And if she did, was she prepared to love him and leave him? Surely she had to take the job at the United Nations.

  Didn’t she?

  Chapter 20

  In spite of all the thoughts racing around Jo’s brain, she slept really well and didn’t emerge until past eight o’clock next morning. When she climbed up the stairs into the saloon and a wonderful aroma of coffee, she found Corrado already dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, standing at the state-of-the-art coffee machine. Daisy leapt out of her basket as she saw Jo’s head appear and gave her a boisterous welcome as her master looked round.

  ‘Buongiorno. Sleep well?’

  Jo made a fuss of the dog and then went over to Corrado’s side. He was looking as desirable as ever and it took a real effort to restrain herself from kissing him. Instead, she just smiled.

  ‘Buongiorno, capitano. Yes, thanks, I slept like a log – apart from when those people came past at two o’clock in the morning. What about you?’ She took a good look at him in the clear light of day. He was still looking troubled.

  ‘Fine, thanks.’ His voice was unusually flat.

  She didn’t query this, although she felt sure it wasn’t true. She had little doubt that his brain had been working overtime. Still, she was pleased to see him manage to return her smile.

  ‘Coffee? Espresso, cappuccino, or something in-between?’

  ‘A cappuccino, if it’s not too much trouble?’

  She felt like catching hold of him and giving him a big, supportive hug while he continued to struggle to make sense of his emotions, but she didn’t. Instead, she went across to the now wide open glass doors and looked out. It was another cloudless day and even at this hour of the morning the sun was hot on her head. She turned back towards him and saw he had been watching her, before his eyes dropped guiltily to the coffee cups again.

  ‘What’s the plan, today, captain?’

  ‘A quick cup of coffee and then Daisy needs to go for a walk.’ He glanced down at the dog and smiled, and his face lit up. ‘She knows that word so very well in Italian. I wonder how long it’ll be before she understands it in English.’

  He turned away and she heard the roar of the steam as he heated the milk for her cappuccino. He served it up as professionally as any barista and she was impressed. As they drank their coffee, he continued with plans for the day.

  ‘While we’re out, I suggest we buy ourselves some croissants for breakfast – unless you want bacon and eggs – as well as some bread and milk and a few other bits and pieces so we can be self-sufficient for a day or two. If you’re happy, I thought we could sail around the coast to a lovely bay I know. It’s a good, safe anchorage and it’s very beautiful. How does that sound?’

  That sounded perfect.

  It took them most of the morning to get to his little bay and the voyage was a delight. There was very little wind, but a gentle sea breeze gradually came up and propelled them around the coast of the rocky peninsula. The catamaran was remarkably stable in the little waves and Jo felt very secure. He explained that the Argentario was to all effects an island, barely connected to the mainland by two strips of sand and a causeway. Apart from a few little villages around the coast, it looked almost uninhabited, and its rocky hillsides were covered in scrub and dense Mediterranean forest. It was still remarkably unspoilt.

  The bay itself was almost horseshoe-shaped, with a narrow band of sandy beach in the middle. There were half a dozen other boats either anchored offshore or run up on the beach, but there can’t have been more than a couple of dozen people altogether. Considering this was the middle of August, this was remarkable. The colours of the water ran from the lightest blue near the shore to a deep cobalt further out, with occasional dark shadows where rocks lay beneath the surface. It was, as he had predicted, almost completely sheltered from the wind and the water itself was virtually flat calm.

  They anchored about a hundred metres or so from the beach and travelled to the shore in the inflatable, the Labrador standing proudly up at the front like a figurehead. As they reached the shallows and Corrado killed the outboard motor, Daisy launched herself into the water with gusto and Jo slipped more sedately over the bow after her, walking the inflatable into the coarse sand beach. The spot where they had landed was sheltered by big boulders and they could have been all alone but for an occasional splash or shout from further along the beach.

  The water was lovely and warm and they spent ages in the sea, floating about, diving down from time to time to pick smooth pebbles off the bottom and to foll
ow little shoals of silver fish. It was relaxing, it was fascinating, and Jo couldn’t have been happier. Finally, they came out of the water, leaving the dog sprawled in the shallows, and settled down on their towels to dry out.

  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and as the sun made short work of drying her off, Jo pulled out a bottle of sun cream and rubbed it over her front, legs and face. However, when the time came to turn over, she knew she needed help.

  ‘Corrado, could I ask a big favour of you? I don’t suppose you could spread some sun cream on my back, could you? I’m afraid I just can’t reach.’ This invitation to him to run his hands over her naked body, she told her subconscious, was simply expediency, nothing more. As usual, her subconscious didn’t believe a word of it and was probably right.

  He pulled himself onto his knees and came across to help. She rolled onto her front and felt the cool cream land on her shoulders and then his hands begin to smooth it over her skin. His fingers ran up her arms and down her backbone. Unasked, he unclipped the strap of her bra as he did his best to cover the whole area. Beneath him, Jo was getting a lot more out of the exercise than just protection from the sun. The feel of his fingers on her skin sent shivers throughout her whole body, and he even commented that she had goose bumps, asking if she was cold. She shook her head, unwilling to try to speak. As he finished his work, he scrupulously clipped her strap up again and sat back, leaving Jo in a state of barely-controlled rapture.

  She lay there for ten, maybe fifteen minutes, feeling the sun hot on her back while trying to cool down on the inside. His touch had been magic and she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that her self-control didn’t stand a chance if he ever laid his hands on her again. Friendship was one thing, but she knew full well her feelings for him ran a whole lot deeper than that. Whatever she had told Victoria and Angie about love being an illusion, she was honest enough to herself to realise that something far more serious than friendship was lurking just below the surface of her emotions and it wouldn’t take much to bring it to life.