Beyond The Island by Mackenzie Brenda

Author:Mackenzie, Brenda [Mackenzie, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2015-05-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Soaking in a deep foamy bath, Joanne tried to banish her worries. She could scarcely believe how her day with Fabio had turned out. Her emotions churned. She told herself not to take seriously their behaviour on the beach. The combination of a good lunch, the wine and total sense of freedom had influenced them; a typical holiday flirtation. Nevertheless, she asked herself, what if she were not due to leave Ischia at the end of her holiday? She told herself firmly not allow such fantasies.

But what had Fabio started to tell her about Renzo? She was puzzled and concerned that the opportunity to question him had been missed. Another memory flitted in of the time when Paolo, the old gardener has seemed about to say something about Renzo. Oh dear, if only she could relax. Inevitably, the warm water slowly brought a calming effect and her eyes closed. She lay back and rested her head on the end of the bath, unprepared for the sensuous feelings which swept in of being held in Fabio’s arms. As she released her breath it blew over the chilled bubbles on the water’s surface and fetched back the conviction that his action had just been spontaneous, prompted by a relaxed mood and the lazy heat of the sun. Yet, Joanne clung to the thought - there’d really been sincerity in Fabio’s voice as he’d murmured, “I’ve been longing for this.” A pulse throbbed deep down as she confirmed his sentiments reflected her own.

Joanne jerked upright, displacing the bath water which sloshed onto the floor as her musing was swept away and replaced by Fabio’s comment. He’d mentioned Renzo’s attitude with his workers. Yes! Fabio said Renzo kept a tight rein on staff and demanded detailed reports. It suddenly brought relevance to the conversation she’d overheard between those local women on the bus.

She leapt out of the bath, snatched up a large towel and applied it briskly in an attempt to rub away a nasty thought. What if that officious guide at the Winery had reported her comments? Renzo would know she’d been there and wonder why she hadn’t first asked him about the worker’s he employed. She forced herself to think things through clearly but her head buzzed as she clutched the towel against herself. He might already have been aware of her visit to the Winery for some days! Joanne gripped the cold hard edge of the bath as if it would help bring answers and strove to recall if Renzo’s might have suspected that she had. Did it really matter? Why be concerned?

But a niggling sense of something not quite right remained. Joanne sank down on the bath stool and determined to find answers. She’d send Angelina a text and ask if she could visit the next day. Surprised, she found a text waiting from Angelina on her phone. She must be telepathic.

“Are you free tomorrow? Do come out for lunch with me. I could collect you at 11.30am. Angelina xx”

Joanne replied straight away and looked forward to confiding her doubts to Angelina.

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