In Restoration by Valerie Thornhill.
Category: Fiction
Paperback: 375 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1905609329
ISBN-13: 978-1905609321

" Mike had been creatively scavenging during our absence. On the platform above the garage discarded shutters were now balanced on stones from the mill to make a table of sorts with benches. The sun was setting as we perched on top of the garage laughing around Gianni’s three glasses and bottle of wine, merrily rolling from side to side as the boulders shifted under us.

‘Alla casa dell’avventura!’ Gianni said. To the house of adventure - or good luck! And so it was named. The stream below helped cool the evening air. Across the valley the shadows lengthened and the tip of Monte Amiata appeared, blushing above the heat haze. Our view faced south; we were in the middle of the valley on our own spur, poised between sunrise and sunset. The plain now seemed like a huge misty lake below a sky fading blue into green. The setting sun cast rose dust over olives, a tower, umbrella pines, cypresses, knuckled fruit trees and twilight submerging the lower terraces and fields. A dog barked. I imagined a wolf’s howl; Gianni said it could be one. A thrill of fear rippled into evening calm after daytime frenzy. Since our last meal we had equipped the house with its basic necessities. I tore open a packet of cheese biscuits and refilled the glasses.

‘Auguri! Alla Casa dell’Avventura!’

Precisely at the moment the red ball of sun disappeared to our right, I heard the first whine. Then it struck. Another two followed. Ahhhh, the night attack had started. Gianni stood up. Did he feel them? What? The mosquitoes. No.Nothing.

‘A domani!’ See you tomorrow! He unloaded the cooker and surged off in first gear in search of his supper. Mike and I were left alone, the mosquito attack intensifying.

‘Any candles?’ he asked helpfully. No. My sense of achievement evaporated when I thought of all the things still needed, from crockery and cutlery to candles. I needed a generous helping of time before Paul and Dan arrived. Mike glanced at his watch. "