‘I mean, I love it here, but I haven’t stayed anywhere for more than a few months, not for a long time. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what opportunities present themselves, you know? See which direction the wind blows.’
Amy wondered if he was thinking about Billie’s suggestions. The opportunity to head up a team of chefs in a London restaurant would be difficult to turn down, she supposed. Although Billie could be rather disingenuous with her ideas, and Amy had learnt over the years never to assume the plan was still the plan until the last moment. It made for a lot of last-minute calls to airports and hotels, but it was part of the way Billie rolled. Not that Tad would be aware of Billie’s flaky side.
But if Billie was serious about the restaurant idea and was serious about including Tad in her plan, it would mean Tad would end up working in the Billie bubble alongside her. If Billie also pulled off her idea for taking the cameras into the dining room as well as the kitchens – there would be more than enough to keep Billie occupied in London, no need to head off travelling for a while.
It would bring together everything Amy wanted, wouldn’t it? So why was she staring at Tad, hoping Billie’s offer turned out to be nothing more than another of her fly-by-night plans. Why didn’t Amy want him to have the opportunities Billie might offer? Why didn’t she want him in London, with her? Why did she have this desire to eradicate everyone else from the face of the earth, so she could have his full and total attention forever?
Amy touched the dome of the snow globe once more, pulling in a deep breath. Everything was such a muddle in her mind, a knotted string impossible to pick apart.
‘That reminds me,’ Tad said. ‘Any chance we could swing by the market, get some fresh lemons? I did promise, so we’re learning how to make the classic lemon tart in our final lesson tomorrow. I bought some fruit the other day, but I’m thinking – this is Billie’s last lesson, so it needs to be exceptional. And the fresher the lemons, the better the flavour.’
‘Is it really our last lesson tomorrow? This week has gone by so quickly.’
‘Flown past,’ he said, then gestured around the souvenir shop. ‘Do you want to get anything in here?’
‘No. I don’t think so.’
Tad took her hand, and they made for the streets again. Far too soon they were wandering up the twisting cobbled road towards Casa del Cibo, Tad swinging in his free hand a bag of the largest lemons Amy had ever set eyes on.
Before they rounded the final bend, Tad ground to a halt.
‘Once we get back, I’m going to need to get on with the prep for tonight’s dinner, not to mention for tomorrow’s lesson – and I kind of assumed you’ll be needing to catch up with Billie. But can we meet up later? Over dinner, maybe? Or afterwards? Go for a drink?’
‘That sounds perfect. Yes please,’ she said, tipping her face to his as he swooped in for a kiss, which didn’t last nearly long enough.
‘Good. That’s really good,’ he said, catching her hand and squeezing it as they rounded the corner, and Casa del Cibo came into view.
In the lobby, they smiled at one another. Tad pushed a strand of her hair back behind her shoulder, his fingers resting there for a few moments longer than necessary, and Amy wanted nothing more than to melt against him, to forget about Billie and dinner and preparations for tomorrow’s lesson, to forget everything and lose herself in him. He sighed, pulling his hand away.
‘I’d better get on. See you later.’
‘Yes.’ She watched him as he headed for the kitchens. She loitered, not sure what to do or where to go. She could hear an irritated voice in the large reception room to her left, another beautiful space, lit by a pair of enormous picture windows during the day and huge chandeliers at night; timeless with an intricately designed parquet floor partly covered by a huge rug and littered with a mismatch of beautiful Italian sofas and chairs. One entire wall was covered with integrated shelving, lined with hundreds of cookery books collected from across the globe and available for guests to browse through. Peering round the doorway to see who was speaking, Amy could see Clare’s boyfriend – James – striding across the room, away from her, in mid-conversation with someone on his mobile.
‘How can you not manage this without me?’ he was saying, his body language more animated than anything Amy had seen from him thus far. ‘I’m only away for a few days, for the love of God. You need to find your balls for once, Clive, and manage the Fellowes case without me. Tell them to wait… No, I’m not fucking flying home, I need to be here… I know it is, but this ismoreimportant…’
Amy withdrew before he turned and saw her. She couldn’t help wondering what he meant.
It was also none of her business. Back in the centre of the lobby, Amy was about to reach for her own mobile, to phone Billie and find out where she was, when a familiar voice had her turning.
‘Thank God that’s over. Thought I was going to end up overboard at one point, it was so bumpy. Never have I been so grateful to be wearing a lifejacket. And you were no help whatsoever, Malc – in fact I think you were egging the captain on.’
Billie and Malcolm bundled in through the main doors.
‘I’m never going on a boat ever again. Unless I’m invited aboard someone’s luxury superyacht – I wouldn’t say no to that, obviously.’ Billie paused, noticing Amy for the first time. ‘Oh, Amelia. Wasn’t expecting to see you back already. Didn’t it go well, then, withTaddeo?’
Billie sauntered closer, a barbed edge to her words.
‘Always glass half full, aren’t you, Billie,’ Malcolm said, rolling his eyes at Amy over the crown of Billie’s wind-ruffled hair. ‘I thought the boat ride was excellent. I got some great shots of Billie looking like she was about to share her lunch with the fishes. Which would have been a phenomenal waste of the half dozen cannoli I saw her pack away for dessert.’
‘I did not eat that many. That wasyou.’ Billie squeaked with indignant rage.
‘Fair enough. Apologies,mein führer. How was your afternoon, Amy?’
An involuntary smile attached itself to Amy’s lips. ‘Very good. We walked around the old town, had ice cream?—’
Billie sucked in a sharp breath. ‘I don’t think we have time for this right now. I need a long, hot soak in the bath to recover myself after that godawful boat trip, and Amelia needs to get some work done. Maybe the two of you should confer, swap notes on today so she can make her little notes in her little book.’ The pitch of Billie’s voice became barbed again. ‘After all, I didn’t pay for you to come out here so you could swan about all day with the hired help.’
Malcolm grimaced, watching as Billie flounced past them and made for the stairs.
