With Love, From Italy

The rest of the day had been enjoyable, spent lazing around on the beach and periodically swimming. The older members of the troupe had returned just after lunch time, and they had also been joined by Tom’s older sister Sarah and her husband. Apparently his younger sister was too busy with a theatre production to make it this year, but it was still pleasant meeting the sibling. By the time they had returned to the villa in the evening Leigh had been absolutely exhausted and barely managed to eat dinner before crawling into bed.

The next morning found her re-energised and this time she was up and ready to leave with everyone else. They had been informed the day before that they would be spending some time down at the Piazza where the weekly markets were being held, and then they were free to roam around. They had passed through the town centre several times already, but this time as they entered Leigh looked around in awe. Every space possible had been taken up by a stall, leaving only a single path for everyone to pass through. The crowds had grown with them as well and as the group meandered from stall to stall they found themselves bunched in enough to brush against one another. Pausing to inspect one that housed an assortment of handmade and elaborately painted plates, Leigh fell behind the others, only to have her name called.

“Leigh! What about this hat?” Belle called from several stalls away and the redhead turned to find the girl balancing a much too small knitted cap on her head. Leigh let out a laugh at the sight, walking up to join her and snatching the hat away.

“I think your head’s a little too thick for that,” the Australian quipped and Belle poked her tongue out, taking it back.

“Perhaps, but I bet Sarah’s kid will love it,” she replied, turning to face the owner. When the old lady spouted a number Belle immediately scowled, quoting another one. As Leigh watched on she vowed to have her friend help with all transactions, not even understanding how much the owner had asked in the first place. Eventually it seemed the English girl settled on a price, handing over several notes and looking rather pleased with herself as she bundled the hat up in her hands. Making to move on the girl collided with her cousin who had approached, Leigh giggling slightly as he steadied her.

“Tom, look what I got your niece. Reckon Sarah will love it?” Belle asked, holding the cap up and Tom chuckled, taking it from her.

“That is the most horrid hat I’ve ever seen; I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“Was that sarcasm, or does your sister have a sick sense of humour when it comes to her daughter?” Leigh asked, causing more laughter. The previous day on the beach Sarah had pulled out her phone and shown the redhead a picture of her young daughter. Leigh had immediately cooed and the older girl sighed, explaining that this would be the longest they had been apart since she had been born a couple of years earlier.

“It runs in the family, for example I think you’d look absolutely stunning in this darling,” Tom replied, pulling a murky brown wrap from a nearby rack and Leigh let out a snort.

“Let me guess, it’d bring out my eyes right?” The three of them burst into further laughter, and after receiving a stern look from the owner of the stall Belle took the wrap and placed it back, pushing both of them along.

They spent a couple of hours wandering around the market, Leigh eliciting the help of Belle for any purchases. She had returned to the villa with a few wares, silently wondering how she would be able to keep them out of reach of her housemate on return. This sparked a whole barrage of thoughts about how temporary this wonderful vacation was and that in eleven days she would have to return to the devil incarnate and impending deadlines. In the end she had grown frustrated with herself and muttering to Belle that she was going to head down to the seaside, she grabbed her book and escaped into the sunlight.

She ended up at a small café overlooking the beach, an espresso in front of her on a table and her book in her hands. She had purposely focused hard on the words until she found herself lost in another world where no negative thoughts could reach her. It came as a complete shock to her when a voice called her name and she actually dropped the book, letting out a short scream.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry darling,” Tom apologized and she looked up to find him hovering above her, placing a hand over her heart. “I didn’t realize you were quite so immersed, I’m terribly sorry.”

“No, no it’s fine,” she started, picking up her book and leaning back into the chair. “I was engrossed trying to distract my mind; it’s not your fault.”

“Ah I see. Did you want to talk about it? I mean you don’t have to,” he offered, taking a seat in the chair opposite. Worry was etched over his face and Leigh waited slightly tense for what was to come. “Belle briefly told me why she had invited you, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, I mean it is your holiday. And given your… situation it’s only fair you knew she wasn’t dragging along some crazed fan girl just because she could,” Leigh shrugged him off, relaxing once more and smiling at him.

“Yes, she didn’t say all that much; just that you deserved a break after what your, and I quote, jerk-off ex-boyfriend did to you.”

“Oh, Matt? That was about four months ago now, I’m doing much better,” she said, discarding her book on the table. “I mean don’t get me wrong, I moped around for a good month or so. But then I realized if he could have a fresh start then why couldn’t I? In regards to him at least. No, now my biggest issue is my housemate.”

“Ah yes, I heard about her as well; a vile devil of a woman.”

“Was that another quote?” Leigh quizzed and he looked at her innocently, shaking his head.

“No that’s my own deductions.”

“Well you’re wrong on one thing, she’s not a vile devil, she is the devil. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if I return to London to find all my belongings a pile of ash in a bon fire. ‘Oh well you were away so I thought you wouldn’t need them’,” she imitated, scrunching her face up with how well she got Ida’s voice. Tom’s expression was a mixture of amusement, pity, and horror and she couldn’t help but glance away shyly.

“Would she actually do something like that?” he asked, causing her to glance back up at him. She chewed on her lip briefly before nodding with a sigh. In truth she had only been half joking when she said it. “Oh darling, you need to get out of there.”

“Trust me, as soon as my contract’s up in three months time I’m out of there,” she said. Tom’s face lit up with her statement and she couldn’t help but feel touched by the fact that he seemed to care so much. It also made her feel nervous; while he was much more relaxed and carefree here on holiday compared to clips she had caught of him on television, there was still something incredibly intense about him. Clearing her throat she placed her hands over her book, tilting her head slightly. “So are we ordering more coffee, or shall we go for a walk?”

“As much as I love my coffee, I believe you’re on at least your second for the afternoon, so I suggest a walk,” he replied, rising to his feet. She followed suit and grinned up at him, slipping her arm through the one he offered her. Together they started off down the street, silence reigning, and Leigh couldn’t help but glance sideways at him occasionally. Eventually she came to a halt, tilting her head slightly as she turned to him.

“Alright, spill it, what are you thinking so hard about?” she probed and he looked at her in surprise, about to open his mouth and ask how she knew when she answered. “Either you’re trying to unleash some hidden telekinetic powers, or you’re concentrating on something. You have a crease right here.”

She reached up to gently place a finger between his brows and he visibly relaxed, the line disappearing before he looked away somewhat sheepishly. “If I’m honest I was thinking about how much sense our discussion has made. With everything Annabelle said I was admittedly expecting a rather melancholy person; so when we were walking down to lunch on the first day and you were talking with my aunt and uncle and laughing with Cecil I was a little perplexed.”

“Well now you know I suppose. Take the stress away from a girl and she becomes the life of the party,” Leigh said half-jokingly and Tom nodded. His gaze came to focus behind her, his eyebrows rising and the redhead turned to find they had stopped right outside a Gelato store. Spinning back to face the man his blue eyes seemed to silently ask if ice cream was on the menu and without a word she stepped into the store.