Page 40 of Never Too Late
Steph refused to be intimidated. ‘Ethan said that nothing happened between the two of you and I believe him; not that it matters to me what did or didn’t happen, because we’ve split up. What have you told Denver?’ She held up an admonitory hand to stop Willow retorting. ‘This is for your own good, honestly. I’m here to help.’
Willow made another couple of attempts to stand her ground before her shoulders slumped. ‘I haven’t told him anything. At least, I said I spent the night just wandering about or sitting on the beach. We had a major bust-up, you see. It’s been building up for a few days.’
‘So Ethan said. And did he believe you?’
‘I don’t know. He was pretty mad, and he stormed off before breakfast. I haven’t seen him since.’
‘What I need to know is what you intend to do. Do you want to stay with Denver, or what?’
By now Willow was looking more like a dejected teenager than a grown woman. ‘I like Ethan, but just as a friend. I wasn’t really thinking straight last night, or I wouldn’t have gone to his room, but I couldn’t think of anybody else. I like Den, but he gets crazy when he’s on drugs.’
Steph took a couple of deep breaths. ‘Well, if you want my advice you’ll dump him or at the very least give him an ultimatum: you or the drugs. How did he get his hands on drugs? Did he bring them with him from the States?’
Willow shook her head. ‘No, he met up with some guy when we were in Florence last week and got the stuff from him. That’s why we went there.’
Steph remembered the way Denver had appeared unusually relaxed that evening and been kissing people. ‘And he’s the one who’s been giving drugs to Ethan?’ Seeing Willow nod, she did a bit of quick thinking and made a decision. ‘Look, for now why don’t you tell him you spent the night in my room? I’ll back you up if he asks me. That way he can’t accuse you or Ethan of anything. But then if I were you I’d distance myself from him. Is there anybody you know over here in Europe where you could go and stay?’
Willow nodded. ‘I’ve got a friend who’s staying not far from here. I expect I can go and stay there.’
‘Great. Then get onto this friend and just go. Tell Denver he can call you when he’s cleaned up his act and if he doesn’t, you’re better off without him. If you want, I’ll drive you there myself in the minibus. Cesare said I could borrow it if I needed it.’
‘Thank you but I’m sure my friend will come and pick me up.’
When she got back downstairs she spotted Ethan sitting alone at a table, so she went over to see him. She explained what had transpired between her and Willow and saw an expression of relief and considerable gratitude flood over his face.
‘Steph, that’s brilliant. Thanks so much. You got me out of a real hole, and I owe you, big time.’
‘Well then, if you owe me, I want you to do something for me in return: give up all this drug nonsense. You don’t need that sort of thing. Your life’s good, your career’s going great, and with your name going to be forever associated with Royalty, the sky’s the limit for you and the company. If you really want to repay me, do us both a favour and get clean.’
Chapter 18
That evening Steph agonised over what to wear for her dinner date with Rob before deciding to keep things laid back and she settled on shorts and the T-shirt with his name and picture on it that she had bought at the concert in Fiesole as a souvenir. This should at least give him a laugh. After collecting the food Donatella had been keeping in the fridge for her, she set off down to the beach and up the path to Rob’s house. As before, she was intercepted en route by the Labrador who gave her a boisterous welcome. When she got to the door and Rob appeared, she saw him take in the new T-shirt and grin.
‘Now that’s just plain mean. How am I supposed to keep my eyes on your face when all I see is my own face?’
‘I hope you’ll be far too busy keeping your eyes on the cookery lesson, Mr Bailey.’ She adopted a schoolmistress tone. ‘I expect my students to pay attention at all times.’
‘Yes, miss.’ He bowed with mock servility. ‘Do come in, please.’
Once again she avoided kissing him, even on the cheeks, and just walked in past him. ‘It’s good to see you. Thanks for the invitation.’
Without waiting for him to respond she went through to the kitchen and unloaded her purchases onto the worktop, closely supervised by the dog and less covetously by his master. She was quick to tell him about the most important ingredient: ‘I bought a new packet of Carnaroli rice just in case you didn’t have any in the house. As it’s the main ingredient, my dad always instilled into me that it has to be Carnaroli. No other rice will do for a real risotto.’
‘I didn’t know that. Maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong.’ Rob appeared at her side and studied the food on the worktop. ‘It looks like you’ve bought ham and salami as well. You didn’t need to go to all this trouble.’
‘It’s hand-cut cured ham that the man at the shop in Lerici told me comes from his uncle’s farm in the hills, and the sausage isfinocchiona, which I love for the spicy fennel taste. There’s focaccia and goat’s cheese, and for dessert I just bought some pastries. I thought about having a go at making you my dad’s very own tiramisù, but I would have had to start this morning so it could set in the fridge and we’ve been in the studio all day.’
‘You shouldn’t have…’ He went over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle. ‘I’ve got some of Donatella’s uncle’s homemade sparkling white. Feel like helping me drink it?’
‘Useful things, uncles. Yes, thanks, I’d love a glass.’
Steph finished putting the ham and the other bits and pieces in the fridge while Rob opened the wine and filled two glasses. ‘Here, to the chef!’
They clinked their glasses together and she took a sip of the wine. It was remarkably good. ‘Mmh, yum. What time do you normally eat? I’ll need ten minutes to sort out the antipasti, and then the risotto will take about twenty-five minutes or so.’
‘Whatever suits you: eight, or earlier or later. You choose.’
‘Eight’s fine with me. So that gives us over an hour before we need to start preparing the food. What do you want to do? I’m very happy to accompany you on the piano if you feel like a bit more practice.’
