Sign of the Times Read Online Free PDF Page A

come back here, if not simply to use Giampiero as a case study.   Goods safely in a bag, Holly set off to explore the rest of the village.
    *
    Walking downhill from the village to the little stream which denoted the start of the climb up out of the valley and the steep ascent to the villa, Holly heard a car behind her.   “ Ciao. ”   Turning she saw Emilio, coursing towards her in a beaten up Fiat Punto.   Beckoning her over, he grinned.   “Would you like a lift?    If you want to walk, I’ll just take the bags.”
    Holly, sweating and red in the face looked at him warningly and assured him, “No, I’ll just hop in too.”   Dumping her bags on the back seat, she then eased herself into the passenger seat.   Emilio clumsily shoved the car into first and it groaned and spluttered over the bumpy, unforgiving road for the rest of the journey.

    “Thanks,” said Holly, when Emilio drew up outside the villa.   He lifted her bags out of the car and handed them to her. She was no sooner over the threshold, when Sig.a Tagliaferri appeared.
    “ Tutto bene, cara? ”   Holly replied that all was indeed well.   Juggling her bags, she made her way upstairs.   As she was turning the key in the lock, her mobile rang.  
    Damn, why do these things always go off at the most inopportune moments , she wondered.   Dropping her things on the floor, she unearthed her mobile.   Her face lit up immediately.
    “Tom! How are you?”
    “Just thought I’d see how your trip’s going.”
    “Fine.   I had a bit of a hairy start with the car breaking down, but things are great now.” Holly neglected to mention the part Dario had played in her maiden in distress situation, as she regaled Tom with her tale of woe.
    “So, what are you up to?” he asked.
    “I’m having dinner with the landlady and her sons.   What about you?”
    “I might get to grips with that mountain of paperwork on the dining room table. Have you written anything yet?” Tom asked.
    “Not yet.   I was just gleaning my first impressions today.”
    “I’m sure it’ll be another bestseller.” Tom assured her.
    “You’re biased,” Holly laughed.
    A shrill ring pierced her laughter.   “Is that your mobile?” she asked.
    “Afraid so. I’d better get that.   Love you.”
    “Love you too,” said Holly.

Chapter Four

    “These are for you,” said Holly, handing over the bottles of Montalcino.
    “ Ma che cosa fai? Che ragazza!”
    The signora scolded Holly for bringing wine and told her in future she should just bring herself.   A cream lace tablecloth with tiny hearts cut into it, adorned the oak table, where Guido and Emilio already sat, hungry looks on their faces.   Holly hoped they were simply in need of sustenanceand that steak would put them to rights.   She didn’t think she could cope with any romantic overtures.   It was bad enough explaining she had a fiancé, never mind the added complication of Dario appearing in her head.   Sliding into the seat adjacent to the signora’s empty one, she pretended not to see Emilio’s offended look.   The table was laden with simple, terracotta earthenware and silver cutlery which Holly felt certain Sig.a Tagliaferri only brought out on special occasions.
    Sig.a Tagliaferri placed the wine Holly had brought on the table. A large salad bowl and servers soon followed.   Olive oil and balsamic vinegar were already pride of place.   Emilio and Guido wolfed the salad down like there was no tomorrow.   She could never get Tom to eat salad like that.   It was as if it weren’t macho enough. Even though there had been a food revolution in Britain in the last decade, Holly felt most men still abhorred the very idea of eating salad, unless it accompanied a Big Mac and even then they probably threw most of it away.   Finishing hers, she glanced at Guido who was mopping up the leftover juice with some crusty bread.   They had spoken little during the introductory course.

    The two boys