by Karin Baine
‘Excuse me.’ The crowd parted as Luciano appeared with his medical bag. He paid no attention to the water pooled all around as he knelt down beside her.
‘He was non-responsive when I pulled him from the bottom of the deep end but I kept on with the rescue breaths and chest compressions until he came around. He’s coughed up a lot of water but I think he’s okay.’
‘Good job, Sophie. I’m glad you were paying attention.’ Luciano shot the lifeguard a filthy look that would have him fearing for his job, and rightly so. With so many passengers, many of them children, someone in his position had to be vigilant at all times.
‘I only saw him because it happened right in front of me. Anyone would’ve done the same.’
‘Are his parents here?’ Luciano stood up and addressed those standing around. Once the boy’s mother and father made themselves known, he dismissed everyone else with that air of authority that came so easily to him. ‘We’ll get him down to the medical centre and check him over. What’s his name?’
‘Joshua.’
‘Okay, Joshua, we’re going to move you, but Mum and Dad are going to come with you.’
Sophie pulled a towel from the nearest sunbed and covered their little patient until they could get him to the medical centre.
‘You too,’ Luciano said, grabbing another towel to drape it around her shoulders. It was only then she realised she was shaking, her teeth chattering as the shock of what she’d just done set in. He bundled up her clothes into his arms before they left the scene. This time there was no argument as she let him lead her back into the belly of the ship.
* * *
‘Something for the shock.’ Luciano set a glass of coloured liquid on the desk in front of her.
‘Thanks.’ She cradled the glass in her hands for a while before she took a sip. The strong alcohol burned on its way down her throat but it did manage to warm her up. Since Luciano had taken over the medical treatment, she didn’t think she’d stopped shaking.
‘Joshua is fine, thanks to your quick actions. I’m sorry if I’ve been dismissive of your medical expertise up until now. I know how hard you must have worked to save Joshua and all I can do is apologise.’
She could tell he wasn’t a man to say such a thing without complete sincerity, and was grateful for his acknowledgement of her abilities.
‘It’s all right. I know I was a bit of a handful at first, showing up here telling everyone how to do their job.’ If he could admit to his failings, so could she. It might help reduce some of that tension that seemed to accompany their interactions.
‘I would’ve done exactly the same in the circumstances. Now, is there anything else I can get for you?’ He got up off the desk where he’d been sitting and Sophie realised she was being dismissed. It had been a long afternoon, he had patients to tend to, and she’d taken up enough of his time. He’d lent her his office to get changed into the clothes she’d retrieved from her sun lounger before they’d come down here. The chat and the drink had been his way of making sure she was all right and wasn’t actually going into clinical shock. She appreciated the concern, even if she was put out it wasn’t more than a professional interest in her welfare he was showing.
‘No. I’ll let you get back to work.’ She tossed back the rest of the brandy, ignoring the fiery trail it was leaving in its wake, and set the empty glass back on his desk. ‘Thanks for that.’
‘No problem. I’m sure we’ll see each other around.’ He had the door open now, seeing her out.
‘I’m sure we will.’ The prospect set her mind conjuring up ways of avoiding him in the future. She was concerned about what another meeting would do to her equilibrium when she couldn’t get control of her emotions around him. Worryingly, there was also a part of her looking forward to it.
* * *
‘Room for one more?’ Luciano managed to bounce onto the excursion bus as the driver was about to close the doors.
‘There might be a seat left at the back, Doc.’
‘Thanks.’ He slapped a hand on Giovanni’s back. The twenty-something tour guide worked for the travel company that was contracted to the cruise liner. They transported passengers from the ship to the local tourist attractions and brought them back before the ship set sail for the next destination.
He’d crossed paths with Giovanni and a few of his colleagues before, on the occasions the heat and exertion during the tours had taken their toll on some of the holidaymakers.
As the driver started the engine, Luciano made his way down the aisle.
‘We don’t usually see you out and about, Doctor.’ The cheery rep revealed his identity to the others on board the bus who might not have recognised him otherwise. He’d dressed casually today in the hope of blending in so he could remain incognito. Now his cover had been blown he braced himself for the onslaught of conversations based around the ailments of his fellow passengers. So much for his time off.
‘I needed some fresh air.’ He didn’t intend sharing his thought processes about why he needed to get out and clear his head.
‘I’m not sure you’ll find it here.’ Giovanni guffawed as the bus revved and the smell of diesel filled the interior.
In truth, since Sophie had made herself known to him on board, Luciano had begun to find the clinic as claustrophobic as home. It was laughable: eight months on board a ship and he’d barely ventured out into daylight.
Before he’d broken the news to her about Edith’s health the other day, Sophie had looked so carefree lying on the deck, enjoying the sun. Before the ensuing drama around the pool yesterday, he’d envied her that peace he’d yet to find on board. Today he’d decided to try to find his own. Perhaps a walk on solid ground, enjoying the sights like every other tourist, would do him some good.
He staggered down the bus as it jolted to life, passed all the seats occupied by chattering couples anticipating their next great adventure. He spotted one empty aisle seat and swung into it as the bus rounded a corner.
‘Missing me already?’ The voice of his co-passenger was unmistakable.
‘Sophie? What are you doing here?’
‘I was minding my own business until you practically landed in my lap. What are you doing here?’
‘The same as everyone else. Sightseeing. It’s my day off.’ He didn’t know whether to be pleased or annoyed that he’d found himself sitting next to Sophie. She appeared to be the only other person travelling solo.
‘I would’ve thought you’d have seen everything a million times over by now.’
‘Not recently. I thought it was about time I took advantage of everything the cruise life has to offer.’ He was beginning to realise that staying locked away below decks wasn’t helping him. He was simply avoiding real life. Although he hadn’t anticipated seeing the object of his recent distraction again so soon.
‘That includes gatecrashing a bus full of tourists, does it? Admit it, you’re stalking me. You just wanted another day in my scintillating company.’
‘Naturally.’ Teasing he could live with. It was preferable to the fiery exchanges they’d had previously and the confused emotions aroused in him as a result.
Sophie moved her bag from between their seats, allowing him some extra room, and set it in her lap. ‘I’m flattered but I can’t promise any more thrilling ambulance rides or near-death experiences.’
‘Good. I’m off duty. I’d like a quiet day for a change.’
Sophie smiled at him. The worried frown had gone from her brow after yesterday’s drama and her eyes were back to that calm grey-blue of the ocean.
Mrs Fields would be pleased that they were beginning to get on.
They sat in silence for a while, taking in the view as the speakers played some cheesy Italian music he supposed was intended to provide a local atmosphere.
‘You know, I forget how beautiful this country is sometimes. Bellissima.’ He watche
d the muted colours of the green rolling hills pass by the window. They reminded him of home. Of his mamma and papà out there in the Italian countryside. Likely cooking up a feast for whoever happened to stop by the villa today.
For the first time since leaving his old life behind, he experienced a pang of longing to be back in the bosom of his family. Perhaps it was time to stop running and go back and face life without Renata. By all accounts, Sophie had experienced her fair share of heartache too and she’d survived. According to Edith, she was only just getting back to being herself. He needed to do the same instead of hiding away in the shadows, letting life carry on without him.
‘Where is home to you?’ Sophie’s curiosity pierced his self-reflection, reminding him he’d spoken those first thoughts aloud.
‘Barolo. It’s vineyard country in the Piedmont region in the northwest. Far from the madness of the city. It’s quiet, peaceful.’
‘Boring?’ Sophie laughed.
‘Hmm, more insular, I’d say.’ His life had been far from dull. It was ironic he should find more peace aboard a busy cruise liner but along with that came a sense of loneliness. He was missing the family he’d once accused of being too suffocating.
‘So you ran away to sea?’
‘Something like that.’ His laugh rang hollow. That was exactly what he’d done. The trouble was he didn’t know what to do next. He’d had his timeout and he knew he wasn’t going to sail the oceans for the rest of his days.
‘Live in the moment. That’s what I want to do too.’ Sophie was right. He’d spent too long wallowing in the past, worrying about a future without his wife. For once he should try testing that theory for himself and see if it made him any happier, or life any more bearable.
‘Where do we start?’ It sounded as though Sophie had more experience in this living-in-the-moment stuff, so he was prepared to follow her lead. If she’d let him.
The bus pulled into the side of the road and the passengers began to file off.
Sophie stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder. ‘Right here. Let’s just see where our feet take us.’
It was a dangerous game but he was thankful he had Sophie to play it with.
CHAPTER FOUR
SOPHIE’S DAY WASN’T exactly going to plan. Instead of joining the throng of passengers going to the larger cities to check out the tourist traps, she’d chosen to visit Civitavecchia, the town closest to where they’d docked.
She hadn’t wanted to fight her way through layer upon layer of sightseers in Rome to bag a five-second glance at something that could never live up to the hype. Especially without Edith. She’d traded their coach trip to see the major landmarks for a more laid-back tour, opting for the slower pace of the local town and certainly never expecting the doctor to turn up as her travel companion.
She’d disembarked without a map or any real plan of where she was going or what she was doing for the day. Luciano, as he’d insisted she call him as this was his day off, had fallen into step beside her as they followed the slow-moving herd into the town centre.
‘There’s something exhilarating about not knowing where you’re going.’ They weren’t living to any schedule, other than being back before the ship set sail again. Exploring. Her first taste of adventure in a very long time.
‘It’s not as though we are going to get lost. You can probably see the ship from any part of the town.’ He was making fun of her excitement at being let loose but he couldn’t possibly understand when he’d been travelling the world, taking it all for granted.
‘I’m going to pretend I’m living the dream. Like you.’
That stopped his speed-walking in its tracks. Their fellow explorers carried on ahead, gravitating towards the first souvenir shop they came across. She might take something back for Edith but, personally, she’d rather have a trove of fabulous memories than tacky fridge magnets.
Luciano’s scoff drew her attention.
‘Hmm?’ Her eyes left the contents of the shop window to meet the doctor’s scowl.
‘What makes you think I’m living the dream?’
She couldn’t imagine why her casual remark would upset him. If anything, she should be the one to feel hard done by. They were both working in the same field, yet she was languishing away in a care home with residents who had a busier social life than she did while Luciano was sailing around the sunny Med.
‘Sun, sea and whatever else you get up to, in or out of working hours. As much as I love my residents in the nursing home, staring at the same beige walls, day in, day out, can’t compare to this.’ She only had to glance out at the turquoise sea, sun glittering on the gentle waves, to make her point.
‘I suppose it looks like that from the outside but the reality isn’t quite so glamorous.’ The furrowed lines on his brow smoothed out but his smile only managed to lift the corners of his mouth.
She considered the possible downsides to life on the sea for a few moments but she reckoned that dealing with a few sick or inebriated passengers was worth the constant change of scenery. ‘Nice try but my heart is point-blank refusing to bleed for you.’
There was no way she was going to let him feel sorry for himself and spoil today, whatever the reason behind it. As far as she could tell, this was the life she’d always wanted and she hadn’t heard anything to change her mind. He should be grateful for the advantages of his position. Some people weren’t lucky enough to experience the same opportunities or had given them up in pursuit of an altogether different foolish dream.
At least her apparent lack of compassion managed to draw his mouth into a less mournful smile. Whatever his issue was with his job as ship doctor, it couldn’t have been too bad for him to dismiss the subject so easily.
‘Where shall we go first?’ Fortunately, Luciano didn’t come across as someone to navel-gaze too long, leaving his past in favour of their immediate future.
Sophie didn’t know how or when they’d become a ‘we.’ She supposed they’d organically gravitated towards one another as the only solo travellers—not that she was complaining. Excluding Edith, she’d been on her own since Ryan had left and she much preferred company.
Although she’d backpacked alone after university and had enjoyed the freedom, her adventures had always been improved by the people she’d met along the way. Friends, lovers, employers had all been part of her story and now were consigned to the past along with the experience—even Ryan. Luciano was simply a character in her latest tale. Someone she’d mention in passing when recounting her time on this cruise. There was absolutely nothing for her to worry about in spending time with him as long as she remembered that.
Meanwhile, Luciano was waiting for an answer.
‘You probably know the area better than I do. Any recommendations?’
He gave a sheepish shrug of his shoulders. ‘I told you. I don’t get out much.’
There was a lot to unpack from that statement. Given today’s surprise it was obvious he could leave the ship if he chose to. He wasn’t a prisoner. So why didn’t he visit the many ports and cities available to him? More importantly, why had he chosen today and why with her? All these questions—and their answers—would move him from the role of secondary character to something more substantial. She wasn’t ready for that.
‘Then we need to get away from enclosed spaces and head for the great outdoors.’ They continued along the covered walkway until they reached the end of the row of shops. Without the shade provided overhead it was akin to stepping into an oven. A brightly lit oven turned up to maximum heat.
She’d forgotten the sky could be that beautiful shade of azure blue. The sight was only interrupted by the occasional burst of fluffy white cloud. For the last couple of years she’d been convinced the world only came in various shades of sludgy grey.
They broke free from the main thoroughfare and ventured out to the parallel walkway free fro
m people or buildings inhibiting the view of blue on blue.
Sophie rested her hands on the low wall that she supposed was to prevent people from tumbling into the harbour below. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, salty air of the sea and everything she associated with freedom.
‘Anyone would think you’d just been let out of prison.’ She sensed Luciano’s presence beside her before his laughter reached her ears, and she shivered despite the powerful heat.
‘You should be kissing the ground in relief or running through the town naked after escaping your recent incarceration.’ It was glib perhaps, but it was her defence against the way he was staring at her so intently. She didn’t want to get involved in the minutiae of his life any more than she wished him to be privy to hers. Ignoring the awful pun, they shouldn’t be anything more than ships that passed in the night. Not if she was expecting to go home and carry on as though this cruise was nothing more than another experience to cross off her list.
Another hearty chuckle. ‘Maybe I will.’
His hands moved to his shirt, undoing his top buttons. Sophie’s temperature rocketed. She was mesmerised by the action, watching as he revealed more of his tanned skin and the dark hair nestled there.
‘I’m not sure this sleepy town is ready for that.’ Neither was she. ‘Actually, you look quite at home as you are. International playboy in the playground of the rich and famous.’
She stood up and snapped a quick picture with her camera phone.
‘You don’t have a very high opinion of me.’ He folded his arms across his chest, his short sleeves showing off his nicely rounded muscles. On the contrary, her opinion of him was increasing so much by the second that he’d be in danger of getting a big head if he knew.
‘With your clothes and colouring against the backdrop of luxurious yachts you could be easily mistaken for a billionaire businessman. I don’t think my pale, freckly skin would fool anyone into thinking I was anything other than English working class.’
