I put the phone down and did a little dance. The Venice Film Festival! This was an amazing opportunity. I’d missed out on Tony, but at least my career was going in the right direction. They only had the very best people working there, so I’d be assisting someone really special. I closed my eyes and ignored the replies coming through from Kat, Sara, and my brother. I’d reply later. For now, I wanted to bask in the sun and the excitement of my Hollywood dreams flickering back to life and bursting into flames.
*
Holly had reserved a table for two atLe Vecchie Mura, and they had given us a beautiful spot on the edge of the terrace, overlooking the vineyards, cypress trees lining the horizon in clusters. The sun had just gone down when we arrived, and candles flickered on every table, giving the restaurant a soft, romantic glow. It was still and warm, the crickets chirruping away as we took our seats. Perfect conditions for dinner al fresco with my best friend. I was going to miss these long Italian evenings – and yes, the sunsets. Hanging out with Holly in San Gimignano, the two of us together, putting the world to rights.
‘I’ve got something exciting to tell you,’ I said, diving straight in.
‘Me too!’ Holly replied. ‘You go first.’
‘You know I said I was flying home tomorrow? Well, I’m staying until Thursday now, as I’ve landed a bloody amazing job at… the Venice Film Festival!’
Holly’s face lit up in delight at the news. She looked almost as happy as me about it – the sign of a true friend. ‘Whatttt?? That’s fantastic news! Congratulations! You SO deserve this!’ She leant in and hugged me tight. ‘See? I told you it would all work out alright.’
‘I knowww! I’m so excited! I’ll miss you though, when I go.’
‘Me too. I’ve loved having you out here, but what better reason to leave than for a kick-arse job like that?!’ Holly laughed. ‘It’s been good to see you so happy and relaxed. You needed a proper break.’
‘I really did. Although it does mean that I won’t get to see Tony again,’ I said, with a sad shrug. ‘Yin and yang. Oh, I haven’t told you, yet! Apparently, he’s been in Verona and is back on Friday for a few days.’
‘What?! For goodness’ sake! Why didn’t he say so?’ Holly said, looking bereft.
‘He was only meant to be gone a day, so I suppose he didn’t think he’d need to explain.’
‘That’s such a shame! Shall I pass on a message? Tell him to check his phone?’
‘Ooh yes, good idea! I could leave you a letter for him. The old-fashioned approach?’
‘Yes! I think he’d like that. He seems the sort.’
I hadn’t written a letter to anyone since high school. These days my communication style was more one line and one LOL at a time. I’m sure it would come back to me once I put pen to paper. Even if I just gave him my phone number to call me sometime.
‘That’s a thought. He can’t have blocked my number – he hasn’t got it,’ I said, frowning.
‘Eh? Hasn’t he?’
‘No. I messaged him, but he hasn’t gotmynumber. So, he can’t have blocked me. The message just mustn’t have gone through for some reason.’
‘You could try calling him?’ Holly suggested.
I looked at her in horror and we both laughed. ‘Call a phone number? Are you OK, hun?’
‘At least you’d know if the number works. Or I can call it?’ she said, delighted with herself. ‘Yes, that makes more sense. I’ll just make something up if he answers. I can pretend I’m confirming his reservation atLavedrine Xfor Friday night?’
‘What?! You can’t do that. He won’t know what you’re talking about?’
‘Then I’ll just pretend it was a mistake.’ She pulled out her phone. ‘Give me his number, quick.’
‘Noooo!’ I laughed, wickedly. But my first glass of wine had kicked in and this was actually an excellent plan. ‘OK.’ I read out Tony’s number and Holly typed it in, putting her phone on speaker so we could both hear, and turning it right down. It was very uncouth to run a conference call from somewhere so beautiful. The phone clicked and paused as I held my breath. It was such a basic thing to do, but somehow felt incredibly naughty. Like we were back at school, phoning a boy one of us fancied.
‘Hello?’ My heart stopped as I heard Tony’s voice, and Holly snatched the phone up.
‘Hi Tony,’ she said, with a terrified smile, then paused with the phone to her ear for one second and put it down. ‘Voicemail.’
‘I nearly had a heart attack! What did he say?’
Holly gave me one of her looks. ‘What do you think he said?Hello, this is Tony. Leave me a message, thanks. The usual.’
‘Do you think I should leave him a message?’ At least then I’d have tried absolutely everything to get in touch.
