On the Terrace Read online

  ~#~

  The next evening Leonardo and Seta Verde are standing at the rear of the terrace, watching the children play in the pool. Seta Verde is wearing a denim skirt and red strapless top today, finished off I am pleased to see, with a green silk scarf, patterned with red roses. It suits her, and I am tempted to express my approval as I go past. Her hair is loose around here shoulders, something I have not seen before.

  They stand at just the right distance from each other, but Leonardo touches her arm gently as she says something amusing. Leonardo is Italian, but I have decided that he lives in England. He is here on his own, and does not wear a wedding ring. He is in his late thirties, or early forties, I hope he does something creative for his job; I do not believe that he would be happy otherwise.

  Carietta is sitting at a table by the railing, book in hand. There is a straw hat on the chair next to her. Carietta is quite old, and I fleetingly think it would have been more apt if she read Christie; then I could call her Marple, which would be much more fitting. When I see her, I almost wonder where she has left her knitting.

  The waiter brings me tea without asking, and as I introduce the teabag to the water, I watch through the open door, Scarlet and Jacket Man wait for the lift. Of course Scarlet is Lavender today, but she will forever remain Scarlet to me. Lavender seems too old and fusty for her, and certainly for the style of her dress. I am glad she did not wear that dress yesterday, as it would have ruined the chance for a perfectly suitable name. They step aside as El Fumo and Jangle Bangle exit the lift. El Fumo takes a seat at a table in the centre of the terrace, and Jangle Bangle stands at the rail by Seta Verde, watching several children playing in the swimming pool.

  Although there are ashtrays on every table Fumo is the only guest here I have seen smoking, and as before, he lights a cigarette as soon as he has settled himself at the table. The waiter brings out a bowl of peanuts, and Fumo orders two glasses of red wine. Jangle moves to the table Fumo has chosen, and sits down, arranging her skirt carefully over her knees, her multitudinous bangles jangling.

  The waiter arrives with the drinks and places them on the table. Fumo continues to smoke, and flicking the ash into the ashtray, he opens up a guidebook on the local area and begins reading. Fumo and Jangle are both in their fifties I think. A little overweight and jolly looking, Fumo is going bald with good grace, but Jangle definitely dyes the grey in her hair. She looks good though, and I wonder what else she does to stay looking younger.

  “There are many vineyards in the local area, and therefore many wines are made here,” Fumo looks up at Jangle, “we really must visit one while we’re here.”

  Jangle looks at Fumo and nods, “yes…”

  “And a very well preserved castle not far away.”

  She glances up from her magazine, “oh…”

  “Market day in town tomorrow.”

  This time she does not bother to glance up from her magazine, “mmm…”

  Seta Verde is laughing at something happening in the pool, and Leonardo smiles too, and waves at Monster and Sulky.

  “They seem to have enjoyed themselves this week,” Leonardo volunteers.

  Seta Verde smiles again, “I’m so glad, sometimes I think they hate each other, but he’s been helping her to swim better, and I think as they get older they are growing closer to each other.”

  “To swim is a good ability to have; I am not so good at it.”

  “I used to swim regularly, but not lately. I should take it up again, keep myself fit.”

  “Hardly necessary for you, but maybe the children would enjoy the swimming,” Leonardo smiles.

  Seta Verde looks away uncertainly, and does not acknowledge the compliment. Leonardo sighs, he looks as if he is about to reach out to Seta Verde, but she straightens up, and he has lost the opportunity.

  “Ten more minutes!” Seta Verde calls out. I hear Sulky shout back, but do not catch what he says. Seta Verde laughs again. She has laughed more today than in the whole rest of her stay here.

  Leonardo’s notebook is on a nearby table, and when Seta Verde leaves to round up the children, he returns to it and sits down. He stares out across the water for a few moments before picking up his pencil. His pencil strokes are much slower, and more controlled than before and I get the impression he is sketching, rather than drawing. He smiles and closes his eyes briefly, then, signing the drawing with a flourish; he turns the page and starts again with even more vigour. I would definitely like to see what is in his notebook today.

  Carietta reaches out absently for her drink, and almost knocks the cup over. She is reading feverishly, and I wonder if she has indeed read the books before. If she leans any closer to the book she may well disappear into Cumberland County herself. Carietta glances at her watch hastily and I understand that she wants to finish a particular part of the novel before going in to dinner.

  Leonardo is still drawing, with an intense look of concentration on his handsome face. I think he has covered at least six pages, and I wonder if he will sit there all night until the lights go out.

  I think I am the only one here who is relaxed at this moment.

  Abruptly Carietta closes her book with a loud snap and makes her way inside.

  Leaving Leonardo alone with his notebook, I also proceed to the dining room.