Читать книгу Two Drops Of Water - Nicola Rocca - Страница 25

CHAPTER 14

There'd been no one else in this huge house when she'd got up. She'd been worried at first, but the sight of a fully stocked breakfast table had filled her heart, and stomach, with joy.

She'd sat down, had a few sips of pear juice and proceeded to smother half a dozen homemade jams over warm pieces of bread. She'd felt right at home. It was warm and cosy. The old gadgets hung on the walls and resting on the solid wooden shelves made the dining room feel peaceful and safe. Homely, even.

Chantal had got full only after her fourth piece of bread.

She'd slipped on a jacket and gone outside into the vast parking area, seeing for the first time how daylight treated what had seemed ten hours ago to be a house of horrors and a bleak view down into the valley.

Standing there now, with a smile on her face, she wondered how she could ever have been scared by such a marvellous place.

Looking beyond the car park, she saw a vast expanse of green surrounded by trees. The big, white building itself was brought to life somewhat by the green door and shutters. As she glanced upwards, she noticed a large number of plants on the huge balcony, protected from the cold by plastic sheeting.

Chantal closed her eyes and inhaled the pure, country air that surrounded this little bit of paradise. When she reopened them, she was staring at a blue sky with a few wavy clouds. She took a deep breath, as if the oxygen could somehow cleanse her lungs of years of tar and nicotine. She felt like she was sucking on a eucalyptus drop. A gentle infusion of energy.

Fantastic!

Turns out she'd have come to work in Tuscany a lot sooner if she'd known it would be all clean air, breathtaking scenery and homemade jam.

No way was she going back home now.

She wandered over to her car. There was huge scratch all the way down one side, reminding her of the previous day's misadventures. She'd had a lucky escape, she knew that.

She shrugged her shoulders to ward off a shiver and was distracted by the sound of a car approaching.

Coming up the hill she herself had driven up the previous night was a white Opel Kadett which, at first glance, had to be at least twenty-five years old. Chantal squinted to see who was at the wheel, but the sun, albeit fairly weak, was reflecting off the windscreen. Just a few seconds later, it became clear that the person driving was Alfredo.

As the car trundled past, he greeted Chantal by way of a raised arm. She flashed him a smile in return and watched as the Opel pulled in alongside her Citroën.

Alfredo got out and paused to look at the damaged side of the C2. His face clouded over.

"How on earth did you do that, signorina?" he enquired, using for the first time the more formal lei to address her rather than tu.

Chantal was floored by the change. Were they in work mode now? Did she need to observe some employer-employee formalities? She decided to follow suit.

"It's a long sto...let's just say I ran into a little difficulty Mist.."

"Alfredo's fine, honestly."

"As you wish, Alfredo," she replied, using lei.

"Why are you suddenly using lei?" he asked.

Chantal was speechless. Just seconds earlier, he'd used lei to address her! Was he pulling her leg? She decided to ask, albeit indirectly.

"But you just called me lei."

"I did?"

"Yes, when you got out of the car," Chantal continued, motioning to the old banger.

"Impossible," Alfredo replied, staring at the floor. "Ermm, OK. Perhaps I misheard." He took a few steps towards her and looked directly into her eyes. "It's best if we carry on using tu. What do you say?"

Chantal was lost in his stare, unable to decide if she was in heaven or hell.

She snapped out of it and found the strength for a smile and a response.

"Fine by me."

"Great," he replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Have you already had breakfast? I left you someth..."

"It was the best breakfast I've ever had," Chantal replied, feeling a touch embarrassed by the overfamiliarity of Alfredo's hand.

"Really?" exclaimed Alfredo, as he tightened his grip.

Again, the sensation in the pit of her stomach left Chantal wondering if she were in heaven or hell.

"The jam was absolutely..."

"Delicious?" he ventured.

"That wouldn't do it justice."

"I see. So what word would do it justice then?" he asked, finally relaxing his grip on the girl's shoulder.

"I think 'exquisite' sums it up very nicely," she replied, relieved to be free from his grasp. "And there's plenty more compliments where that came from."

"Chantal, you're too kind."

"But it's true."

"If you insist. All that matters is that you liked it. I'm pleased. The jam's homemade, by me."

He paused and smiled, looking straight into Chantal eyes. She lowered her gaze and felt her face redden.

"If we have a bit of spare time, I can show you how I do it."

Chantal looked up at him, and he saw she looked puzzled.

"The jam, I mean," he clarified. "I'll teach you every trick in the book, and you'll be making exquisite jams in no time!"

"Oh, I'd love that!" she replied, holding his gaze for a split second.

"It's a date!" He turned around and gestured towards the Kadett. "Could you give me a hand with the shopping?"

Chantal watched as he opened the boot, which contained several large bags. She realised at that very moment that she'd been hired. No need for an interview. Unless the few words they'd just exchanged counted and were enough to convince him she was the right person for the job.

"Sure, I'm intrigued to see what you've bought."