Simon Atherton
(Season six of London’s Night Stalkers)
Chapter 9 – Val Di Pesa
‘The map on the wall looked decorative rather than useful, but it definitely wasn’t a map of somewhere on the lesser travelled roads in faraway places. Machiavelli was pointing a thin bony finger at somewhere called simply the farm.
“Here, not far from Florence, though it may not be as safe as you think.” Said Machiavelli. “I had a farm estate once; it may well still be owned in my name. Sant'Andrea in Percussina, near San Casciano in Val di Pesa. I went there to write in peace and the quiet nearly drove me insane. I am to go with you…………..We need to explore the catacombs below the villa.”’
»
It might have only been fifteen kilometres from Florence, but it took three days to get organised and arrive at the Farm, near Val Di Pesa. There were enough horses for those who wanted to use them, but Vittoria Bianchi didn’t fancy travelling that way. Others wanted better ways to carry their belongings than in saddle bags that smelled of sweaty horses. Simon had agreed to hire a coach rather than a waggon, a coach pulled by two horses. There would also be a waggon, with feed and water for their ever growing number of horses. No one knew about facilities for humans at the farm, at least not for certain. When it came to horses, their knowledge was even more scant. Niccolò Machiavelli had been at their last meal in Florence, a rather nice way to mark that they might all be away from home for some time. A rather nebulous Machiavelli had commented on the facilities at his Farm near Val Di Pesa.
“The estate goes right across the road. Farm doesn’t do it justice; there are many buildings and a well that provides clean water. The walls of the main house should still be strong, the rooms dry. There are fireplaces in most rooms and timber to be had in the woods. In no time after arriving, you should have my old estate feeling warm and cosy.”
It seemed there should still be two nearby villages where they could buy provision, one of them within walking distance. Niccolò’s Farm, or Estate sounded wonderful the kind of place Vittoria would have enjoyed spending a long holiday. There were a lot of should-bes though and no guarantees the place would actually be habitable. One way or another, they’d left Florence with a determination to make the Farm habitable. Exploring the catacombs would begin once they had safe and secure lodgings in the main house. They arrived at night, probably not ideal, but there did seem to be a lot of planning required to get there. It had been a long day, following on from a few other long days. She had tried not to drop off to sleep, but the coach was so comfortable, even over rough roads.
“One born of magic, two born of darkness.”
A voice in her head and Vittoria was awake, with the slightly giddy feeling she always had when waking up from an overlong nap. Most might have ignored the voice, putting it down to a weird dream after a few very strange days. She knew it was no dream.
“Three born of fire, four born of ice.”
She’d thought it had been a female voice, but hearing it while wide awake; it was the voice of a man. Alive or dead was another matter, but definitely a man. There was darkness in that voice and a touch of evil.
“Five born of evil, six born of the unkind winds.”
The coach was still moving as Vittoria opened the door. Gabriel had quite a lot of experience with horse drawn transport, so he was driving the carriage. Luckily he had good reflexes and stopped before she threw herself out of the carriage; landing on her feet. Giovanni had to pull hard on the reins of his horse to avoid trampling her. Mia had to swerve on her horse and Vittoria found herself the focus of a lot of anger.
“Are you crazy ? You could have been killed.” Shouted Giovanni.
Vittoria didn’t answer it was as if the voice was sedating her. She’d have probably carried on across the road and towards the door, even if her leg had been broken.
“Seven born of broken promises.”
They’d been told that Niccolò’s estate had been built across a road. Just a road between villages, but Vittoria had seen worse roads and tracks. It wasn’t the main building she was heading for, she knew that. It was the voice; it had her in its thrall. She’d have leapt off a cliff for that voice.
“Can’t any of you hear the voice ? Is it just me ?” She asked.
“I can feel something is here, something of the darkness.” Said Simon.
Vittoria reached the door and it was very solid and locked. She thumped her fists on it, without any real hope of it opening. Patsy told her it was a barn with stone walls and not the main building. As if she didn’t know that.
“Eight born of betrayal. Nine born of despair.”
Vittoria began using her blade on the door, digging at the wood around the lock. The door looked like age hardened oak and resisted her attempts to dig out the lock. The wood was actually cold, as if it was made of ancient stone.
“Stop that, Vittoria.” Said Juliana. “You’ll injure yourself.”
“They’re there, in the catacombs below.” Said Vittoria. “Help me……We need to root out the evil within this dreadful place.”
“In the morning…..Never go hunting evil in the darkness.” Said Mia.
“Yes, sleep tonight and hunt in the morning.” Added Giovanni.
“No…….We have to get in there now.” Screamed Vittoria.
Her blade snapped, as she used all her strength to strike the old oak door. Undeterred she used her fists again, hitting and punching until her knuckles were bleeding. Simon held her arms, stopping her from hurting herself anymore.
“Ten born of pain………….Born of pain.”
Vittoria heard the words and passed out. If Simon hadn’t been holding her, she’d have fallen onto the hard stony ground.
~ ~
“Is Vittoria up yet ?” Asked Mia. “She’s obviously reacting badly to this place. Maybe we should have hired the witch Juliana knows ?”
Some of them were in the kitchen of the main house, while others were opening and examining all the sheds, barns and outlying buildings. Machiavelli had told them where to find a large bunch of keys and so far; only the oak door which had upset Vittoria; didn’t seem to have a key on the bunch.
“She’s still asleep…..I was about to wake her for breakfast.” Said Hassan.
“I like her, she feels the darkness.” Said Giovanni. “I’m glad we have her here; worth her weight in gold.”
Officially Karkengara was in Livorno, helping to protect the Mermaid; if the need arose. Being a deity he could go where he wanted. Mia wasn’t surprised to see his head appear out of the kitchen wall. ”Cherish your new witch; she is worth her weight in gold.” Said Karkengara. “Let her wake up properly and have her breakfast. Then call me and I can open the door to the catacombs. That is what that building is, the entrance to almost bottomless catacombs. You’ll find many dangers there, but the ten born of pain will be the most dangerous.”
“Will you be entering the catacombs with us ?” Asked Hassan.
“If you have need of me……Call me and I will come.” Said Karkengara.
With that, the bringer of fire was gone, probably back to watch over the Mermaid and its crew. Hassan did as he’d been meaning to for a good half an hour, he went to wake up Vittoria.
“Let me wake her, she might not be decent.” Said Mia.
“Fine, but don’t give her a hard time.” Said Hassan.
“As if I would.” Said Mia.
Mia rattled her blade against her belt a little, as she walked along the corridor towards the room given to Vittoria. If she was out of bed and in the middle of dressing, the sound would give her a little warning that someone was on the way. Vittoria not only had a room to herself, it was the nicest room in the main building. So yes, Mia was feeling a little resentment towards their new witch. She did knock on the door though and waited several seconds before entering.
“It’s Mia…………Are you up ?” Asked Mia.
Vittoria was up, dressed and looking at the new day through a gap in the window shutters. The shutters might remain a fixture on the upper floors, as no one particular fancied the job of going up a ladder to open them. Not a real problem, as all they’d be using the rooms for was as somewhere to sleep.
“It looks like a different world out there in the daylight.” Said Vittoria.
“Karkengara paid us a short visit.” Said Mia. “If we call him, he’ll open the door you’re so keen on getting past.”
“Oh, I’m refreshed now and more myself.” Said Vittoria. “Breakfast first and then I’m sure the door will give me no problems. I must eat though……….And drink, my mouth is so dry.”
Mia felt it was only polite to sit with Vittoria and have a second breakfast. Everyone had volunteered to do their turn as cook and Mia was dreading her days in the job. All she could cook well was scrambled eggs and she doubted that anyone liked those for every meal. Once Vittoria announced she was ready to greet the day, they went outside.
“Giovanni seems to have found a gang of admirers.” Said Mia. “Local children by the look of them.”
“Never take anything for how it seems.” Said Vittoria. “The evil here has dug itself in deep.”
Hassan had remained in the kitchen; it was his day to be cook. Patsy joined them; probably assuming Karkengara would be called on to turn the old oak door to ashes.
“Well, we’ve got a good day for it.” Said Patsy.
“For what ?” Asked Mia.
“For whatever mischief we’re up to.” Said Patsy, with a grin.
They had to go past Giovanni and the cloud of local urchins he’d attracted. There had to be close to a dozen of them, all in ragged clothing. Mia began to understand why Vittoria had said not to take anything for how it seemed. The kids all had very grey skin and slightly sunken eyes.
“Ah, have you met my group of young adventurers ?” Asked Giovanni. “I suspect they’re children from the closest village.”
“Not children, Giovanna……….These were never children.” Said Vittoria.
Mia thought Vittoria might be reaching for her blade, but she was just pointing an empty hand at the group of children; that she claimed were never children. They definitely weren’t laughing and dancing around Giovanni anymore.
“Born of despair……….Born of despair. Be gone with you.” yelled Vittoria.
There was a complicated hand gesture using fingers, but not the thumb and the children that weren’t children began to scream. They only stopped screaming when their grey bodies and ragged clothes; fell apart and became dust on the ground. It was shocking, all the more dreadful because they’d all looked so young. They’d looked so happy dancing around Giovanni.
“What were those things ?” Asked Giovanni, as he kicked the dust with his boot.
“Things of evil brought into being by dreadful acts.” Said Vittoria. “Don’t pity or mourn them; they were never children. Let’s look at the door I was obsessed with last night.”
By the time their witch from Florence was stood in front of the door, just about everyone was there. The main topic of conversation was the children who’d never been children, but they wanted to see how Vittoria Bianchi got past the seemingly impregnable door. Vittoria knelt on the ground with her eyes closed.
“Call Karkengara if you need to.” Said Juliana.
Vittoria waved her hand at Simon’s ex, as if dismissing her. Lucia had generally been loud when using various spells and invocations. Often done in obscure languages, but it was loud. It seemed Vittoria liked to mutter everything, no matter what the language. It was as if she was whispering at the ground. The only sign that something was building up, was the occasional vibration of the stony ground.
“Now………….Now I have enough power.” Screeched Vittoria.
Up went her hand and the door began to buckle. Not inwards, it began to make cracking sounds as it buckled outwards. As it broke free of enormous metal hinges, it was as if Vittoria had caught hold of it in invisible hands. She tossed it to the right and it landed on the heap of freshly cut firewood.
“Wow, that was impressive.” Said Simon.
The door being removed had left a hole in the wall. A dark and deep hole, far darker than the brightness of the morning should have allowed. Unnaturally dark was a good way of describing it. Mia was soon fatigued with so much in Niccolò Machiavelli’s farm being described as dark and unnatural. Vittoria was still on her knees, looking into that dark doorway.
“We need lights……..Someone bring lamps.” Shouted Mia.
“Yes, bring lamps from rooms if you need to.” Yelled Simon. “We must have lights.”
~ ~
Juliana had brought the lamp from what appeared to be the study of the main building. A large and heavy oil lamp, she could see its weight being a burden if they explored in the dark for long. A beautiful metal lamp, she hoped that it wasn’t about to be destroyed or damaged.
“Wow, that is a lamp and a half, Juliana.” Said Patsy.
“I’ll let you carry it sometimes, if you like ?”
“No, I’ll make do with the lamp I have.” Said Patsy.
Patsy had found a lamp much smaller and more practical for exploring weird building and holes in the ground. Juliana didn’t hate her heavy lamp; it put out a lovely bright, clean light.
“No going off alone……Stick together.” Shouted Simon.
Vittoria did that thing which Juliana had seen Lucia do and a few other magic users. She muttered something and pointed up to where the ceiling of the building should be. A bright orb of light appeared, which went wherever Vittoria pointed. It revealed a grubby building with a few pieces of furniture, but little else. The main thing in the building was a spiral staircase leading down. A wide staircase where soldiers could have marched six or seven abreast.
“As staircases go………..This one looks pretty impressive.” Said Giovanni.
“Are we going down there now ?” Asked Gabriel.
“No time like the present…………It is why we came here.” Said Mia.
“We’ve no supplies, not even a bottle of water.” Said Juliana.
Being honest, Juliana also wanted to get rid of her ornate and heavy lamp, replacing it with something much lighter. It also seemed common sense to get a few provisions together and luckily; Simon obviously agreed.
“Yes, collect what provision you may need for a quick look down the stairs.” Said Simon. “Don’t go too crazy, we’ll only be having a very quick look. We’ll meet back here in an hour.”
Scavenging wasn’t too strong a word, as they hadn’t yet filled the pantry by visiting the local village. After rushing around to beat the others to the supplies they’d brought with them; Juliana had a half full backpack as she stood in front of the wide spiral staircase again. There was still five minutes to go on Simon’s hour, but everyone was there. Juliana had her blade on her hip and everyone seemed to have remembered to bring their best weapon. Simon nodded at Vittoria, who produced another of her wonderful light globes. Juliana had found a small oil lamp, but its supply of oil was quite low.
“Are we all ready ?” Asked Simon.
Everyone said yes, there was even a yes from someone a little way down the stairs. Juliana recognised the voice of Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, who had to be waiting for them in the dark. Was that a bad sign ? Juliana hoped not and Vittoria didn’t seem bothered. Simon gave one of his little shrugs, which seemed to have lots of meanings. He was in front as they began the descent into the catacombs. First came the cellars though, with a nebulous Machiavelli waiting for them in the dark. He actually flinched as the light of the globe reached him.
“From memory there are three cellars before the stairs start to go really deep.” Said Niccolò.
“How deep is really deep ?” Asked Hassan.
“Hmmm, very deep.” Said Niccolò. “Let’s just say that by the time we reach the lowest level, you’ll feel as though we’re as far below the ground as hell itself.”
“We’re just going a little way down now.” Said Simon. “Just to get a feel for the place. Once we have plenty of provisions, we’ll go deeper.”
Niccolò actually gave Simon a slight bow.
“As you wish, Simon……It is your expedition.” Said Niccolò.
“What exactly are we likely to find on the lowest level ?” Asked Giovanni.
“It’s been a long time since I was down there. My memory, oh my poor memory isn’t what it was. It’s important to the quest though, I remember that.” Said Niccolò.
He knew more than we saying, that was obvious. It was Simon’s quest though and they’d all given a vow to follow him without question. Even Vittoria had freely given her oath to obey Simon until released from his service. Simon seemed happy to ask no further questions, though he did insist on them searching the cellar they were in.
“There will be nothing here.” Said Niccolò.
There was that memory of his again, which seemed perfect when he chose.
“Searching this cellar will get us all used to working together underground.” Said Simon.
Mia found a rusty longsword and Gabriel found a fairly nice looking silver rosary. Not exactly nothing and Gabriel insisted on wearing the rosary, but considering the effort put into the search; It was hardly worth all the effort.
“We’ll search the next cellar down.” Said Simon. “Then our priority must be obtaining provisions from the local village.”
They were there in front of the spiral stairs leading down. Unexpected and silent, both armed with a savage looking serrated blade and a large shield. Their clothing looked tatty, but their weapons didn’t. One was slapping their sword against an open hand. Male or female ? It might have mattered when they were alive, but they looked like older versions of the children who had never really been children. Grey skin and sunken eyes, looking at them as though they’d enjoy cutting them to pieces.
“Who or what are these creatures ?” Asked Patsy.
“Born of evil……….They have to be destroyed.” Said Vittoria.
Of course they expected Vittoria to work some kind of battle magic on the creatures born of evil, it was what she did; wasn’t it ? Their new witch showed no sign of creating a spell, but she did touch both her thumbs to the third finger of their respective hand.
“Ahm Shavva Sedant.” Said Vittoria.
The creatures looked confused, actually bumping into one another. One of them actual dropped their sword.
“Attack them………….Their mental confusion is only temporary.” Said Vittoria.
“Wonderful, you must teach me how to do that.” Said Machiavelli.
By luck Juliana was close to them, probably the closest out of all of them. Maybe it was luck; Hassan was already attacking one of the creatures. She’d wanted to fight side by side with Hassan, in the way she’d fought enemies with Simon. Juliana was better with a blade than her opponent and she wasn’t magically confused. Strong though, the creature hacking at her with a serrated blade was far stronger than her. She got in a fatal blow under his breastplate, by stabbing upwards. Her opponent was gone to see whichever deity judged such creatures. He’d left her with a nasty wound though, right across her collar bone.
“Keep still……I need to quickly heal that wound.” Said Vittoria.
Her wound was bleeding enough to be dangerous, but Vittoria soon had it under control. Hassan had killed his opponent, though he too hadn’t come out of the fight unscathed. Not as bad a wound as hers, but the cut on his forearm would need healing. Simon was looking at her and grinning, and so was Giovanni. Actually just about everyone was smiling; Patsy was even applauding.
“Well done Juliana and Hassan………..Well done.” Said Simon.
“You can really handle a blade, Juliana.” Said Patsy.
Once their wounds were healed everyone went down the stairs to the second cellar. Juliana was glad Simon had decided to carry on; quitting for the rest of the day would have felt wrong.
“Can we expect anything else like those creatures and theirs swords, Niccolò ?” Asked Mia.
“He’s gone…….I think we have to make the most of Niccolò while he’s here.” Said Simon.
~ ~
Despite being an old ship, Captain Galeoto wouldn’t have traded the Mermaid for any other merchant vessel on the Italian Coast. The timbers had been properly seasoned, the keel laid straight and true. Although he hated to admit it Galeoto believed in luck; both good and bad. The Mermaid had always seemed a lucky ship. There had to have been a lot of good luck the day they’d made it to Benghazi in a raging storm. He’d seen some terrible weather on the southern side of the Mediterranean Sea, but nothing quite like that storm. Galeoto had accepted a lot of praise for not going aground, but in his heart of hearts he knew. Something beyond his understanding had brought them to safety in a bay close to Benghazi. The storm had left a lot of damage though, not all of it minor.
“Two cross spars and some rigging need replacing, João.” Said Galeoto. “That’s your job, if you think you’re up to it ?”
“Yes, Francisco and myself helped refit a military warship in Casablanca.” Said João. “We won’t let you down, you have my word.”
The two seamen hired in Casablanca seemed to do everything together. Not the Galeoto cared; they worked hard and achieved good results. It wasn’t as if he was asking them to replace a mast. Anyone with a bit of common sense and experience could replace spars and rigging.
“Simon could return tomorrow or two months from now.” Said Galeoto. “We have to be ready when he needs the Mermaid to set sail again.”
“I heard about a quest, Captain………..What is Simon’s quest ?”
“Never you mind…….If Simon wants you to know, he’ll tell you.” Said Galeoto. “Just concentrate on the repairs, that’s all I ask.”
“Yes Captain.” Said João.
The two new crew members from Casablanca were good, but they weren’t his friends, not yet. He was their captain and until they’d put in to at least twenty ports and fought off at least two dozen enemy warriors, they wouldn’t advance to being friends. Maybe not even then, losing friends was becoming harder to deal with as he got older. One of the two surviving pirates from Crete put his head around the door to Galeoto’s cabin.
“I’ve just seen a contingent of the city guard asking about the Mermaid, Captain.”
More trouble with the city guard was the last thing Galeoto needed, especially as he thought it was all over; done and dusted. There was the bringer of fire waiting to be called though, if thing became too nasty.
“Keep an eye, use a little gold if you have to.” Said Galeoto. “You’d be amazed at how a few gold pieces will loosen the tongues of the citizens of Livorno. Find out what the city guard are up to.”
“Will do Captain.” Said the Cretan.
That was perfect, just what Galeoto needed; more crewmen who said yes captain and obeyed his orders. Those that kept asking lots of annoying questions were a downright nuisance.
“But João is a good worker.” Muttered Galeoto.
Everyone who wasn’t involved with shipping, underestimated the amount of routine maintenance involved. Ideally the Mermaid needed to go into dry dock so that the hull could be inspected. That might be inconvenient to Simon though and his gold was the only thing keeping the ship afloat. Times weren’t what they were for maritime transport.
“We need a good war.” Muttered Galeoto. “Nothing like a war for people wanting goods shifted around the Mediterranean.”
The Mermaid had recently been quite busy, but most of it was small loads from Palermo to Sicily. No one wanted to pay decent money for short journeys. One of his long term crew members put his head around the door. One day Galeoto would give everyone a talk on the importance of the captain’s privacy.
“Are we greasing the anchor chains, Captain ?”
“Of course we are………..I’ll be out to check them later.” Said Galeoto.
Simon had given him the option to sell the Mermaid to him, but stay on as captain. With good pay of course; for Galeoto there’d be no more money worries. He was pondering on the idea….Pondering, was one of Simon’s favourite words. At the moment he was about sixty forty in favour of accepting the offer. When yet another crew member asked about an item he knew damned well needed repairing; Galeoto decided to send him to see if Paola was free that evening.
“If she’s available, tell her to come here.” Said Galeoto.
None of his crew moaned about running an errand to the local house of ill-repute. For many it was probably the closest they came to seeing an attractive woman. As far as he knew Paola was her real name. Not the best looking woman he’d ever seen, but they’d developed a kind of thing. She felt more like a girlfriend than a lady of the night. If he really could be said to have a wife in every port, in Livorno it was Paola.
“Food……Tell her to bring food.” Galeoto yelled at the back of his departing crew member. “She knows the kind of things I like to eat.”
That caused a giggle, of course it did. There really did need to be talk on the captain’s privacy. Paola arrived not long after dark, with a basket under her arm. The contents of the basket smelled wonderful. She was either putting on a look of being upset, or it was genuine.
“I thought you’d send for me sooner.” Said Paola. “I’ve seen the Mermaid in harbour for a few days now.”
“I’ve been so busy……..But tonight, no interruption.” Said Galeoto. “We’ll eat that excellent meal I can smell and then have some fun.”
At one time he’d have spent the night with Paola in a comfortable bed in the house of ill-repute. Now he felt safer on the Mermaid and in his cabin. There was still a worry in his mind about whether the city guard might try to arrest him in the early hours. Much harder to do if he was surrounded by his crew. The meal was pasta and meatballs, cooked in herbs. Galeoto resented the comments on the poor food on the Mermaid, but when he tasted some really delicious food. He’d decided it was the year to improve what the crew ate.
“Am I here all night ?” Asked Paola.
“I hope you are.”
She giggled and began to undress which he helped with. Yes, Paola really was more like a girlfriend than a working girl paid by the hour. Galeoto locked his cabin door; more to keep out inquisitive crew members than the city guard. The sex was unhurried and there was genuine feeling there. It was a perfect night, until he was woken by someone fiddling with the lock on the door. Paola woke as he leant towards his clothing to retrieve a blade. He put his finger to his lips, before pointing at the door. Bright was Paola, even half-awake she understood and nodded at him. Galeoto was going to offer her a blade, but she was pulling one out of her tumble of clothes on the floor. Bright and well prepared; one of a kind was Paola. The door opened to reveal a shape in the darkness, a thin, slender shape; probably an assassin. The city guard tended to be huge men, armed to the teeth and clanking about in ill-fitting armour. It was still a long way from dawn and Galeoto had hoped for a good night’s sleep in the arms of his beauty of the night. He was in a bad mood.
“Who are you ? What the fuck do you want ?” He yelled.
No answer and whoever it was moved fast. Galeoto got wrapped up in the sheets of his bed and found it hard to use his blade. The assassin, it had to be an assassin; was good in the dark. When Galeoto saw the glint from a short thin blade, he thought his life was over. Dying in bed at the early hours, while lying next to a beautiful woman; wasn’t a bad way to go. He’d been close to death in far worse places and situations.
“Bastard.” Shouted Paola.
Her arms thrust forward and her blade went into the assassin’s throat. Three more times she stabbed at their throat, or face in the dark. There was blood everywhere; his bed seemed awash with it. Judging by the tobacco breath and body odour, the assassin was a thin, wiry male; or he had been before Paola killed him. She thrust into his throat twice more; probably to be sure he was no longer a threat. When a few of his crew arrived with lamps, Galeoto realised what a mess had been made of his cabin. Blood mainly, so much of it was covering so many things.
“It was an assassin.” Yelled Galeoto. “Make sure there are no more of them on board.”
“Yes, Captain.” Said Francisco.
Two of his crew remained, swords in hand, as they looked around; as if expecting more assassins to arrive from somewhere. One thing Galeoto was certain about, the tall thin assassin lying dead on his bed, had nothing to do with the city guard. Who had sent him ? He had no idea, but suspected it might be an enemy of Simon’s, trying to leave him without a captain for his ship. Galeoto hugged Paola. She had blood in her hair and a huge smudge of it across her face, none of it hers.
“Thank you, I really do think you just saved my life.” Said Galeoto.
“We’ve known each other a long time.” Said Paola. “I’d never let any bastard stab you in your sleep.”
Livorno wasn’t a huge town; one of Paola’s friends might know the assassin. That was a question for later though. As Galeoto looked around his cabin, there was only one question that seemed to matter. He shooed his crew outside, after getting them to light a lamp or two in his cabin. He didn’t look good when nearly naked, he knew that. It didn’t stop him sitting on the edge of the bed, as he held Paola’s hand.
“I hope all this hasn’t put you off coming again ?” Asked Galeoto. “There will be extra on top of the usual pay……You did save my life.”
“Put me off ! It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” Said Paola.
~ ~
© Ed Cowling ~ July 2026
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‘Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.’
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