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

running in his sleep – opened one eye and his tail gave a single lazy thump on the floor. She looked down at him affectionately for a few moments, before addressing his master.

‘I’d better get back home. Tell me something, just for curiosity’s sake. I’ve been looking round the room, but I can’t see a TV. Does this mean you don’t have one?’ Maybe this was why he hadn’t recognised her.

‘There is a TV in one of the bedrooms on the floor below, but I hardly ever turn it on. I’ve never been particularly interested, really, not since I was a kid. I’d rather read a book, to tell the truth. I haven’t a clue what’s on these days, although from what people tell me, it’s mostly rubbish. To be quite honest, over recent years since giving up the day job, I’ve done my best to avoid social media, newspapers and TV like the plague. I listen to the news on the radio from time to time but, otherwise, I stay away from all that sort of thing.’

‘That sounds pretty radical.’ Although it was almost exactly what she had been doing. Maybe they had more in common than she had initially thought. It also went a long way towards explaining why he hadn’t recognised her.

‘I know. I suppose it is, but I have my reasons.’ But, clearly, he wasn’t going to reveal them – at least not tonight.

They went back down the stairs and he accompanied her to her car, while the dog trotted off into the undergrowth. As she reached the car, she turned towards him.

‘Thank you for a lovely evening, Matt. Maybe you might like to come to my place one evening so I can return the favour?’

To her delight, he didn’t hesitate. ‘I’d like that, Alice, a lot.’

She held out her hand primly but, to her surprise – and considerable pleasure – he leant forward and kissed her gently on the cheeks. She was glad it was twilight, as she felt her face colour. Swallowing hard, she murmured her reply. ‘I look forward to it. Thanks again, Matt, and goodnight. Maybe see you in the morning.’

Chapter 19

She didn’t see him on her run the following morning but when she got back to her house she found a big white envelope in her letterbox. Inside it were a couple of printed copies of her paper on Amerigo Vespucci, which she had updated and sent to Matt before going to bed last night. Along with it was a handwritten note.

Hi Alice. Here are the copies you asked for. Really fascinating. I’ve kept one for myself – I hope that’s okay. I’ll be in the fields all day, but if you want to contact me, send me an email. Matt

It was hardly a billet-doux, but it was good to hear from him all the same. After showering, and changing into shorts and a fresh top, she made herself a cup of tea and set about composing an invitation to send to him by email.

Hi Matt. Thanks again for last night. I love your house. Would you like to drop in this evening for a drink? And do bring Guinness. Alice

She toyed with the idea of inserting a little x alongside her name, but as he hadn’t bothered, neither did she. She was just about to press Send when her phone started ringing. It was an unknown number and she answered cautiously in Italian.

‘Pronto, chi parla?’

‘Hi, can I speak with Alice, please?’ It was an American woman’s voice.

‘Hello, yes, this is Alice. Who’s speaking?’

‘Alice, hi, I’m Tracey – Conrad’s daughter. I saw you in the restaurant last week, remember?’

‘Yes, of course! Hi Tracey.’ Alice wasn’t sure if this was the red-haired woman or the one with the two children.

‘My father asked me to give you a call. We’re having a little drinks thing tonight and we hope you might like to come.’

Alice’s eyes flicked down to the email she had been composing. Nice as it would have been to have spent time with Matt again tonight, she knew she needed to say yes to this invitation. Apart from anything else, it would hopefully offer the chance to get rid of any lingering bad blood between her and Conrad, irrespective of her future career choices. It would also give her the opportunity to give him a copy of her paper on Vespucci.

‘That’s very kind, Tracey. I’d love to.’

‘Great. Say around six, if that suits you? By the way, there’s going to be another special guest here tonight: Felicity Winter.’

Alice was impressed. Felicity Winter was one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. Did this mean Conrad was maybe planning on moving on from TV to cinema? It would be interesting to find out. Alice had never met the legendary star before and she found herself looking forward to the prospect with some anticipation.

‘Wow, that sounds great.’ A thought occurred to her. ‘Is everybody going to be dressed up?’

‘We’re all on holiday, just come as you like. It’s not going to be evening dress or anything like that.’ That sounded reassuring, as did the next bit of advice. ‘There’s just one thing: it looks as though news of Felicity’s arrival here has got out. Paolo tells me there are two paparazzi outside the front gate. He advises you to walk up the road and come in through the side gate. He says you know which one, and you have the combination.’

‘Thanks for telling me. The last thing I want at the moment is to run into a bunch of paparazzi.’ She wondered if Tracey and her father had already seen Carrie’s now infamous photos, but there was no mention of this in Tracey’s reply.

‘Great. Look forward to seeing you, Alice. Ciao!’

‘Bye.’

Alice returned to her email, changed Matt’s invitation from tonight to tomorrow, and pressed Send.

She drove down to Siena and spent the day there, fighting her way through the crowds of tourists filling the narrow streets. She had been there before, and