She gave him a smile.
‘That was poor timing. You missed the last part of the show.’
‘No problem. At least I got to see the race. That was my lawyer on the phone. The divorce papers are all going through and Rosy’s legal people have finally finished arguing about money.’ He gave her a shrug. ‘It’s all so distasteful.’
Lucy nodded. She had been harbouring similar thoughts about her actor ‘friend’, as well as the crowd surrounding her here, all decked out in their expensive finery. She caught hold of David’s forearm and gave him an encouraging squeeze.
‘But at least it’s all settled now.’
‘Here’s hoping. Hey, shall we get out of here? After two years as a hermit, I’m finding the crowds a bit heavy going.’
Lucy was equally pleased to get away.
Together, they did the rounds of the room once more, shaking hands and saying goodbye. The Hollywood starlet with the revealing neckline, now wiped down and dried off, gave David a far from casual kiss and Lucy felt her hackles rise. The actor who had propositioned her was nowhere to be seen and she shuddered again as she wondered if he had already found himself some other woman for a tryst. As they left the apartment, she dropped the visiting card into a waste bin. She was relieved when they were back out in the street following the crowds, as they made their way towards the main gates of the old town and then from there to the Fiat.
As she slid into the driving seat, David reached over and caught hold of her hand before she could turn the key in the ignition.
‘Lucy, I know we said we’d go out for dinner, but I’ll be quite honest, I think I’d be happier just going home.’
She gave him a big smile. ‘You’re not the only one. I’ve had it with crowds for a while. I felt like a fish out of water back there among all those celebrities.’
He caught hold of her hand and squeezed her fingers. ‘I’m sorry. It’s an artificial world and very different from the one you know. Maybe it might be better if we avoid that kind of thing for a while.’
‘Thanks, David, that’ll suit me down to the ground. Now, if you’re happy with ham and melon, pecorino cheese, and the remains of the ice cream, let’s go back to my place.’
‘Manna from heaven.’
Chapter 27
Lucy went into work on Thursday morning feeling pensive. After David had gone back to the villa and his dog just after dawn, she had lain in bed, reflecting on her experiences the previous evening. On their return to her house, they had enjoyed a delicious homely meal together and a wonderful night, but she couldn’t stop thinking about what he had described as the artificial world in which he lived. Was there any way she would ever be able to fit into such company?
Yes, she liked David a lot, maybe even loved him, and she enjoyed being with him immensely. The fact was, however, that her whole life up to now had been a million miles away from such luxury and privilege, and with a serious job to do. Care for others was her raison d’être and she knew she was committed to it. Did she really see herself settling into that sort of lifestyle, where all that mattered was winning – whether at sport, in love or financially? No sooner did this thought occur than she remembered that he had told her he was thinking about setting up a charity. That wasn’t the action of a heartless and selfish man. Just because he had taken her to the Palio party didn’t mean he was out of the same mould and she would do well to be a bit less judgemental.
Something that brightened her day came from Bruno. He reappeared at work, looking tanned and relaxed, and took her to one side. To her delight, he told her he and Virginia had spoken at length and he had forgiven her. What was more, he had carried out his original plan and had asked her to marry him. She had said yes and Lucy was very happy for both of them. The idea that she might inadvertently have been responsible for splitting them up had been bothering her and it was a relief to hear that relations between them had been restored, hopefully better than ever. She felt even happier an hour later when Virginia took her by the arm, walked her out