Under a Tuscan Sky

by Karen Aldous

  ‘No, it’s fascinating, and a welcome distraction. I needed food, and conversation is a bonus. I had a sleep earlier and the combination seems to have recharged me.’

  He picked up her empty glass. ‘Shall we have another? Well, as long as I’m not interfering, and I don’t upset you. I think you can safely say I’ve kept off the subject of your family.’

  ‘Yes, one more would be nice to go with my dinner. Thanks, I’ve calmed down now. I’m enjoying the conversation. In fact, I’m itching to know more about your mask or why you need one.’

  Hugh signalled to the waiter and ordered a medium carafe of wine. ‘From a young boy, I loved caricatures and the variety of expression from the face. I think I first saw them at the seaside. Somehow, I developed a penchant for comedy. A world where I could blank out the past, or more specifically, my father. I used to get awful flashes of him, as well as nightmares and I began making those scary images into funny ones, friendly ones, caring.

  ‘Expression and studying it became my obsession. I think I studied art history because I was fascinated by portraits and caricatures, trying to pick out individual leading traits. Artists studied people, trying to interpret the subject’s subtext: what was behind their eyes, beyond the public and into their private worlds. That’s what I do with comedy. The connection between the real world and imaginary world, the relationship symbolism has with the sitter and the artist. I found symbols revealed more about their client’s aspirations than their reality.

  ‘Think of today’s selfies. Young girls portraying themselves with full-mouthed sexy pouts in a Facebook picture for example. The young male ego surrounded by his mates, clutching bottles of beer in their hands. Is it saying we fit in, we are cool, or are they displaying insecurity, needing to fit in, seeking approval? That’s the dichotomy; they can be interpreted as both funny and tragic.’

  Searching the passion in his eyes, Olivia failed to see any mask in front of her but she found the topic interesting, and revealing. ‘So what evil were you escaping from? What did your father do that gave you that need?’

  At that second, Olivia’s next course arrived, a simple salmon linguine.

  ‘That is amazing. I had that.’

  ‘Really, or are you avoiding my question?’

  Hugh’s glare told her otherwise. ‘Not at all. I can deal with everything my dad did now. When I was younger I felt he had abandoned us. I only understood as I got older. I was six when my mum ran away with me and we moved to a new home and hid from him. She explained. I overcame it maybe because she encouraged me to find another world, I’m not sure. He wasn’t around much and I didn’t know him that long, but let’s just say he made a lasting impression. When he was there he used to beat Mum and I.’

  ‘How awful. Was he an alcoholic?’

  ‘No. My mum thinks he was seriously abused by his father and he thought it was the normal way to treat people. The whole family was damaged, Mum says. We moved from Norfolk to Sussex. Mum changed our names and I suppose we reinvented ourselves. We totally blocked him out.’

  ‘Good for you. Did he ever find you? He could have recognized you on TV maybe?’

  Hugh’s expression became one of disgust. ‘Yeah, well not from TV, but yes, two years ago. He found me at my unit, my antique warehouse. I don’t think he knew me from TV. He’d found out my name from someone mum had known in Norfolk apparently. Not a friend, but obviously, someone who knew something. Anyway, with social media, somehow, he said he’d traced me. I was worried he might track my mum though. The antiques business has a website. I was stupid enough to put my name on it. He never found my mother though. She remarried when I was seven, really great man whose name is Rhys but who I call Pops.

  ‘Anyway, my biological father had been living in Cannes in the south of France. Three years ago, he’d met some woman, a dentist. He’d found me because he’d wanted me to meet her. I think he was trying to pretend to her that he cared about his family. I don’t really know what his motivation was. I didn’t care. He had met her family. I didn’t meet her. I didn’t want anything to do with either of them.

  ‘I moved my unit and took it off social media. I’m sure he can still find me if he looks up the business, but it’s not so public. I wouldn’t want to risk my mum having to relive that fear she had so stalwartly fought. I mean, I still have my regular customers and word of mouth. Another reason I’m looking to escape to Italy. I can supply other dealers and concentrate on that side.’

  Instinctively Olivia stroked Hugh’s forearm. ‘That’s really awful. I’m not surprised. There’s me feeling sorry for myself all my life because … well, I don’t know why now. What did I have to complain about? I had a happy childhood, even though I missed my mum and dad. My gran and grandfather loved me to bits and made sacrifices they didn’t have to and I’ve had such massive love and support from my beautiful and ever loyal friend Chiara.’ Tears scurried down her cheeks like they literally had been behind locked gates.

  He slid a friendly hand over hers. ‘You’ve been through some difficult times. And, if the death of your grandmother wasn’t bad enough, this particular journey to see your mother was tough.’

  Sensing genuine empathy, Olivia stared into her lap and wiped the tears with a serviette. She’d never understood why she got emotional when somebody felt sorry for her. ‘There’s not many who would be so considerate,’ she said, now deciding Hugh’s were motives genuine and highly plausible. Only she could make that judgement though. He was unlikely to admit to having other motives was he? She took a deep breath and then let out a sigh as if releasing all her guilt. ‘I know it sounds mean but I did wonder if you were buttering me up to sell the house to you, or the bridal chest even.’

  ‘Really? No. That’s so … that makes me sound like some kind of con artist.’ Hugh glared at her. ‘Is that what you think?’

  Olivia shuffled in her seat, making her sit up straight. She was amused at her own honesty. ‘I know, disturbing isn’t it. Don’t you ever wonder if people have ulterior motives sometimes?’

  Watching his eyebrows knit into one, Olivia thought she may have gone too far and offended him but he stretched up his neck and ran the fingers of one hand up to his chin.

  ‘I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t. And, yes, I have. Your reasons for allowing me to sit here now, for example. At first I thought you would point me to the door, out of your life for ever. I honestly did. I was so scared. I’d mentally watched you do it.’ He shook his head mocking despair. ‘But of course, you had other designs, didn’t you? That one moment of weakness in your eyes told me everything Yes, I thought, yes, this girl knows a good thing when she sees it. She wants my body. She can’t resist me.’

  ‘Aaahhaa, touché! But what are you on?’ she squealed, the laughter tearing through her. Hugh was certainly entertaining, and – she felt herself blush – his insight was probably spot on. ‘Well I’m glad we’ve broken the ice, and we can be totally honest with one another.’ She paused then added, ‘And you’re keeping my mind off that bloody woman and her antics.’

  She lowered her eyes in shame. She had been harsh on him and had to admit what a selfish human being she had been, snapping at him undeservedly. He was a good guy.

  He squeezed her arm, his pupils dilating as his eyes locked on hers. ‘I just wish I had met you one week earlier. I would be keeping more than your mind occupied.’

  Olivia could barely control the yearning coursing through her veins.

  It was ten-forty when Hugh walked Olivia to her room. His was the next door down the hall.

  ‘So, Bella should be here for ten o’clock. I said you would meet her in reception. I’m going to drive out to this warehouse, but I’ll come back and see you. You can let me know all about your meeting.’

  ‘Thank you. And thank you for a lovely evening. I can’t imagine what I would have done on my own tonight.’

  He stopped beside her, her blood warming from his close presence. ‘You would ha
ve managed I’m sure. It probably took your mind off everything though.’

  ‘Exactly. I needed that. Well, goodnight,’ she said instinctively reaching to give him a hug and kiss his cheek.

  ‘Sleep tight,’ he whispered, keeping her in his arms for a while.

  Facing him, her lips urgently pressed on his, she kissed him as though it was the most natural thing in the world. He was sweet and tender and she could feel him completely unlocking her heart.

  Chapter 23

  Tumbling senseless into her room, she stood behind the door, barely able to breathe. She had wanted that. Had instigated it. Instantly she thought of Alberto. She had betrayed him. Pulling her phone out of her bag, she checked for messages, guilt surfacing. It seemed a rather unsocial hour to call him. Clenching the phone tight in her palm, she climbed on to the bed and lay back on her pillow, gazing at the corniced ceiling.

  How had life become so complicated? She let out a sigh. Now, as the whirl of emotions collided, she had something else to lie awake and worry about. Why had she just made a complete fool of herself? Her face reddened with embarrassment just thinking about it. Why hadn’t she resisted falling into his arms as they stood to say goodnight?

  She had at first, but as soon as she’d felt the touch of his lips on her cheek, she was lured and greeted them. An urgent, sensual kiss, with their bodies pressing against each other. Locked together, there was such an incredible energy. Lust with tenderness she was never likely to forget. Luckily, she’d pulled away, forcing herself to come to her senses. She’d wanted more than anything to invite him in to her room, to spend the night with him. What on earth was happening to her? Falling so impulsively for two men?

  Feeling overwhelmingly disloyal to Alberto, Olivia tried to rationalize her behaviour. Maybe the exhaustion of the day had commandeered her to let down her guard, or the romantic setting of the lake combined with relaxing company allowed her to get carried away. Or maybe it was simply consuming too much alcohol that was responsible and she’d allowed suppressed emotions to race to the fore. Not that she considered two glasses of wine irresponsible. She wasn’t going to label herself like her mother.

  One thing she was sure about, however: she couldn’t ring Alberto tonight. An apologetic text to say she would see him tomorrow night was going to have to suffice.

  ***

  Surprisingly, Olivia slept well and was up bright and early but with only her dirty jeans and T-shirt to put on, she treated herself to a luxurious bath, having at least washed through her underwear before going to sleep naked. She brushed her hair and applied a little make-up before dressing and deciding to have a stroll along the promenade in the warm morning sunshine.

  The lake licked the shore with an air of calmness and she stopped at the very bench she and Hugh had sat at the previous evening. Attempting to distract her mind from Hugh’s kiss, she took out her phone and by opening her ‘Questions for Bella’ list, she endeavoured to imprint them to memory, but Hugh’s lips refused to budge. Restless, she popped the phone back and returned to the hotel.

  Hugh was sitting in reception and, immediately garnering her thoughts, she strolled across and sat on the sofa beside him. ‘Good morning. I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you last night.’

  Hugh gave her a lopsided smile. ‘I beg to differ; it was the best kiss I’ve ever had, but you are forgiven. I should have known better too.’

  Blushing, she got to her feet before she admitted the same. ‘I’ll forgive you too then. Have you had breakfast? I’ve twenty minutes, and I’d appreciate your company. My nerves are all over the place,’ she said eyeing those lips that had transported her. She vowed to herself never to let it happen again.

  ‘I did try to eat, so technically, yes I have eaten, but yes I’ll join you. I think it was the taste of something better that ruined my appetite.’

  She blushed for the second time. ‘Oh, but it was wrong of me. I’ve never kissed one man whilst seeing another. My gran would be turning in her grave at that sort of behaviour.’

  ‘Times have changed. I’m sure she’ll understand.’

  Feeling about seventeen, she racked her brains to change the subject. ‘I’m curious as to the twins’ reaction to all this,’ she told Hugh. ‘I doubt it will be easy for them discovering they have an older sister and why we were all estranged. I imagine they’re hurt too. I wonder if they both want to meet me? It would be awful if my brother didn’t.’

  Hugh was on a chair diagonally across from her. She’d deliberately sat at a distance. ‘Stop worrying,’ he said. ‘I’m sure they’ll be as curious as you. You’re nervous, that’s all.’

  Wriggling in her chair, she added, ‘Yes, curious, but I’m worried. What if we can’t stand one another?’

  Among other things on her walk, she’d agonized over whether meeting Bella was a good idea just yet. Her biggest fear was being rejected and abandoned again. Finding you have a family but then finding they don’t want to know you was overwhelmingly terrifying.

  ‘I must be strong.’

  Hugh ran his hand along the edge of the table. ‘What is there not to like about you? Just be yourself.’

  ‘I wonder if they are alike, being twins. They are bound to ask questions about our other gran and grandad. I wonder if they speak good English?’

  Hugh laughed. ‘You are in a flutter this morning. Being boy and girl, they’d be as different as brother and sister. And as for speaking English, I imagine they do. They’ve both grown up on an international campsite,’ Hugh said now tapping his fingers on the side of the chair. ‘I’m sure they’ll be keen to know more about your grandparents.’

  ‘That’s another thing. I inherited their London home too. I live there. What do I do about that?’

  ‘I wish I could take your hand and make you relax, but I daren’t.’

  Olivia held up her palm. ‘No. Not a good idea. I’ll be fine. I am fine.’ She looked again at her watch, then gazed nervously across at the hotel doors. ‘Maybe Bella’s changed her mind.’

  ‘Would you like another coffee?’ Hugh asked, looking helpless.

  ‘No, I’m high as a kite now. I’d like some water though.’

  ‘I’ll go in and order some.’

  ‘But you have to go too.’

  ‘It will only take a minute.’

  Blowing out deep breaths, and willing her leg to stop twitching, Olivia watched as Hugh crossed the lawn. She liked that he was so attentive and willing. Nothing was too much trouble and in that sense, he was the female equivalent of Chiara, with the bonus of being male, attractive, and hugely insightful.

  The way he’d entered her psyche last night was pretty incredible. He was so right. She could now see why men failed to find the key to her heart: she would never open it for fear of being exposed and abandoned. She was protecting herself from being hurt.

  Maybe that was why she avoided wanting a family too. It meant exposing her heart before she could ever truly love someone. But how could he tell just how much she’d locked herself up by the features on her face or by making her a cartoon? It was fascinating. She did like him, a lot. But would she like her sister and just what would her sister make of her? Her stomach churned.

  Hugh returned and sat beside her, restoring a bit of calm inside her, but then she saw a woman with a child in her arms, raising her hand to shade the sun and looking across the lawn directly at her. She waved.

  Chapter 24

  Olivia’s heart rasped as Bella approached her. Her very own flesh and blood who had emerged into the world from the very same womb, created by the very same father as herself. She seemed surreal and not at all like the stranger she had spoken to at the campsite. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. Olivia stood and moved around the table to greet her, momentarily scrutinizing her as if to find the validating factor.

  Bella reached out her free arm and pulled her close. ‘Olivia, I’m so glad we could meet.’

  Instinctively feeling at
one, Olivia felt her eyes sting and her chest muscles tighten. She held her sister tight, trying not to squeeze the child. She was certain Bella felt the same too as they embraced.

  ‘It’s so lovely to meet you properly, Bella.’

  ‘You too.’ Her sister stepped back. Olivia saw watery eyes sparkle back, making her own sting further.

  With a sniffle, Bella smiled, and Olivia recognized that same lip curl and found herself speechless.

  ‘You girls sit. I’m going in to find a waiter,’ Hugh announced. ‘I’ll order coffee and croissants.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Olivia said positioning a chair for Bella and waiting for her to be seated. ‘I’ll be honest, Bella, I’ve been so nervous. How do you feel?’

  ‘Me too, yes. I have been worried but also excited. I was so shocked, and surprised too, particularly at Mamma for keeping you a secret and keeping you away from us. I’m not sure I completely understand. I can’t imagine ever forsaking Rosa, my baby. It’s incomprehensible as far as I’m concerned. We talked late last night and I don’t know why Mamma felt it was the right thing to do. She claims it was at the time.’ Bella shrugged. ‘I know she was young but I can’t help feeling it was selfish, quite callous.’

  ‘I’m still shocked. The excuses she was coming out with … I don’t want to see her. I don’t think I can ever forgive her. We could have grown up together and, to me, that’s unforgivable.’

  ‘No, I understand. I live with her; it’s not so easy. I feel betrayed too. I don’t know about Landi – that’s our brother: Orlando. I made her ring him. I don’t think he understood when Mamma told him. I think he found it strange she was capable of deserting a child. I hope he can forgive her in time. They are very close. We are going to see him today. He lives in Siena.’

  ‘Mamma knows you’re here then?’

  ‘Yes. She’s gone for a walk along the promenade. I said I’d meet her later. She knows I’m here and that you’re hurt. I thought it best to come and meet you alone rather than she upset you further. She should understand how we all feel about it. It wasn’t fair on any of us.’