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night, when it was dark and warm, we’d swim in the pool among the scent of lilies. Jan smiled at her fancy. That wasn’t true, but it would be fun to swim in the dark. Why not?
    When she came back wearing her own turquoise halter-neck bikini, and trailing a huge pink and orange towel, she heard from somewhere in the house the shrill of a telephone. Marco’s business call? Or maybe Bianca calling her family. She froze a moment, but as the ringing stopped and no one seemed to stir from the house, she sat on the marble edge of the pool and slid gently in. The water was warm after the long hot day.
    She swam the length of the pool. The disturbed water shone silver. Then she floated, resting on the water and staring at the great star-studded arch of sky. Her hair spread out like a fan.
    Someone came running up the garden steps. Hearing the pad of feet, she pulled her own under her and glided to the side of the pool, hoping not to be noticed and keeping her head just below the rim. A terracotta jar of lilies would, she hoped, conceal her completely until the intruder had gone.
    Lights were switched on. Marco, again wearing his town suit, hurried out and met the newcomer. It was the boy from the boat, Dino. They talked together in low voices.
    ‘ The boat, Dino. Quickly.’
    That much Jan understood. And then Roma. Was he going to Rome tonight? She knew his car was garaged on the mainland, and he had refuelled before they left it. What had called him back so late? His business call? Was this one of the penalties of being an international tycoon; the price of being wealthy?
    The two were talking fast now. She could not understand a word, so was in no danger of eavesdropping. But as Dino turned away, he hesitated and spoke again.
    ‘ E la signorina ?’
    He had seen her! Jan gripped the marble edge of the pool, annoyed with herself for skulking under the lilies. How foolish she was going to look!
    But Marco said something quickly to the boy, and ran lightly back into the villa. Jan sighed with relief.
    Dino nodded and went away. But as he went, he must have noticed the big towel lying, for he came back, folded it neatly, and carried it away, as if it were all in the day’s work to find discarded possessions strewn around the pool.
    In the morning Jan chose a sun-suit in a multi-coloured Hawaiian print and scarlet sandals. She breakfasted alone on the terrace. Fresh orange juice, warm rolls with butter and cherry jam, and a great pot of coffee. It was served by Francesca, the plump maid, who smiled and seemed to accept that this guest wore the Signorina Bianca’s clothes. Presently Jan heard her talking to a man, and when the pair of them came into the garden she saw it was Dino. So he had brought the boat back? Had Marco come too?
    Dino flashed his broad grin. Wearing his usual gear of faded blue jeans and a gold cross on a chain which flashed against his bare brown chest, he bowed as gracefully as a mediaeval page, and handed her a letter with a flourish.
    It was from Marco. ‘I have been called away on business,’ it read. ‘I could not wait, as it is urgent. It is not possible to say how long I shall.be away, but I hope not too long. Do not let my mother worry, keep her amused if you can. Dino will take you anywhere you want to go, but it would not be wise to wander off on your own. You might get lost, and our cliffs are high and dangerous.’
    Not much, but he had remembered her in the haste of his night journey. The disappointment she felt surprised her. In his absence, her visit lacked the spice of excitement—danger, almost—it had had yesterday.
    The Signora came out. She was dressed in pink linen, her white hair coiled elegantly on the top of her head. ‘ Good morning, signorina. I hope you slept w ell?’
    ‘ Thank you, madam, I slept wonderfully. It is so quiet here, after a Rome hotel.’
    She knows me. No nonsense about Bianca. I’m right, I know I’m right. Half her trouble is because people don’t