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

with her friends again and drop back into the glitzy showbiz world once more, but if Zoë was going to be involved, she would certainly be better off out of it.

Whatever she decided, the unresolved dilemma remained David. Taking the job in London would mean either an exhausting and expensive commute every day from Bristol for her, or a change of university for him. If she accepted the Hollywood job, it would mean even more upheaval. Either way, it would be complicated – assuming they stayed together. Hopefully, the next few weeks here in Tuscany would provide an answer to the viability or otherwise of their relationship and that, in turn, would help with all the other decisions.

David returned from his walk half an hour later, still enthusing about the villa, the grounds and the stunning panorama all around. He sat down beside her and she told him about the email from the auction house. He sounded happy for her, but surprised.

‘Are you really sure that’s what you want? After all, ninety nine per cent of the world’s population would give their eyeteeth for the chance to star in a high-profile series like Pals Forever. You’d be famous – even more famous than you already are – and I’m sure you’d be very well paid. Take a look around you. This sort of place could be yours.’

Alice checked him out. That same dreamy expression was back on his face again as he stared down at the villa, but she did her best to explain. ‘Don’t think I haven’t considered it, but it wouldn’t all be glamour and riches. First and foremost, it looks as though it would mean working under Zoë and I’m not sure I want that stress all over again, but it’s more than that. When you’re a celebrity, your whole life changes. You have no privacy – unless you spend a fortune on security, private jets and all the rest. For a woman, it means never eating a square meal again. Appearance is everything – well, almost everything – in that world and it demands sacrifices. Yes, you can get rich, but I know from experience that it isn’t all a bed of roses.’

He nodded, but she could see he didn’t get it. To him – as to so many people – it must seem like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket to a happy life. She reached across and caught hold of his arm, hugging herself against him. ‘Anyway, I haven’t decided anything yet. Let’s see how the next few days and weeks pan out.’

She closed her sketch pad on her drawing and they made their way back down the hill to the villa. Two people were sitting under a parasol on the terrace and, as she drew nearer, she saw that Layla had now arrived – and so had Benny, the writer. There was no sign of Richie and she wondered where he had gone – hiding from Zoë, most probably. The good news was that, at least for now, there was no sign of her either.

She knew that Millie was definitely coming, although Harry remained an unknown quantity. Maybe the idea of meeting up with Layla, his ex-wife, had put him off, and Alice wondered for a moment what difference to the dynamic of the show his absence might make, if he decided not to join in. Together with Layla, Harry was one of the lead characters, and if he deserted the new show, there was a real risk of his absence damaging its chances of success. And, Alice realised, if she too were to turn her back on the offer, Pals Forever might never even get off the ground. She went across to greet them, genuinely pleased to see Benny and Layla again after so long.

‘Hi guys. It’s great to catch up with you again.’

‘Alice, darling, how absolutely wonderful to see you.’ Layla’s language was as extravagant as ever. Alice vaguely noticed that the five years since they had last met up had removed almost all trace of her Australian twang and replaced it with a pretty convincing California accent, but the passage of time certainly hadn’t removed any adjectives from her vocabulary. ‘You look simply gorgeous, stunning, even more beautiful than before.’

Alice slipped seamlessly into Hollywood-speak in return. ‘And you just keep on getting more and more beautiful, Layla.’ Suspiciously so. Were her boobs bigger now? She glanced across at David’s face and almost burst out laughing. His eyes were bulging out of his head as he came to terms with being in the presence of such a world-famous actress, and the extravagant language from both of them probably reinforced his sense of having set foot in an alien world. Alice caught hold of his hand and introduced him to them.

‘Layla, Benny – this is David. David, I’m sure you recognise Layla, but you also need to meet Benny. Without him, Pals would never have had the success it did. His comic scripts are second to none.’

Layla extended a languid hand in David’s direction and gave him her most alluring smile. ‘So pleased to meet you, David. Have you and Alice been together long?’

‘Almost two years now.’ His voice sounded hoarse and he actually had to clear it as the emotion of finding himself in such illustrious company sank in. ‘It’s amazing to meet you in person. I’m honoured.’ After reverently accepting and shaking Layla’s hand, David greeted Benny.

Alice grinned to herself. She had never seen him as tongue-tied as this before. Somehow, she got the feeling that this week was going to be a real shock to the system for a simple university lecturer.

Alice gave Layla a big hug, before going over to do the same to Benny. She had always got on very well with him – maybe even better than with her fellow cast-members, except for Millie. Apart from being hilarious, he was one of the most genuine, natural people she had ever met in Hollywood. It was this same directness