‘Nonsense. It’s fantastic! How do you speak such good Italian in the first place? It’s very unusual to find British people who can…’

‘I’ve always loved Italy. I did a degree in Italian and spent a year living in Bologna,’ explained Libby. ‘But I never use it in London and so I’ve forgotten quite a lot.’

‘So you have the summer off before serious life begins?’ asked Luca, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

‘Exactly! I have to make the most of it!’ laughed Libby.

‘I will do myverybest to help you,’ grinned Luca, with more than just a hint of suggestion in his eyes.

Oh dear, thought Libby.This could be dangerous…

As the evening passed by, Libby had another beer and tried her best to read an abandoned copy ofLa Corriere della Seranewspaper that had been left on the bar. She finally got around to checking her emails, reading one from her sister Helen who had recently arrived in Hong Kong. She chatted a bit more to Luca between serving customers, and Floriana came to talk to her before going up to her apartment. Giulia also popped in every now and again. Libby remembered Giulia’s warning. She must know Luca pretty well, having worked with him for so long. She would be wise to listen to her advice.

At about ten o’clock, Libby said her goodnights and headed up to bed, keen to get an early night before her 5.30 a.m. alarm call. She felt exhausted after her day of travelling and the influx of new information that she had received. She brushed her teeth and washed her face in the bathroom next door, then went into her room to change into the oversized shirt that served as her pyjamas. She imagined she was back down on the beach at Spiaggia del Fornillo, the sun beating down on her as the sound of the sea lapped the shore. Before she knew it she had drifted off.