Second Chances in Chianti (Escape to Tuscany Book 2) by T.A. Williams (online e reader .TXT) 📕

‘You look great, Antonia. Can I introduce you to David? We met at Bristol University. He’s a senior lecturer in drama.’

‘Hi, David, it’s great to meet you.’ Antonia shook his hand warmly and then pointed across towards Zoë. ‘Have you met Zoë? She was the director of the old Pals series.’

Alice glanced sideways and was amused to see Zoë now wearing a totally unconvincing smile again, as she reached out and shook David’s hand. ‘Hi, David. Drama, eh? So does that mean you’re a wannabe actor?’

As the opening to a polite conversation, it was pretty chilly, but Alice had warned him of the possibility of coming up against Zoë and he didn’t bristle – in fact, very much the opposite. The expression on his face was one of almost hero-worship.

‘I’m a wannabe director, if the truth be told. If I could ever become even half as good a director as you, I’d be immensely proud. Your results speak for themselves.’

Alice saw Zoë’s expression warm at the compliment, and she was impressed. David certainly knew how to suck up to Zoë. Of course, he was right – up to a point. Zoë’s results as a director over the years had been great. It was the methods she had employed to achieve them that weren’t. Alice saw her acknowledge the compliment with a little nod of the head and reply graciously enough.

‘Thank you, David. It’s a pity more people don’t share your opinion.’ The sideways glare she shot at Alice said it all.

No doubt sensing the tension in the air, Antonia took Alice’s arm, prising her away from Richie’s grip, which had remained firmly in place ever since Alice’s counter-attack against the bullying director.

‘Come and we’ll ask Paolo to show you to your room.’ She glanced over Alice’s shoulder and beckoned to a friendly-looking man in a porter’s uniform who had just appeared. ‘Paolo, would you mind showing us the way? I believe you said Alice is in the Green Suite, didn’t you?’

‘I’ll see you later, Richie.’ Alice gave him a wave, rather regretting leaving him at the mercy of Zoë with nobody to protect him. He had never been able to stand up to her and, in spite of his newfound muscles, it looked as though that might not have changed. She caught hold of David’s hand, although he looked as though he would have been happy to stay there with Zoë. She found herself thinking that if this was an act, it was a damn good one. He had really given the impression he meant those things he had said. She resolved to warn him once more of the true toxic nature of the director he was complimenting.

Richie, seeing them leave, waved forlornly back, but as Alice followed Antonia and the porter towards the stairs, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of him hastily making good his escape, leaving Zoë standing alone in the hallway.

Alice was delighted to have found that Antonia – who was Zoë’s boss, after all – was going to be here to act as arbiter. During the worst of the problems with the petulant director in the final years of the series, Antonia had been one of the few senior execs to express sympathy for the actors but, ultimately, the decision to back Zoë – even at the expense of the show – had come from over her head.

Alice’s room was on the first floor at the rear of the villa, looking out over delightful formal gardens and, beyond them, across rows of vines to where the sloping hillside rose more steeply into thick woodland. A stone tower emerged from the trees on the distant hilltop and Alice wondered if that also formed part of the estate. Returning her attention to the room, she saw that it was predictably immaculate and spacious, with a high ceiling and an air-conditioning unit situated above the window. The window itself, she noted, had a fine mesh screen across the opening, no doubt designed to keep out mosquitoes and other undesirable insects.

Paolo, the porter, set her suitcase down on what looked like an antique chest and let himself out again without a sound. Antonia stayed there with Alice and David, who was standing by the window, looking around appreciatively.

‘What a magnificent house and what a lovely room.’ There was wonder in his voice and Alice gave him an encouraging wink. It was clear that he was a bit overawed by it all. She looked back at Antonia and added her own appreciative noises.

‘You’ve got to hand it to Mr Chesterfield – he’s got good taste. I love the space and I love the views. I’d almost forgotten just how gorgeous Tuscany is.’

‘So how was it being a student, Alice?’ Antonia perched on a corner of a fine old ottoman. ‘Didn’t you miss the bright lights?’

While David continued to direct his attention out of the window, Alice sat down opposite Antonia and nodded slowly. ‘Yes, of course, to some extent, but mainly just in the first year or two. I’ve always been hooked on art and art history, and it soon took over my life as completely as Pals used to do.’

‘And now? Are you seriously considering coming back to us to do this new series?’

Alice knew her well enough to be frank. ‘I honestly don’t know. I’m quite settled back in the real world now and I’m aiming at a career in art history, but I’d be lying if I said the idea of a second chance at Hollywood – even if it was only for a year or two – didn’t appeal in many ways. I suppose it’ll depend on all sorts of things.’ Her eyes flicked across to David, who was staring out into the garden while doing his best to look detached. As she looked back again, she read comprehension in Antonia’s eyes.

‘Of course. And there’s the question