‘I knowwww,’ I said, drinking him in. His French accent filled the air. Xavier was in a totally different league to Holly’s ex, George. She had seriously upgraded. I gave her a fleeting look that only she would clock and understand. Very,verynice.
‘And these are our neighbours, Paolo and Mia, who own the vineyard,’ Holly said, gesturing towards the Italian couple, who had stood up to greet me. They looked so young. Late twenties – early thirties max – and they owned this enormous place and all this land? That was impressive. I could barely afford to run my one-bed flat. Mia was holding a small black puppy in her arms, with two more at her feet.
‘Ciao,’ they said in unison. Mia was the first in to kiss me and I had to bend down slightly, although she was in flats, and I was wearing my painfully high, cork wedges. A large straw hat protected her glossy, black hair, as she welcomed me with a big smile.
‘Benvenuta,’ she said. ‘Welcome! I’m Mia and this is Nero.’ The puppy had soft, curly hair and had snuggled himself into the nook of her arm. ‘And Bianco and Toppa.’
‘Black, White and Patch,’ Paolo explained, pointing the puppies out. ‘We are honoured to have you stay.’ He was tall and tanned, with blue eyes and bodybuilder muscles. It was all very friendly and welcoming.
‘Paolo and Mia have only just opened the vineyard up for bed and breakfast,’ Holly said. ‘You are one of their first ever guests.’
‘We can’t always rely on the wine,’ Mia said, ‘so we are trying to do more.’
‘Diversifying,’ Paolo added, putting his arm around her shoulder.
‘Ah, well it’s so lovely to be here, thank you for having me in your home,’ I said. ‘I’ll be staying for a couple of weeks if that’s OK?’
Holly whooped excitedly. ‘You’re mine now. Mwahahahaha. When is your flight home?’
I grinned at her ridiculousness. ‘I haven’t booked it yet, so I can go back whenever.’
‘Or never?’ Holly said, hopefully.
‘No, not never,’ I said, rolling my eyes.
‘Holly would have you here forever.’ Xavier laughed. Mia handed me a glass of cold water, which I held against my forehead. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was on its way down, but the air was hot and close. My strapless dress was paper-thin, but it still felt like one layer too many. I spotted the turquoise blue of a swimming pool, tucked around the side of the farmhouse, and I couldn’t wait to get my bikini on and jump in.
‘Would you like a glass of wine?’ Paolo asked, holding up the bottle they’d been drinking.
‘Or to see your room?’ Mia read my mind and I nodded gratefully.
We left the boys to their drinks, and I followed Mia and Holly into the farmhouse, where it was instantly cooler. The building was all wooden floors and stone walls with fans on every ceiling. Simple, antique furniture downstairs, with a lounge and a dining room, which opened onto the patio and a full-sized swimming pool.
‘That looks amazing,’ I said, desperate to get in.
‘The pool is open day and night – you can swim anytime,’ Mia said. ‘Although we don’t have a lifeguard,’ she added quickly, presumably mindful of me being a paying guest. Swim at your own risk.
‘Fancy a dip, Hols?’
‘Sure do. I’m already wearing my bikini as underwear.’
We made our way upstairs and Mia unlocked the first door, with a comically large key.
‘After you,’ she said, pushing it open.
I stepped inside and could see straight through and out over the balcony from the front door, the view was incredible. Vineyards all the way up to the towers of San Gimignano town. The haze from the hot air, the starlings singing happily as they swooped and swirled through the sky, and the smell of lemons from the trees. The bedroom was huge, with a four-poster bed, fresh white bedding, and a welcome basket of goodies – cake, biscuits, olives, and water. As well as a small bottle of glow-in-the-dark limoncello.
‘Guests stay here, in the main farmhouse, and Paolo and I sleep in the extension at the back.’
‘And this is your first week in business?’ I asked.
Mia nodded. ‘We have five people staying for the first few weeks,’ she said, eyes shining.
‘You’re getting mates’ rates while they try a few things out,’ Holly said. ‘Which breakfast you like best, what you think of the facilities, that kind of thing.’
‘Sounds great! Although, you know me, I’m not big on breakfast, so don’t worry too much. I’ll probably just stick to coffee.’
‘Wait until you try Paolo’s pancakes,’ Mia said. ‘He has been practising them for weeks.’
