The Di Tramonto Story

I have now started off a new blog which can be found here

http://themaceydiaries.wordpress.com/

It  is with great sorrow I have to announce the premature end of The Di Tramonto Story. My files got corrupted or something and I was unable to save anything, so unfortunately we must bid Ilario and his family goodbye. I am planning on starting a completely new legacy family, so if you’ve enjoyed The Di Tramonto Story then watch this space for a further announcement. Thanks for reading.

With the sudden death of Fiorella it meant that my birthday passed by relatively unnoticed. To cheer myself up I decided to head down to the town spa and treat myself to a spot of pampering. I also decided it was time for a change of image. With the new, older me I decided it was time to have a new more mature looking hairstyle, so opted for a sleek looking bob. I was  hoping that it would make me look more professional to my employers at the newspaper and Id be put forward for better jobs, more serious jobs than been sent to report on rubbish like cats stuck up trees.

My plan must have had some effect because a couple of days later I was summoned into the editors office. I was given a list of names and told to find as much dirt as possible about the people named. Looking at the list I saw they were mainly town hall officials, police officials and other important people in the valley. I was actually pretty surprised none of our family were on there.  After I left the editors office I made my way into town and tried to make myself look as inconspicious as possible as I fished for information. I even went as far as rummaging through people’s bins. It’s amazing the things people carelessly throw away and the secrets you can find out that way.

I think Nico is wondering why I’m not at home much these days. I just brushed it off as work taking up a lot of time, especially now I have these extra assignments and I think he believes that. The truth is I’m feeling kind of resentful of the family lately. When I was younger I always imagined that when I got married I’d live with my husband in our own house somewhere with our children, visiting our relatives at the weekends and during school holidays. Instead I have ended up spending the whole of my married life living in a house belonging to my husbands parents, who still live with us. Not only that but for many years we also shared that home with Nico’s brother and sister. Stacey has long since gone, but Carlo is still hanging around. Obviously I can’t ask that Ilario and Bianca move out, as it is their home, but with space so short, especially with three children it’s so frustrating. The boys are in their teens and having to share one room. Belle is nearly ready to start school and still sharing a room with me and Nico. It’s not fair, and apart from anything else it is doing our love life no good, if you know what I mean. Which brings me onto another matter, Nico has been making noises about us having another child. If I am honest it is the last thing I want. After the boys and Belle it felt nice to finally get back to work and be something else other than just a mum. Sometimes I feel bad that I don’t spend as much time with Belle as I did with the boys when they were small, but the arrangement me and Nico have works well and he enjoys playing dad during the day whilst I’m at work. Anyway back to the housing situation there’s no way Nico would ever consider us moving away, he’s the eldest of Ilario’s children so he’s duty bound to carry on living in the family home as one day the entire control of DTC will be handed over to him. I wish he’d tell Carlo to move out, but I’m not sure how to approach the subject without causing an argument, so I say nothing.

I don’t know how much longer I can go just keeping quiet though.

Jess.

The latest edition of The Sunset Valley Times. (Click on the image to read an enlarged version)

The time had finally come for me to make the transition from a young man to an adult. I mean I’ve felt like a proper grown up for years because of the children me and Jess have, but this was one of those landmark birthdays and it will be one I shall never forget, although not altogether for good reasons I’m afraid.

I had wanted just a quiet day, but unbeknown to me my parents and Jess organised a big family party. Everyone was there from my beloved Nonna to little Belle. We gathered in the dining room for a lovely sit down meal prepared at Nonna’s bistro (she recently handed over the business to my sister, who is doing a fine job). Then out came the cake. I make a joke about being far too old for birthday cakes now, but secretly I was pleased. As I blew the candles out everyone cheered loudly. Even Jess seemed happy, I still haven’t managed to speak to her about the way things have been between us lately and why she seems to spend as much time as possible away from our family. I did plan to speak to her after the party, but with what happened next I simply didn’t get the chance.

We had just sat down to eat the cake when Nonna said she didn’t feel well. Stacey suggested she went and had a lie down in one of the bedrooms for a while. She smiled weakly and said she thought that was  a good idea. The minute she stood up I just knew something wasn’t right and she seemed to be surrounded in a strange golden light.

Before we knew what was happening a shadowy figure seemed to float into the room and across to Nonna. It took her by the hand and it was like all the life was literally sucked out of her as she turned into a ghostly vision right before our eyes.

Shock and devestation are the only words to find to describe how we felt in that moment. One minute we were celebrating my birthday and the next mourning the death of my dear Nonna. My poor father looked utterly broken, I don’t know how he’ll cope with this.

My dearest Nonna. I can’t imagine life without you. I just hope wherever you are, you’ve been reunited with Nonno. We love you and we’ll miss you.

Nico xx

Okay, I admit it! When I first heard my brother Alexi was going to Champ Les Sims on the school exchange programme I was jealous. What I wouldn’t give to be among all those fit french birds and my nerdy brother was going to be doing just that. Typical! Then of course there was all that stuff with him being portrayed as some kind of celebrity just because he found some old junk in a cave.

Anyway the nerd came back home and call it a brother thing but I just knew there was something he was keeping quiet about. I decided to do a bit of detective work and heard him on the phone to someone.

“Yeah I miss you too, Eliza….. I know…. it went by too quickly…..I can’t wait either….”

It sounded like my nerdy brother had found himself a girl! As he ended the conversation I burst into the room

“Who’s Eliza then?” I asked

“Oh… she’s…. just a friend.” he replied hesitantly.

“Yeah right… Who’d have thought geekoid would have got himself a girlfriend.

Alexi’s silence spoke volumes to me, obviously Eliza was his girlfriend.

“So, how are you going to conduct a relationship when she’s in Champ Les Sims and you are here? Long distance is one thing, but this is another….” I teased.

“Well I’ve asked Mum and Dad and they’ve said she can come and stay with us for a couple of weeks…..She’s arriving next week.”

Wow, my brother sure was a fast worker.

“So what does this bird look like?” I asked trying to sound as casual as possible.

“Her name is Eliza.” replied Alexi in haughty tones. He walked over to his desk drawer, pulled out a framed photograph and placed it on his bedside table. “This is Eliza.” as he set it down gently.

I expected to see some geeky bucktoothed freak staring back at me, after all no girl of any real status would glance twice at my brother, so I was amazed when I saw just how pretty Eliza was.

“Thought french birds were meant to be classy.” I said trying to hide my feelings of envy. “She looks a bit… y’know… cheap.”

“You are such an idiot, Marco” Alexi snapped before walking out of the room and slamming the door behind him.

How on earth had my brother managed to pull a fit bird like that? One thing I knew I couldn’t wait to meet her now.

When Eliza arrived she was more beautiful than her picture, that’s for sure. As Alexi introduced us I couldn’t help but think what a waste of a fine girl she was to be stuck with my boring brother. I think everyone in the family liked Eliza straight away, even Belle absolutely adored her and it was easy to see why. Alexi looked like the cat that got the cream as he proudly showed Eliza off to everyone.

One evening Eliza and I found ourselves alone. Alexi had been asked to give a talk at the local theatre about his discoveries in Champ Les Sims and most of the rest of the household were out. I knew Eliza was interested in art as I had heard Alexi mentioning it before, so I asked her if she had seen our own artworks in the family gallery. She said she hadn’t, so I offered to show them to her in the gallery we have in the basement of our home. We were down there alone for ages as she marvelled at the fine works of art.

“Thank you for showing me this, Marco.” she said

Taking her hands I smiled at her and said “You know something Eliza, you are more beautiful than any artwork I’ve ever seen.

She giggled shyly

“Oh you are so full of charms.”

“And none quite so charming as you.” I replied.

For a moment we said nothing at all and just gazed at each other.

Then, leaning towards her I did what I had longed to do from the moment I set eyes on the beautiful Eliza Dupont.

Marco

It was my darling daughter’s birthday today. I can hardly believe she’s no longer a baby, it feels like only yesterday Jess and I brought her home from the hospital.

We decided to keep celebrations fairly low key for once which is unusual for this family, but I think with so many of us away doing different things at the minute we thought we’d save a big celebration for when we are all together. The idea was for me, Jess and Marco (Alexi is still on exchange) to just have a little get together and a cake for the birthday girl. Well, that was the idea anyway. In reality Marco ended up in an after school detention and after waiting nearly two hours for Jess I received a text saying she’d been held  up at work (I’m actually a bit worried about Jess at the minute). Anyway it ended up just me and my little girl. I lit the candle on her cake which I had bought in especially from the new bakery in town and carried her over. I gazed down at the wriggling little bundle before me, hardly able to believe that in the blink of an eye she’d go from baby to inquisative toddler.

“Guess we’d better blow this candle out then” I said to her smiling. For a second I thought I’d heard the front door go and hoped that maybe Jess had made it back in time after all, but it was just the paperboy shoving the evening paper through the door.

Sighing I blew out the candle for Belle telling her to make a wish as I did so.

Belle certainly proved she was a bright and inquisitive little thing and soon learnt how to talk and is always begging me to read to her. The good thing about my job means that I get to spend the day at home and just head down to the theatre at night for the performances when Belle is asleep anyway.

I can’t help but think that Jess is missing out on so much with Belle. She’s at work all day and Belle is usually asleep by the time she gets back home. Even at weekends she spends more time tapping away on her computer writing her latest articles than she does with Belle. Sometimes I wonder if she just doesn’t love Belle in the same way she loves the boys, because I swear she was never like this with Marco and Alexi, in fact quite the opposite she loved to spend as much time as possible with them. I haven’t spoken to her about it yet, but if things don’t change soon I think I’ll have to because Belle will pick up on it and I don’t want her growing up thinking her mother doesn’t want her.

How can anyone not love my precious daughter?

Nico

Hi, me again! Now where did I get up to? That’s right, I’d just found out I had been selected to represent Sunset Valley in the exchange programme and I would be jetting off the following week.

A week later I was looking eagerly out of the tiny aeroplane window watching the glorious city of Paris come into view as we flew into the airport. Sadly I wouldn’t be staying in Paris itself as Champs Les Sims was situated a few miles out of the city. As long as I managed to visit the city once or twice during my stay I wasn’t too disappointed about it.

It was late afternoon by the time I arrived in Champs Les Sims. What can I say about the place? Well it’s like a little rural market town really, situated on the banks of the river, the same river which leads to Paris. I was able to make out the shape of the Eiffel Tower in the distance which surprised me. It felt kind of strange knowing the city was so far, yet so near.  I was a little surprised how quiet the town was, in Sunset Valley there are always people milling around in the park or on the main street at all hours of the day.

Anyway I made my way to the school I would be attending for the next few weeks, Ecole de Champ Les Sims. I’d be staying in their boarding house with the other boarders (the school website said that many parents in the forces or working abroad liked to send their children to the school as boarders). I felt scared but also a bit excited, I’d only ever shared a room with my brother, Marco but now I’d be sharing a dorm with five others. After I’d been assigned my bed, met the house master and been welcomed by the headteacher I found myself alone. None of the others I’d be sharing with had returned from holidays ready for the new term yet. I decided that I might as well explore my new surroundings. Outside the boarding house I found an information board and studied the map on it.

I wandered down into the town along the quiet cobbled streets breathing in the beautiful french air. Eventually I found myself in the town square, which I immediately recognised from the exchange programme brochure I had been given.

I made my way into a rather quaint looking cafe, well it was a shop and cafe combined into one. The woman serving me immediately recognised me as not being local (just like in the valley where everyone seems to know your business).I explained I was an exchange student and would be staying in the town for the next few weeks.

“Ahh yes, I heard we were to have an exchange student. My niece goes to the ecole, you will be sharing classes from what she said about the new student.” she said in her lovely french lilt.

She asked me how I was enjoying Champs Les Sims so far and I told her  how I had only just arrived and no one was back at the school yet.

“I must introduce you to my niece. It may be another few days before the other students return and it can be lonely here for youngsters. Look, this is my niece…” she said pulling a photograph out of her bag which was under the counter, ” Her name is Eliza, if you see her around you should get to know each other. She gets lonely here sometimes too when her friends go back home for the holidays.”

I looked at the photograph she was showing me and saw a pretty looking girl staring back and felt my heart do a little flip. I’d definitely make a point of getting to know Eliza if I saw her.

The school term rapidly got underway and I found myself snowed under with work. Champ Les Sims was a friendly little town and I soon found my way around.  I’d seen Eliza in a few of my classes but didn’t have the chance to speak to her. Anyway I’d just signed up to take part in a history field trip so talking to girls was the last thing on my mind.

The field trip was amazing and definitely one of the highlights of my adventure. A small group of us were assigned a project which would see us exploring the old stone ruins just outside the town. We’d be camping, researching, exploring and excavating on the site. I’d sometimes gone camping with Marco, or with Uncle Carlo but we used to just mess around. This would be serious business though and I couldn’t wait. In the run up to the start of the project I read as many books as I could about the ruins, I wanted to learn as much as possible.

Whilst the others were setting up the camp I wandered around the ancient ruins. One of the old books in the school library had mentioned a local legend which suggested there was a secret entrance located somewhere on the site and led into a maze of tunnels through to a room full of treasure.

When I went down into the town to pick up some last minute supplies I asked Pierre the local historian and curator of the town museum located in the town library what he knew about the legend. He laughed and said in all his years of researching Champs Les Sims he had found nothing to suggest it was more than just a local tale with no real truth to it.

Later that evening I wandered around the ruins alone trying to find some clue which might lead me to the secret entrance. I can’t explain it but I just couldn’t believe it was just a story, there had to be something, some truth which had sparked the tale off.

After hours of scrabbling around in the undergrowth I was about ready to concede defeat. Sighing I leant against one of the old stones thinking maybe it was just an old tale after all when I felt something on the stone move slightly and the ground next to me vibrate. Looking down I saw a small black hole had appeared…. and even more exciting there were steps leading down into it. Pulling my pocket torch out I cautiously ventured down the stone steps barely able to contain my excitement. I found myself in a large empty room, there had to be something in here, another door…. or something. Shining my torch around I saw a huge rockfall. Damn! There was no way I’d get through there without tools, and they were all back at the camp. Suddenly I remembered the rest of my group. They would be amazed when I told them what I’d found.

I practically ran back to the camp, my mind racing. We’d need tools, torches and things. I stopped dead when I reached our camp, the rest of my group were all passed out  with a pile of beer bottles next to them. I couldn’t believe it. Making a snap decision I quickly packed up my tent and grabbed my rucksack and as many tools and supplies as I could carry. They might be more interested in beer, but I had to find out what was down there, so I would go and explore alone.

I set to work chipping away at the rockfall before me. I didn’t care if it took me all night I’d see what was behind there somehow. A couple of hours later and I’d made progress, there was a door there and I could get through it!

I walked for what felt like miles down tunnel after tunnel, some completely empty others lined with curious old statues. I came to a locked door and couldn’t think how to release the chains until I remembered what I read in one of the books about the history of the ruins which mentioned how puzzles and traps were often used as security in Champs Les Sims. Looking around again I noticed that one of the statues looked slightly looser than the others and one of the stones on the floor looked different. “I wonder…” I thought to myself and started to pull the statue towards the stone. I couldn’t believe it when it worked but groaned when I found myself in yet another room. After all that digging and walking I felt quite tired so decided to set up my tent and grab a few hours sleep.

After a good rest I continued my journey. Finding yet another set of stairs I wondered how far underground I was now. Walking along the tunnel I stopped in utter amazement when I saw a lush green garden before me. How could this be? So far underground, away from the light yet here before me a living garden!

Wandering around I came across an ornate chest. This had to be it, surely? The treasures which were thought to be just the stuff of legend. Carefully opening the chest I shone my torch inside and gasped as I saw something golden glinting back at me. Gold coins, jewels, vases… the chest was crammed full of these untouched treasures. Pierre would be amazed when he heard of my discoveries which would no doubt be placed in the town museum.

The next couple of weeks I was hailed a bit of a hero in school. Pierre was astounded when I told him about my discoveries and as I suspected the treasures were all placed in the town museum. I couldn’t believe the publicity we got…. I say “we” because the others in my group had been worried about getting into trouble for getting drunk rather than working and had begged me to say they were in on the adventure too. I agreed but only because I didn’t want to be seen as a snitch or anything. Aunt Stacey sent me a letter gushing about my discovery. She said the Sunset Valley Times had even run a piece about it. Sitting in the window of the cafe (my favourite haunt) I wrote back to Aunt Stacey about life in Champ Les Sims and what I thought about life in France.

Making my way back to the boarding house that evening I was surprised to bump into Eliza. It was the first time since I’d been here we’d had the chance to speak to each other.We stood there in the street chatting and she told me she was just going to see her aunt at the cafe. I said I was on my way back to the boarding house….. another fun night alone, not!

Just as we were about to say our goodbyes Eliza turned to me and said

“Alexi, there’s an art exhibition in the library at the weekend….. I don’t suppose…. I don’t suppose you’d like to come with me to see it?”

My heart skipped a beat and I could barely contain my excitement as I said I’d enjoy that very much.  I think I practically danced my way back to the boarding house. Eliza was just the kind of girl I’d been waiting to meet and I just knew that this was going to be the start of something wonderful.

Alexi

Wow, I don’t know where to start. I’ve had the most amazing six weeks of my life!

It all started just after Carlo’s birthday. I’d been sitting there in another French lesson at school gazing at the map of France on the wall imagining what it would be like to one day visit, just like Aunt Stacey did a while back when I noticed my teacher suddenly stood by my desk. At first I thought I was in trouble for not getting on with my work, but then he said to me “I’d like you to stay behind after class, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” He must have noticed my worried expression as he then added “It’s nothing to worry about.”

For the rest of the lesson it felt even harder to concentrate and I could barely wait until the bell went. What did Monsieur Abbott want to speak to me about? I hoped it wasn’t going to be about Marco fooling around in every lesson. I hate how the teachers seem to think that just because he’s my brother it means that somehow I can make him behave better in school. Sometimes I wish I was more like Marco, but everyone says I am more like my Uncle Carlo, which I am not entirely sure is a compliment. Anyway once everyone had left the class Monsieur Abbott sat by my desk and place a glossy brochure on the table.

“Right, well what I wanted to speak to you about Alexi is this.” he said pointing to the brochure. ” For a number of years Sunset Valley Secondary School has taken part in an exchange programme with a school in France. You know, Sunset Valley is twinned with Champs Les Sims, don’t you? Well it is with their school we operate the exchange programme…..”

“What does this have to do with me?” I asked fearing  I was about to be asked to play host to some geeky french kid for a term.

“Well after a discussion with my other colleagues within the French department, and a talk with the headteacher we have decided that we’d like to offer you the chance to represent our school in this years exchange.

“You mean I’d get to go to France?” I asked hardly daring to feel excited in case I’d got the wrong end of the stick.

“Got it in one, Alexi. You have had the highest grade of any student each year in the French exams and we feel that as recognition of your hard work it is only fair you are offered the first refusal of this opportunity.

“I’ve always wanted to go to France.” I said unable to contain my glee any longer.

Monsieur Abbott laughed. “Unfortunately the process isn’t that simple. The town council can only afford to pay for the sponsorship of one person to take part in the programme and we aren’t the only school in the valley, so you’ll be competing for a place against the private school on the other side of the valley.”

My heart sank, there was no way I could compete with the other school. It was well known that only the very very best went there, not kids like me who were just good at one or two subjects. Nevertheless I let Monsieur Abbott tell me what I needed to do in order to try and win the place. Taking the brochure  home I thought how fantastic it would be to win the place. The winner would be decided by the Town Council Committee. Part of me was tempted to speak to Nan about it as she still had a lot of contacts from when she worked fairly high up within the council, but I knew deep down I had to get this through my own hard work, and not by ‘favours’. So sitting at the computer in the study I started to type out my essay about why I felt I should win the place and what made me the best representitve of not only my school, but the whole of Sunset Valley.

About three weeks went by and I was starting to think I’d blown it and lost out to someone at the private school despite my efforts. I was just about to settle down to do my homework when my mobile rang.

“Alexi Di Tramonto?” a voice on the other end enquired.

“Err, yes, speaking.” I replied.

“Oh, hello. This is Verity Rafferty from Sunset Valley Town Council speaking. I am in charge of this end of the exchange programme with Champs Les Sims. We were very impressed with your application essay, Mr Di Tramonto and also the supporting statement from your teacher and I am very pleased to tell you that you have been selected as our chosen representitive for this years exchange programme.”

I nearly dropped the ‘phone in shock. I’d actually done it. I WAS GOING TO FRANCE!!!

The rest of the conversation passed in a bit of a blur, but this time the following week I’d be on a flight to Champs Les Sims. I could hardly wait to tell Mum and Dad, they were so proud, the whole family were, although I did notice Marco looking, I dunno, kind of annoyed once or twice. I put it down to him being used to the one being the centre of attention and not liking the focus being on someone else. Aunt Stacey was so excited when I told her about my impending trip and immediately raked out all her old travel guides and albums.

“You’ll love every minute of it Alexi” she sighed. I could tell she was wishing she had travelled more than she did, but since she married Uncle Noah the travelling had stopped. Plus she didn’t feel she could leave Bisnonna now she was so old (she’s going to be 101 next birthday can you believe!)

I promised her I’d soak up every second of it and have a good time for the both of us.

Heading back home there was so much to do before next week. It was going to be hectic, but worth it!

Alexi

Can’t believe it has taken me this long to make my first entry. I had been thinking about it for a while, but never really thought I had anything important to say. All my life I have been the baby of the family and have felt kind of overshadowed by my brother and sister. Now Nico is married with children of his own and Stacey is also married, but flew from the family nest a long time ago.

With my birthday approaching I had been thinking a lot about what it was really going to mean when I grew up. With Marco and Alexi in the house I had stopped feeling like the baby of the family a long time ago, and now with Belle becoming part of the family too it struck me how life was passing by.

One afternoon in the garden I caught up with Nico and told him some of my thoughts. Would it be expected that I would do as Stacey had done and move out? I didn’t even know where I would go. Nico laughed and said no one was going to force me to move if I didn’t want to. The thing is, he doesn’t know that I’ve heard Jess complaining to him how crowded our house is and me moving out is the most obvious choice because Mum & Dad sure won’t be going anywhere, it is their house after all. Jess knows though, that the minute anything happens to Mum and Dad the house will be passed onto Nico. It has always been the case in our family, the eldest son cops for the family jewels. Stacey was lucky as she moved in with our grandparents and our grandfather had it written into his will that when he and our grandmother were both dead she would inherit the beach house. It feels like I am the only one who will get nothing and if I am honest I do feel bitter about it. It wasn’t my fault I was the last born. Anyway I told Nico how worried I was about my future. He assumed I was referring to work and girls.

“Bro, you’ll have no worries getting a job. You’re a great writer for a start. The Sunset Valley Times would be mad not to hire you. ” said Nico “You’ll have no trouble getting a girlfriend either, you know what it’s like around here once you mention the Di Tramonto name.” he added with a laugh and a wink.

I’d not really given girls a lot of thought up until now, I’d always concentrated on my writing and art work. I mean I wanted a girlfriend, but now I just felt…. I dunno…. a bit clueless, especially when I thought how I was following in my brother’s path. All the girls in the valley lusted after Nico and there had been rumours in the past he had cheated on Jess. I don’t know how true they are, but either way Jess seems prepared to believe it is nothing more than rumour.

Nico, wanting to be the good elder brother decided in his “wisdom” to help me with my girls situation by setting me up on a blind date with the sister of a friend of Jess’. Her name was Tessa Van Watson. She was quite pretty with red hair. We went to the bistro (still owned by my grandmother) for a meal. It soon became clear Tessa had only agreed to the blind date because she knew Nico was my elder brother and it was him who she really liked. All she did all evening was ask me questions about him.  I swear, if my Dad hadn’t always drilled it into me that you treat all women with the utmost respect I’d have climbed out of the toilet window or something. After our date (and I use that term loosely) I walked Tessa home.

“Oh I can’t wait to see you again, Carlo.” she said. “I’ve had such a wonderful time. Maybe next time Nico could join us…. and Jess.” she continued gushing.

“Erm yeah…. maybe. I mean I’m going to be busy for the next few weeks so I can’t make any plans now…..” I trailed off.

Tessa grabbed me and hugged me telling me not to leave it too long before running up the steps to her front door.

“Never again!” I silently thought to myself.

The next few weeks were indeed busy as Mum decided that a big fuss must be made of my birthday. Before I knew it the day of my birthday had arrived. My family and friends (plus some more girls Nico was hoping to set me up with) all gathered in the function room to watch as I blew out my candles….

As I took a deep breath and blew everyone cheered I felt a strange sensation come over me. All of a sudden I didn’t feel like Carlo Di Tramonto, youngest son of Ilario and Bianca anymore, I felt like a young man with an exciting future ahead of him.

The party got into full swing and lasted well into the night. The girls Nico tried to set me up with were about as bad as Tessa, only interested in getting close to Nico through me. Feeling a bit fed up I wandered off into the garden for a bit of air. As I stood looking up at the night sky I heard a voice behind me

“Beautiful isn’t it?”

I turned to see Sally Bellingdale, one of my co-workers from the bookstore stood there. I liked Sally, she was sweet and quite shy, but we got on well and, like me she loved writing and hoped to become an author one day. I asked her if she was enjoying the party. She replied she was, but had come outside for a bit of air.

“I sometimes find crowds a bit much.” she explained shyly

“Me too.” I replied, which was a bit of a lie, but I could tell Sally felt a bit embarassed. “We could stay out here and chat for a bit if you like?” I said.

Sally smiled and said she’d like that, so we sat by the fountain chatting about our lives, work, and plans for the future.

I noticed her shiver and realised how cold it was suddenly, so suggested we went back inside.

As we reached the front door of the house I stopped and turned to Sally to say I had really enjoyed our chat. I don’t know why, but all of a sudden it was like I was seeing her with new eyes and I thought to myself just how pretty she really was in a cute way.

“Thanks for coming tonight” I said, hugging her awkwardly. “I’d like it if we could do something like this again sometime….. that’s if you want to” I added hastily.

“I’d really like that.” she said smiling back at me.

As we went back inside I smiled to myself. I didn’t want to jinx anything but I had a sneaking suspicion that if I played my cards right, me and the lovely Sally Bellingdale might be more than just friends.

Carlo.