Page 44 of Far from Home
They both chose seafood antipasti to begin with, followed by mixed grilled fish. Amy was feeling a bit awkward to be here with Adam on what was to all intents and purposes a date – assuming that’s what he thought it was – so to help get the conversation started, she decided to talk shop.
‘Did you manage to get through all your paperwork?’
He reached into his pocket, looking sheepish. ‘Erm, sort of. There’s just one document that I’d like you to look at. No need to do it now. Just when you have the time.’
Amy took the handful of sheets of paper from him and gave them a cursory glance. It looked like the printout of a long and convoluted application form for entry to the prestigious Accademia del Cinema awards here in Italy. She looked up with interest. ‘So does this mean you win prizes?’
He smiled back at her. ‘It means wetryto win prizes.’
‘And have you?’
He gave a dismissive wave of the hand that failed to hide his expression of pride. ‘One or two.’
She grinned at him. ‘Go on. I’m listening.’
His eyes glowed with joy as he explained, ‘Well, we were nominated for an Academy Award in LA last year. We just lost out to an air pollution feature made by a Chilean company.’
‘Wow. So you almost got an Oscar?’ That really was impressive.
‘Almost, but not quite. Still, I have high hopes for the one we finished earlier this summer. It’s set in holiday paradises like the Seychelles and Maldives, showing how half the islands are at risk of disappearing under the ocean as the ice caps continue to melt.’
‘God, that sounds awful, but at least for once you weren’t in a war zone. Danny told me you’ve been to some scary places.’
‘I go where the stories are and, if you’ll forgive the pun, those islands are only the tip of the iceberg. If we carry on as we are, huge swathes of low-lying coastal areas around the world will be under water. And I’m not just talking about faraway lands. It’ll include parts of the US, UK, Canada and Europe. As for Africa, it’s getting hotter and hotter and drier and drier, which is going to lead to famine, starvation and, ultimately, insurrection on a frightening scale.’
She listened in fascination as he told her more about what was obviously a subject very dear to his heart. As he talked, she watched him closely. The animation on his face only added to his attraction, which she had long since given up trying to deny to herself. Then, maybe feeling himself being scrutinised, he suddenly stopped and apologised.
‘I’m sorry, Amy, I tend to get carried away. Anyway, if you can spare the time one of these days, maybe you could drop round and we’ll go through this document together.’
‘Of course.’ At least this would give her a chance to spend some more time with him.
They were interrupted by the arrival of their antipasti. This consisted of a wonderful salad of octopus, mussels and prawns covered in lovely thick olive oil and surrounded by rocket leaves. Along with this were slices of bruschetta laden with chopped tomatoes, also liberally doused in olive oil. It all looked and smelt excellent. Tonight they were drinking a local white wine that was light, fruity and wonderfully crisp. It went perfectly with the seafood and she gradually found herself relaxing and she got the impression he was also loosening up.
She asked him more about his travels and he listed a number of places he had visited over the past five years, many of them sounding extremely dangerous. As she listened to him, she once again found herself wondering how she would cope if she were to be partnered with somebody taking so many risks. The memory of her mother and the man she had been brought up to believe to be her father came back to her. The idea that she might end up with a blighted life like her mother was truly scary, although her mother had had the added complication of an unexpected pregnancy to contend with.
They talked for a while before the waiter arrived to remove the empty dishes and replace them with a slab of slate that he placed on the table between them. On this there were five or six different types of grilled fish ranging from sardines to tuna steaks. Slices of grilled aubergine and courgette accompanied the fish. Along with them were skewers loaded with prawns and squid rings and a heap of fries. She looked across the table at him and smiled.
‘This all looks amazing and I bet it tastes even better.Buon appetitoand thanks again for bringing me here.’
‘You’re most welcome. Thankyoufor coming.’
She picked up her wine and took a closer look at him over the rim of her glass. He was a very appealing man. Apart from his good looks, from what she had learnt from him so far, he was bright, capable, courageous and kind. He had provided a shoulder to cry on and helped her get to know the father she had never met. Yes, she told herself, she could do worse. A lot worse. The trouble was that he lived here and unless she took a massive leap into the unknown, she would be back at work in London in just a few days’ time. She took a sip of wine before replying.
‘For what it’s worth, I couldn’t ask for better company either.’ His gaze held hers, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable.
The meal was excellent. Finally, as she was working her way through a mountain of peach, strawberry and meringue ice cream, he said something that reinforced all her doubts and fears.
‘This time next week, I’ll be in Somalia.’
‘I was just reading about Somalia the other day. Isn’t it terribly dangerous with rebel militia groups constantly fighting amongst themselves and against the government?’
‘Yes, but hopefully I won’t be involved with any of them. We’re going over to make a programme about the terrible drought that’s been affecting people there. It promises to be pretty grim but I’m only going to be there for ten days or so.’
Amy shuddered. ‘Well, you just be careful.’
He gave her a confident smile. ‘I’m always careful. I’ll be okay, you’ll see.’
On the way home they stopped to give Max a run in the woods and a comfort break, and she took Adam’s arm as they walked along a rough track. The white gravel reflected the starlight and the dark shape of the Labrador was easily visible. They didn’t talk much but being alone with Adam like this felt intimate and a sense of glorious anticipation crept over her at the thought of getting him back to her house. She had no intention of following Lucy’s directive to mount an all-out assault on him, but she definitely wasn’t going to object if he did the same to her.
