Josh turns towards me, wrapping my hand in both of his.
‘If it all becomes too much, just walk away. No job is worth driving yourself into the ground, or shouldering so much responsibility it becomes stifling. You have a good CV and, if necessary, Livvie would let me work full time if we needed a little extra income. Don’t try to carry this burden alone, Josh, let’s work together as the team we’ve always been.’
‘I hope it doesn’t come to that, Ellie. But you need to know what’s going on and I hear what you’re saying, it means a lot. You’ve always had my back, that’s why we’re so good together. I love you.’
He leans in to wrap his arms around me and we hug out the worry and the stress.
‘Life, eh?’ He mutters, taking the words out of my mouth.
~
‘Sorry it’s been a while. We’ve had a lot of people off sick at work and I’ve had to do extra shifts. Even nurses succumb to the lurgies that are going around.’
Aunt Clare leans forward for a hug and pushes the front door closed with a deft kick of her foot. ‘I bring gifts. Low-calorie yoghurt instead of cake. I’m on a health drive.’
Yoghurt?
‘I think I might actually be allergic to anything low-cal at the moment. Stress levels are through the roof here and if it isn’t highly fattening or full of sugar it will remain uneaten.’
‘Things are that bad?’ She grimaces, then follows me through into the kitchen. ‘Where is everybody? I mean, it’s Saturday afternoon and I thought it would be buzzing here.’
‘Nope, it’s just me. Josh is at work. He has almost taken up residence there at the moment. He’s fighting not just for his own job, but for those of the entire department. The dirty word is ‘outsourcing’. The girls are on a trip to the cinema to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Thankfully it’s a mutual friend, so I don’t have one moping teenager feeling left out. I don’t envy Alice’s parents, though. It’s a party of ten and you know how boisterous they can be when they get together. I’ll pop the kettle on. Tea, or coffee?’
‘Tea, please. Do you have anything herbal?’
I wince. ‘Ooh, that would be a yes. Can’t say how long it’s been in the cupboard, though.’ I open one of the unit doors, move a few boxes around and shout ‘Eureka!’
Begrudging, I join Aunt Clare, knowing I’ve already drunk way too much coffee and now she’s made me feel guilty.
‘Tea for two, then.’
‘Has it been like this ever since you returned from Italy?’
‘Pretty much. To be honest, we are preparing for the worst. Josh won’t give up until every last option has been exhausted, but I’m trying to get him to start unofficially looking elsewhere. I’ve spoken to Livvie and if we end up having to rely on just my income for a while, she’s happy to increase my hours. We’re luckier than some. That’s why Josh is hanging in there.’
Aunt Clare frowns. ‘When will you know for sure?’
‘Well, that’s just it. Josh has put forward a report but there’s been no action, so things continue to deteriorate. It’s coming up to the end of the company’s financial year, so he thinks that’s why everything is on hold.’
‘Is there’s anything I can do? You know, help out with the girls, or something? How is life in Livvie’s growing empire?’
I laugh. ‘Expanding too fast! I’m rushed off my feet. At the moment I’m managing to get by working part-time and doing a few hours in the evenings. The girls eat and then tend to go up to their rooms, anyway. In this house the iPad rules. Rosie wants to be around Hettie, of course, but Hettie wants her privacy. There’s a boyfriend involved now, but it’s not strictly official. As in we aren’t supposed to know and can’t acknowledge it. Furtive phones calls and all that.’
Aunt Clare’s eyebrows shoot up. ‘Ah, the joys of seeing them grow up. Always something to worry you, isn’t there? Poor Rosie, though, I can imagine the frustration.’
‘I’m organising regular sleepovers for Rosie’s friends most Friday nights, to keep her occupied. She loves it, although Hettie keeps complaining about the late nights and the constant giggling. We have inflatable mattresses we lay out in the sitting room. Hettie says she can hear them through the floor. How that works, I don’t know, as she’s always either on the phone talking, texting under her duvet, or listening to her iPod. Of course, she thinks sleepovers are beneath her now.’
That raises a laugh.
‘Your mum would have loved all of this and I’m sure it would have reminded her of you growing up. You were quite a precocious teen, you know. Thought you knew best.’
Was that me? I can’t remember anything that stands out as a vivid memory.
‘I popped in to see those photos you promised to show me and hear more about your fancy Italian trip. Are there any more jaunts planned for the future?’
‘I haven’t even bothered to show the photos to the girls, or Josh. Everything has been so hectic recently. You might find them rather boring, actually, as most of them are photos of coffee tables, tiles and items of pottery. Livvie glanced through them, but by then I’d already placed the order. The first container will arrive next month and the next order has already been placed. I don’t know if Livvie will fly over at some point in the future. It sounds like they have further plans for expansion as things are going so well.’
‘Gosh, you really are a buyer now, in the true sense of the word. I’m impressed. Livvie and you go way back, and of course she trusts your judgement, who wouldn’t? So that next trip might see you heading back out there. Anyway, come on, get out the holiday snaps.’
‘It wasn’t a holiday, as I keep telling you!’
I pretend I’m cross, but I know she’s only joking around. As Aunt Clare follows me upstairs to the study she’s muttering away to herself. Something about how it’s alright for some, being whisked away to exotic destinations.
‘And it wasn’t exotic. Just beautiful,’ I correct her, but as soon as I open up the photos she exclaims.
‘It’s paradise, Ellie. No wonder you were at home. Who wouldn’t be relaxed in that setting?’
The first photos are the ones I took the day I arrived. I was standing on the terrace and snapping away to try to capture the panoramic view.
‘The photos don’t do it justice. You can’t get a real grasp of the scale, but see those little dots here and here? Those are fully mature trees. This swathe in front of the villa is mostly olive groves, almost as far as the eye can see.’
I can tell she’s captivated. I click onto slideshow mode and the photos automatically roll forward every ten seconds.
‘This is Villa Rosso. Most of this part of the building is guest accommodation. The owner, Trista, has a suite in the adjoining part that nestles between the two wings.’
‘It’s much grander than I imagined.’
The slide moves on to a shot of the reception and the beautiful cascading metalwork chandelier. I pull up a chair alongside Aunt Clare, each new photo taking me back to a precise moment in time.
‘This was the day I toured the villa with Bella, taking photos of some of the furniture and decorative items produced by the cooperative. Isn’t that coffee table amazing? If you stay in a Parkhouse Hurst hotel once the refurbishments are finished early next year, that’s the coffee table you’ll find in the executive suites.’
‘Who’s that?’ Aunt Clare points to one of the workshop photos I took.
‘It’s Eduardo Camillucci. This piece in the front of the photo is a garden sculpture. That’s his son, Piero, who works alongside him. You can just make out Eduardo’s wife, Cristina, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. They made us so welcome that day, insisting we stay for lunch.’
I didn’t think the memories would feel this fresh, but looking at the photos, nothing has diminished.
‘Us?’ Aunt Clare’s question makes me stop mid-thought.
‘Myself and Mr Jackson, who escorted me on the tour of the various facilities.’
Aunt Clare studi
es my face. ‘You didn’t mention an escort. Mr Jackson, you say.’
Awkward moment. ‘Max, his name is Max.’
‘Do you have a photo of him?’
What is this, twenty questions? ‘I don’t have photos of everyone.’ Not an outright lie, just a misdirection. ‘He’s the general manager, I suppose you would call him, who runs the Ormanni family’s businesses. The cooperative venture was his idea.’
As the photos flit across the screen we’re almost at the end and I move the mouse to click stop, just in time. The last photo is the one of the front of the villa, with Max standing in the open doorway, watching me. I acknowledge, with more than a little unease, that I won’t be able to control the expression that appears on my face when I find myself reliving that moment in time. If only I’d dropped his name into the conversation before, then I wouldn’t be feeling so defensive now. I don’t want Aunt Claire to make a big deal of this, because even though I’ve done nothing wrong, something doesn’t feel quite right about it either.
‘What a wonderful experience, Ellie. You’re more of a business woman than you give yourself credit for. I’m really impressed. No wonder you were a bit stressed. That was a lot of pressure to be put under at such short notice. I mean, it’s not like you’ve ever flown on your own before and, judging by the look on some of those people’s faces, your visit was important to them. How did you avoid getting pulled into their life stories? I know what you’re like.’
I keep forgetting that Aunt Clare knows me almost as well as Josh. But not quite.
‘I was sending a stream of photos I took on my phone to Livvie from the moment I arrived. After that first day I was able to pass on the good news that it was a go for the first order. Once that had circulated, things were a lot more relaxed. If Livvie hadn’t liked what she saw, I would have had to face the disappointment of those hard-working people. They accept their lot without question, but it is a hard life for them. Those with land are dependent upon a good harvest, but even then it only gives them a basic living. Branching out and using their artisan skills gives them a second line of income. I learnt a lot about the area in a short space of time and it was humbling how welcome I was made.’
‘Pity you didn’t get a photo of Max. He obviously has their interests at heart. I suspect he’s a man with an interesting life story of his own to tell.’
A part of me wants to tell Aunt Clare everything, but it was told to me in confidence and I can’t betray that. It’s also none of my business.
‘Josh was rather lost without you, Ellie. My phone didn’t stop ringing. He was worried you’d get lost, or mugged, or lose your passport. I think he felt life was on hold until you got back. It’s wonderful to see that level of devotion, but he was definitely moping around.’
I had no idea. I assumed it was just the one call to let her know what was happening. Then I realise that with things going so badly wrong at work, I wasn’t here when he needed me the most. I wonder if he rang her, desperate for someone in whom he could confide. But I know it would have been an impossible conversation to begin because, by then, he felt he was letting a lot of people down, even though it wasn’t his fault. Aunt Clare would be upset to think he couldn’t open up to her.
‘He didn’t say, but that’s Josh. Of course, if I’d known about his problems at work I wouldn’t have been so quick to step in for Livvie. Maybe suggested she postpone the visit instead, so I could be here for him to at least give what support I could. It’s so typical of Josh putting me first, though. I’m really lucky and I know it.’
She nods.
‘You couldn’t find one like him for me, could you? I can’t remember the last time I went out on a date with a guy who was worth talking to.’ She eases herself up from the chair. ‘Maybe I’ll try one of those online dating agencies. Can’t do worse than your ex-uncle, can I?’ She laughs, but there’s a hint of sadness wrapped up in it. ‘You’re a sensible woman, Ellie. You found the one and you’ve both worked together as a team. It’s wonderful to see and your mum would be very proud.’
She touches my arm lightly and we make our way downstairs.
‘Don’t forget, if the worst happens and you need a bit of extra help, I’m just a phone call away.’
As I close the front door the strangest thing pops into my head. If my adult daughter went missing with absolutely no clues about what might have happened to her, would I want her fiancé to remain in the family home? Family means something; it’s a bond that exists even if there are arguments and petty jealousies. But in Italy that family tie is even stronger. Isn’t it more than a little strange that Trista never doubted Max for even a moment? My conscience niggles away, but I try not to think of Max and the pain I saw in his eyes that night in the restaurant.
Time to distract myself with a stack of ironing that needs my attention before the girls run out of things to wear.
Chapter 19
By the time I realise that Josh probably isn’t coming home again tonight, I’m cross with myself for not having checked my phone. Sure enough, there’s a text sent at six minutes past eight this evening to say don’t wait up. A few of them use a local bed and breakfast if they are working very late and starting early. He’s been sleeping away from home at least two, or three, nights per week for the last three weeks.
The girls are both sound asleep and I’ve been struggling to keep my eyes open for the past hour, but I was reluctant to give in. I don’t like Josh coming home to a house in darkness. Usually he’s so exhausted he just wants to drop into bed, but I try to make him eat something first. Sometimes he wants to talk and at other times he doesn’t. I take my lead from him.
As soon as my head hits the pillow I relax. The cool cotton of the recently ironed pillowcase gives off a pleasant spring-fresh odour, proving that advertising does work. Fresh as spring flowers, the ad for the fabric conditioner boasts. Whether it’s the floral smell that reminds me of the oleander blossoms, I don’t know. But as I begin to drift into sleep mode I’m transported back to the villa. In much the same way as you would take a virtual tour, I find myself walking across the patio and pushing open the door to the reception. No one is around and I climb the stairs, heading towards Trista’s suite.
I tap on the door, but there’s no answer. I have no idea what time of day it is, but it’s very quiet. Turning the handle to swing the door open, I walk across to the ornate wooden table and the silver-framed photographs. I trail a finger along the top of a frame and my hand slides down to pick up the photo of Aletta. The eyes staring back at me are fiery. Her dark hair hangs like a silky frame for that perfect face. No wonder Max was besotted. Up close she’s even more beautiful.
Suddenly Trista’s voice makes me turn my head.
‘Non sai nulla.’ She crosses the room and snatches the frame out of my hands.
‘Why did you believe Max was innocent of any wrong-doing? Don’t you miss your daughter? Don’t you want to know what really happened?’
The words are in my head and I realise that even if I had voiced them, her English isn’t good enough to understand what I’m asking her. I turn and begin to walk away, but each step seems laboured, as if I’m walking in slow motion.
Bella appears in the doorway. ‘I’ve asked her the same questions, Ellie. But she wouldn’t answer me. Max didn’t have anything to do with it, I’m sure of that. But we need some actual proof, or he’ll always have it hanging over his head.’
Bella begins to cry and when I turn back to look at Trista she has disappeared. Bella shakes my shoulder and I try to brush her hand away. I need to find out where Trista went.
‘Ellie, Ellie, it’s me. Are you having a bad dream? You were talking in your sleep.’
Josh’s face looms over me in the darkness, concern etched onto his drawn face. I drag myself back into consciousness.
‘You came home. You must feel shattered, way beyond tired.’
He nods. ‘I am, but the drive was worth it just to see your sleepy face. Go back to sleep. T
his time have a nice dream.’ He plants a kiss on my forehead and that’s the last thing I can remember.
~
I creep out of the bedroom, gently closing the door behind me so that I can warn the girls to be quiet. Josh is still sleeping soundly and I don’t want them disturbing him as they get ready for a Sunday-morning swimming session. The fact that Josh hasn’t set the alarm means he wants to wake up naturally and it’s hard to keep the noise level down as the girls bustle around. Thankfully, two of the other mums will be supervising today, so I’m only the taxi service.
‘Is Dad okay?’ Rosie asks across the breakfast table. ‘He’s never here. It can’t be much fun driving home so late at night.’
She’s worried, bless her. ‘We all have responsibilities, Rosie. Sometimes things go smoothly and sometimes there are problems. A bit like your homework, when you find something difficult and you have to keep working at it. It won’t be like this forever and we have to get through this bit as best we can.’
Non sai nulla. Non sai nulla. I shake my head to chase away Trista’s words.
As I begin to clear the table and start getting things ready for the school run, the words seem to echo around me. Is it possible to dream in a foreign language? And what does it mean?
‘Mum, we’re waiting.’ Hettie and Rosie are standing side by side, staring at me.
‘Sorry girls, I’ll fetch the keys. Last one out of the door make sure you close it quietly, so we don’t wake Dad.’
~
When I arrive home Josh is up. The smell of coffee percolating is the first thing that hits me as I walk into the kitchen. He isn’t dressed for work and that means he can at least enjoy a relatively normal Sunday at home.
‘Hey you. Sorry I missed the girls, but I needed to catch up on a little sleep. Yesterday was a long day.’ I slip off my coat and watch as Josh makes coffee for two. ‘Come and sit up at the breakfast bar, we need to talk.’
I swallow hard. This isn’t going to be good news and yet, looking at his face, it reflects acceptance. I notice the dark smudges beneath his eyes, which are slightly bloodshot from all the late nights.
The Secrets of Villa Rosso Page 11
