Under a Siena Sun (Escape to Tuscany #1) - T.A. Williams Page 0,102
of it. Michelangelo, Professor Gualtieri, has offered to throw his weight behind the project, particularly in ensuring that we obtain all the necessary permits and support from the authorities – which won’t be an easy task. But, as you know, he’s a person of real consequence here in Italy and with his help, we see no reason why this project shouldn’t succeed and prosper.’
As this all began to sink in, Lucy gradually began to feel a wave of warmth and happiness spreading throughout her whole body and when Dr Brown reached the end of her explanation, Lucy could feel tears running down her face. Quite unable to help herself, she got to her feet and went across to kiss the professor warmly on the cheeks, no doubt surprising him, but from the expression on his face, not displeasing him. She went across to hug Dr Brown who kissed her in return and then went back to David and did the same. She still couldn’t manage to put her thoughts into words and sat there, smiling and crying for several minutes before the power of speech returned, even if what she managed to say wasn’t exactly inspiring.
‘Thank you so much for coming all the way over here to Siena, Doctor Brown.’
‘My pleasure entirely, Lucy. David was particularly keen for you to hear and approve of the donation and his plans to help set up this new MSF centre and I was very keen to meet and thank him for his generosity.’ She caught Lucy’s eye for a second or two. ‘You do approve, don’t you?’ All Lucy could do was nod mutely. ‘Excellent. I was delighted to make the trip – not least as it gave me the chance to renew my acquaintance with Michelangelo and his charming daughter. I was also very pleased to have the chance of seeing you again, Lucy, to say thank you once more for all your efforts in Mabenta.’
It was well past six o’clock by the time Lucy emerged – still in a daze – from the director’s office with David at her side. They wandered out into the garden as the sun was beginning to drop behind the hills, gradually turning the sky an enchanting rose pink. He took her hand and led her across to an old bench where they sat down side-by-side, surrounded by sweet-scented bushes. He kept hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. They sat there like that, in silence, for quite some time before she finally managed to put her thoughts into words.
‘David, are you doing this for my sake?’ She had to clear her throat before managing to speak properly. ‘It’s not fair of me to ask you to make such a massive sacrifice.’
‘I’m not doing it for your sake, Lucy.’ His voice was gentle, but heavy with emotion. ‘I’m not even doing it solely for the sake of the poor people who need medical help. I’m doing it for my sake, for me. I need this. Like I told you, I don’t want my life to have been just about playing tennis and winning a few tournaments. I want to be able to sit back in years to come and know that I tried to help other, less fortunate, people.’ He turned towards her and she caught the reflection of the setting sun in his eyes, turning them the rich purple colour of lavender. ‘Life’s been unbelievably good to me – in spite of the past few years – and you’re so right when you say it isn’t fair that anybody should have so much. With your help, I now know that the best thing I can do is to give something back. I want to be a better man. You make me a better man.’
‘You’re a wonderful man, David.’ Lucy could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks again, but she knew these were tears of joy. ‘And I love you so very, very much.’ And she kissed him.
As they finally separated, he looked down at her with a little smile.
‘Feel like taking Boris for his evening walk?’
* * *
Lucy drove home on autopilot, as if in a dream, jumped into the shower and then changed into a T-shirt and shorts. As she came back downstairs again, she could already hear a familiar whining scratching sound and she went over to open the door. David, now also wearing shorts and trainers, was standing there with