by T A Williams
She removed her hat, ran her hands through her stubbly hair, and settled down to enjoy the view. Although she was perspiring from her exertions and the dog beside her was panting like a steam train, it had definitely been worthwhile. She found herself looking straight out over a series of hills, some quite steep, all crowned with dense woodland and covered lower down by row upon row of vines or olive groves. Altogether, it was stunning and once again she breathed deeply, feeling glad to be alive. She heard a heartfelt sigh and saw Romeo flop down at her feet, his tongue hanging out. He too, looked happy to be here.
‘Not a bad place, eh, dog?’
He grunted in reply and stretched, pressing his paws against her feet. The grunt turned into a half-whine, half-howl and she found herself smiling down at him. If any of her friends had told her, even just a month earlier, that she might find herself going for walks all alone in the countryside with a big black dog and enjoying herself, she would have laughed in their faces.
She had been sitting there admiring the view for a while when Romeo suddenly jumped to his feet, nose pointing down the path up which they had climbed. As he did so, Bee heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and approaching rapidly. It sounded as though somebody was running up the hill towards her. In a panic, she scrambled across to the far side of the rock and crouched down, desperately hoping to keep out of sight.
She was only just in time.
The footsteps grew nearer and nearer and then stopped, and there was silence, during which she suddenly realised that, in her haste, she had left her sunhat in plain sight on the rock. She cursed silently and scrabbled in her pocket for her scarf, waiting to see what would happen. She didn’t have long to wait.
‘Ciao, Romeo, you’re a bit far from home. Bee, is that you? You can come out. It’s me, Luke.’
Bee felt a sudden movement beside her, immediately followed by the touch of a cold wet nose against her cheek. She uncurled herself from her foetal position and found herself looking straight into the Labrador’s face. She emerged from her hiding place, wagging her finger at the dog as she did so.
‘You’re useless at keeping secrets, Romeo. I told you I was hiding. You weren’t meant to give me away.’
Romeo ignored the rebuke and stood on his hind legs, stretching his front paws up against her, tail wagging happily. She stroked his head as she looked across at Luke, a warm sensation coursing through her body at the sight of him. He was wearing tight running shorts and a singlet and he looked very appealing. She swallowed hard.
They stood and chatted for a few minutes, and there was no disguising the fact that she thoroughly enjoyed his company. Whether he felt the same was hard to judge. Although he was charming and friendly, he didn’t smile very often and she couldn’t miss the stress lines around his eyes. Clearly something was bothering him and she would have loved to help but, for now, all she could do was to try her best to be cheerful and hope it would transmit across to him as well.
After a bit he glanced at the watch.
‘Anyway, Bee, I’d better get back. I just came out for a quick run. I like to come up here when I can. It’s always been a special place for me.’ He smiled almost shyly. ‘Ever since I was a little boy.’
‘It’s a lovely place, as is the whole area. I love this valley.’
‘Do you? Do you really?’ He sounded really pleased.
‘And the villa, and your lovely Grifoncella. I love it all. Were you brought up here in the valley?’
He hesitated for a second. ‘Pretty much. I know it like the back of my hand and I wouldn’t ever want to leave. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll meet up again before too long. And remember, anything you need, just ask Umberto. I’ll leave you Romeo. He’ll steer you home safely. Romeo, stay!’ He stroked the dog’s head affectionately. ‘He’s getting a bit more obedient. Let’s see if he stays with you or if I find him running back down behind me.’
‘Thanks, so much. He’s great company. And Umberto and Ines have been ever so helpful and friendly. Goodbye, Luke. I’ve enjoyed seeing you.’
He turned and left and, to her surprise, the dog made no attempt to follow him. As Luke disappeared, try as she might, Bee found it impossible to keep her eyes off his retreating back – and not just his back. The running shorts really did stretch very tightly across his bottom. As he disappeared back into the trees once more, she sank down on the rock, her hand still absently scratching the ears of the dog who didn’t appear in the least worried that his master had deserted him.
‘Blimey, dog, that is one very handsome man.’
Chapter 7
Bee found herself doing a lot of thinking on the way back to the villa. She was still in a state of mild shock at the strength of the impression Luke, or Luca, was making on her. She even found herself wondering if this lovely valley was somehow enchanted. First, she had developed an unexpected connection with a big dog, of all things, and now suddenly this man had appeared and she could almost feel his spell being cast upon her. It was hard to comprehend, not least for somebody who, so recently, had sworn off men for the foreseeable future.
She had had a number of boyfriends before meeting Jamie, but none of them had ticked all the boxes. At first, she had truly believed she had found in Jamie her partner for life, but this, of course, had turned out not to be the case. But none of them, Jamie included, had made such an inexplicable first impression on her as Luke had. It would have been nice to talk this new experience through with somebody, but as her companion here was apparently only interested in herself, Bee felt sure Mimi wasn’t going to be any help. She discussed it with the dog as they walked back down through the vineyards, but he provided little in return.
She spent that afternoon on the computer and then walked round the villa, studying the paintings on the walls. Her impression that many of them were very old was confirmed, but, regrettably, she didn’t discover any of great value. The reason for this was explained by Umberto over a cup of tea and a slice of Ines’s wonderful home-made sponge cake.
‘The villa belongs to the Negri family. When Baron Cosimo Negri died last year, he left the estate heavily in debt. He was a wonderful, generous man, but he didn’t have much of a head for business. There are things he should have done to reduce the amount of tax to be paid upon his death, but he didn’t think that far ahead. To be honest, that’s why we’re renting out the villa, to raise some extra money. After the baron’s death, we got experts in from Siena University to give us a valuation of the artworks in the villa and any really valuable ones were sold at auction.’
Bee nodded. ‘And did you manage to raise enough to pay the bills?’
Umberto shook his head. ‘Alas, no.’ He gave her a rueful grin. ‘But we live in Italy, so we did a deal. The people at the bank weren’t very happy, but they’ve given us a loan and ten years to pay it off.’
‘And if you don’t?’
‘I shudder to think. I suppose if the worst comes to the worst, the estate will have to be sold.’
He hesitated, but then evidently decided not to say more. Bee decided not to press the point. It was, after all, nothing to do with her.
‘So, you’re responsible for looking after the villa and Luke – Luca – for running the estate? You must both be very worried for the future.’ She reflected upon the strain she had seen on Luke’s face.
Umberto’s wry grin reappeared. ‘It probably won’t bother me too much. In ten years’ time I’ll be ninety-two – that’s if I get that far.’
‘Wow! So, you’re eighty-two. You look so much younger.’
His grin broadened. ‘Thank you, Bee. But I’m more worried for Marco, my boy. He works here on the estate and it’s his future, as well as Luca’s, of course.’ He looked up and caught her eye. ‘So, you’ve met Luca, then? You used his English name.’
Bee told him how the two of them had met up the very first night and then again on the hilltop today and Umberto nodded.
‘I’m pleased. It’ll be good for him to have the opportun
ity to speak English again. He’s hardly spoken a word for quite a while now.’ He caught her eye. ‘To be honest, he hasn’t done a lot of talking to anybody.’
‘I think he said he’s been back here for some years.’
‘That’s right, three years now. And he’s been doing a great job. The baron was very fond of him and so am I, as is Ines. He’s brought in a lot of innovations and there’s no doubt the quality of the produce has gone up and the estate is starting to make a decent profit again. That rosé wine you like, for instance, that was his idea. Traditionally we’ve always only made red – excellent red, but just red. Now he’s even talking about trying his hand at making sparkling wine.’
‘I saw his lovely house, the Grifoncella. Does he live alone?’ As she asked the question, Bee found herself wondering what had prompted it, although her subconscious knew full well what the reason was.
‘Now, yes.’
There was a finality in the old man’s tone that made Bee realise she would appear to have overstepped the mark again. She was quick to apologise.
‘I’m very sorry, Umberto. This has nothing to do with me.’ She tapped his arm. ‘I promise I won’t be so inquisitive next time we speak.’
He laid his hand on top of hers for a second. ‘It’s all right, Bee. It’s a sad story, but it’s no secret. Everybody round here knows about it, so it’s probably just as well you hear it from me first.’
‘Only if you want to, Umberto.’
‘Luca went off to live in Australia for a number of years after finishing university. While he was there, he met a girl. Dawn was… is her name. Nice girl, and very pretty too. But then a few years ago, after his first heart attack, Baron Cosimo asked Luca to come back and take over the role of estate manager. Luca immediately agreed and Dawn came with him, but it didn’t last.’ The expression on his face darkened. ‘Everything seemed to be going well for the first year or two. They got engaged and were even planning the wedding, but then, a year ago now, the baron had his big heart attack and died. It all went downhill between Luca and Dawn after that.’
Bee had been listening closely, fascinated. ‘But why? What happened?’
‘Ines and I don’t know exactly what triggered it, but Dawn decided she wanted to go back to Australia. Maybe this was because Luca was suddenly so very busy. Previously, although he had effectively been running the estate, he had always had the baron to support him. With all the awful complications brought about by the baron’s poor financial planning, Luca found himself working all hours and I suppose Dawn felt abandoned. I did my best to help, but he really has been at the sharp end of it all, going through the accounts for days on end, visiting the bank time and time again, talking to lawyers, and dealing with the crippling bureaucracy we have here in Italy. And I don’t just mean for a week or two, or even a month or two. It’s been dragging on and on for the best part of a year and it’s still ongoing. It would have been a really tough time for him anyway, but with Dawn’s departure, it must have been unbearable.’
‘But surely she could see that? Why couldn’t she stay with him to give him her support?’
‘I don’t think it was a sudden decision. Things had been strained between them for some time before the baron’s death. She was a city girl from Sydney and she’d been finding being stuck out here in the middle of the countryside really tough. She’d been doing some part-time work from home on the computer, but it was pretty obvious she felt as if she was out on a limb here. She had very few friends around here and I think being left all alone at home day after day while Luca dealt with everything was the last straw.’
Bee nodded slowly. Yes, she thought to herself, this was just about as far away from the bright lights as you could get in a populated country like Italy, but surely Dawn must have realised this was on the cards when she agreed to marry Luke? She looked up at Umberto.
‘And Luke – Luca – didn’t want to go back to Australia with her?’
‘He couldn’t, Bee. He was responsible for looking after this place and he had promised the baron he wouldn’t leave.’ The old man paused for a sip of his now cold tea. ‘Poor Luca found himself with an impossible choice to make – break his promise to the baron or follow his fiancée. And apart from the promise, the fact is that he’s from here and he’s got the valley in his blood. Reluctantly, last autumn they decided she would go back to Australia for a few months as a trial separation, and then, early this year, the inevitable happened. Word came through from her that she had decided to break off the engagement and stay in Australia. I’ve done my best to help, but he’s been all on his own. It’s been tough for him.’
Bee had to bite her lip to stop herself from asking more, but she managed to restrain herself. Little wonder Luke had been looking troubled. Having lost his fiancée only a few months ago and with the prospect of maybe even losing his job on the estate, it wasn’t surprising he was feeling the pressure. She could well understand that.
Umberto swallowed the last of his tea and stood up remarkably nimbly for an octogenarian. ‘Anyway, I must get on. In case you’re interested, I’ve got to take a consignment of our wine up to Florence tomorrow morning. It’s only just over an hour’s drive. Would you maybe like to come with me?’
That sounded interesting. ‘I’d love to, if I wouldn’t be in the way. I visited Florence when I was a girl and I fell head over heels in love with the place.’
‘It’s a wonderful city, all right, but it’s going to be full to bursting with tourists. I suppose that’s something you should consider.’
Bee hesitated. ‘Mm, you’re right, of course. I wonder if it is such a good idea. What if I’m recognised? That could lead back to Miss Robertson. Maybe it’s best if I stay here. I’d better go and see what she thinks.’
Umberto suddenly glanced at his watch and turned towards the kettle. ‘It’s four thirty. I need to take Miss Robertson her afternoon tea.’
‘You make it and I’ll take it up to her, Umberto. It’s awful to see her stuck in her room all the time. I’ll see what she says about Florence and, if she’s not up for that, I’ll have another go at getting her to join me for a walk around here in the fresh air.’
He gave her a sceptical look, but made no comment as he boiled the water and prepared Mimi’s green tea in a charming little Japanese teapot. When it was done, he glanced at Bee.
‘Do you like green tea?’
She nodded. ‘I’ve had it a few times. I quite like it.’
‘Then I’ll put two cups on the tray just in case she lets you into her room.’
Bee smiled at him. ‘Yes, let’s think positive. And have you got a couple of cantuccini biscuits by any chance? I wouldn’t mind one, even if her diet prevents her from joining me.’
Umberto filled a dish with biscuits and Bee took the tray up to Mimi’s room. Balancing it in one hand, she tapped on the door and waited. A few seconds later there was the usual terse reply.
‘Yes.’
‘It’s me, Bee. I’ve brought you some green tea.’
‘Oh, right. Well, come in.’
Pleasantly surprised to have been granted access to the inner sanctum, Bee opened the door and the first thing she saw was the film star’s bottom. Clad in yoga pants, Mimi was head down, bottom up, legs and arms dead straight, her body forming a perfect triangle with the floor as she held herself up on her outstretched hands and bare feet. Bee had done a bit of yoga herself and recognised the position immediately.
She walked in and set the tray down on the side. Mimi remained motionless in the same position without speaking. After a brief pause, Bee risked saying a few words.
‘Downward Dog? I always find it hurts my wrists.’
Slowly, Mimi dropped back onto her knees and then stood up, stretching as she did so.
‘So, you do yoga too?’
‘Just a little. I’m not in your league, Miss Robertson. You did that perfectly.’
To her relief, she saw Mimi smile.
‘If you like, I can g
ive you a few lessons while we’re here.’
‘I’d love that, thank you, Miss Robertson.’ Wow, she thought to herself, this is progress.
‘Call me Mimi. We’re going to be here for a while and you can’t go on calling me Miss Robertson.’ Mimi glanced across at the tray. ‘Thank you for bringing this.’
‘You’re welcome… Mimi. I got Umberto to give you a few biscuits as well in case you’re hungry.’
To her surprise, the actress turned back towards her and smiled – a real, genuine, open smile.
‘In case I’m hungry? Beatrice, I’m always hungry. I’ve been hungry for the past twenty years of my life.’
Bee found herself smiling back, delighted to see this softer side to her. She risked a personal question.
‘So, out of interest, Mimi, what’ve you had to eat today so far?’
‘Breakfast was a glass of orange juice.’
‘Just orange juice?’
Mimi nodded ruefully. ‘Afraid so. No bacon and eggs for me.’
‘But, not even toast?’
‘Sometimes I might have a slice of dry toast with a cup of green tea, but I’m trying to cut back.’
‘And for lunch?’
‘I skipped lunch.’
‘Wow. Have you always eaten so little?’
Mimi perched on the end of her bed and nodded. Although Gayle had indicated she was well over forty, she really didn’t look any older than Bee herself. Even like this, without a hint of makeup, she was stunningly beautiful and her body was as toned as a teenage gymnast. However, by the sound of it, this hadn’t been achieved without considerable sacrifice.
‘I’ve been eating like a mouse ever since I got into this business. And what about you, Beatrice? Have you always been slim?’