Dreaming of Tuscany

by T A Williams

  She took a big mouthful of the wine and murmured approvingly. This was something else she was going to miss when she left Montegrifone. Somehow, knowing the place, the vines and the men in the cantina made it all the more special. They chatted for a few minutes, mainly about her new job, his impending hip operation, and the continuing uncertainty about where she would end up, before she invited him to the party.

  ‘Mimi and I are leaving this Saturday, so we thought we’d organise a little party at the villa on Friday night to say goodbye to all the friends we’ve made here. Please will you come?’ She crossed her fingers under the table. ‘There’s just one thing. Luca will be there.’

  There was a long silence, during which Bee let her eyes range around the kitchen It was a lovely old room, with a high ceiling supported by hefty tree trunks. For the first time she spotted an old photograph in a silver frame on top of the dresser. She hadn’t seen it there before. It was a family group of three figures, clearly taken in the garden of the Podere Nuovo. Alongside a youthful Riccardo was a very pretty fair-haired woman and, in her arms, a cheeky-looking little boy. Riccardo with his long hair and tie-dyed shirt looked every inch a hippy, his wife, Elizabeth looked blissfully happy, and little Luke had the sort of broad smile on his face Bee had only glimpsed once or twice since meeting him.

  Finally, Riccardo looked up.

  ‘Can I think about it, Bee?’

  ‘Of course. There’s no need to make your mind up right here and now. Please come, but if you decide not to, don’t worry. I’ll come and say goodbye to you on Saturday morning.’

  * * *

  The party was a great success – well, almost.

  As there were likely to be twenty people or more by the time they all brought their partners and children, Bee and Mimi decided to make it a stand-up affair with lots of canapés and nibbles. Bee was somewhat surprised to find that Mimi turned out to be an excellent pastry cook. The film star spent all day at the oven, making two huge quiches and sausage rolls from her mother’s special recipe, alongside little vol-au-vents filled with mushrooms. Bee prepared fried polenta topped with pâté and Gorgonzola, smoked salmon and slices of goats’ cheese on toast, as well as a couple of pizzas bought from the farm shop and sliced into segments.

  Bee managed to get the barbecue going without setting fire to the tinder-dry garden and started grilling a load of chubby little sausages to be served on cocktail sticks, dipped into a huge dollop of French mustard in the middle of the plate. She was delighted and relieved when, of all people, Joey came out and took over the cooking partway through. This was the third time this month he had flown all the way from California to be with Mimi and to give her a lift back to LA. There was no denying his commitment and Bee could see that Mimi was impressed, maybe more. He also turned out to be very competent at the barbecue and revealed to a surprised Bee that he had worked as a chef at a burger bar in Beverly Hills for a year before he got his big break. He was surveyed closely by the Labrador, nose firmly trained on the sausages the entire time, as well as by Daniela from the farm shop with a faraway expression on her face. Unlike the dog, her attention wasn’t trained on the food. It wasn’t every day she met a Hollywood idol after all.

  Bee had a little smile to herself as she watched the expressions on the faces of the guests as they were ushered, shyly, into the presence of not one, but two internationally acclaimed film stars, bizarrely here in the wilds of the Tuscan countryside. Just like Bee’s reaction two months earlier, it must have appeared incredible to them to be moving in such rarefied circles. In fact, it took a few drinks and a few minutes before natural Tuscan ebullience allowed them to adjust to the presence of their illustrious hosts and normal noise levels resumed.

  Communication between the different nationalities was surprisingly good. Bee was delighted to hear Mimi taking a stab at some basic Italian and Umberto’s son, Marco, producing some unexpectedly good English learnt at school. And Bee still hadn’t got over the discovery that Joey spoke Italian. Admittedly, it was second or third generation Sicilian, learned from his grandparents while growing up in the Bronx, but he made himself understood pretty well, and Bee could see that, not just Daniela, but most of the women and girls at the party soon fell under his spell. Not that this presented a problem to the men among the guests. Most of them had their eyes out on stalks as they followed Mimi’s every move.

  There was no shortage of liquid refreshment either. Everybody seemed to arrive with something different, including Umberto with a bottle of grappa. Bee and Mimi had already crammed the fridge full of rosé, champagne and cold beer and felt sure it would be more than enough. For the drivers and children there were soft drinks and lots of mineral water.

  Bee went around, topping up glasses, but soon found herself out of a job as Ines and Loredana gently but firmly took over. Freed from her duties, Bee circulated chatting to everybody, being introduced to partners she hadn’t met before, and keeping a watchful eye on the gaggle of little children belonging to the farm hands. Marco and the others were a bundle of laughs and Bee was soon giggling along with their girlfriends and wives as they were regaled with hilarious anecdotes. Unsurprisingly, many of them involved Berlusconi the goat and his voracious appetite. The noise was almost deafening. Tuscans definitely didn’t do sotto voce. Bee was delighted to see that Luke, although their employer, was accepted into the group as an equal and he was looking remarkably relaxed for once.

  There was just one problem. There was somebody missing. Luke’s father didn’t come after all.

  Bee kept checking for any sign of him, but without success. From his house, she had no doubt he would have been able to hear the noise, so he couldn’t have forgotten. As dusk fell, she almost ran down the road to knock on his door but then decided against it. It was his choice and, she told herself, no business of hers. Yes, it would have been wonderful to engineer a meeting between the father and the son, but it wasn’t her place to push it. She was saddened by his no-show but deep down, not really surprised. The idea of meeting his son again after so long would have been scary enough, but for this to take place under the prying eyes of so many astonished onlookers would have been truly daunting.

  By the time they had all helped themselves to slices of Mimi’s homemade apricot and strawberry tarts accompanied by lovely creamy ice cream from the farm shop, eaten quickly before it melted, it was quite dark outside. They lit candles and sat under the stars. By now Romeo was happily sprawled in the midst of them, surrounded by the little kids who looked as tired as he did. Finally, Bee and Mimi began a coffee marathon, serving powerful little shots of espresso coffee to the adults while Umberto came around dispensing liver-crippling quantities of grappa to the unwary.

  Bee sat down on the rattan sofa with Ines and Loredana, her hand over her glass as she spotted Umberto and the grappa bottle circulating, and thanked them for all they had done for her. Ines brushed away her thanks.

  ‘It’s been a pleasure. So, time to leave Montegrifone? Any regrets?’

  ‘Lots.’ Bee looked around the group, doing her best not to focus on Luke. ‘Everything’s been so wonderful. Living in such a marvellous historic setting – to a historian like me it’s been a dream come true – and discovering just how lovely the countryside can be. Above all, the people have been great. Ines, you and Umberto have looked after us so wonderfully I feel like part of the family now. I’m going to cry my eyes out when I leave tomorrow, I’m afraid.’

  ‘But you will come back and see us, Bee, won’t you?’

  ‘I’ll definitely come back. Tuscany’s in my blood now. I’ll be dreaming of Tuscany forever.’

  Later on, she found herself sitting beside Mimi, a couple of candles on the table illuminating the scene. Mimi caught hold of her arm and gave it a squeeze.

  ‘I was just thinking – I haven’t had a haircut, a manicure or a facial for two months and, you know something? I don’t think I’ve ever felt so good.’ She smiled at Bee. ‘And you look gorgeous. It must be the
Tuscan air.’

  Bee blushed. ‘I look gorgeous? You look stunning. I’ve still got a way to go, but I think I’m reasonably presentable again.’

  ‘Much more than that. My friends in Hollywood are going to love you.’ Mimi grinned. ‘Although I’d better tell them your heart already belongs to another.’

  Bee genuinely didn’t know how to respond to that. Luckily Mimi didn’t dwell on the subject.

  ‘It’s going to be hard to leave all this, isn’t it, Bee?’

  ‘Terribly hard. But I’m definitely coming back.’

  ‘That’s good to hear because I thought you might be interested to know that I’ve just booked the villa again for a month next summer. Promise me you’ll come.’

  Bee glanced across at her, her eyes shining.

  ‘Just try and stop me, Mimi. Thank you so much. And thank you so much for being such a warm and wonderful friend.’ She reached over and gave Mimi a hug. As she did so, a thought occurred to her. ‘But as I’ll be working for an American company, I probably won’t have much in the way of holidays.’

  ‘You just come for as long as you can. And as for friendship, I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your company. I don’t know how I’d have coped all alone here without you. The very least I can do is make it possible for you to come back here. Besides, it’ll give you a chance to see you-know-who again.’

  Bee nodded, but didn’t reply. She really wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye to him the following day.

  Mimi gave her arm a supportive squeeze. ‘I’m so sorry it didn’t come to anything.’

  ‘Me too, but sometimes it’s better to face facts and accept that some things just aren’t meant to be. Not all dreams come true.’

  ‘Says who?’

  ‘Says six thousand miles between LA and here for a start.’

  ‘Amor vincit omnia.’ Mimi winked at her. ‘Besides, you might end up working in Switzerland and that’s just over the border.’

  ‘Yes, I know they say love conquers all, but it’s not as easy as that. Besides, who’s said anything about love? For Romeo the dog definitely. For anybody else here, affection, definitely affection, but surely that’s as far as it goes.’

  ‘If you say so, Bee.’ Mimi didn’t sound convinced.

  But then, neither was Bee.

  The guests gradually melted away in dribs and drabs until the only people left were Joey and Luke, sitting on the rattan sofa, the dog at their feet. By this time Bee was feeling very emotional and she was almost in tears as Mimi came out and whispered in Joey’s ear. As the two of them disappeared into the house, Bee was left alone with Luke, doing her best to keep the tears at bay.

  ‘Sorry to be leaving?’ From the expression on his face in the candle light, it was clear he was fully aware that it was a rhetorical question. ‘Still, you’ll come back and see us, won’t you?’

  She turned towards him and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  ‘Definitely. I’m going to take every opportunity I can to include a visit to Tuscany in any future trips to Italy.’ She sniffed, picked up a paper napkin and blew her nose. ‘I’m sorry to be so emotional, but I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’ve met so many lovely people.’ She caught his eye. ‘Particularly you, Luke.’

  There was a second or two before he broke the silence.

  ‘You’re leaving tomorrow? From Florence? Pisa?’

  She had to clear her throat before replying as firmly as possible.

  ‘Pisa.’

  ‘How are you planning on getting there? Could I offer you a lift to the airport? I’d like to do that.’

  Bee nodded. ‘If you really don’t mind, that would be very kind. Joey’s driving down to Rome airport with Mimi so, seeing as we gave the 500 back a few days ago, I was going to get a lift with them into Siena and then take the train, but I think it might mean a change.

  ‘Then that’s decided. I’ll drive you to Pisa.’ He reached down and picked up an empty tray, apparently keen to get away. ‘It’s probably best if we clear the plates into the kitchen before Berlusconi and his friends come calling.’

  She reached out and caught his arm, turning him towards her once more.

  ‘Wait, Luke. There’s something I have to say.’

  She saw his eyes sparkle in the moonlight.

  ‘I’ve loved being here, Luke, and I’ve loved meeting you. I just want you to know that if things had been different…’ Her voice began to peter out, but she collected herself. ‘…if things had been different, I would have liked to get to know you so much better.’

  She saw him nod his head and when he spoke she couldn’t miss the emotion in his voice.

  ‘And me, Bee. You’re a lovely person and I’ll never, ever forget you. I hope you have a wonderful life.’

  And he turned hastily away.

  Chapter 21

  Saturday was a draining day, physically and emotionally. Bee got up very early so she could wash the dishes from the night before, but she found Ines already hard at it. Bee gave her a hand before going up to finish packing her things and then it was time to bid farewell to the two Hollywood idols.

  Mimi had tears in her eyes as they hugged on the doorstep and she repeated her invitation to Bee to stay with her when she went over to LA to begin her new job in less than two weeks’ time. The fact that they were going to see each other so soon made the parting easier, but Bee was feeling very emotional as Joey’s car disappeared down the drive. What had started out as a babysitting exercise for a potentially difficult and spoilt diva had produced a real friendship that Bee felt sure would go the distance, in spite of the abyss that existed between her and the glamorous world of the movies. Living with Mimi had been a wonderful experience, and Bee was really glad she had been able to play her part in helping the megastar learn to relax and enjoy life so much more. In return, Mimi had proved to be a supportive, encouraging and generous friend – to the point of offering her hospitality in her own home in LA. Bee knew that profound trust now existed between the two of them and she felt privileged to have been allowed into the private life of a living legend. They had definitely done each other good.

  After they left, she hurried down the track to say goodbye to Riccardo. However, try as she might, although she knocked numerous times, she was bitterly disappointed to receive no answer. She went round to the back door but found it locked and his little car missing. In the end, all she could do was slip a note under his door with her phone number and email address, adding the words, So sorry not to have been able to say goodbye. Please stay in touch. x Bee.

  She went back to the kitchen to say goodbye to Ines and Umberto and she was touched to see both of them with tears in their eyes. The Labrador no doubt picked up on the mood of the humans around him and his big brown eyes looked even more mournful than usual as he rested his nose on her knee. She made a huge fuss of him before leaving him in the company of these two charming old people. As she had expected, she cried her eyes out as she left.

  During the drive to the airport she and Luke didn’t talk much. Partly this was because she was tired, partly because she was feeling very emotional and didn’t want to start crying all over again, and partly because she knew that leaving him and his home was one of the most difficult things she had ever had to do in her life. When they reached Pisa airport, she refused his offer to come in with her and told him he should drive straight off again. After piling her bags onto a trolley, he came over and stood in front of her.

  ‘Thank you, Bee, for everything you’ve done for us, and I mean all of us.’ She heard him clear his throat before continuing. ‘Your stay at Montegrifone has brought some much-needed joy to a place where joy’s been in short supply for a good while now. I really hope you’ll come back to see us again. As often as you can.’

  She nodded. ‘I’ll be back, Luke, I promise.’ She could hear the emotion in her voice and she had no doubt he would be able to hear it too. ‘I’ve loved meeting you all and I know my ti
me here’s done me good, not just physically, but as a person. I’m the one who should be saying thank you.’ Her voice broke. ‘I’m really going to miss you, Luke.’

  He took a step towards her and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his chest. She felt his lips on her damaged cheek and then his voice in her ear.

  ‘And I’m going to miss you, too, Bee.’

  And then, before she could respond, he released her and turned away. He climbed back into the truck and drove off with just a little wave of the hand, without looking back, leaving her feeling more alone than she had felt for ages. She felt so drained by now, she could barely control the tears that were stinging the corners of her eyes.

  * * *

  It was five o’clock by the time she got back to her flat in south London feeling totally deflated and still close to tears.

  To her amazement, as she opened the door, she saw a pile of mail neatly stacked on the hall table. Dropping her bags, she walked through to the living room and got another surprise. There was a vase of fresh flowers on the table. The window was open and the place felt airy and clean, not nearly as stuffy as she had been expecting. The scent of the flowers as she walked in suddenly took her back to the villa and she stopped, lost in thought, the familiar stinging at the corners of her eyes welling up again. She knew she would never forget her time at Montegrifone and that one special man. With an effort, she wiped her eyes and took a few deep, calming breaths. She had no doubt that she would be dreaming of Tuscany for a long time to come.

  Returning her attention to the room, she saw that there was a note with a key on the table alongside the flowers. Both were from Jamie. He and she had corresponded quite a bit recently, after she had broken the amazing news to him that Mimi loved his screenplay and had sent it straight to her agent in LA. Jamie had been understandably delighted and almost pathetically grateful. In spite of everything, Bee had found herself beginning to think fondly of him once more. Not fondly enough to consider getting back together with him, in spite of the unexpectedly romantic nature of his screenplay, but she had forgiven him for taking advantage of her mother’s naiveté and then turning up at Montegrifone uninvited. The note, written on the back of an envelope that had once contained a bank statement, was brief. His handwriting was his usual scrawl but, by now, she knew how to decipher it.