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‘He’s very well, I believe.’

‘Sit, please,’ he said. ‘Join me. So, is it through Sir Charles that you met?’

‘Stella is not my lady friend,’ Gabe said. Then, feeling able to now, added for Stella’s benefit, ‘He would have us married in days.’

Stella laughed.

‘Charles sent Stella to look at Sant Lavia for a film location. Don’t worry, she knows you don’t want all that. It was just to get an idea of the place. We’ve just been to Capri.’

‘I know, I enjoyed the meal you brought back earlier this afternoon.’ He returned his gaze to Stella. ‘So where did Gabriel take you?’

She told him about the villa, and lunch. ‘I’ve been trying on linen,’ Stella said. ‘And spending too much.’

‘You cannot spend too much on linen.’ He smiled. ‘For a moment, I thought it was…’ He looked at his grandson. ‘My son Matteo wore my jacket, now my grandson…’

‘That jacket is possibly what convinced me.’ Stella smiled and so naturally reached out and touched Gabe’s arm—naturally, because they were still warm and in tune from making love.

And he did not flinch at her touch, nor remove his arm, though Stella didn’t notice that for they enjoyed the other’s touch.

Older eyes noticed though.

‘Tomorrow, Stella is off to find a palazzo that compares.’

‘There is nowhere that compares,’ Geo said, and looked out at the night.

‘You look brighter,’ Gabe observed.

‘I feel it.’ Geo nodded. ‘I shall probably pay for it tomorrow, but it is nice to sit outside, feel the sea air. Let’s get some drinks,’ he suggested and called for Maria, who asked what they would like.

‘Limoncello spritz,’ Gabe said then took the lemon Stella had picked from the table. ‘With a fresh lemon garnish.’ He handed it to Signora Maria as his grandfather let out a bark of surprised laughter. ‘Nonna used to pick one every evening for your drinks.’

‘You remember!’

‘I do.’

The drinks were lovely, sweet and sharp, and there were plump olives from the estate and fresh bread and cheese. It was all so relaxed she didn’t think to be shy.

‘So,’ il Conte said, ‘you work for Charles. How do you find that?’

‘He’s wonderful.’ She put down her glass. ‘I’ve been there for four years now, at first it was more clerical…’

‘And now?’

‘I’m a Junior Location Consultant, I hope.’ She held up two crossed fingers, but il Conte frowned when she did that. ‘It’s very competitive,’ she explained.

‘Stella thinks she got the role by default.’

‘Why would you think that?’

‘Because I did get it by default.’

Gabe watched his grandfather laugh, shocked by how well he looked and how happy, and also surprised how curious he was to hear about the movie. He even asked Stella what it was about.

‘We’re not allowed to know,’ Gabe warned. ‘Confidentiality and all that.’

‘Well, I might make an exception.’ Stella smiled, because there were times to trust. And, after all, Gabe had shown her the most beautiful waterfall. But, more than that, she loved il Conte’s interest and delight in the subject, and rather sensed that this buoyant mood might be rare.

‘It’s set in the late fifties… It’s all very dramatic!’ She told him the plot, well, most of it, deciding to leave out the car chase scene.