Beyond The Island

by Mackenzie, Brenda

  Fabio shook his head and frowned. ‘Maybe we’ll never know for sure. In any case, I

  think it best not to revive the horrible trauma Angelina suffered. I have no doubt the

  Gang will pull out of their connection with the Winery now the illegal immigrant

  situation is on the political agenda for change.’

  Feeling calmer as she basked in the warmth of Fabio’s embrace, Joanne asked, ‘Do you think things will change now, I mean at the Winery?

  ‘I should have taken action a long time ago, but now intend to exercise my rights

  in the future operation of the Winery – make sure any immigrants are licensed and

  paid a working wage.’ He let out a deep breath. ‘No use ever trying to oppose the

  Camorra. ‘I’m certain they’ll move on to more lucrative sources after this.

  By the way, their organisation has held power in the Naples region since the 18th

  Century. You mentioned the garbage lying in the back streets; that’s a case in point.

  Should the local authorities refuse to pay a big backhander to the Camorra, they will

  use children to remove the refuse who’ll do the work for a just few euro!’

  ‘That’s terrible. So there are no rules against child labour.’ Joanne remained silent for a minute. ‘By the way, what did you mean when you were on the ‘phone - why did you say, that will be Joanne’s choice?’

  ‘Renzo begged me not to tell Angelina what’s been going on and I gave my assurance to keep his activities to myself when he vowed never to let her go short of money. I think I told you already, since Angelina’s husband died he’s been supporting her and the children; probably partly through guilt. My sister believes the money comes from insurance on her husband’s life. Renzo isn’t all bad – he is very fond of Angelina. His construction projects earn him multi bucks even after the Camorra or Immortale have taken their cut.’ Fabio shook his head. ‘What concerns Renzo’s is that he’s worried in case you tell my sister what he’s been up to...’

  ‘Really?’ Joanne was quiet for a moment. ‘I wonder if that was why he told me her children had measles the night we were all meant to have dinner together? Perhaps he was worried I might have gleaned some of what was going on and I was getting too close with Angelina. But later on he made no objection because he felt safe in his plan to trick me on the last day,’ she murmured. ‘By then, even if I confided my doubts to her, Angelina would never believe her cousin untrustworthy. It’s all beginning to make sense.’

  A deep sigh left her lips. ‘Well I certainly won’t breathe a word to her,’ she said. ‘I’m just so thankful to be here with you.’ She planted a kiss on Fabio’s chin.

  Fabio’s next words jerked her back to the present.

  ‘I must confess to something.’ He hesitated.

  Joanne waited, her heart thumping against her ribs afraid of what he was about to....

  ‘My sister and I were persuaded by Renzo to make a certain young woman feel particularly welcome when she arrived on the Island. I had no idea why – presumed it was to impress this special new girl- friend. Now I see he was afraid you’d take off. Anyway this was totally against my own and Angelina’s nature so I’d already decided I would not go along with it and – no please let me finish,’ he urged as Joanne gasped. ‘In fact it proved to be an incredible stroke of luck! There was absolutely no need for pretence from either me or my sister. Angelina will vouch for that; she felt just like me, genuinely fond of you right from the start. Our hospitality was genuine!’

  Joanne shook her head slowly. ‘What a web of intrigue. Thank you for telling me this – I was cautious at first when you both seemed to overwhelm me with hospitality.’

  ‘It was a real pleasure – our privilege Joanne.’ As he reached for her again, Joanne relaxed.

  ‘I do hope that will be the end of it – you know, Renzo’s part in exploiting things.’

  ‘Oh yes; I’ll vet the next foreman who’s employed and make damn sure the workers are paid decent wages.’

  A memory impinged of the row she’d overheard on the beach between Renzo and Marco. That must have been when Marco refused to go on ferrying them in his fishing boat. For a while Joanne resumed silence. Suddenly something at the back of her mind rose to the surface. ‘I don’t know if it’s significant,’ she said with a frown, ‘but there was an odd thing that happened to me back then when I first arrived in Naples.’

  ‘Go on,’ Fabio urged as Joanne tried to make sense.

  ‘I know it sounds silly but I wasn’t mistaken about my suitcases,’ she said. Looking up she was encouraged by Fabio’s look of interest and continued, ‘it was when my luggage was sent ahead by Renzo and didn’t arrive at my hotel. The baggage office was closed and I had to collect them from a depot. When I opened them at the hotel my toilet bag had been swapped from one case to the other.’ Her voice strengthened as the certainty firmed her mind. ‘You do remember I told you about having to go to the railway station depot to collect it at night with that friendly dwarf, Alfredo?’

  Fabio nodded quickly. ‘Please go on.’

  ‘Well I wondered who would possibly want to open my cheap cases – I last saw them in Rome before Renzo arranged to have them sent ahead to Naples. I mentioned the incident to Tom the night you rescued him and he suggested someone might have needed to conceal something and send it fast down to Naples.’

  She saw Fabio clench his fists as he groaned. ‘Dearest Joanne. I believe that is a method used by the gang to send an item to a local courier, in order that whoever sent it remains undetected.’

  ‘You mean it was sent it in my case and,’ her thoughts raced ahead to confirm what she’d suspected, ‘it was received by the baggage handlers on the station?’

  Fabio rubbed a hand over his chin. ‘Yes, that was probably it. I agree with Tom, something small; not cash. Money is easily transferred by ‘the mob’. No,’ his face screwed up in concentration.

  ‘Tom suggested keys.’ Joanne jumped as Fabio stood and banged a fist on the table.

  ‘The devil! That was Renzo’s doing – he must have needed to get the keys for his warehouse to the gang, because some immigrants were due to arrive and had to be hidden!’ Fabio strode about angrily. ‘This I cannot forgive him for! And Renzo won’t be keen to show his face here if he’s got any shame!’

  Joanne stiffened. ‘So his concern I wouldn’t have to cope with my luggage was just another cover. I can hardly take it in. What a schemer!’ This was followed by sudden fright. ‘Will they come after me, Fabio?’ Her voice cracked. ‘The Camorra – I’ve helped the immigrants to get here and know their system...’

  ‘No, you have nothing to worry about, my precious! What possible use are you to them now? They’re never going to pursue a U.K. citizen.’ He sat down and tightened his hold around her waist. ‘The Camorra has many other lucrative operations.’

  Happiness curled inside her, sparking myriad bright thoughts for what lay in the future. She certainly had no intention of accepting any further offers from Renzo. And was that really a genuine offer Renzo made of employing her as a sailing instructor? She thought not. She could understand now that Renzo’s ruthlessness sprang from an overriding ambition. What a contradiction he was – both the urbane business man and a man fooled by dreams of wealth that led him into unlawful schemes. That was his downfall!

  This sudden understanding of him took Joanne by surprise and she pulled away from Fabio’s embrace. ‘I owe Renzo quite a lot,’ she said slowly, ‘As I said earlier, he was generous with his sailing instruction and most importantly - without his invitation to crew we might never have met.’

  ‘Yes, that’s so true; you have brought joy into my life so I must try to keep this in mind when he shows up again.’

  Joanne turned to her present situation, determined to find work on the Island and not be dependent upon Fabio. She let out a cry as the answer flew in; that job on offer at Angelina’s school! To think just a matter
of days ago she’d believed that could never be. Her pulse raced as she thought fast. Yes, hand in her notice at the Language School but still have to work this next term. Her mind now centred on Angelina. ‘Oh let’s tell Angelina about us!’ she urged.

  Smiling broadly, Fabio picked up the phone and called his sister. He held the phone so they could both hear her response.

  ‘Oh! I’m absolutely overjoyed!’ Angelina exclaimed. ‘Congratulations! This is the most wonderful news. You and Fabio are made for one another!’ Her voice choked with emotion as she added, ‘and the children will be so excited!’

  Fabio spoke a few more words and then replaced the phone.

  Joanne’s thoughts set off at another tack. ‘Bountiful’. She was surprised how fond she’d become of the beautiful yacht. Outside, a sudden squall shook the window and rain slashed down the panes. Cocooned once more in Fabio’s arms, she raised her head and asked, ‘What about Renzo’s yacht? Is it okay out there?’

  ‘Fortunately built to withstand the elements,’ Fabio murmured. ‘I’ve organised people to sail her back to her mooring tomorrow.’ He chuckled. ‘It’ll need a good clean and sort out to make it ship shape again before Renzo returns.’

  ‘He’ll be coming back then?’ Joanne felt her stomach tighten.

  ‘Probably not for quite a while and please don’t be concerned dearest. My cousin has a knack of burying his past misdeeds. I try to accept the benevolent side of him – even though conscious of the other, devious side of his character.’ Fabio frowned and continued, ‘Nevertheless, as you’ve found out, it’s sensible when dealing with Renzo to stay on one’s guard.’

  Yes, Joanne decided; she’d certainly remain extra cautious.

  ‘We must keep in touch with Tom – he’s a true friend,’ Fabio remarked.

  ‘Oh yes, he is,’ Joanne agreed. ‘I’d hate for Tom to slip out of our lives.’

  All these thoughts mingled with the joy of lying beside Fabio the following morning, love permeating every pore of her body. Despite their longing, the previous night had not passed in a blaze of passion; both too exhausted after the dramatic turn of events. They’d fallen into bed and gone straight to sleep wrapped in one another’s arms.

  Joanne turned all the strange events over in her mind; the fright of Renzo’s abandonment of her in Naples; the alarming time on the yacht; Fabio sailing to rescue her. After Fabio brought them ashore, everything had passed like a dream. In the darkness, against the roar of the wind, she had a vague recollection of the immigrants scrambling into the back of a truck and the noise of a heavy engine as it drove away.

  Fabio’s concern for her stirred all her senses. She hardly dared to think how long it

  would be until they lived together in his home.

  The hours had caught up. Her heart sank; she’d really have to go. A taxi would take her to collect her cases from the hotel. She must not miss the ferry to Naples and her onward connection to Rome. Tentatively, she slipped from the bed and clutching her clothes, tip toed to the bathroom.

  Her heart lurched as she emerged a little later to find Fabio standing naked the other side of the door.

  ‘Don’t you even think about leaving without me!’ Fabio brushed her arm as he dashed past her into the bathroom and called back, ‘The taxi must wait; I’m coming with you – to Rome!’

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