Beyond The Island

by Mackenzie, Brenda

  ‘I have, and I’d like you to come and see them before you leave. Mother was very talented.’ He nodded and remarked, ‘Had my mother lived longer, I’m sure Frances Ross would have become a household name.’

  Side by side they leaned over a low stone wall, on the other side of which she saw espaliered peach trees and their heady scent rose to fill her lungs. Beyond were gardens that had tamed a wilderness on the steep slopes. Off to the right she saw people dotted amongst lemon groves, but the gardens further below looked deserted. Fabio seemed to drift off in thought and Joanne tightened her grip on the wall, hoping she hadn’t dredged up sad memories, knowing Fabio was not aware she’d been told already about his mother’s tragic loss at sea.

  After a few moments Fabio appeared to shake himself. He turned as if felt ready to tell her himself about his mother. ‘My mother died tragically here on her beloved Ischia. She had returned from England where she’d been to see her ailing parents. I was twelve years of age and had waited with longing for her return. It was a happy reunion.’ His features brightened briefly and then clouded. ‘One day soon afterwards, mother suggested a picnic along the coast. It was the first time she’d permitted me to take her out on my own in my small sailing boat.’ Fabio’s eyes closed as emotion overcame him and Joanne took his arm.

  ‘Please, please don’t talk about it. I should never have mentioned her.’

  ‘No, I’m all right.’ Fabio opened his eyes and gave her a gentle smile. It’s quite a relief to unburden it. You have such a sympathetic understanding...’ Lost for words, he drew a deep breath before continuing. ‘My dear mother was drowned when a sudden storm blew up on the way back and threw the little boat onto rocks.’ He took another deep breath and she was aware he found it difficult to speak. ‘But we’d spent an idyllic day together and that brings solace - but does not remove the guilt. I was twelve years old, Angelina eight. That’s why I feel protective of my sister and her children.’

  Instinctively Joanne reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for sharing this with me,’ she murmured and added quietly. ‘Will it upset you coming to this place?’

  Fabio smiled. ‘No, please don’t be concerned. I come here often. I find it inspires my painting as it obviously did my mother’s.’ He must have decided he’d brought too much sadness to their outing. ‘It’s a glorious, happy garden and you are la farfalla, a beautiful white butterfly. Come, we’ll go and explore!’

  Excited, yet sad for him, Joanne felt drawn more than ever to this attractive, deep thinking man. She’d brought her camera and stopped to take close-ups of strange blooms. Magnificent spiky agave with leathery leaves, interspersed with varieties of palms led the way downhill through a swathe of exotic plants. Lush, floury terraces were swamped with hibiscus, showy lilies, sweet scented lavender and rosemary. Flamboyant colours dazzled her sight while she breathed in the aromas. ‘This is even more wonderful than I’d imagined!’ she exclaimed, her face flushed.

  ‘Many of these are planted for medicinal purposes just as they are in those gardens which the Hanbury brothers, famous pharmacists developed near Genoa on the coast of Northern Italy. That’s another wonderful garden I’d love you to see.’

  Fabio’s last remark quickened her heart beats as he took her arm to guide her down the path. He pointed out various species and waited while she halted to click away with her camera.

  ‘Thank you, it’s so beautiful I could take thousands!’ Most of all it was being with Fabio amongst these lovely plants that filled her with joy. The thought occurred that she’d never snapped a picture of Fabio. Would they see one another after she’d left Ischia? Quit dreaming she told herself, but knew memories of this day with Fabio would remain with her forever.

  Unwilling to spoil their mood with questions about Renzo, Joanne tried to bury her concern. They’d reached a stone seat graced with delicate arches which gave onto a magnificent view to the sea, through a screen of spiky cabbage trees. These were like aliens from a rain forest, Joanne mused as the strong scent of herbage wafted in on the still, salt laden air.

  Fabio waited until they were seated and then reached for her hand.

  ‘Joanne, I think I should tell you something. It’s been plaguing my mind...’

  Joanne gave a start. Intuition of learning something unpleasant clenched her stomach. She held her breath fearing what was coming.

  ‘I’ve been torn, but my allegiance must be with my sister in this instance.’ Fabio looked out to sea, his face stern, mouth compressed.

  Joanne waited. She’d never seen him like this. Could he hear her heart beating heavily against her ribs?

  ‘By accepting Renzo’s invitation to Ischia you, dear Joanne, may unwittingly have become involved in...’ he hesitated.

  Afraid, she burst out, her voice high. ‘What do you mean by that? Please tell me Fabio, in what way?’ She tried to pull her hand away. ‘How have I compromised myself? It’s Renzo, isn’t it?’ Joanne felt his restraining hand and an old maxim slid into her head. I know, “Blood is thicker than water”.

  ‘Please, Joanne dear, try not to jump to conclusions. I’ll try to explain. I may have hinted that Renzo got mixed up with bad company?’ His eyebrows met in a frown. ‘My sister knows nothing - not any of it,’ he added. ‘I try to shield her from the truth of Renzo’s involvement with money laundering, shady deals...and worse. I discovered he owns a building in Naples, but what goes on there I daren’t think.’ He heaved a deep breath.

  Joanne felt as though she’d swallowed jolts of espresso coffee. Despite suspecting Renzo’s business affairs were not all above board, it came as a shock to know he was engaged in criminal acts. In a daze she heard Fabio continue.

  ‘Believe me Joanne – it’s important to me that you try to understand why I can’t denounce him. I’ll try to enlarge. You see as the eldest, Renzo inherited the family Winery when grandfather passed on. That meant the whole estate, including the rental income from the properties occupied by locals for generations. I do have certain rights - a seat on the Board for instance and there is an inheritance clause in my favour but Renzo gives me an understanding that the business is running smoothly. Since the proceeds go to him, this has a huge bearing on Angelina and her children - I hasten to say, not myself. I can support my own way of life without any help from Renzo or the Balzarin Winery but my sister depends on his financial support.’

  Joanne sat still and listened as her anxiety fetched cold shivers despite the ambient heat.

  ‘It was assumed I expect, that Angelina would marry and therefore be supported by her husband. In fact, that was once the situation. But now that her husband is dead, she must depend totally for her welfare on Renzo’s generosity. And give him his due; he is more than generous to Angelina. I believe he must have told her that her husband’s life insurance covers her finances but this is my conjecture.’

  ‘How does this have anything do to with me?’ Joanne asked harshly. She was confused. Was Fabio aware that the Winery depended upon underpaid immigrant labour? She took a deep breath. Fabio had opted out of the family business.

  ‘I wanted to put you in the picture just in the remote chance he’s scheming something and so you’ll be on your guard,’ Fabio continued. ‘There’s always a motive for Renzo’s actions. In your case I honestly don’t know what that might be – I’m just forewarning you to be on guard. Please understand that I’ll do anything to help you.’

  ‘I knew there must be something! I’m not a fool; I knew Renzo must have asked me to crew for a reason!’ Joanne said hotly. In a state of shock that her fears were justified, that everything seemed just too perfect, she brushed Fabio’s comforting hand away and got to her feet.

  ‘Dear Joanne, please bear with me. I am forced to speak of this only because I’ve grown fond of you and can’t abide the thought you might be hurt!’

  Joanne sank back onto the seat, her mind riddled with doubt. Why hadn’t he asked Renzo?

  Again, Fabio seemed to
sense what she was thinking. His explanation failed to settle her mind but by implication what he said next told Joanne Fabio knew how the Winery operated and the manner it was able to prosper. Looking away he said, ‘Renzo must use clever tactics to compete with other Wineries. If my sister actually knew the origin of her support I’m sure she’d be devastated.’ That seemed as far as he was able or prepared to go by way of explanation.

  Joanne said slowly. ‘I still don’t see how I might possibly be involved.’

  ‘Honestly Joanne, I have no idea what Renzo might have in mind for you. It scares me. I could be mistaken. But I sense, like you, that there is some other reason behind inviting you here to crew on his yacht. Of course I pray I am wrong but feel I must warn you just in case.’

  ‘I’ve realized all along it was too good not to have a downside,’ Joanne’s brooding tone held all her doubts. ‘I can’t stay around to find out! Forgive me, Fabio – would you please drive me back to the hotel? I’ll pack up and leave on the next ferry!’

  ‘Oh Joanne, dear Joanne. Please don’t be hasty! I could be totally wrong. Renzo clearly holds you in high regard and maybe his invitation to teach you to sail is genuine. But against my will and my growing feelings for you, I might not be able to prevent something unpleasant happening...’ His voice dropped deeper, throatier. ‘My sincere wish is to protect you...but there are problems.’ He stood and tried to hug her.

  ‘That’s it then?’ She interrupted. ‘You can’t give me any idea what Renzo has in store for me, what possible danger I may be in? I guess I was meant to wait and see! Of course I understand you have to accept Renzo’s actions in order to protect Angelina.’ A sob wrenched her throat. ‘I just knew something nasty would turn up!’

  Shadows blurred her sight and clouded her mind, obliterating the landscape. Fabio’s words seemed prophetic; everything ruined. She was an outsider and threatened the status quo between three close family members. Joanne couldn’t prevent the despair that underpinned her words. ‘Thanks anyway, Fabio. I do appreciate the warning,’ she struggled to stay calm but the words spat from her mouth. ‘I can see I’ve placed you in an awkward position – best if I leave the Island.’

  She snatched up her bag and stood, furious with herself for blithely accepting Renzo’s offer as her anger at him overwhelmed rational thought. Unfortunately it was Fabio who experienced the brunt of her emotion.

  She feared Fabio believed her anger was directed at him and felt the weight of sadness which filled his eyes, but fired up, couldn’t find the means to retract her words.

  Fright of losing his friendship clanged in her head. She wished to cry out, ‘No! I’m not angry with you. I love you! It’s not your fault, Fabio,’ but the words failed to emerge on her lips. She saw Fabio’s stricken face but gripped by churning feelings of dread, she stumbled away up the path as though to escape the unknown thing he’d warned about.

  Fabio’s loud groan soared into the clear air but blinded by what might lay in store, she couldn’t stop running. She must pack up and leave!

  Giant saw edged leaves snagged her flesh as she ran, taunting her like poisoned darts. The sound of Fabio rapidly catching up finally brought her back to reality and she halted, panting. Her heart was heavy, sad with disappointment. She felt his gentle, restraining hand on her shoulder and didn’t shrug it off although the golden dream of her holiday had vanished. Overwhelmed by this turn of events she forced herself to remain calm as together they walked in silence to his car.

  She stood by the stone wall beside him at the entrance and murmured, ‘Forgive my outburst, Fabio. I was shocked, that’s all. Everything seemed ghastly.’ Out of the corner of her eye she watched a tiny lizard like creature slip into a shadowed crevice as her head cleared. Mortified by her behaviour, Joanne found it hard to face him as she continued, ‘I really am so sorry. Would you please make my apologies to Angelina?’ her voice had recovered. ‘I don’t think I’d be good company now. Oh and Fabio, I’d appreciated it if you’d deliver my gifts for the children.’ She indicated the bag full of presents. ‘Angelina has been so kind. I’ll ring her before I leave the Island.’ She couldn’t meet his eyes and felt them searching her face.

  ‘Joanne, Joanne, please don’t do this to me.’ Fabio pleaded. ‘I couldn’t bear it if you go! Of course I understand. It was unforgiveable of me to frighten you like that.’ He paused, ‘I’m in a ghastly position. When I found out a few years ago that Renzo deals with crooks I confronted him with it. He warned me to keep quiet if I wish to protect my sister’s interests. Renzo knows I’m trapped. If I report him to the authorities he’ll be taken in for questioning and most likely jailed. The outcome will be sure to make Angelina and children destitute.’

  Joanne nodded, a spark of hope pricking her conscience despite taking out her fright on Fabio. Waves of sympathy for him softened her tone. ‘Please Fabio, will you forgive me? I understand your dilemma now. I’ve been a fool; stupid to accept Renzo’s offer of a sailing trip when I hardly knew him.’ She drew a deep breath. ‘I see how horrible the situation must be for you. It came as such a nasty shock having my doubts about Renzo confirmed.’ She pursed her mouth. ‘I’m bewildered about what to do. If I leave Ischia right away and go back to Rome, I believe Renzo might follow me there. He’d be suspicious that I might inform on him. And ...’ she shook her head in confusion.

  A tentative smile crossed Fabio’s features and Joanne became aware how near she’d come to spiting herself and losing his friendship.

  ‘I overreacted back there, I’m afraid,’ she murmured.

  ‘I can understand, Joanne. I apologise for giving you a scare. I shouldn’t have told you...’

  ‘You were thinking of my welfare, I know that now.’ Blood heated her face. ‘Oh Fabio, what an idiot I’ve been and terribly rude. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘No, you are a lovely, trusting person Joanne. I feel so bad for scaring you. And I’m sure Renzo, whatever his faults, wouldn’t harm you.’ His expression grew hard, his lips a thin line. ‘Sometimes I could strangle Renzo without the slightest compunction,’ he growled. ‘He’s not the same as the young man my sister and I grew up with.’ His eyes held pleading as he faced Joanne. ‘Please say we remain friends?’

  Joanne placed a hand on his arm as a huge swell of relief underlined her words. ‘That is all that I really care about.’

  The lines smoothed on Fabio’s face. ‘Look, I can see why you don’t want to face Angelina just now.’ He shook his head as he formulated his words. ‘I’ll pass on your message and say that unfortunately you have a touch of the heat and are resting, shall I?’ And then,’ he urged, ‘time is too short; please say you’ll agree to see me again very soon; don’t leave the Island?’ He looked so forlorn; Joanne gave him a reassuring smile and then unable to stop herself, she threw her arm around him and felt his heart beating in his chest.

  ‘Thank you for being such a good friend, Fabio. And yes, Of course I really want to see you very soon. I’ll stay – you know if I were to leave the Island I’d only be left wondering for the rest of my life what Renzo might have planned for me – apart from losing your friendship.’

  Fabio’s arms tightened about her and without knowing how, their mouths met in an urgent kiss.

  ‘Dearest Joanne, I swear I shall not let anything bad happen to you; that’s a promise. But do be on your guard just in case and please contact me any time day or night.’

  Their kiss deepened, propelling Joanne into a daze.

  ‘I believe I’m falling in love with you, Joanne,’ Fabio whispered. ‘I’ll drive you back to the hotel now, shall I?’

  Joanne felt joy as their bodies pressed together, unwilling to separate. She gazed over his shoulder back into the exotic gardens. ‘You know, I really would love to explore more of them...’

  ‘Then it’s a date!’ Fabio exclaimed, almost his old self. ‘And I promise not to alarm you.’

  ‘Lovely,’ she replied with a smile and felt her troubles recede. ‘l look for
ward to it. May I please retract my words – I’d love to visit Angelina and the children with you.’

  Later, they spent a very happy time with Angelina and played silly games with the children who gave Joanne hugs and kisses as they thanked her for their presents.

  ‘You‘ll come back very soon!’ Nico pleaded, and the smaller children chimed in ‘Please come back!’

  A few hours later after a delicious lunch of pappardelle in a rich duck ragu, Fabio drove her slowly back towards the hotel. As they approached the town, Joanne turned and spoke. ‘Would you drop me off here please Fabio?’ she asked with a smile.

  ‘If you’re sure you’ll be all right, Joanne?’

  ‘Thank you. I’ll enjoy looking around the town, maybe take more pictures.’

  ‘If I might suggest, you try to act with Renzo as if you’ve learned nothing? It won’t be easy but I daren’t think what Renzo would do if he guessed...’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. I’m quite a convincing actress if the occasion demands. Anyway, I’ve spent my lifetime standing on my own feet.’ She reached up and brushed the side of Fabio’s face with her lips as he drew the car to a halt. ‘Thank you for all the lovely times we’ve shared.’

  ‘You are not saying good-bye? You will see me again, won’t you?’

  ‘Oh yes! Fabio dear, of course!’ Joanne exclaimed, sad that these final days were passing too swiftly.

  ‘Oh my dear one, I couldn’t bear it if you were to disappear.’ His arm tightened about her in the cramped car.

  She leaned her head on his broad shoulder. ‘Canoodling in public is not what the English are best at!’

  ‘Then it’s time you learned!’

  His warm lips sought hers in another long kiss and there came to her a sense of loss when Fabio gently slid his arm away.