Page 18 of A Chance in a Million
‘Yes, I’m pleased to say. We always spoke English in the house and they went to school here in Venice so they automatically learnt both languages. All three went to university in the UK as well so they’re as bilingual as you could hope for. They certainly speak Italian a whole lot better than I ever will.’
‘What about little Linda? Does she speak English? How old is she?’
‘She’s seven. She just had her birthday last month. She doesn’t speak a lot of English, but she’s getting better. Her father, Dario, only spoke Italian and he insisted on sending her to an Italian school in Rome, so although Beatrice tried talking to her in English it’s been mostly Italian in their house up till last year and the divorce. Still, she understands pretty well and her mum’s been speaking more English to her recently so who knows? You know what kids are like for picking things up.’
‘She sounds like a bright little girl.’
‘Oh, she’s bright all right. I’m sure you two will get on like a house on fire.’ She was sounding noticeably enthused at the prospect of seeing her granddaughter again.
‘And you said that Diana’s studying fashion. She gets that from you, presumably.’
Veronica nodded. ‘I suppose so. She’s determined to become the next Coco Chanel… or more probably the next Vivienne Westwood or somebody equally eccentric. You wait until you see her clothes. When she came over at Christmas she was half naked underneath what looked like a native American blanket.’
Jane giggled at the thought. ‘Can’t have been too comfortable on a transatlantic flight.’
‘Comfort doesn’t register with her. It’s all about making an impression; shock and awe. You’ll see.’
Jane couldn’t miss the life that had come into Veronica’s eyes since they’d started talking about family. It made sense that, even as Veronica withdrew from society and locked herself away, she’d still want to be with her nearest and dearest. Jane was looking forward to seeing the family reunited and, hopefully, seeing Veronica’s mood continue to lift.
‘And David, does he share Diana’s taste in extravagant clothing?’
‘Anything but. He spends most of his time looking like a tramp.’ Veronica’s tone was sombre once again, and Jane realised she might have inadvertently spoiled the mood. ‘I wish he would look after himself a bit more but he just doesn’t care.’
‘Do he and his sisters get on?’
‘Very well. He dotes on his little sister in particular.’
‘Any idea when he’s coming back?’
Veronica held up her hands helplessly. ‘That’s anybody’s guess. Some time in early July, I believe. He’ll just turn up one day and that’ll be that. Like I said, he’s not exactly the world’s greatest communicator.’
Chapter 10
Late that afternoon, after unpacking and setting up the computer and printer, Jane slipped into her running gear and went out to survey the terrain before turning her hand to bicycle maintenance. Opening her front door, she almost tripped over a sleeping Dino stretched out on her doormat, enjoying the shade as the sun began to set on the rear of the house. He opened one eye, looked up and his tail began to wag lazily.
‘Hello, dog. Are you going to show me around? Coming for a walk?’
The magic word did the trick and she was soon jogging down through open fields towards a little copse of trees, the dog scampering happily ahead of her. From here she had an excellent view down over the red tiled roofs of the little village they had passed on the way up. There was a very old-looking church tower, and beyond it, the other side of the valley rose steeply to the pyramid-shaped summit of a big hill, on top of which there was an unsightly cluster of TV masts. She resolved to explore the area in depth as the weeks went by. It certainly looked as though there would be no shortage of picturesque walks or running trails.
When they reached the trees at the bottom of the property, the dog disappeared down a path into thick bushes and she followed. Seconds later there was an almighty splash and she emerged from the bushes to find a very happy-looking Labrador doggy-paddling about in a lake the size of a pair of tennis courts. All around were weeping willows whose branches cast shadows across the remarkably blue water.
‘Oh, God, Dino. You’re going to get me into trouble. Come on out, will you?’
He made no attempt to comply, even when she scouted around for a stick and threw it in for him to retrieve. He did indeed swim over and catch it in his mouth, but he didn’t show any signs of wanting to bring it back to her, so she resigned herself to spending the rest of her run in the company of a smelly wet dog. She stood and looked on, noticing for the first time that there was a raft moored in the middle of the lake with a ladder attached to the side. Presumably this meant that the pool wasn’t just for dogs. The sun was low on the horizon by now and the shadows were lengthening, but she decided to come back one day when it was hot and try it for herself – after checking with Alvise first to be sure it was all right to swim here.
After a while she thought it was time to carry on with her run – with or without the dog – so she addressed him in her sternest voice. ‘Dino, come on. I’m off. You heard – come here, boy!’
To her surprise it worked and the next thing she knew she was running for shelter as the bouncy – and very soggy – dog decided to come up to her and shake himself enthusiastically. Just managing to avoid a shower of probably not very fragrant water, she set off again and Dino was soon running ahead of her, leading her on a tour through the grasslands surrounding the villa. There was a clearly discernible path that snaked across the open fields before looping back again, so presumably it was a regular circuit for the occupants of the property – presumably David and his four-legged friend. It took about twenty minutes to run all the way round, so she did two circuits before heading back up to the villa. By this time the Labrador, while still not exactly dry, was a lot less wet than before, but she felt she should warn Veronica and her mother-in-law just in case he decided to trot into the villa and start rolling about on the carpets. By this time the little Fiat was parked outside and she found Alvise sitting on a bench by the back door, enjoying the last rays of the setting sun. Attached to the villa beyond them was an amazing domed conservatory, packed with a seemingly impenetrable wall of greenery, that looked more like Kew Gardens than Italy.
‘Good evening, Jane. Had a good run?’
‘Yes, thanks. I’ve just come to warn you that the dog’s been for a swim and he’s still wet.’
‘We’re used to that here. We keep a towel specially for that purpose.’ He turned and called through the open door and Maria appeared almost immediately with a big towel in her hands. Jane reached for it.
‘I’ll do that. It’s my fault for taking him down by the lake. I didn’t realise it was there but I’ll know for the future.’
Maria protested but Jane grabbed the towel and set about drying the dog who quite clearly loved this part of the operation and was soon rolling about on the grass making happy little grunting noises as she dried his tummy. Finally, as she dried the dog’s paws one by one, she glanced up at Alvise.
