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

– he’s a sweetie.’ Keen not to spend too much time with this unknown man, however sweet his dog might be, she decided to make a move. ‘Anyway, I’d better be off. Have a good day.’ She gave the dog a final cuddle and turned away.

As she set off down the track, she heard the engine rev as the vehicle pulled out onto the road and the noise gradually diminished, until silence returned. She jogged along the track, her head filled with mixed emotions. The overriding feeling was one of mystification. For whatever reason, this man had managed to get under her skin and risked stirring feelings in her that she hadn’t felt for ages… not since first meeting David – or maybe not ever, if she were honest. How this could happen after barely a few minutes’ exposure to him remained a mystery but, she told herself firmly, she was here with another man, so she would do well just to dismiss Matt from her mind.

Easier said than done.

After a couple of hundred yards of rough track, tall wooden gates set in hefty stone walls announced the entrance to his home. She saw a metal postbox bolted to one of the gateposts and, out of curiosity, she slowed down and went over to check the name on it. There was no name: just one word written on it – Torre, the Italian word for tower. Clearly, he valued his privacy.

She peered through the narrow gap between the gate and the post and saw a gravelled drive leading up through the trees to the base of the tower. Even from a distance, viewed through a two-inch aperture, the place looked amazing. For somebody with an interest in history, it was fascinating. Entirely built of stone, it was higher than she had imagined, probably as tall as a three- or even four-storey building. The windows at the lower levels were little wider than arrow slits, while the upper floors had larger openings and the views from up there must have been spectacular. It would have been wonderful to get the chance to see for herself but that, she knew full well, wasn’t going to happen. She gave a little sigh and headed down the path he had indicated, back in the direction of the villa.

That morning’s meeting turned out to be not so much a storm as an unstoppable tsunami. Antonia was nowhere to be seen and from the very first minute Zoë took charge. She talked – or, more precisely, preached – for two hours almost without a break, laying down how she saw the series developing, refusing questions and silencing any opposition. Any lingering hopes they might have been nursing that she had mellowed over the past five years or that she might be handing the directorial reins over to somebody else were soon dashed. As the morning’s sermon progressed, the others exchanged ever gloomier looks and a mood of grim depression settled upon them all.

As the church bell in the village chimed midday, Zoë finally swept out of the room, leaving them in stunned silence that lasted for several minutes, before Benny put everybody’s thoughts into words. First, predictably, there was an outburst of heartfelt and inventive expletives, and then he gradually settled down.

‘Well, that’s that, then. And to think I travelled six thousand miles for this. Thank God the food’s good.’ He pushed back his chair, stood up and stretched, before looking around at the others. ‘Well, I suppose the good news is that we now know exactly where we stand.’

Alice looked across at the others and read frustration, resentment and disappointment on the faces around her. She also felt betrayed and, although she had thought she didn’t really care about a return to Hollywood, she now realised that she had been kidding herself. A second chance at the bright lights could have been a lot of fun and would have cemented her financial security. Now that it was clear it was to be Zoë or nothing, she knew that her answer would almost certainly have to be nothing. Life was too short for getting back into all that stress. She took a deep breath and headed for the door. What she did know was that she needed some fresh air.

‘I don’t know about you guys, but I need to get out of this room. I think I’m going for a swim to clear my head.’

Outside, the sky was no longer clear blue, as clouds had bubbled up over the course of the morning and her predicted storm looked to be on its way. As well as humid, it was also very warm; she went up to her room but found no sign of David. She changed into her bikini – remembering to wrap the towel around herself this time – and went out. When she got to the pool, she was surprised to find Antonia there, sitting fully clothed under a parasol and holding her iPad in her hands. She looked up as she heard footsteps and, from the expression on her face, Alice could immediately see that she was fully aware of what had just happened.

‘Hi Alice. There was an email from Conrad overnight.’ Antonia sounded weary. ‘I imagine Zoë’s told you what it said. Zoë’s in charge of Pals Forever and that’s that.’

Alice went across and perched on the edge of a sunbed alongside her. ‘She didn’t mention an email, but the message came through loud and clear.’ She hesitated. ‘How does this make you feel, Antonia? You’re Zoë’s superior, after all.’

A shadow passed over Antonia’s face, but she made no comment other than to say, ‘I think it’s a big mistake and I’ve told Conrad that, but I’m not holding my breath for a change of heart from him.’ She pushed up her sunglasses and caught Alice’s eye. ‘What about you?’

‘I’m going to think it over, but I’m afraid I’ll end up saying no.’ The more she thought about it, the more