An Italian Village Mystery Series: Books 1-3 (A Cozy Mystery Box Set) by Adriana Licio

Author:Adriana Licio [Licio, Adriana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9788832249064
Publisher: The HomeTravellers Press
Published: 2020-01-23T22:00:00+00:00

The man at the Buon Giove reception desk looked down his nose at Giò. With his well-trained eye, he could distinguish between Donna Baran ripped jeans selling at 900 euros a pair and ordinary high-street clothes. She was definitely below average when it came to expensively branded items of clothing.

With a derisive sniff, the receptionist allowed her to pass him and go into the garden, where Kate and Mike, to Giò’s horror, were still having their breakfast. They were sitting comfortably under a white gazebo at a wrought iron table where fine porcelain cups, a Sheffield silver teapot and silver cutlery had been arranged on a white Flanders linen tablecloth. When the waitress arrived, bringing the most delicious, colourful food, Giò regretted having had her breakfast at home.

“Oh, dearest Giò, you’re already here. I love your work ethic.”

Mike was more of an introvert than Kate, but he pulled out a chair and invited Giò to sit with them. “This salmon is delicious, we couldn’t resist a full breakfast.”

Giò smiled but her heart sank, anticipating that the breakfast would inflate her bill for their rooms.

“Shall I ask the waitress to lay the table for you too?” Kate asked.

“Thanks for asking, but I’ve already had my breakfast, I’m fine.” But her mouth was watering.

“We really want you to know how much we appreciate all of this.” Kate stretched out her arms to take in the perfect lawns running between lemon and orange trees with their glossy dark leaves, the huge infinity pool overflowing into the sea, and the elegant mansion house’s façade made from local stone, roses climbing up its walls. “Maratea is an incredible place, I’m so glad you brought us here. It’s quite a trek, but well worth the effort.”

Giò was befuddled. Maratea wasn’t exactly summed up by the Buon Giove Hotel, any more than The Savoy epitomised London or the Hôtel Ritz Paris.

“I really hope you’re going to like the Conference Hotel. The staff are very kind, and they are waiting for us.”

“Do you have some brochures?”

“Yes, of course,” said Giò.

“I knew we could rely on you. Let’s finish breakfast and get down to work.”

It actually took 45 minutes for the judges to finish their breakfast. Giò couldn’t believe how much food two stomachs could contain. Then Mike said he was going for a round of golf.

“After all,” he said, “it’s always women who decide on the accommodation.”

“But we should visit the hotel, and I wanted to show you Maratea town centre. They’re going to open Palazzo De Lieto just for you…”

“Kate can sort out all that stuff, the golf course is calling me.”

Kate laughed at Giò’s disconcerted expression as Mike left. “Dear Giò, you should know what men are like. You’re 40-something, aren’t you?”

“I’m 38!” Giò, prickly as a chestnut husk, corrected her. She was used to people thinking her younger rather than older.

“Sure, 38. Still old enough to know that most work gets done by women at the end of the day, and women only! Let’s move to that gazebo closer to the edge of the cliff.

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