Either she didn't hear me or she's pretending not to. "Where can I take good photos?" she asks with her businesslike voice, and once again, disappointment fills me.
Why can't she forget her stupid camera and checklist for once? We're at the most beautiful beach in Tuscany, and all she can think about is her obligations.
Regretfully, I point to the southern end of the parking lot. "If we walk this way, we'll reach the natural beach. Pictures of that will attract tourists like moths to a flame."
She shoulders her backpack and marches ahead. I look at her in bewilderment. Just two days ago, I got her to be a bit more relaxed in the car and even hum along to the radio. Today, she's acting even stuffier than ever.
It's better this way anyway, I remind myself, catching up to her and walking silently beside her until the beach comes into view.
In radiant white, interspersed with some dune grass, it lies before us. Only a few brightly painted beach huts line this stretch, which is still deserted in March.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" I ask Hanna, who stands next to me.
"Mm-hmm," she simply says, letting her gaze wander several times over the scenery. Her expression is now a little softer, and I catch glimpses of her enchanting beauty.
Everyone feels the same way when they see this place for the first time. No one expects to find a beach like this in Tuscany, where you feel as if you're in the Caribbean. The extremely light seashells and the turquoise sea gently lapping at the shore create such an exotic atmosphere that only palm trees are missing to complete the illusion.
Suddenly, she slings the backpack from her shoulder. "The water is fantastic. Truly amazing." She pulls out her camera and takes several photos.
"Ciao, Vico!" someone calls from a distance.
I know that voice. I look around and spot my best buddy from my youth standing in front of one of the huts, waving. Adriano hasn't changed much. His jet-black hair is cut shorter, but his wide grin is still the same. He's already coming toward me, ready to give me a big hug.
I can't help but smile. "Hey, stranger."
"Man, Vico, I had no idea you were here," he says, patting me on the back several times before releasing me from his embrace.
"Just arrived a few days ago. I was going to get in touch, but you know how time flies." In the corner of my eye, I notice Hanna giving me a penetrating look.
Adriano, already tanned by this time of year, waves it off. "Doesn't matter, we're here now." His gaze shifts to Hanna. "I had no idea you… but I'm glad. That's… wonderful."
Both Hanna and I raise our hands at the same time.
"I'm just showing her around and introducing her to the area. Nothing more," I say, trying to appear as cool as possible.
"So you're the one," he responds with a sympathetic look. "I heard about it. Must be tough, man."
He knows. Of course, he knows. Collina da sogno is a cursed village; there are no secrets here. While I strain to think of a way to quickly end the conversation, Hanna takes a step forward.
"What's tough?" she asks with anxious curiosity.
"Nothing," I hastily reply before Adriano can say anything, giving him a meaningful look. Hanna must not learn about my family history. Besides, complaining won't change the facts.
For a moment, Adriano glances between Hanna and me, then he forces a smile. "I'm sorry, but duty calls. I should…" he says with a questioning tone, which Hanna surely can pick up.
Great.
I nod. "It was nice meeting you."
"Keep in touch." He gives me a quick hug again before striding back through the sand to the blue-and-white-painted hut with a corrugated tin roof.
"That was strange," Hanna comments and puts her camera back in her backpack. "What's so tough?"
"He's just upset because I didn't get in touch," I say, relieved that this excuse came to me so quickly, and I grin at her. "So what about your bikini? Did you bring it?"
As if I suggested swimming with sharks without a cage, she freezes. "I…"
Her reaction to riding a Vespa was somewhat understandable, but what's the issue with a little water? "Can't you swim?"
