Summer At Villa Rosa Collection. Kate Hardy

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СКАЧАТЬ Not now, though. Not here. ‘I hope it hasn’t put you off your food.’

      ‘No.’ Andie shook her head. ‘I’m fine.’

      Nearly fine.

      Neither of them spoke for a while but the silence was the comfortable kind between two people who’d known one another for a long time and didn’t need to fill every moment with banal conversation. Instead they watched the bustle of a busy working harbour, the boats coming and going, men washing down decks, a skinny black cat creeping along on its belly, stalking something that only it could see.

      ‘I like this place,’ Cleve said as their food arrived.

      ‘Me too.’

      The waiter asked if there was anything else they wanted, wished them ‘Buon appetito’ and left them to it.

      They tasted the fish and pronounced it good. Andie helped herself to some of his fries. He asked why she hadn’t ordered her own. It was the normal, everyday stuff that was no different from lunch in the mess or down the pub and within minutes they were talking about work. The performance of the Learjet. How the Cyprus office was bringing in more business from the Middle East. Nothing personal. No more straying into dangerously emotional territory where the past could trip them up.

      Cleve ordered an espresso. She refused to be tempted by cheesecake. Cleve paid the bill, checked the time and stood up. ‘The tiles are being delivered this afternoon. You can stay in town if you like but I’d better get back.’

      She knew that nothing would happen until four o’clock when the shops would reopen and the town would come to life but she’d inadvertently invoked bad memories and sensed he needed some time alone.

      ‘The village has grown since I was last here. It’s almost a town now and I’d like to explore a little. Walk off lunch.’

      ‘Take care riding back. See if you can find a helmet.’

      ‘I will if you promise not to go up on the roof unless I’m there.’

      He drew a cross over his heart. ‘Scouts’ honour.’

      ‘If you need me just ring the bell.’

      His steel-grey eyes softened. ‘Never doubt that I need you, Miranda.’ She was still taking in his words when he caught the back of her head in his hand and kissed her. His mouth lingered momentarily as if tasting her and then he was gone before she could catch her breath.

      She raised her hand to her mouth. It hadn’t been a heavy kiss, just firm enough to leave the faintest tingle and send sparks flying in all directions.

      A promise.

      The waiter returned with his receipt and, startling him with a smile, she said, ‘I think I’ll have that cheesecake after all.’

      When she returned, there was a car outside and in the courtyard Cleve was erecting a scaffolding deck. ‘Where did that come from?’ she asked.

      ‘I hired it. Health and safety. I don’t see a helmet.’

      ‘I couldn’t find a motorbike accessories shop. Has Matt brought his mother? I thought we might have scared him off. Did he say anything?’

      ‘I was inside when they arrived and he took her straight down to the beach.’

      ‘I’ll try and catch them when they come up. To thank them for the marmalade. I would have bought a replacement jar but the shop isn’t open until four.’

      ‘We can pick one up in San Rocco tomorrow and drop it off on the way back,’ he suggested.

      ‘You can ask him to be your witness.’

      He nodded, tightened a clamp.

      ‘I’m going to see if I can start the little runaround. I’ll feel safer driving into the city in that and we’ll have somewhere to put the shopping.’

      ‘My knees will be under my chin. Why don’t you see if you can start the convertible?’ he suggested, testing the connection before adding another piece.

      ‘That is a valuable vintage automobile and I’ve seen how the locals drive.’

      ‘Like Ben Hur in a chariot race?’

      That was so close to her own thought that she laughed. ‘Exactly.’

      ‘Point taken.’ He was smiling when he looked up. ‘My knees and chin will probably survive the indignity.’

      * * *

      The capital, San Rocco, was one of those enchanting old cities that had everything. Ancient buildings, tiny courtyards and alleyways, steep steps disappearing around corners, tantalising glimpses of gardens through wrought-iron gates. Wide open piazzas with cafés spilling out onto the pavement. Pedestrian-only streets lined with what had once been palazzos, built in some golden age when the island was a crossroads for trade, but which now housed elegant boutiques.

      And perched above it was the castle, dominating the city and protecting its ancient harbour far below.

      ‘I can’t believe this place isn’t overrun by tourists,’ Andie said. ‘It has everything.’

      ‘Everything except an airport.’

      ‘Why don’t they build one?’

      ‘Maybe they like it the way it is.’

      ‘If I lived here I think I might, too,’ she admitted. ‘It’s tough on the young people who have to leave to make a living, though.’ She mimed a stab through the heart.

      ‘Not many tourists but there is an information office,’ he said, crossing the piazza. ‘With luck they can direct us to a notary.’

      An hour later they had sworn statements, paid to have them translated into Italian and were told they could pick them up the following afternoon.

      ‘Well, that was easy,’ Andie said. ‘Now for the tough bit.’

      ‘Tough bit?’

      ‘I hate shopping for clothes. One of the great things about my job is the uniform. I don’t have to think about what to wear. Immi got all the power dressing and high heels genes.’

      ‘Come and help me find a suit and I’ll help you pick out a dress. And high heels.’

      ‘You can’t do that,’ she said, aghast at the thought.

      ‘I can’t? Why?’

      ‘It’s...you know... Unlucky.’ She felt an idiot just saying it.

      ‘Unlucky?’ Cleve stopped. ‘Who are you?’ he asked, grinning broadly. ‘And what have you done with the efficient, totally focused and thoroughly down-to-earth Miranda Marlowe?’

      ‘That’s the work me. This is the me me.’

      ‘Are you saying that you don’t walk under ladders?’

      ‘Only СКАЧАТЬ