‘I believe I did, but so much was happening in those early days. When I first arrived, the villa was a family residence. It was badly in need of renovation. It was my idea to expand the business and turn it into a hotel, so that it would strengthen their position. A safeguard, if you like, for years when the harvest was poor. Stefano had already identified that as the family’s share in the olive oil industry grew, marketing was going to become increasingly important. Aletta had attended the University of Milan and graduated with a degree in marketing, sales and English. Oh, she was bright, but there was something different about her. Happy one minute, miserable the next. During the renovation work and the subsequent launch of the hotel, Aletta and I worked very closely together. But after that it was as if her interest in me waned. And then, suddenly, she became incredibly resentful of the way her family had accepted me.’
Max stops to pour a little more wine into our glasses.
‘Stefano never thought to mentor her to take over at some point?’
He laughs.
‘Aletta never intended to stay here, although the family weren’t aware of that and it wasn’t my place to share a confidence. She had her eyes firmly set on a career in London, or Paris. Stefano would have been scandalised at what he would have perceived as a rejection of family loyalty and tradition. Just as her disappearance caused a scandal amongst some of her wider family and the older inhabitants of Castrovillari. In getting me to stay, Aletta had achieved her goal, but even then it hadn’t made her happy. In a way I wasn’t as surprised as I might have been when it happened.’
Is he trying to tell me that Aletta ran away, using Max to assuage her guilt about leaving?
‘We argued a lot, mainly because she was always finding excuses to go off on silly business jaunts, exploring vague, so-called opportunities. Few resulted in anything at all. The reality was that having begged me to stay, she was then free to do as she pleased without feeling guilty. Even though she knew her father’s health was declining. I began to feel like the hired help to her, rather than her fiancé. Trista and Stefano were constantly pushing for us to get married and although I was beginning to have doubts, I just let them believe what they wanted to believe. I think I knew by then that there was no way I could turn my back on Villa Rosso, no matter what the future held for Aletta and me. It was a foolish thing to do, but I also accepted that it was my fate.’
He leans forward, hunched over in his seat, with his hands planted on the table either side of his wine glass. He looks desperate, tortured.
‘Many men would have walked away, Max. Lots of relationships begin well and fizzle out, it happens. What did your own family think about what was happening?’
His eyes meet mine and in part-shadow they are filled with a deep despair.
‘They didn’t understand why I had walked away from everything my life had been, for a woman they had met only once. My mother said Aletta was cold, but at the time I was convinced they didn’t understand her. She was different, exciting and charming, until I came to see that what she masked with smiles was really the ugliness of manipulation. By then it was too late, of course. They know very little about the detail, so at least I was spared that humiliation.’
An involuntary gasp escapes my lips. His tone is as cold as the words he’s spoken.
‘But you still refer to her as your fiancée.’
‘I’m not saying that what happened was her intention from day one, but looking back it was clear she tired of me very quickly once I agreed to stay. As Trista became more and more concerned about Aletta’s behaviour, we both tried to ensure that nothing reached Stefano’s ears, as his declining health was the main concern. He doted on Aletta and it was tragic in a sadly pathetic way. Between us, Trista and I made sure he thought everything was fine. After the disappearance, the scandal rocked the whole community. Trista pleaded with me never to give up hope that Aletta would return. I’m simply honouring her wishes.’
I look at him, appalled. ‘That must have been a nightmare. Stefano believing there would be a wedding at some point and feeling that at least the future of the family legacy was ensured. Then having to please Trista by acting as if Aletta could return at any time when, surely, hope must have waned with every passing day. But you could have left at any time and Trista must have realised that.’
Max nods, sitting back and taking a gulp of his wine.
‘At first I couldn’t leave because Aletta kept going off at a moment’s notice, whenever and wherever she wanted. Trista was living from second to second, constantly fearing the worst for her ailing husband. After we lost contact with Aletta, if I’d walked away I would have been leaving a shell-shocked family to deal with the unthinkable. Even someone with a hardened heart might have had trouble with that decision.’
Instinctively I reach out across the table to him, but pull back before our hands can touch. It isn’t my place to do anything other than listen. He continues.
‘And then one day followed another. It was out of character for her to stay away so long, even for Aletta and her irrational behaviour. But this time there was no contact at all. We left voicemails every day and then, suddenly, the number we dialled was unobtainable. By then the police were involved and that’s a time I try not to think about. Two months later her father passed away in his sleep and Trista told me he simply lost all hope.’
His head sinks down and he breathes out, one long, slow exhalation as his chest deflates.
‘But surely that can’t be it. There must have been an investigation? Someone, somewhere must know where she is?’
‘For a while I was the focus of the police’s attention. Trista was horrified, but it wasn’t until they’d traced Aletta’s flight and confirmed her arrival in London, that I was dismissed as a suspect. They succeeded in finding the hotel she stayed at and were able to establish some idea of where she had been from her credit card records. But the day her phone number was taken out of service was also the last day she used her card. After that, nothing. Nothing at all, but at least they know she didn’t fly out from any of the London terminals. She’s officially listed as a missing person to this day.’
‘Do you think she’s still in the UK?’
He shrugs, despondently.
‘No one knows the answer to that and we probably never will. I’m never going to be able to prove for sure that I had nothing to do with her disappearance, to quieten those who are still suspicious. That thought will haunt me until the day I die.
‘Look, it’s getting late, Ellie, and I’m mindful that you have to get up in a couple of hours. This has helped, you know. Just finally putting the whole thing out there to someone who didn’t start with their own preconceived idea of what really happened. It means a lot. No one ever talks about it now and they haven’t since Stefano’s funeral, out of respect for Trista. Maybe now I can begin to let it go and accept it’s always going to be a story without a conclusion. It’s devilishly hard moving forward when the ghosts of the past won’t give you any peace, though.’
There’s nothing at all I can say, so this time I reach out and place my hand on his. I let it linger for a few moments and then stand up.
‘You deserve so much more than a tortured life, Max. Time is a great healer, though. Maybe you have to be patient for a while longer and then, one day, you can stop feeling responsible and start again somewhere else.’
Max stands too and we walk back towards the villa side by side. At the door he stops and turns to face me.
‘I wish it was that simple. This is my home now. There are too many people reliant upon me to keep everything running smoothly. In a sad twist of irony I was made for this, to be here and shoulder this responsibility. It seems my path led me here for a reason. Life never was meant to be straightforward. Besides, you can’t fight fate, can you? I’ve worked hard to win back the trust I lost from a handful of people. There are still a few who turn their backs on me and think I’m motivated by financial gain. They are unaware that I don’t stand to
inherit anything and the Ormanni business will be handed to Gianni and his family when Trista dies.’
I’m glad of the cover of darkness as a tear trickles down my face.
‘But it seems so … unfair. One sacrifice too far, Max. Trista must know that and I can’t understand why she doesn’t speak out on your behalf. I hope that some day you will be able to disconnect yourself from these memories and start afresh.’
‘I may not be family by marriage, but I am family now.’
To my horror I realise that in Max’s head he believes he owes this family the rest of his natural life. Aletta left them when she had tired of him and, because of that fact, some sort of ridiculous sense of indebtedness ties him to them forever. That’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard.
‘I hope you find a sense of peace, Max. And I hope fate brings you the happiness you deserve.’
‘You are very kind, Ellie, and I’m grateful to you. God willing, our paths may cross again.’
We both know that’s unlikely. This is a one-off trip for me and Livvie will be back at work as soon as her domestic arrangements are sorted. For some reason I don’t want to move, even though we’ve lapsed into silence. And then I know why. Max puts his arms around me and holds me close for the briefest of moments. Time seems to stand still and my heart skips a beat.
He turns his head to whisper into my ear. ‘Thank you for listening and for not judging me. Sleep well, Ellie Maddison, and travel back to your family safely. My only regret is that we didn’t have more time together.’
Max releases me, then leans forward to hold open the door to the reception. I hurry forward without a backwards glance. My eyes are full of tears and my stomach is doing somersaults. The moment I close the door to my room I break down. I feel angry for a man who has a truly good heart, who simply found himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Or, from the perspective of the Ormanni family, the right place at precisely the right time. But isn’t it wrong for one man to have to sacrifice the rest of his life for a tragedy that wasn’t his fault?
I end up lying in bed, looking out at the inky-black sky, counting the stars in an attempt to stop my brain from buzzing. I can’t seem to squeeze out my thoughts. How does someone disappear just like that? How can Trista simply accept what’s happened? Can’t she see that Max is trapped here and understand the cost of his very personal sacrifice?
The counting eventually slows down the questions until they subside and there’s only one question left. Why did fate bring me here? Livvie wouldn’t have been drawn into Max’s situation, that’s for sure. I realise that tiredness means nothing is making sense any more. As I drift into a disturbed sleep it’s Max’s face I see, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of well-being. I know you, Max, we’ve met before. I just don’t know where, or when, how, or why. Or whether there’s another reason for all of this.
Chapter 13
Leaving the villa behind without seeing Max one last time is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I’m only a guest, not a friend or family member. Max cannot be seen to do anything that could be misinterpreted, in any way. It would be inappropriate and unprofessional, but that doesn’t stop me wishing it could be different. As I stand by the passenger door of the taxi I take one last look up at the facade of the villa in total disbelief that this is it. My adventure is over and my fate is simply to accept that fact. But understanding Max’s agony tears at my heart. I long for him to suddenly appear, just to say one final goodbye, but I know he simply can’t do that. Gianni waves me off, the few words he mutters are unrecognisable to me.
~
By the time the first leg of my journey is over, Italy already begins to feel like something out of a dream. The sort where you wake up half-convinced what happened was real and the other half of you knowing it isn’t. I manage to reason with myself that it’s in my nature to worry too much about other people’s sadness, even when there’s nothing I can actually do to help. If the police can’t solve the mystery of Aletta’s disappearance, then no one can help Max.
But what about this connection I feel? Not just to Max, but to a place I didn’t know existed until a few days ago?
With a long stopover ahead of me at Milano Linate airport, I saunter around the duty- free area to pass a little time. I manage to pick up a few things for the girls, in addition to the little decorative pots I purchased on my trip to the pottery. The book section catches my eye and I start browsing the titles. Then I spot it. It’s not a book I’d normally be drawn to, but the title jumps out at me. When The Past Catches Up With You – A True Story of Past Life Regression by Alison Lang. Could this explain what’s been happening to me?
The young man serving me chatters away quite pleasantly in English.
‘I hope you had a good trip. Something to read on the plane?’ He enquires, picking up the book to scan it and adding it to the other items in the carrier bag. There’s a lilt in his voice that’s familiar.
‘It’s been an experience of a lifetime. Pity I have such a long wait for my next flight.’ I feel rather self-conscious, almost wanting to explain away my choice of reading material. ‘Is that an Irish accent hiding away there?’ I muse, and he smiles.
‘Well, I’ve lived all over but, yes, Ireland is home. But it’s been a very long time since I was there.’
‘You must miss it,’ I reflect, thinking longingly of my own home.
‘After a while you get used to it. Italy has been home to me for quite a few years now and I love the lifestyle. Who wouldn’t want to live here and enjoy the sunshine?’
As the payment processes I nod my head. ‘I was thinking the exact same thing.’
He smiles at me, good-naturedly.
‘Well, have a great flight home and I hope your wait passes quickly.’
As I pick up the carrier bag something tells me I’m not going to be bored, that’s for sure.
Walking back through to the seating area, already a sense of normality is returning and I pull out my mobile to check for messages. It’s just after eight in the morning and all around me the airport is already buzzing. There’s a missed call from Josh and I hit redial.
‘Hey stranger, nice of you to return my call.’ Josh is wide awake and I realise he’s probably sorting out the girls’ breakfasts.
‘Thought it was about time I checked in.’ It feels so good to hear his voice and know that after the craziness of the last few days things will soon be back to normal. When I get home this will all be behind me. ‘It’s just after eight and I now have a long wait ahead of me. The flight lands at six o’clock this evening.’
‘And I’ll be waiting at the airport, ready to grab those bags and whisk my woman away from the temptations of a more glamorous lifestyle.’
‘Glamorous? Hardly. I already feel crumpled and I hope I can find a reasonably comfortable seat to while away the time. I’m surrounded by people talking so fast I can’t even catch the odd word, let alone understand anything I overhear. And my stomach is rumbling, so I have to go in search of something to eat. It’s a bit bewildering here, to be honest.’
‘Poor you, but hey, you did it. You stepped into Livvie’s shoes like a true professional and I never doubted that for a moment. Tell the truth, Ellie, is it the tantalising world you thought it would be? You know, being out there on your own, totally free and independent?’
He’s worried I’ve had fun and will want to do it again.
‘Don’t worry; I survived, but only just. This isn’t me, and it never was. There’s a reason why Livvie is good at what she does and why I’m good at being a wife and a mum. So we exchanged roles for a little while, but I suspect we will both be very glad to slip back into our respective routines. I enjoy having a foot in both worlds, but to tell the truth, I feel exhausted already, as I didn’t get much sleep last night.’
A stab of guilt hits me square in the stomach, which suddenly begins to churn. Do I have anything to feel guilty about? I’ve done nothing wrong, just lent a listening ear
to someone in distress. You wanted to reach out to Max, Ellie, my inner voice reminds me. You can’t deny that. But reaching out isn’t being unfaithful, it’s being compassionate.
I almost miss Josh’s words as my inner voice threatens to take over.
‘Italy failed to charm you, then. I’m relieved to hear it. Now, I simply want you back home where you belong.’
I laugh, awkwardly. Italy did charm me. The word belong echoes around inside my head. Where do I belong? I snap out of my little daydream and say a quick goodbye.
‘In a while, crocodile,’ I reply automatically to Josh’s words. It takes me back to that first time we had to spend a night apart. He was on a course and I was at home with two very noisy young children, missing him like mad. My heart constricts at the memory.
His final words, ‘Be safe,’ travel down the line before we disconnect.
For a brief moment something akin to panic threatens to overtake me. I look around, feeling disorientated and scared, then realise I’m simply homesick. So I walk around in search of somewhere pleasant to sit and read, while I grab some breakfast. Several of the larger restaurants aren’t open for breakfast, but the Aroma Café looks perfect.
Juggling a tray holding a slice of panettone and a large coffee, I head straight for a small corner table. Somewhere I can hopefully sit, read and people-watch for an hour or two, at the very least. It’s going to be a long day.
Chapter 14
‘Mum, where’s my new school jumper? It’s not in my wardrobe.’ Rosie’s voice drifts down the stairs and seeks me out as I sip my coffee. I was so tired when Josh and I eventually arrived home, late last night. I slept soundly; the sort of sleep that leaves you feeling as if you can’t quite wake up properly. The day is beginning to drip-feed into my pores and I saunter up the stairs, coffee in hand, to find out why Rosie is panicking.
The Secrets of Villa Rosso Page 8
