‘What are you doing out there? You haven’t been away for ages!’
‘It was all a bit last minute to be honest, but I’m in between gigs, so I thought I’d make the most of it and come and see Holly.’
‘Very cool. Give her my love.’
‘I will. It’s only for two weeks though, Chris, and that’s it. You’ll have to move back in with Mum and Dad after that if you’re stuck.’
‘Er… yeah… I think I’ve already outstayed my welcome there.’
‘Well, it’s fine to stay at mine, as long as you’re out by the time I get back.’
‘Yesss, that is sweet news. Thanks, sis. I appreciate it.’
‘The keys are in the lock box; you know the code. But you do need to get a job at some point. You can’t live sofa to sofa for the rest of your life. Do you want me to help you with your CV?’
‘I’m just not sure the career conveyor belt is for me,’ he said. ‘It’s so restrictive.’
‘Yes, Chris, but it’s how you get this thing calledmoney, which helps you do things like eat and wear clothes. And not have to live with your mum and dad when you’re nearly thirty.’
‘I hear ya. It can’t hurt to look at the old CV, I suppose. Not that there’s much on it. Would you mind?’
‘Of course not. Ping it over and I’ll do it while I’m out here.’
I hung up as the cab driver slowed down, stopping to read a battered, wooden sign.
‘Vigneto Almagno,’ he said, pointing to it. ‘Siamo arrivati.’ He turned into the drive and crunched along the gravel. The dirt track went through the field, vines growing strong either side in the sun as we approached the farmhouse on top of the hill. A beautiful old building, with crumbling white plaster, blue shutters at the windows and a pink front door. A table full of people sat outside as the taxi came to a stop, and Holly jumped up and ran over.
‘Abs!’ she screamed. I was barely out of the car before she leapt on me and gave me a hug. If you can call it that. It was more of a headlock, really.
‘I’m here!’ I replied. ‘I made it!’
I paid the cabbie, adding a healthy tip for his Leaning Tower efforts, then took my case and thanked him again for the wonky photos.
‘I’m so happy to see you,’ Holly said, pinching me to check I was real.
It felt good to breathe in the warm summer air, to feel the sun on my shoulders. There was a calm, breezy energy about the place and I was glad to finally be here.
‘Love the new hair,’ I said, nodding at her bob. ‘Very chic.’
‘Oh, do you think?’ Holly said, touching it. ‘I had to have it all lopped off the other week because of a chewing gum incident. The hairdresser said it was completely stuck and the only option was to cut it out, unless I wanted some kind of half-and-half number.’
‘Ah, well that explains it!’ I said, feeling relieved. ‘I thought it was a big move to go so short out of the blue. Especially when you’ve been growing it out for ages.’
‘I know, just my luck,’ Holly said, rolling her eyes. ‘Anyway, enough about that – come and meet Xavier.’ She grabbed my hand and dragged me over.
‘Is this where you live?’ I asked, looking up at the enormous farmhouse in awe. We were in the middle of nowhere, with vineyards stretching out on all sides, seemingly forever, and San Gimignano waving from the top of the hill, in the distance.
Holly laughed. ‘God, no. I wish! Xavier and I are down the road in a two-bed flat above the restaurant. No, this is where you’ll be staying. With our neighbours, Paolo and Mia.’
‘Wow, it’s gorgeous!’ I said, tearing up. ‘Thank you for booking me in and organising everything. I can’t remember the last time someone did all the arranging for me, instead of the other way around.’
‘And don’t I know it. You’re always thinking about everyone else. I wanted to do a little something for you, for a change.’
I gave Holly another hug as we crunched along the path towards the others. Her familiar, good vibes were already making me feel welcome, like I was home from home.
I recognised Xavier from the many, many photos and video calls we’d had, and even though we hadn’t met in real life, I felt like I knew him, this man who was living with, and loving, my best friend. Xavier was an absolute dreamboat; tall and fit, with floppy auburn hair and green eyes – and he was funny and kind to boot. Ideal man material.
‘Bonjour, Abi,’ he said, coming over with a confident double kiss. ‘Finally, we meet, after all this time.’
