Under a Siena Sun (Escape to Tuscany #1) - T.A. Williams Page 0,19
so she just smiled sweetly.
‘I had an appointment with Professor Gualtieri Della Torre and I thought I’d come and see for myself how you were doing.’
‘And now you’ve seen.’
His tone was dismissive and, in spite of her best intentions, she felt a surge of annoyance that she managed, with effort, to control.
‘And now I’ve seen, and I’m pleased everything’s healing up nicely. Does it cause you any discomfort?’
He shook his head, but made no response. Feeling that it would be best if she left him to it, she turned for the door, pausing only to wish him well. Once again she was met with sullen silence.
She murmured a few choice words under her breath as she closed the door behind her, reflecting that he was doing a very good job of helping her suppress that initial spark of attraction she had felt for him. Yes, he had a great body and a handsome face, but what lay within appeared to be anything but appealing. Besides, a grumpy tennis player was the least of her worries now. Her problems would begin when she met up with Charles Lanslebourg again.
Chapter 6
The following day she decided to start looking for somewhere to live. Daniela’s mum insisted that she continue to stay with them but Lucy didn’t want to impose any more, so she drove into Siena and headed for an estate agency she had seen near Daniela’s place of work to see what was available. Although she needed a rental property in the first instance, she now realised that her dream of having her own place, a fixed point after years as a nomad, could hopefully come to fruition.
The man who greeted her was very helpful as she explained her situation and the sort of thing she was hoping to find.
‘I’m just starting a new job at the Siena Clinic – you know, the Villa delle Ginestre.’ She paused to check that she saw recognition in his eyes. ‘I’d like somewhere within, say, a fifteen- or twenty-minutes’ drive from there if possible. It doesn’t need to be very big and I don’t want anywhere flashy – somewhere old would be fantastic. Ultimately I’d like to buy, but for now I need somewhere to rent until I find the right place.’
He nodded a couple of times as he thought it through before coming to a conclusion. ‘I think I may have just what you want. It’s an old farm cottage on the edge of a big estate in a village called Castelnuovo Superiore. It’s a lovely spot and it’s no more than fifteen minutes from the Villa delle Ginestre. It’s been immaculately refurbished from head to toe and it’s available to rent immediately. The thing is, though, I’m pretty sure the owner’s also keen to sell. Just give me a moment to check and, if it appeals to you and the price is right, you could move in as a tenant until the sale goes through and then it’ll be yours.’
After a few seconds on the computer, he gave a satisfied grunt.
‘That’s right: rental or sale. Here, take a look. See what you think.’
He turned the screen towards her and she found herself looking at half a dozen photos of a charming old brick cottage. She didn’t hesitate.
‘That looks perfect. When can I see it?’
‘How would three o’clock this afternoon suit you?
As she left the agency and came out into the narrow street, she heard somebody call her name and turned to find a familiar, though not terribly welcome, face. It was Daniela’s journalist colleague, Tommy. She hadn’t seen him since the wedding and he appeared delighted to bump into her. She was less delighted, but didn’t let it show. He did work with her best friend after all.
He immediately insisted upon taking her to the bar across the street for a coffee and she couldn’t think of a convincing reason to say no. As she sipped her little cup of powerful espresso coffee macchiato with the addition of a drop of cold milk, she told him about the house she was going to view this afternoon. When he heard the name of the village, he nodded enthusiastically.
‘I know Castelnuovo Superiore well. My aunt and uncle live there and I often go to see them. It’s a super little place. Let me know if you decide to take the house and I can introduce you to the locals. They’re all very friendly… at least most of them.’