Masquerade

Chapter two

Chapter one

“ Tasmin is feeling a bit low at the moment.” Jasonlingered in the doorway, givinghimself time to assess his sister’s mood.

Jayne ignored him, but kept typing away at her keyboard! “Uh-hum!” she said, not listening properly.

“ Which is why I’ve decided to take her away somewhere nice for a fortnight, treat her to a bit of sunshine. The poor girl....” Jason was now leant against the edge of his desk and not sitting behind it. It was always tidy whereas Jayne’s was piled high with files, post-it stickers reminding her of the growing backlog of work that she’d never be rid of.She kept writing, before she realized he had been talkingfor a good ten minutes and she hadn’t heard a single word.

“ What are you talking about. Taking who where? ”

“ Tasmin, of course.” Jason replied. “ I just told you. I managed to get this last minute booking on a flight to St. Lucia. ”

“ You what! When? ”

“ Actually, I was thinking…”

“ Please, please tell me you haven’t booked it already. ” She interrupted him.

Jason twisted his tie into a spiral then released it. “ Well, sis, actually...”

“You have, haven’t you? ”Jayne tore off her reading glasses and flung them onto the desk.

Jason had once told her that she had eyes like a viper and could not endure her hard stare for long. He abandoned the desk and went to look out of the window.

“ Actually, yes. I had to. Soon she won’t be able to fly. ”

“ I don’t give a toss. And stop saying actually all the time. It really pisses me off.

Have you forgotten we have a huge party arriving Friday week? ”

“ Of course I haven’t forgotten. But we are on top of things, aren’t we...Jaynesy? ”

“ Don’t you Jaynesy me.” Jayne hated her childhood petname even more that she hated being compared to a venomous snake.

She was about to add. “ I’m on top of things, whereas you and your incompetent missus are nothing but a ball and chain around my left foot!”but she was so angry that she had to draw breath for a moment. Just then Jason’s mobile phone rang, The Starwars theme tune. an opportune moment to get away. He blew his sister a kiss and slipped out of the door. Speaking in a low voice he hurried along the corridor. Jayne heard the liftdoor ping open, then silence.She doubted she’d see him for the rest of the day.

In fact he’ll probably lay low until he is about to depart for the airport. She thought. Jason was very selective when it came to answering phonecalls.

Her anger peaked. This was the worst time ever to cope single-handed. Jason might be useless behind the scenes but he had a natural cradle-gift for dealing with guests, with his forthcoming, open demenanour, trustworthy smile and an undercurrent of mischief. Jayne had counted on some level ofsupport even if it were no more than a few hours of light, flirtatous mingling. From experience she knew that everything would runas a well-oiled clock if the first night was a success whereas a single complaint would carry a flood of disasters in its wake. She shoved a pile of unanswered letters onto the floor andkicked the corner of her desk. It was only two o’clock but she felt overcome with a sudden weariness. If there was a function booked her head wouldn’t touch a pillow until the birds began to sing. But when they weren’t busy she clocked off just after five, as soon as her daytime staff had gone home.

Suddenly three hours seemed like an eternity. She felt so miserable that she couldn’t last another three minutes without screaming. “ Damn you, Jason! ” Jayne howled, kicking the desk again. “ When did I ever get a bloody holiday? ”

Her blood pressure was rising, she sensed the familiar ache in her front lobe, a miniature bomb lodged behind the temples, ticking away. She reached for her diary. Luckily there weren’t any appointments booked for the afternoon. Just as well since she didn’t have the energy to face another human being or answer another email today.She rubbed her aching toe, then phonedreception. “ Paulita, I’m taking the rest of the afternoon off. Can you hold the fort, please? ”

If Paulita was surprised, she hid it well. If A trustworthy, multi-tasking miracle who presided overthe front desk with calm, unequalled efficiency.She used to work at a solicitors office butfound the work too boring. “ Being choked to death by dust and undercover deals is not my idea of fun.”

Jayne was still awestruck by her typing skills, the way her fingers flew across the keyboard with the speed of a hummingbird’s wings. Paulita gave every new guest a royal welcome, seducing them so subtly and sweetly that they all believed they were the ones doing the seducing.

“ What a lovely girl, and so clever. If only I were twenty years younger....”

Of course it would have been professional suicide to let Paulita go. No hotel could manage without a receptionist.

This didn’t stop Jayne from missing her efficient, trustworthy PA, Charlotte who had been with her from the beginning. They were good friends, at least they had been once. The she was made to put an abrupt end to it. Last year Jayne received a phonecall from the accountant, Hank Thistlewood who informed her that because of thefinancial climate it would be advisable to make further cuts.

“ Inevitable, to be precise. ”

“ But....but I’ve already made all possible...”

“ More are needed, unfortunately. I recommend staffcuts.”

So why not cut you, fat miserablelump!Jayne thought.She could see Hank in his office, stuffing himself withpork pies, crumbs stuck to his fat lips, his veiny cheeks bulging.

“ Surely there must be another way....? ” Jayne was reluctant to let go of a spindlyhope.

“ Afraid not, at present. I’ll send some figures through, then you can see for

yourself. ” Hank gruffed. “ But I advise you to take some asap action. ”

Not so much a case of advising as giving orders, you old bully. Jayne thought but there was no point arguing. The outcome was always the same. “ Of course. I’ll get on to it straight away.”

The accountant yapped on for a whilebut Jayne had stopped listening. She sighed and hung up.

Hank was the only person she knew who pronouncedabbreviations like proper words, like ASAP. She liked him no more than he liked her. Numerous times she had begged her Dad to replace him with a younger, more amiable accountant. Jayne’s father, Ralph had given her free reins to run the hotel but on this one matter he wasn’t prepared to give in.He always referred to Hank as an old-school bloodhound.

“ He has seen me through a great many storms over the years. Better the ... ”

“ devil you know....” Jayne completed the sentence. “ Okay, Dad. ” She sighed.

Accepting wasn’t the same as agreeing. To her Hank was a devilish burden, riding piggyback on her shoulders.

Hank’s email was in Jayne’s inbox five minutes after the phonecall ended. Skimming over it, she had to admit he was right. More cuts had to be made one way or another. Jayne buried her face in her hands. The only one who would come out of this unscathed was Hank himself.Somebody had to go. But who? Jayne buried her face in her hands. The only one who would come out of this unscathed was Hank himself.She’d cuther kitchen and housekeeping staff to the bone.Jason and herself hadtaken a ten percentreductionin their wagepacket and they’d sold the minibus they used to collect guests from the airport or train station.

This time there was no point asking for her Dad’s help. She knew what had to be done. There was only one person who could be spared in a business that had tightened its belt so far that it was gasping for air. Charlotte. There was no point delaying. It would be even harder tomorrow and it would simply mean another sleepless night.When Charlotte returned from her lunchbreak Jayne cleared her throat. “ I’dlike a word when you’ve got a moment.”

The first part of their conversation was clouded in a thick fog. Following Hank’s instructions Jayne waffled on about cuts, profitmargins, redundancy pay and bonuses for good service.

Not once did Charlotte interrupt her, but stood as if nailed to the spot. Her look of utter disbelief would be forever be etched onto Jayne’s mind.

Say something, please. Anything! She pleaded inwardly although she knew she’d had forfeited the right to make demands. Executioners cannot ask for redemption.

“ So, that’s it, then. ” Charlotte finally spoke.

“ You don’t have to work your notice.” Jayne said.

“ I should hope not. ” Charlotte turned her back and began clearing her desk.

“ Charlotte, I had no choice...”

“ Fuck off! ” Charlotte snatched her bag and strode out of the office.

Jayne had heard nothing from her since. She should have handled it differently, should have explained that it was the last thing she wanted, that she’d had her arm twisted.

Charlotte never said this, but she might as well have. The echo of her silent accusations haunted Jayne for months. “ But you did! You did have a choice! And you decided not to choose me. ”

There was another reason why Charlotte had left such a vacuous crater behind her.

Not only was she Jayne’s friend, she was her best friend, her only friend. The only person who would listen to her frustrated rantings, about Tasmin, about unreasonable customers and the constant invasion of eager sales reps.

The Den was a small room, separated from the main office by a partition wall. Jayne’s Dad, Ralph had decided it would be more convenient to stay there,instead of monopolizing one of the hotelrooms on the nights he couldn’t make it home.When she took over as manager five years ago Jayne decided to it was time to make a few changes. She needed to put her own mark on the room, make it feel like her space. She also decided that nobody else should be allowed in here, not even Jason. Especially not Jason.Unfortunately this meant that she had to do the decorating herself. Of course she could have left it as it was, but the room was looking weary, in need of a caring facelift. The two weeks she spent transforming The Denbrought back a lot of memories. Jayne had spent many childhood afternoons in here,waiting for her Dad to finish work so they could go home together. The TV-set had been one

of those heavy box monstrosities which she had now replaced by a flat screen mounted on the wall.

All equipment in situ she began work one Monday night, hoping to have it all done in two days. It was a battle to manoeuver the furniture through the door and into the main office and she damaged the doorframe in the process.

Painting the walls and skirting-boards was the easy part. It was the carpet that defeated her. It was too expensive to get it wrong. Ittook hours of sweating and cursing.One by one her nails broke, and her face and arms itched. The fitting was included in the price but she was worried that letting carpetfitters inside her new sanctuary would jinx it somehow.When the heavy soft wool carpet was finally in place she collapsed on top of it, unable to move for some time. The she crawled intothe main office, on smarting knees and sore hands so she could lock the office door. Not even bothering to get undressed she hauled herself onto her bed, and was asleep within minutes. The next morningshe was up at six o’clock. The furniture had to be manhandled once more, bumped, dragged and twisted back through the doorway before eight o’clock. Jayne couldn’t locate a single part of her body that didn’tache but she was pleased with her efforts. Gone were the blue and grey colourscheme of her Dad’s reign, replaced bysoft coral walls. and curtains a shade darker.The troublesome carpet a light cream colour.She only kept one of the chairs, but covered it with a couple of throws that matched her new colour-scheme.Six thirty she locked the office, undressed and sat down with a glass of champagne.Her Dad was right. It was important to have somewhere peaceful to retreat to on late nights, or at any stressful moment. A secret chamber. Jayne renamed the roomMy Sanctuary. This was a milestone in her life, the day she felt that the hotel was truly hers. Although she and Jason were - in theory co-managers on equal terms, he was happy to let her have the final say because it freed him from the burden of responsibility. Ralph was happy with this arrangement, knowing that Jayne was far more devoted to the hotel. “ And with a teeny bit more common sense than her brother. ” He told Silvia, his second wife.

Jayne adhered rigidly to the no-booze-on-the job policy that she had decreed on all her employees. The first time she broke the rule was the day she had tosack

Charlotte. She shut herself inside My Sanctuary, huddled underneath a blanket. Despite it being a warmSeptember day she couldn’t stop shivering. She had taken a few knocks since she took over as manager, but she had taken them in her stride. Besides they had all been of the black and white, transparent kind. Now, for the first timein her life she was exposed to the fluid boundaries between exploitation and betrayal.She had just carried out the most heinous act and yet she felt victimized. How can you possibly feel sorry for yourself and at the same time be riddled with guilt? She wondered.

Jayne cried, watched TV and cried some more. And then she decided to get drunk. She didn’t like whiskey but it was all there was. She never made it home that night.

From that day onwards she made sure the fridge was properly stocked with white wine, champagne and a choice of chilled spirits. Today she had a good reasonto break the rule again.

Bloody Jason. Bloody, bloody useless Jason! Jayne muttered as she unscrewed thetop of the gin bottle. She was so wound up that she droppedhalf of the icecubes onto the floor. The rest ended up in the sink. “ Now see what you made me do! You selfish moron! ”

So typical of him to jump things on her at the last moment instead of discussing his plans like a mature adult. Had it been down to him they would have been bankrupt years ago. Jayne closed the door to the main office, collapsed into her armchair clutching a large gin and tonic, minus the ice, and wasted a good twenty minuteschannel-hopping. None of the programmes caught her interest so she flung the remote control onto the floor. It didn’t occur to her that she was too young to dwell for so long on the past. There was nobody around to tell her that loneliness can play funny tricks on the human mind.

It was a Saturday afternoon in October, 18th of October if she wasn’t mistaken, three months after her 15th Birthday. Her Dad was taking her out for lunch. He had asked Jason as well but as usual he refused to come. Jason still hadn’t forgiven his Dad for remarrying. Every single detail about that day was etched into Jayne’s mind as clear as a digital photograph.She remembered exactly what she wore, a pair of faded jeans with a tear across one knee, a grey T-shirt and a black jersey fleece. Dirty trainers. Three silver studs in each earlobe. Purple lipstick and slightly smudged mascara.

This was her ‘teenage statement’,. She liked her new look, the chance to finally shred the years of girly innocence.

“ You sure? ” Her Dad asked when he saw her leap down the stairs.

“ Uh-hum. ”

“ Shame. I was going to take you to see a friend of mine, who’s just opened a restaurant. Ithought,with your sudden interest in cooking you might have liked to chat to the chef but not sure is…er outfit will go down well with the décor. ”

“ Oh, Dad! ”

Instead they went a large family pub on the other side of town.

“ I cannot believe my lovely teenage daughter has turned into a slob. ” Ralph said when Jayne splodged ketchup and vinegar all over her fish and chips.

“ Bet you were too once, Daddy dearest. ” Jayne said, with her sweetest, mocking smile. She felt rebellion swelling within; she couldn’t help it.

She pushed her chair back and went up to the bar to ask for more sauces.

The barman gave her a couple of sachets. “ Now be off with you. Children aren’t allowed at the bar.”

“ Why not? Anyway I’m not a child.”

He shook his head. “Just because. And yes you are. Now, scoot. ”

On the way home she saw him. Him! He wore a dark blue shirt, and pale grey Chinos. Although he was walking at least fifty yards ahead of them, and although she couldn’t see his face, she knew it was him. Something about the way he walked, with a bouncy tread, like an athlete about to take off in a lightfooted sprint. What was she going to do? For the past year she had longed to see him again, now she was too nervous to do anything. And then opportunity passed. Her Dad turned the corner and Jayne’s last glimpse of Aquila faded into memory.

“ It probably wasn’t him anyway. “ Charlotte said when Jayne told her years later.

“ Just wishful thinking. ”

This was another habit Jayne had indulged in lately; replaying past conversations between herself and Charlotte, even making up imaginary ones.

Jayne felt Charlotte’s absence deeply. She hadn’t realised just how much time and energy her friend had devoted to the hotel, until it was withdrawn. Charlotte had frequently stayed behind to chip in. She helped in the bar or restaurant when they were short-staffed. Afterwards the two of them sat in the conservatory,winding down after a long, hectic day, shoes and stockings off, cooling their sore feet and drinking navy rum. Funny how memories tend to pivot around food and drink. Jayne thought.

“ You mold the past to suit yourself.We all do it. In another ten years time you’ll find a different version of the truth. ” Charlotte said, her chiselled face barely visible in the moonless night. How Jayne missed those late night talks. Wonder what you’re up to now?

Jayne poured herself another drink, then changed her mind. Perhaps she’d have it later. She knew she was falling into the trap of drinking alone far too often. She changed into shorts and T-shirt andvia the back stairs to avoid the front lobby.

Staying clear of the popular route that looped around the small copse that edged the lawn and ended by the duck pond she chose to follow the path that led away from the hotel, shielded from view by a tall row of hawthorn shrubs, between the greenhouses, through the orchard and into the woods.Part of it belonged to the estate, part of it to the adjoining farm. Nobody knew where the boundaries between the two properties were and nobody really cared since theyhad an amicable understanding with the farmer, Mr Reed. Jayne took little notice of the fenced off building site next to the barn. Reed had soldpart of his land to a new development. According to local rumours it would be one of those new pubs that seemed to spring up everywhere. She couldn’t remember which chain it was, nor did she care much since it wouldn’t be direct competition for the hotel. In fact they may attract more customers. An hour later she was back in My Sanctuary, sweatyand breathless, but the endorphin fix had worked. She collapsed onto the bed,unable tostop smiling.It was a while since she’d felt like singing in the shower.She’d had an idea.

Chapter two

“ All sorted, Jayne.” Silvia said.

“ Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. ”

“ So you should. It took me all afternoon to persuade him. ” Silvia smiled at the thought. “ Now will you please tell me what this is all about? ”

“ Not yet. You’ll find out next time you come to England but it’ll be worth it, trust me. And Silvia, please don’t mention any of this to Dad. ”

“ Why not? Why all this secrecy?

“ Because I haven’t had time to think it through properly. ”

“ Well, I hope you know what you’re doing. Guilleano doesn’t come cheap. ”

“ I do, I do, don’t worry. ” Jayne realised she was trying to convince herself. Last night she’d been too fired up to sleep but spent half the night, putting a plan together. Now the first wave of doubts began to wash over her enthusiasm. “ Say hi to Dad. I’ll be in touch soon, I promise.”

“ No, wait. Don’t hang up yet. He’s just walked in. I’llhand you over.”

Silvia kissed her husband and passed the phone to him. “ Your daughter. ”

She took a cold beer out of the fridge and held it towards Ralph, but he shook his head. For five minutes he didn’t speak, just frowned and tapped his fingers against the tabletop. Jayne was obviously in the middle of explaining something.

Silvia decided to leave them to it. She needed a little time to clear her head. She turned the hot tap on full and tipped a capful of patchouli oil into the bathwater when she remembered that she’d forgotten to put her braback on. It was still in tucked inside the sidepocket of her handbag,

She felt an odd blend of relief and disappointment that, apart from a glow to her cheeks her face looked the same as always.

“ Nobody needs to know. ” She whispered to the mirror.

Five minutes later she heard Ralph coming up the stairs. He knocked before opening the door, something he’d never done before. And he was still fully dressed, hadn’t even taken off his jacket and tie, whereas usually he would walk into the room naked, carrying a bottle of champagne. Soft background music would fill the room. The house was linked to a surround sound stereo system, eventhe utility room haddiscreet speakers in every corner. One of the things that welded the two of theminto a solid, inseparable union wastheir shared loved of music.A passionate, singular harmony.

And usually, by now Silvia would have lita row candles on the edge of the cornerbath.She would slip deeper into the water and flick a handful of foam at Ralph while she waited for him to climb into the tub, but today she sat up abruptly and covered her breasts with one arm. Today there were no music, no candles, no champagne.

“ Aren’t you going to join me? ” She asked. Suddenly, acting and sounding normal had become such an effort.

Silvia had always been a truthful, forthright person. To her it was as natural as breathing, not something that should be rehearsed. Now the artificial metallic ring of her voice sounded like themerciless clang of battledrums.

Ralph said nothing, just sat gazingout of the window. He seemed to have forgotten she was there. Silvia rested her elbowsagainst the side of the tub and watched himas he kept running one hand through his hair, clearly deeply preoccupied.

The emotional distance between them was deeply unsettling. If only she could step outside herself for a moment to see if betrayal was reflected on her face. “ Well, are you?”

“ Sorry, Silvie. I still have a backlog of work to finish. ” Ralph checked his watch.

“ Besides it’s only four thirty. ”

“ Of course. I got a little ahead of the clock, I’m afraid.”

Ralph turned his back on her, stood for a moment looking out of the window. It faced the garden but she doubted he paid any attention to it, lush and colourful as it was.

His behaviour was odd but perhaps he had good reasons. After all she was the one had secrets to shield. Silvia let the silence settle before she broke it again.

“ I’ll get out and cook dinner in a minute. ”

“ No, don’t bother. Let me get this work out of the way, then we’ll go out for a meal. ”

“ Uhm, that’ll be nice. Been a while, hasn’t it? ” That didn’t sound like me. Silvia thought.

Ralph looked at her without smiling. “ I’ll book us a table. See you downstairs in a while.”

“ Ralph, darling, ” Silvia called after him as he was about to shut the door.

He stuck his head around the doorway. “ Yes? ”

“ You do know that I love you. ”

Ralph raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

After he’d gone downstairs she turned the hot tap back on, sat watching the heavy flow of water cascade into the foam. The pipes gurgled and spluttered, were probably caked up. They needed servicing, or perhaps needed ripping out completely. The taps were so old that most of the chrome had worn away. What a strange time to be thinking about plumbing. Silvia thought. She sighed and sank deeper into the water. Of course he was puzzled. You do know that I love you.She shouldn’t have said it. You do know that I love you.They never mentioned the word ‘love’ in broad daylight. There was noneed to affirm the way they felt about each other. All verbal interchangeof affection belonged to the velvety darkness of their bedroom. Of course he would be puzzled by this sudden, unexpectedexclamation. Silvia doubted he had any workload to catch up with, the office was very quiet at the moment. She could see him, leant against the crumbling patio wall,clutching a glass of whiskey, looking across the bay, searching for clues. An acceptable explanation to why she, his easy-going, passionate wife was wound up like a spring.

Earlier this afternoon Silvia had spent a couple hour exchanging dirty whispers in another man’s bed. She couldn’t undo what had happened and part of her didn’t regret it. Now she had begun lying, she had to continue telling lies and more importantly keep track of them. How did some people find it so easy to cheat and invent alibis? A chain of questions kept running through her mind. Why had she done it?She and Ralph were happy, there was no sexual frustration, no scores to settle. So why?She knew what was going to happen when she went to see Guilliano. So why hadn’t she stayed away?

Most of her friends thrived on the thrill of their parallel lives, without guilt or scruples. They called her simple-minded and naive, sometimes even stupid. And now...how easy it had been….

To sober her mind Silvia replayed her conversation with Jayne earlier that morning. Her request had been most unusual, especially the urgency of it. She usually phoned late on Sunday afternoon, mostly to update them the latesthotel gossip and have a good moan about Jason and Tasmin.

This time she had called eight o’clock in the morning,seven a.m. in England.Jayne didn’t normally have to be at the office until 9 o’clock.

She sounded breathless and had skipped smalltalk completely.

“ Everything all right? ”

“ Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t it be? But...er ... I have a favour to ask you.I need you to find me a chef, a local one..”

“ Local? ”

“ Yes, as an Italian one. ” Jayne sounded impatient. “ As soon as possible. Something I need to try out.Please? ”

“ And for this you need an Italian chef? Why? What’s wrong with Monty? ”

“ Nothing. As you well know. He’s brilliant.”

“ Then I really can’t see.... ” This request was most bizarre, especially the urgency of it.

“ Please! ”

Silvia gave up digging for clues. Jayne was obviously determined not to reveal whatever she was up to. Guess I’ll find out soon enough. Silvia tried other subjects to distract herself, she listed her ten favourite songs, her ten favourite novels but only got to five, before her thoughts slipped back to this afternoon

Her mind and body was preoccupied by one thing only. Deep down she knew she didn’t want to fight it, that she wanted to indulge herself a little longer.

She ran a finger across her lips, followed the trail of his finger acrossher collar bone, her nipples, a few hours earlier..

After ending the call to Jayne Silvia ploughed through her address book. She knew quite a few chefs personally and knew of a great many more by reputation but only one person stood out. Guilliano Donizetti.

She plunged in head first and phoned him straight away.

“ You are in luck. It happens to be my day off. ”

Silvia gave him the address of their office. “ Shall we say 11.30? ”

“ No, no, I don’t want to meet in some stuffy office. Only one way to talk business. You have lunch at my house. I want to try out a new dish.”

Silvia knocked several times but since Guilliano didn’t answer the door she went along a narrow path that led to the back of the cottage. A vast patio edged by hardy green shrubs and overhung by an icyblue sky. Guilliano was sitting on the terrace, in a massive cane chair, wearing only a pair of navy blue swimming trunks, his hair still damp. Next to him wasa table was set for two, a bottle of wine chilling in an icebucket.

He turned his head and sent her a lazy smile “ Silvia, welcome. ” He stood up when he saw her and threw his cigaret butt into a flowerpot, took her hand and led her over to the table. “Come now, sit. Enjoy the sun. ”

He poured a glass of wine for each of them and sat down opposite her. “So what is this business proposal you wish to discuss? ”

Silvia’s decision that straight negotiating was the best approach didn’t work.

Guilliano was clearly determined to play hard ball.“ Why should I go to England and cook? The English know nothing about food and yet they write all these books.They have no love for cooking, they have no taste. ”

“ Years ago, perhaps.Nowadays English chefs are quite...”

“ No, no, no! Not another word about English chefs. And now we eat.”

Damn! She thought after he’d gone inside. I’ll have to find somebody else.

Guilliano returned with the food. At least he’d put a shirt on. His naked chest was far too distracting.

Silvia tried a different approach. Flattery.

She scooped a spoonful of squid paste onto her fork It had a faint aftertaste of lemon “This is absolutely divine, Guilliano.”

“ Of course it is! ”

“ Jayne told me she’ll only accept a top quality chef, someone who can live up to her standards. I don’t know the full details yet, but she did mention you. Your reputation is renowned even outside Italy. ” Silvia resented having to tell a lie, even a white one andcursed Jayne for her secrecy. How could she possibly negotiate when she didn’t know what it was all about? It made her look like a fool.

Jayne hadn’t mentioned a salary, probably hadn’t thought about it. Silvia would have to agree to anything Guilliano demanded, on Jayne’s behalf, otherwise he would never accept. If Jayne wanted a top-class chef she’d have to cough up the dosh.

“ You’re right. I am the best. ” Guilliano smirked. “ Too good for some

second-rate hotel. ”

“ It is more like a palazzo, in the countryside. ”

“ Si, whatever. The answer is still no. ”

Silvia’s second card was emotional blackmail.

“ Okay, since you are not interested, I’ll ask Alfredo Vellacio. He’s the head chef at Prima.You must have heard of him He was my first choice anyway. They all say he’s a rising star. Apparently he’s being headhunted so I may be too late. IJust thought I’d give you the opportunity for a fresh challenge. ”

“ Alfredo, bah! His head should be on a stake. He is useless. But do go ahead and ask him ” Guilliano grinned at her. “ Nice try, Silvia. ”

Silvia got up, leant against the stone wall. She needed time to rethink her strategy. Damn Jayne for putting me in this awkward situation. The whole thing was ludicrous.The narrow strip of sand curved itself around the still water like a golden snake.The lush hills that rose behind her cast dark blue shadows onto the turquoise water. The sea itself looked like a deep, ancient pool.She leant a little further towards the eighty footdrop below. It drew her, filled her with an urge to climb and dive.Guilliano’s cottage was situated much higher than her own which sat across the bay. She couldn’t see it from here but she could just make out the road leading towards it,a narrow pencil line, swirling in and out between clusters of trees.

“ Sit back down. ” Guilliano called out behind her. “ I hate it when women pace about. Relax, havemore wine. ”

He took the bottle out of its silver icebucket and refilled both glasses.

“ Why bother anyway? Forget all that hotel business. Life’s too short.You must learn to enjoy yourself.” Guillianotook her hand, then turned it, stroked her palm so gently , that it sent sparklers up her arm.She ought to release his grip, she ought to get up and leave. I shouldn’t have come here. I need to get away before...“. Silviacouldn’t contain anything other than the April sun warming herback and the soft kisses, now reaching the inside hollow on her elbow. They were halfway through their second bottle of Sancerre and she felt too giddy to move.She closed her eyes and listened to Guilliano’s deep, mellow voice, a voice filled with kisses intermingled with the soft waves caressing the wall below.

Silvia realised she was far too close to her last option, the one she had been determined not to take, the one option she was no longer able to resist.

“ Your lips are too soft, your eyes are too beautiful. You are not a woman, you’re a goddess, a siren, come to lure an innocent man into the abyss. ” Guilliano leant on one elbow, watching her.

“ There is nothing innocent about you. ” Silvia replied. She fell back against the pillow,her body heavy against the crisp sheets. Jayne’s request was forgotten, Ralph was forgotten. All she could think about was the light touch against the hollow of her belly. She didn’twant toleave this bed, not ever but Guilliano had other plans. He took her by the hand and dragged her out of bed.

. “ Come on, time for dessert. ”

They were back on the terrace, only this time they were naked.

“ You are sitting in my chair, my beautiful lady sits in my chair. ” he said.

She went to sit on his lap while he fed her pomegranates and icecream.

Driving home. her vagina still pulsating. A lightweighton a crescent wave.

Silvia stepped out of the tub and rubbed herself down. She drew a heart on the steamed-up mirror, then wiped it clean. It can never happen again she decided. Shaky grounds.

Ralph seemed more relaxed once they were in the restaurant but Silvia still felt edgy. By the time the main course was placed before them she had told him about Jayne’s decision to employ an Italian chef. Although she’d promised not to say anything she’d rather upset Jayne than having Ralph find out some other way that she been to seeGuilliano.

“ I did think she sounded a bit odd. Did you manage to sneak anything out of

her? ”

“ Not a peep. A rock would have been more forthcoming. ”

“ Yes, not like Jayne at all. Keeping secrets has never been her style. ”

“ So, did you manage to snare Guilliano?

“ I did, but the price was far to high.”Silvia watched Ralph as she spoke but couldn’t detect any doubt or suspicion in his eyes.. “ He asked for twice as much as Monty. ”

Ralph frowned. “ I’d better have a word with Jayne tomorrow. She can’t possibly afford to be this extravagant. I hope she’s not losing the plot. ”

“ You don;t think the hotel’s inin trouble? ” Silvia asked.

“ Nothing above the usual. ”

Silvia was finally able to relax. Maybe Jayne’s odd behaviour was all that troubled him. To Ralph his daughter was still a novice in the business, although compared to Jason she had provedfar more steely and reliable. It had been a huge risk to leave her in charge of the hotel but nobody could fault her enthusiasm.She sent regular emails and discussed all urgent matters with Ralph over the phone. Everything was open and transparent. This was the first time she’d ever sprung a surprise on them, one that may turn out to bea costly one. Of course he would be worried. Still Silvia decided to put the subject to rest for now. As for this afternoon....

Silvia watched her husband while he studied the menu, something he always fussed over for a while although he always ended up ordering one of his two favourites. They went for a stroll after the meal, holding hands. When they spooned up in bed later that night everything seemed back to normal.