Daniela waved back sweetly and then went back to her gelato.
‘Mmm, this is delicious,’ Daniela beamed happily. ‘I think it’s the best I’ve ever eaten.’
‘I’m very pleased to hear that,’ Gina smiled. ‘I’ll pass on your compliments to our chef.’ She watched as Daniela stared all around her, fascinated by the glamorous guests who were visiting the hotel from around the globe, before turning to Issy. Daniela seemed to be working up the courage to ask her something.
‘Issy,’ she began. ‘What’s Brad Redford really like?’
Issy grinned. ‘Well, you’ve met him now. What do you think?’
‘Um …’ Daniela bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. ‘He’s always jumping around!’
‘You’re right,’ Issy told her. ‘I have to try and stop him doing that sometimes, but he’s a very nice boss, and a great guy. He never shouts at me, or gets cross.’
‘I’m glad,’ Daniela said, digging into her ice cream.
‘You know who else is a great guy?’ Issy said quietly to Gina.
Gina looked at her curiously, shaking her head.
‘Marco. Look, don’t be too hard on him,’ she murmured, making sure Daniela’s attention was elsewhere – she was currently engrossed in staring hard at a famous footballer and his lingerie model girlfriend who were strolling through the restaurant.
Issy continued. ‘I know Brad respects him a lot, he’s the best. I’m sure he wasn’t trying to undermine you earlier – he just wants to make sure everything’s perfect.’
Gina swallowed. She knew that Issy meant the advice kindly. ‘Thank you. I’ll bear that in mind.’
She wondered if she had been a little hot-headed earlier. She was usually entirely professional, never losing her cool or letting her façade slip. She needed to get control over her edginess.
‘Did you see who that was?’ Daniela hissed excitedly as she turned back to them. ‘It was Fabio Totti and Virginie Lenoir! I can’t wait to tell my dad.’ She scraped the last of the ice cream from her bowl, sighing with satisfaction, before asking, ‘Issy, have you ever met Lexi Parker?’
A tight expression flickered across Issy’s face, but seconds later it was gone, and Gina wondered if she’d imagined it. ‘Of course,’ Issy said brightly. ‘Loads of times.’
‘She’s so beautiful!’ Daniela sighed. ‘Does she look the same in real life? I watched the movie Lady Liberty and she was so cool in it. I want to be just like her when I’m older.’
Issy’s smile never wavered; if anything, it was fixed rigidly in place. ‘Yes, she really is beautiful,’ Issy sighed. ‘But it’s not outward appearances that matter, is it? It’s what’s inside that counts.’
‘Issy’s right,’ Gina agreed, feeling that she was teaching Daniela a valuable life lesson.
‘Maybe,’ Daniela giggled. ‘But I’d still rather look like Lexi Parker.’
Issy didn’t laugh. Gina pushed her bowl away and caught Issy’s eye. ‘Everything OK?’ she mouthed, not wanting Daniela to hear.
Issy blinked twice; Gina could almost see her making the effort to push away whatever thoughts were running through her head.
‘Sure,’ Issy nodded, with a smile. ‘Everything’s fine.’
Gina wasn’t convinced, but knew that now wasn’t the time to pry. Instead, she turned to Daniela.
‘Your dad should be done with his meeting soon. Let’s finish up here, then go and see if we can find them.’
‘Already?’ Daniela looked disappointed. ‘Why do grown-ups like working so much? It’s much better to do painting and reading and dancing instead.’
‘I’m sure you’re right,’ Gina laughed. ‘But here’s the thing – I’m actually working right now. My job means I get to hang out with you and eat gelato. What could be better than that?’
Daniela looked thoughtful, then broke into a smile. ‘I guess you’re right, but I wish I could stay here a bit longer. Can I come and see you again, next time my dad has to come here?’
Gina felt a surge of affection towards Daniela. She found herself thinking that perhaps Issy was right – perhaps Marco was a good guy. Anyone with a daughter this sweet couldn’t be all bad. ‘Of course you can,’ Gina promised. ‘I need help eating more of this delicious gelato.’
Chapter 10
Venice, February 1995
Lucia hurried along the corridors of the White Palace. Outwardly, she was as imperious as ever, but in reality she was on a mission. And, like a heat-seeking missile, Lucia de Santis always hit her target.
Massimo scurried behind her, carrying her Hermès handbag. Until she had a new assistant, he would have to do. Besides, as her personal butler, he was supposed to be at her beck and call twenty-four seven, so she felt sure he could cope with holding a Birkin – at least until her agent arrived.
Lucia was attracting stares, sashaying through the hotel as though she were on a catwalk, hearing the excited whispers that followed her wherever she went. Lucia didn’t mind – in fact, she positively revelled in the attention. She couldn’t stand these so-called stars who bleated on about privacy; they’d soon start complaining if people stopped shouting their names. Give the public what they want – and more. That was Lucia’s motto.
She strolled past the reception desk, towards the entrance to the gardens where she’d last seen Brad and the two other men. If her calculations were correct, they’d be emerging right about now—
‘Brad, what a surprise!’ Lucia exclaimed, embracing him, reaching up from her diminutive frame to kiss him on both cheeks.
Brad looked taken aback by this bombshell bearing down on him, in a whirl of platinum-blonde hair and Chanel No. 5 perfume, but he recovered quickly from his surprise. He was used to excited women throwing themselves at him.
‘La Leonessa,’ he grinned, kissing her hand. ‘It’s an honour.’
‘We should be careful,’ Lucia giggled, with a playful wag of her finger. ‘This is how rumours start. One stray paparazzo lurking behind a pot plant and we’ll be all over the front pages tomorrow morning.’
Brad grinned his lazy grin, completely unfazed. ‘Well, we are sleeping next to one another.’
