An Italian Holiday
Page 41
‘I’d like to spend some time together catching up,’ Stephen smiled shyly, ‘it’s been such a long time.’
‘I’d enjoy that too.’ In a blinding flash she realized how much she’d wanted him to say that.
‘I’ve even hired a sports car so we can see the scenery properly.’
‘Just like the old days, do you remember your old Austin Healey?’
He laughed. ‘Do you know, I’d forgotten that car?’
‘But you loved it so much.’
‘I hope this one will be a bit more reliable. I’d really like to go to Caserta, to see the English Garden. Carla used to love the place.’
Angela hesitated, hurt. Was this going to be a trip to keep alive his love for his wife?
Stephen instantly understood. ‘I was happy with Carla and will always love her, but it was a very long time ago, and I’ve been quite lonely, as a matter of fact.’ He took her hand. ‘I think maybe you have too, though you’d die rather than admit it.’
‘Now what would make you think that?’
‘Updates from Drew. He’s a very good friend of mine, and before you protest, there was nothing creepy about it. I only asked him now and then. So are we on for the road trip? After Caserta, we can go wherever you like.’
‘Naples!’ Angela replied instantly. ‘I want to feel the buzz of a city. Eat pizza in the street. Watch kids playing football. See the nonnas hanging up the washing between the buildings. Get my pocket picked.’
‘That doesn’t sound like Angela Williams, scary businesswoman.’
‘Maybe I’m a bit bored with being a scary businesswoman.’
‘Next question, a big one, this,’ he looked at her searchingly, ‘one room or two?’
Angela smiled and took a step towards him. ‘Oh, two, I think, don’t you? I wouldn’t like to have to administer another punch, though I must admit we did make a promising start on the bed-sharing. At least you’ve had the good manners to ask me first.’
‘But, Miss Williams, it is my house.’
‘And outrageously wasteful you’ve been in making use of it.’
‘Perhaps,’ she was a tall woman who liked to wear high heels, so finding his lips level with hers was a rare pleasure, ‘we could put that right,’ he offered generously.
‘We could hold the annual convention of the Lanzarella Women’s Cooperative here for a start.’
‘At the very least. Perhaps we might even consider turning it into a hotel after all.’ Angela looked shocked. ‘Run by you and me as the best boutique hotel in the Med. Sylvie could decorate and my mother could advise on old-fashioned charm.’
He pulled her firmly into his arms.
No ghosts from the past came between them, only the promise of happiness in the future.
She raised her head for a moment. ‘Another question. Did you suggest to Drew I come here because you felt sorry for me?’
‘Absolutely. I always feel sorry for terrifying blondes who sell their companies for a big profit. It’s a definite weakness of mine.’
Monica, taking a quick peek out of her window at Stephen and Angela in the pagoda, smiled. She liked Stephen and thought there was a good chance he and Angela could be happy. Especially now the cooperative had taught her not to be so bossy.
What would she go back to herself? Thanks to Constantine’s generosity, she would no longer have the depressing life she’d had before she came, living with her parents as if she were still a teenager, scraping together the money for even the smallest treats. Coming here had been by far the greatest extravagance of her life and without Gwen to make her, she probably would have turned the offer down. Now she would have choices. She could buy new clothes, maybe even ones that would get her noticed, have a garden, go to classical concerts. She would be leaving Brian here, but at least he was in a fitting resting place.
There was a knock on the door and Tony put his head round.
‘Sorry to disturb your packing, Monica, only the staff are still busy with the last of the guests. There’s a man downstairs with a rather curious message. He says to tell you his name’s Nick and is there any chance you might like to meet up back in Beaconsfield?’
Monica laughed. She wasn’t sure if she wanted another man in her life. The idea of independence, paid for by Constantine’s painting, was too tempting. But then, you never knew. Monica smiled to herself.
Leaving Lanzarella wouldn’t be so difficult after all.
An Italian Holiday
Maeve Haran is an Oxford law graduate, former television producer and mother of three grown-up children. Her first novel, Having It All, which explored the dilemmas of balancing career and motherhood, caused a sensation and took her all around the world. Maeve has written ten further contemporary novels and two historical novels, plus a work of non-fiction celebrating life’s small pleasures.
Her books have been translated into twenty-six languages, and two have been shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year award. She lives in North London with her husband (a very tall Scotsman) and a scruffy Tibetan terrier. They also spend time at their much-loved cottage in Sussex.
Also by Maeve Haran
Having It All
Scenes from the Sex War
It Takes Two
A Family Affair
All That She Wants
Baby Come Back
The Farmer Wants a Wife
Husband Material
The Lady and the Poet
The Painted Lady
The Time of Their Lives
What Became of You, My Love?
The Way We Were
Non-Fiction
The Froth on the Cappuccino
(republished as Small Pleasures to Save Your Life)
First published 2017 by Pan Books
This electronic edition published 2017 by Pan Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
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ISBN 978-1-4472-9194-7
Copyright © Maeve Haran 2017
Cover illustration by Sarah McMenemy
The right of Maeve Haran to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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