Under a Siena Sun (Escape to Tuscany #1) - T.A. Williams Page 0,75

Everywhere she looked there were big, flashy cars – including several other Ferraris – and she began to get a bad feeling about Punta Ala. Of course, she told herself, she was in the company of a multi-millionaire and this was the sort of place they frequented, and she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt – for now.

They drove down the steep hill towards the sea until they came up against barriers and a sign saying that the port area was a restricted zone. He leant out and fiddled with something and, seconds later, the barrier magically lifted. He turned right and drove along the side of a crowded marina full of small boats, threading his way carefully through a host of holidaymakers at walking pace, many of whom stopped to stare at the luxury car until he found a parking space. As he turned off the engine he swivelled around towards her.

‘You hate this car, don’t you?’

‘I wouldn’t say I hate it. It’s very pretty and I’m sure it’s a wonderful bit of engineering, but I do feel terribly exposed when I’m in it.’

He smiled at her. ‘Want to know something? It’s probably heresy, but I hate this damn car too, now. It’s too big, it’s too low and if you’re going uphill you can’t see a thing in front of you, and don’t get me started on how much fuel it guzzles up. But, above all, it’s far too ostentatious. It’s crazy, I know. I used to love it, but it no longer does it for me. Somehow I reckon it’ll be years before I take it out of the garage again, if ever.’

She was genuinely surprised, and she smiled back at him. ‘So how come the change of heart?’

‘Age, I suppose, at least partly. And maybe you.’

‘Me?’

‘Talking to you about your life, the difference you must have made to hundreds or even thousands of people, it makes me realise how superficial this sort of thing is. Maybe I’ve just outgrown it.’

‘The sad fact is that almost all the people wandering past us would give their eye teeth to own a Ferrari. I sometimes think the world’s gone crazy. We’ve lost our sense of perspective about the really important things in life. Like health for example.’

‘Amen to that. Come to think about it, that’s also a major part of the reason I’m moving on from this car. When you’re younger, you feel you’re immortal. It’s only when your health takes a hit that you realise there’s more to life than the superficial stuff, like money for instance.’

Lucy nodded in agreement and was very impressed to hear what he said next.

‘That’s something else I’ve been thinking about a lot recently. I’d really like to use my money for a good cause, not just for my own creature comforts – like this damn car. Anyway, don’t let it spoil your day and don’t let the crowds put you off. It’s not as bad as it looks here. The food’s good and I promise this afternoon I’ll take you to somewhere a hell of a lot quieter.’

Greatly cheered by his words, she walked with him along the quayside to a restaurant where the waiter showed them to a table under a broad white parasol only a few metres from the water’s edge. It looked as though all the other tables were full and it was buzzing with conversation, but, for now, nobody appeared to recognise David, or if they did, they were civilised enough to leave him alone. Boris was persuaded to lie down at their feet as the waiter took their order. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they ordered fritto misto for two and settled back in their seats. Down here by the water there was just a hint of a breeze blowing. A digital thermometer on the side of a low building just beyond the restaurant indicated it was thirty-six degrees today, but the breeze made that just about bearable.

They chatted some more and relaxed. All around them were people enjoying their holidays and – at least in a good few cases – the chance to show off their expensive designer clothes. Over her bikini, Lucy was wearing shorts bought at the market and a plain white top. Even when she added in her sandals, the total cost of what she was wearing was almost certainly a good bit less than this meal was going to be. She sneaked a peek at the designer logo