Free What Happens in Tuscany... by T A Williams

across to wait under cover. The rain was coming down harder now and she was glad of the huge BMW umbrella that had come with the car. To her surprise, Jenny was already there, even though it was only a quarter to seven.
    â€˜Wow, Jen, how did that happen?’
    â€˜The train before mine was running late so I managed to hop on. I got here five minutes ago.’ Katie led her out and across to the car, both of them sheltering under the umbrella. Jenny stopped and stared as they reached the car. ‘Bloody hell, Katie, what’s this you’re driving? It’s amazing!’ Even in a downpour, Katie had to agree that the silver sports car did look rather good. She gave her a broad smile.
    â€˜Tip of the iceberg, Jen. Tip of the iceberg. Nothing but the best for Victoria.’ They climbed in and she threw the dripping umbrella onto the tiny rear seats. ‘You are now entering the proverbial lap of luxury. Enjoy it!’
    As they drove back up the Exe valley towards Iddlescombe, they chatted. Katie recounted her experiences since arriving in Devon two weeks previously. Jenny was amazed as she heard more detail about Victoria.
    â€˜Locked up for twenty-five years? That’s amazing.’ She glanced out of the car window as the rain continued to pour down. ‘With all the money she’s got, I’m surprised she stays in soggy old England.’
    â€˜Ah, that’s being taken care of. We’re going off to their villa in Tuscany some time very soon.’
    Jenny returned her attention to Katie. She knew full well just how hard things had been for her recently. Now she was delighted to see her looking and sounding much better, much more positive. ‘Tuscany, that’s where you said you wanted to go, isn’t it? I can see you now, basking in the Italian sunshine, a glass of Italian wine in your right hand and a handsome dark-haired Italian Adonis in your left.’
    A sign appeared through the gloom, indicating they had reached Nymptonford. Katie slowed at a junction and then turned off onto a much narrower road. ‘Twenty minutes through the lanes and we’re there.’ She glanced across with a smile. ‘And Adonis was Greek, not Italian.’
    â€˜My mistake. As long as they’ve got long black hair and dark brown eyes, I’m not fussy. And talking of men, you’ll never guess who I saw only yesterday.’
    Katie was driving slowly, secretly rather awed at the volume of water streaming down both sides of the lane. She didn’t dare take her eyes off the road ahead. ‘I’m assuming it wasn’t Adonis. You would probably have told me already if you’d seen him.’
    â€˜Martin.’
    In spite of her good intentions, Katie glanced sideways. ‘Martin? How was he?’
    There was a pause while Jenny looked for the right word. In the end she settled for, ‘Frustrated.’
    â€˜You’re going to have to explain.’ Headlights appeared ahead of them and Katie squeezed halfway off the road to allow a huge milk tanker to come past. ‘What’s he got to feel frustrated about?’
    â€˜You, I think.’ Jenny was smiling. ‘Or, rather, the lack of you. He’s been trying to contact you and your phone seems permanently off. Are you trying to avoid the poor boy?’
    Katie explained about the poor reception at the manor and how the problem had only been resolved the previous afternoon. ‘I’ve been meaning to call him.’ The road now clear again, she shot a sideways look at Jenny. ‘So you think he’s interested, do you?’
    â€˜Interested? Only in the same way that Romeo was interested in Juliet. If you want my honest opinion, I think all you’d have to do would be to snap your fingers and he’d be there like a little dog with his tail wagging.’
    â€˜A dog? Now that’s a thought. We never had one at home and I’ve always wanted one.’
    â€˜But