Page 59 of The Dolce Vita Divas
I was a grown-up. I didn’t need a sidekick or partner or companion this evening. For once I felt comfortable in my own company. There was absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t have a quiet drink, perhaps just a small snack later on, because I was still full from the lunchtime meal. And then I could think about the day, remember the sights and sounds in peace. And try to think what to do next.
And so I changed into some more comfortable and forgiving clothes. Designer dresses were all very well, but they did mean one had to maintain perfect posture for the evening and not just prepare to slump in a chair in my room, mulling over what I had said. What he had said. How he had looked. The way he still made me feel.
I found a table in a delightful little nook on the terrace. The evening was still warm enough; there were even little pipistrelle bats swooping about in the still air above me. The little girl with the rope was still skipping. The hotel cat was still sleeping, this time curled up in a flowerpot. Perhaps I wouldn’t come back as a glamorous redhead next time; maybe I’d come back as a cat. They seemed to do pretty well.
Jess had sent me a picture of Violet at a nursery school trip to a local wildlife park and there was a text from Alex asking what the pin code was for my Netflix account, which I ignored.
I checked the weather app on my phone to see what it was like back home and saw to no great surprise that it was raining.
I gave an unexpected sigh of pleasure that I wasn’t there and relaxed a little.
A waiter appeared at my side. ‘May I bring your usual, madam?’
I hada usual? I looked up at him rather blankly.
‘Pinot Grigio, madam?’
I agreed that would be lovely and sat back in my chair, feeling decidedly chic and cosmopolitan. Perhaps I should have had a cosmopolitan to celebrate the event? Maybe I was drinking too much?
No sooner had I taken the first sip of my wine than there was a bit of a commotion behind me and Ceci, Freddy, Lucia and Sylvia appeared, Sylvia leaning heavily on a stick and making a lot of fuss about the shallow steps down onto the terrace, until one of the waiters came and lent her a hand.
The sound of their conversation increased as they came closer, and they sat with me. Lucia and Sylvia had obviously been in the middle of a full-blown argument, I thought it was about their blood pressure, and I was sure their bickering wouldn’t have helped either of them. It was obvious my presence wasn’t going to stop them. I wondered why they sought each other out so much if they found the other so annoying.
‘I told you before, there is no pleasure greater than being with family. I saw so many members of my family here today, it warmed my heart. And I am sure it reduced my blood pressure. Great happiness can do that. And stroking a cat apparently,’ Ceci said.
‘Well, try stroking that cat then,’ Lucia said, jerking her head towards the tabby which was about to jump up onto a nearby table where there were some abandoned plates. ‘It will take your arm off.’
‘Cats always recognise a kindred spirit. And what a pityyourson could not be here to accompany you,’ Ceci said.
Sylvia fussed a little with her turquoise pashmina.
‘Sì, it would have been nice to have him here, but you have to understand my son’s time is not his own. He is essential for the smooth running of his department; well, for the whole European Commission actually. If they don’t employ the right people, no department can work at all.’
‘Even so, your dear son Roger is Paulo’s cousin,’ Lucia said silkily.
‘Ralph. His name is Ralph,’ Sylvia snapped, ‘as you very well know, after Ralph Waldo Emerson the famous poet. My late husband was a renowned expert?—’
‘Not after Ralph Lauren? No, of course not, not having seen that picture of him in those shorts. You don’t mind if we join you, do you?’ Ceci gave me a charming smile. ‘Freddy and I came out feeling in need of some pleasant company, but then we met Sylvia and Lucia in the hallway.’
‘Of course,’ I said. ‘Can I order you a drink?’
The waiter was already standing to attention by my side.
‘Holywell Malvern spring water,’ Sylvia said, casting an eye over my wine glass. ‘It’s what the late Queen of England used to drink. And I’m sure we have all had more than enough alcohol for one day.’
‘Yes, probably,’ Lucia said. ‘Sembra molto arrossata. You’re very flushed.’
‘It’s the company,’ Sylvia said crossly.
‘I’ll have a gin and Dubonnet. I’m sure the Queen used to like that too,’ Ceci said sweetly.
‘Anche io– me too,’ Lucia said. ‘Don’t worry about me, my liver is younger than yours and can cope with it.’
‘And my husband will have…’
Ceci stopped to look at Freddy with a questioning eyebrow and he checked his glucose levels on his iPhone.
‘Whiskey,’ he said with a smile. ‘I have a feeling I’m going to need it.’
