‘Is that your specialism then? Prosthetics?’
‘No – I’m make-up, but I occasionally dabble in silicon. Make-up is so much easier – you can wash it off if you don’t like it – no harm done. It’s more of a rigmarole to chip off a freshly cemented nose.’
Tony laughed. ‘Too true. Those false noses are the worst.’
‘I was working onMoonmenin London earlier this month. Have you heard of it?’
Tony tilted his head in thought, then nodded slowly.
‘There was a mix-up with my booking, so I was only there for a couple of days in the end. Gem Adams had already been booked in on it. Do you know her?’
‘As inAlien Attack?’ he asked.
‘The very one.’
‘No one puts an alien together quite like her.’
‘I know. Just my luck. And she brought her own people with her, so I had to go. Hence being out here – I’m taking a month of paid leave instead.’
‘Sounds awful,’ Tony said, with a smile. He had such an easy way about him.
‘It’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened, but Iamdisappointed. I’ve been trying to get into film for ages. Theatre was always my thing, and then I finally got a taste of the movies, and before I could get my feet under the table, I was out on my ear.’
‘It’s a tightly controlled industry, that’s for sure,’ he said. ‘It can feel impossible to break in when you’re starting out.’ I finished my drink and Tony looked at me. ‘One more for the road?’ he asked, stopping a passing waiter in his tracks.
I shook my head. ‘That’s enough wine for me,’ I said. Although I wasn’t quite ready to go home.
‘Something else? Grappa?’
‘Is it good? I’ve never tried it,’ I replied.
‘Ah, well in that case allow me to introduce you to an essential part of Italian culture.’ Tony turned to the waiter. ‘Due grappa, grazie.’ The words rolled easily off his tongue, and I was impressed he could switch to Italian so deftly.
‘That’s a nice accent you’ve got there.’
‘Comes back so fast, it’s frightening. Italian is more natural to me than English though, so it’s easy – especially when I’m here.’
His neatly trimmed hair and eyebrows had that American polish about them, good skincare, a rugged jawline. Nice moons on his manicured nails. An American smooth with Italian intensity. The waiter delivered our drinks in shot glasses, served ice cold.
‘Is it down in one?’ I asked, picking mine up.
Tony laughed. ‘If you like, but it’s quite strong. The locals call it firewater, so I’d recommend taking it slow if it’s your first one.’
‘Got it.’ I took a sip of the clear, harsh liquid and held it in my mouth. It was sharp and strong, a completely different kind of taste. Something akin to turps.
Tony watched me with a bemused smile. ‘Do you like it?’
I shook my head and he laughed. Nonetheless. Sample local Italian produce. Tick.
‘Is this your first time in Italy?’ Tony asked, leaning back in his chair.
‘I’m ashamed to say it is, considering it’s so close. I’d always planned to come here someday, but those future “somedays” kept getting away from me.’
‘And now the stars have aligned.’
‘Exactly. I’ve got this unexpected month off and Holly is out here, so why not spend some time with my bestie, you know?’
Tony nodded. ‘I sure do. Time moves fast – you have to take your chances when they present themselves.’
