Page 18 of One Hot Summer

“I’ll see you back at the hotel.” I winked at Sarah before leaving the bar. Then I pulled my phone out of my bag and called Zack, so he could keep me company as I wandered back.

“Hello.” I loved hearing his voice. I couldn’t wait to see him.

“Hey, you.”

“Hey, you too, not long now. It feels as though you’ve been gone for ages.”

“I know, tell me about it. I can’t wait to see you. Have you missed me?”

“You know I have. Being in your bed isn’t the same without you here too. Bing is all right for company, but his services as a cat are limited.” I was relieved that Zack had agreed to stay over some nights, so Bing wouldn’t be alone for too long.

“Aw, Bing! I’ve missed him too.”

“Why are you out of breath?”

“I’m on my way back to the hotel.” I had a slight sprint to my step. “We met Alessandro after dinner for drinks at the bar again. I’ve left Sarah with him. He’s so funny. They’re really getting on. You won’t believe how much she’s changed since meeting him.”

“She likes him then?”

“Yes, I think so. They look good together, too. I think he is just what she needs to bring her out of her slump.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Are you back at the hotel yet?”

“Just about, I’m walking up the steps now. Need to try and avoid Maria if I can. I don’t want to start another matrimonial war. I don’t think the Catholics favour divorce very much.”

I opened the door slowly, and peeked in to check if it was safe to enter.

“There’s no one here,” I whispered. “I’ll make a run for it up the stairs. Hang on.”

I had just managed to close the door when Leonardo appeared.

“Oh, hi…” I began.

“Shh.” He put his finger to his mouth and handed me a small package. “Put in your suitcase.” He finished handing over the illicit goods and then quietly shuffled back through the kitchen door.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Zack asked.

“Yeah, my new adopted grandad appeared, and has given me a small parcel.”

“What’s inside it?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion.” I sprinted up the stairs and made it into my room, almost dropping the phone while fishing about in my bag for the key. I sat down on the couch and put the parcel on the coffee table, along with my phone on loudspeaker. I unwrapped the thin cloth and there was a large batch of chocolate biscotti. “Ha! Amazing.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a load of chocolate biscotti. Bless him! Now you’ll be able to try some, if I don’t eat it all tonight. There is a lot of it, though, it might push my luggage allowance over the limit. I’ll have to give Sarah half of it. Unless he has another batch for her too.” I secretly hoped he did.

“So then, how much have you eaten on this trip? More or less than you’d expected?”

“More. Absolutely more. You won’t recognise me. I’ve gained enough weight to throw the plane off balance.”

“Well, I hope you will be sharing that biscotti with me. We can gain weight together.”

“I’m sure we’ll find a way to burn it off.”

“Ha, I’m sure we will.”

I loved how much I could laugh with Zack about anything. He wasn’t insecure in any way, and the way he treated me made me feel really confident about myself. However, I couldn’t get Sarah’s words out of my mind about the twenty-something-year-olds. They’re young, gorgeous and obsessed with image, with special thanks to TikTok, Instagram and Love Island. Do I still need to compete with them? Look at Max The Wanker. He was in a happy, secure relationship with my amazing friend, Sarah, who would have done anything for him, not to mention she’s absolutely stunning, but his head was still turned by a twenty-something. What guarantee do any of us have of a happy ever after?

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