Second Chances in Chianti (Escape to Tuscany Book 2) T.A. Williams (early reader books .txt) 📖

and honesty that had inevitably brought him into conflict with Zoë. If he didn’t like something, he told it like it was. The inevitable showdown had been explosive and Alice wished she could remember more of the absolutely stunning stream of invective that Benny had unleashed upon the director shortly before being hauled away by Security. One line that still stuck in her memory was, ‘You have the charm of a blocked toilet and the moral fibre of a rabid raccoon!’ The upcoming confrontation between them was something Alice was awaiting eagerly, but with considerable apprehension.

‘Hi Benny. How’s it going?’

‘Hi, Alice. I’m good, thanks. It’s great to see you again. It’s been too long.’

After they all sat down, Paolo appeared and asked if he could get them a drink. Layla already had a glass of champagne and a bottle in an ice bucket in front of her, while Benny had opted for a cold beer. David pointed wordlessly towards the champagne, while Alice just asked for a cold mineral water. She was determined to keep a clear head this week.

They sat and chatted for half an hour or so, without any of the others appearing, and Alice sensed that David was gradually settling down. A couple of glasses of champagne probably also helped steady his nerves. Layla went into considerable detail about her career post-Pals and Alice was delighted to hear it was going well. She knew that Layla had made the transition to movies, as she and David had been to see her in a recent thriller – in which she had been remarkably good in a serious role. This, too, was interesting. As Layla already had a good career, it could well be that she might decide not to do Pals Forever, so if Conrad Chesterfield chose to dig his heels in once more, the project could well be destined never to get off the ground. Alice nodded approvingly to herself. If this were the case, it added considerable strength to their collective bargaining power to get shot of their nemesis.

In return, she told them about her years as a student, although she didn’t mention the possibility of the auction house job for now. When quizzed about her feelings with regard to Pals Forever, Alice made her position quite clear.

‘It’s such a pity, really. Zoë’s a good director – no, a great director – but her people skills are non-existent. For the first couple of years of Pals, I managed to put up with it, and there’s no question she deserves a lot of credit for the success of the series, but as the years went by, I found her harder and harder to bear. I felt dehumanised, like a puppet, with Zoë pulling the strings. Life’s too short for that. If Zoë’s going to be out of the equation or if she’s miraculously morphed into a completely different personality – and that doesn’t look too likely – then I think I’m in. Otherwise, almost certainly no.’

Both Layla and Benny nodded in agreement, while David still looked disbelieving that anybody should even consider turning down such a golden opportunity.

‘What about Millie?’ Layla knew that she and Alice had remained close friends. ‘What’s her view?’

‘You’d better ask her yourself, but I get the impression she might be forced into it for financial reasons.’

She saw the other two exchange looks. They both knew Millie of old. Alice told them that Millie was on her way, but neither had any idea whether Harry was coming or not. When Paolo reappeared, he confirmed that Harry and Millie were both expected but had not yet arrived. Alice asked him where Zoë, Antonia and Richie might be and received a slightly puzzling answer.

‘I believe they’re at the pool. It’s round at the rear of the villa.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘But I expect they’ll be in soon, as dinner’s scheduled for eight o’clock.’

Alice thanked him, wondering just who was at the pool. Surely not all three together? The idea of those three relaxing in each other’s company seemed highly improbable. In the end she decided there was only one thing to do. She stood up, followed by David who looked reluctant to leave Layla, told the others they would see them at dinner and headed round to the rear of the villa, in the direction that Paolo had indicated. By this time the sun had disappeared behind the hills and the light was fading fast. As they approached the pool enclosure, screened by a mass of pink and red oleanders in full bloom, she heard splashing and wondered idly what Richie looked like with his shirt off after his new health kick.

When she reached the pool, she found that Richie had already changed into shorts and a T-shirt but, considering she was here with David, that was probably for the best. Beside him, an attractive blonde in a bikini had clearly just emerged from the water and was patting herself dry. In the half-light it was hard to tell whether the hair colour was natural, but Alice had to admit that she looked good. Two things were immediately clear – Richie had also exercised his right to bring a companion, and from the affectionate way the woman was looking at him, they were more than casual friends. Alice was happy for him. Clearly, his therapist had done a good job.

‘Hi, Richie. I thought I’d just come and check that you weren’t being held against your will by our director friend.’

‘Oh hi, Alice, that was a nice thought but no, I haven’t seen Zoë since she spoke to you. Maybe she’s sulking… or sticking pins in wax figures of us. This is Carrie. She’s a good friend.’

A good friend? As a description, this was open to numerous interpretations but, for now, Alice just held out her hand.

‘Hi, Carrie. I’m pleased to meet you, and this is my boyfriend, David.’

‘Gosh, I’m just so thrilled to meet you, too, Alice. You’re my hero. I often dreamt