Under a Siena Sun (Escape to Tuscany #1) - T.A. Williams Page 0,91

as she knew from experience that this would have been packed out since lunchtime or even before. The hefty doorman immediately recognised David and they were ushered up three flights of stairs and into a fine old apartment overlooking Piazza del Campo.

It was a suffocatingly warm night and although the windows were wide open, it was still sweltering in there. Lucy was glad she had put on her lightest dress and open sandals, but she was still hot. Definitely no place for a heavily pregnant woman – Daniela was well out of it. The voices of the crowd in the square reached up to them and added to the noise as they entered the apartment. Bands of drummers down below were making the glasses on the bar rattle. David was greeted enthusiastically by a horde of elegantly dressed people, among them a number of famous faces, including a very well-known Hollywood actress whose plunging neckline threatened to distract attention from the race.

Lucy would happily have hung back, but David insisted she accompany him as he did the rounds, shaking hands, hugging and kissing the people he met. He introduced Lucy to everybody, but she hardly caught any of the names because of the din. Flashlights popped and she found herself photographed alongside him. There was little doubt their relationship would now become public. There was also little doubt in her mind that this glitzy environment felt wrong. How could they be here, sipping expensive French champagne, while millions of people around the world didn’t know where their next meal was coming from? She glanced across at David and saw him smiling. Of course, he was used to this lifestyle, but that didn’t help her. She liked him a lot, but coming face-to-face with his world was challenging.

Finally, clutching their glasses of champagne, they stationed themselves by one of the windows to watch proceedings. There were thousands of people crammed into the centre of the square and a racetrack of hard-packed clay had been laid down around the edges. The traditional pageant had already been in full swing for over an hour with men and women in brightly coloured medieval costumes riding horses and on foot, bullocks pulling carts, people marching, twirling and tossing flags into the air. It was a stunning spectacle and Lucy and David watched it in fascination.

As they did so, waiters came round with canapés, and Lucy suddenly got a surprise. A silver platter of delicious-looking nibbles appeared at her elbow and she saw that it was being carried by none other than Rahel. As they recognised each other, Rahel’s face broke into a smile that broadened all the more when Lucy gave her a hug, taking care not to tip the platter over in the process.

‘Rahel, how are you? You look great.’ In spite of the operation barely a week earlier, she really did look good; a whole lot better than the last time Lucy had seen her. ‘I didn’t know you were a waitress.’

‘Hello, Lucy. Tonight I’m a waitress, tomorrow morning at seven o’clock I’ll be a cleaner again. Like I told you, I need all the work I can find.’

Lucy introduced her to David and she looked at him in awe.

‘I’ve never met a real celebrity before. I know your name and I’ve seen your picture in the papers. I’m so very pleased to have met you.’ She glanced around. ‘Please excuse me, but I have to keep moving or my boss won’t be happy.’

After Rahel had left, Lucy told him all about the emergency appendectomy the previous week and he listened to the story with considerable interest. ‘Just like I said, Lucy, you’re a very caring person. It’s ironic that I’m supposed to be the celebrity when all I can do is to hit a ball over a net. For my money, you’re the real star.’

Lucy shook her head. ‘No, Rahel’s the real star. She has a dream and she’s already suffered so much just to get here and, God knows, it isn’t going to be easy from now on. She’s not only got to look out for herself, but for her parents as well. I have nothing but respect for her and, I suppose, a lot of guilt. Why her, why not me?’

‘You mustn’t think that way. At least you’re doing something that helps mankind. What about me? Just lazing about, without lifting a finger to help the less privileged.’

‘That’s not…’

Their conversation was interrupted by the boom of a cannon that scared