Tag: Thoughts

The Cinema of My Dreams – It ended in Sorrento – Episode 63

Time to find a missing person

…

I turned slowly, wondering just what the hell her game was, when I realised it was not her, but another man holding a shotgun and looking very aggravated.

“What do you think you’re doing?”  At least that’s what I translated his Italian version into.

And I put my hands out where he could see them, noting at the same time that not only was Juliet missing, so was my gun.

“No Italian, I’m sorry.  Should you be brandishing that gun?”

As I turned, he moved back.  He correctly interpreted that I was going to disarm him, if /I could distract him with my not understanding Italian.  He was smarter than that.

“Move.”

He had a word of English.  The motioning of the gun in the direction of the back door was all he needed.  It was not the first time he’d approached an intruder.

I moved slowly towards the door, opened it, and went in.

The grisly scene of the woman on the floor with blood everywhere was confronting.  The man with the gun swore.

“What the hell have you done?”  Not an exact translation but near enough.  He was shocked.

And distracted.

But I think there was no threat from either of them.  Dicostini was almost in shock, kneeling beside the woman, trying to shake her awake.

The other man put down the gun and went over to check for any sign of life.  First a finger at her neck, then her writ, then hear if she was still breathing.

The gunman looked at Dicostini, “How did this happen?”

Dicostini shrugged.

“He hit her,” I said.  “I saw it happen through the window.  They were arguing.”

That’s when Dicostini saw me.  “Who are you?”

“A private investigator hired to find the real countess.  The thing is, I’m not overly worried about her, it’s the woman you took with her that’s your biggest problem?”

“What woman?”

“The countess’s sister.  You snatched the two of them if you didn’t, the clowns you employed to do the job did.  Her sister is the wife of the Chief of British Intelligence, and he’s about to unleash the wrath of the Gods on you.  I came here to do you a favour.  Tell me where they are, and I’ll walk away.  No questions asked, no interest in what happened here.  This is a one-time offer, and it’s about to expire.”

“What are you talking about?  This is the countess’s sister.”

It was certainly not Mrs Robdy, but now in the pale light shining on that lifeless face, I could see the resemblance to the countess.  It was definitely the woman I’d gone to the opera with, and later taken back to the hotel.

I could see how easily it would be to mistake the fake for the real countess … they must be twins.  The thing was, no one had picked up on it, and I thought our researchers were supposed to be the best.

“How is that possible?” I had to ask. 

“They were twins, separated at birth, and the mother was never told.  Angelina was sent north to stay with a distant aunt who treated her as her own child, and she was never told of her true mother.  I would not have known either unless my own mother told me of the deception on her deathbed.”

“So, what was this charade supposed to prove?”

“That she gets some recognition, and some of the Von Burkehardt spoils.  That cow that is the countess, she has no interest in anyone but herself.  Not for the traditions of this country, the people, the area, the vineyards, the wine, anything.”

“Where is she?”

“Dead, I hope. I told them I didn’t want to see her again.  They did not tell me they had taken anyone else with her.  It is done, over.  I have no idea where they were being held.  Now go.  I have enough to deal with.”

I had to agree with him.  How was he going to explain any of this?

I waited until I was some distance from the house, then pulled out my phone and dialled Anthony’s number.

He answered after the seventh ring.  I was worried he might not.

“Two urgent matters.  Tell Rodby to take the woman who’s with him into custody.  Don’t ask why, just do it, now.  Second, how quickly can you flood the Italian media with a missing person poster?”

“Quickly.  Why?”

“Get a wanted poster together with Mrs Rodby’s face on it and a finder’s fee of a million Euros, more if you like.  And put my phone number on it.  Mrs Rody still carries Rodby’s VC in her handbag for good luck still?”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m good at my job.  Do both those requests, then call me back in an hour or so.  It’s imperative you get the missing persons poster out as soon as possible but only to two people.  The lawyer fellow in Rome, I’ll send you his details if you don’t already have them, and to the Burkehardt’.  All of them.”

“Only those people?”

“Yes.  If I’m wrong, you’re going to find me a hiding spot somewhere in the middle of the north pole, preferably a mile or more under the ice.”

© Charles Heath 2023

NANOWRIMO November 2023 – Day 20

“Opposites Attract”

…

A proposal

…

Where in New York can you make a proposal that will be memorable.

That’s what I typed into Google, and it told me there’s a lot of different places.

The one that amused me the most.  Surely, I could work that out for myself instead of asking a heatless thoughtless computer program!

Well, no I couldn’t.

So with a little tweaking and a lot of wishful thinking it ended up in Central Park.

A carriage ride, yes, I’ve been of one of those and nothing spells romantic than a horse drawn carriage ride.  In the snow, under the rug.  Well it wasn’t snowing but it was romantic.

Drop of at one three spots in Central Park that can be booked, and desked out in ribbons, flowers and petals.

Down on one knee and the speech.

Even I teared up a little when I was writing the scene.

Good thing she said yes.

Even I was on the edge of my seat waiting…

…

Today’s words:  2.045, for a total of 39,795

Searching for locations: From Beijing to X’ian by bullet train

Beijing West train station.

Beijing west railway station is about eight kilometers from the Forbidden City, located at East Lianhuachi Road, Fengtai District.  Most trains traveling between south central, southwest, northwest, and south China are boarded here.

This place is huge and there are so many people here, perhaps the other half of Beijing’s population that wasn’t in the forbidden city.

Getting into the station looked like it was going to be fraught with danger but the tour guide got us into the right queue and then arranged for a separate scanner for the group to help keep us all together

Then we decided to take the VIP service and got to waiting room no 13, the VIP service waiting room which was full to overflowing.  Everyone today was a VIP.  We got the red hat guy to lead us to a special area away from the crowd.

Actually, it was on the other side of the gate, away from the hoards sitting or standing patiently in the waiting room.  It gave us a chance to get something to eat before the long train ride.

The departure is at 4 pm, the train number was G655, and we were told the trains leave on time.  As it is a high-speed train, stops are far and few between, but we’re lucky, this time, in that we don’t have to count stations to know where to get off.

We’re going to the end of the line.

However, it was interesting to note the stops which, in each case, were brief, and you had to be ready to get off in a hurry.

These stops were Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou East, Luoyang Longmen, Huashan North, and Weinan North.  At night, you could see the lights of these cities from a distance and were like oases in the middle of a desert.  During the day, the most prominent features were high rise apartment blocks and power stations.

A train ride with a difference

G Trains at Wuhan Railway Station

China’s high-speed trains, also known as bullet or fast trains, can reach a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

Over 2,800 pairs of bullet trains numbered by G, D or C run daily connecting over 550 cities in China and covering 33 of the country’s 34 provinces. Beijing-Shanghai high-speed train link the two megacities 1,318 km (819 mi) away in just 4.5 hours.

By 2019, China keeps the world’s largest high-speed rail (HSR) network with a length totaling over 35,000 km (21,750 mi).

To make the five and a half hours go quicker we keep an eye on the speed which hovers between 290 and 305 kph, and sitting there with our camera waiting for the speed to hit 305 which is a rare occurrence, and then, for 306 and then for 307, which happened when we all took a stroll up to the restaurant car to find there had nothing to eat.

I got a strange flavored drink for 20 yuan.

There was a lady manning a trolley that had some food, and fresh, maybe, fruit on it, and she had a sense of humor if not much English.

We didn’t but anything but the barrel of caramel popcorn looked good.

The good thing was, after hovering around 298, and 299 kph, it finally hit 300.

We get to the end of the line, and there is an announcement in Chinese that we don’t understand and attempts to find out if it is the last station fall on deaf ears, probably more to do with the language barrier than anything else.

Then, suddenly the train conductor, the lady with the red hat, comes and tells us it is, and we have fifteen minutes, so we’re now hurrying to get off.

As the group was are scattered up and down the platform, we all come together and we go down the escalator, and, at the bottom, we see the trip-a-deal flags.

X’ian,and the Xi’an North Railway Station

Xi’an North Railway Station is one of the most important transportation hubs of the Chinese high-speed rail network. It is about 8.7 miles (14 km) from Bell Tower (city center) and is located at the intersection of the Weiyang Road and Wenjing Road in Weiyang District.

This time we have a male guide, Sam, who meets us at the end of the platform after we have disembarked.  We have a few hiccups before we head to the bus.  Some of our travelers are not on his list, but with the other group.  Apparently a trip-a-deal mix-up or miscommunication perhaps.

Then it’s another long walk with bags to the bus.  Good thing its a nicely air-conditioned newish bus, and there’s water, and beer for 10 yuan.  How could you pass up a tsing tao for that price?

Xi’an is a very brightly lit up city at night with wide roads.  It is very welcoming, and a surprise for a city of 10 million out in the middle of China.

As with all hotels, it’s about a 50-minute drive from the railway station and we are all tired by the time we get there.

Tomorrow’s program will be up at 6, on the bus 8.40 and off to the soldiers, 2.00 late lunch, then train station to catch the 4.00 train, that will arrive 2 hours later at the next stop.  A not so late night this time.

The Grand Noble Hotel

Outdoor scene

Grand Noble Hotel Xi’an is located in the most prosperous business district within the ancient city wall in the center of Xi’an.

The Grand Noble Hotel, like the Friendship Hotel, had a very flash foyer with tons of polished marble.  It sent out warning signals, but when we got to our room, we found it to be absolutely stunning.  More room, a large bathroom, air conditioning the works.

Only one small problem, as in Beijing the lighting is inadequate.  Other than that it’s what I would call a five-star hotel.  This one is definitely better than the Friendship Hotel.

In the center of the city, very close to the bell tower, one of the few ancient buildings left in Xi’an.  It is also in the middle of a larger roundabout and had a guard with a machine gun.

Sadly there was no time for city center sightseeing.

Searching for locations: From Beijing to X’ian by bullet train

Beijing West train station.

Beijing west railway station is about eight kilometers from the Forbidden City, located at East Lianhuachi Road, Fengtai District.  Most trains traveling between south central, southwest, northwest, and south China are boarded here.

This place is huge and there are so many people here, perhaps the other half of Beijing’s population that wasn’t in the forbidden city.

Getting into the station looked like it was going to be fraught with danger but the tour guide got us into the right queue and then arranged for a separate scanner for the group to help keep us all together

Then we decided to take the VIP service and got to waiting room no 13, the VIP service waiting room which was full to overflowing.  Everyone today was a VIP.  We got the red hat guy to lead us to a special area away from the crowd.

Actually, it was on the other side of the gate, away from the hoards sitting or standing patiently in the waiting room.  It gave us a chance to get something to eat before the long train ride.

The departure is at 4 pm, the train number was G655, and we were told the trains leave on time.  As it is a high-speed train, stops are far and few between, but we’re lucky, this time, in that we don’t have to count stations to know where to get off.

We’re going to the end of the line.

However, it was interesting to note the stops which, in each case, were brief, and you had to be ready to get off in a hurry.

These stops were Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou East, Luoyang Longmen, Huashan North, and Weinan North.  At night, you could see the lights of these cities from a distance and were like oases in the middle of a desert.  During the day, the most prominent features were high rise apartment blocks and power stations.

A train ride with a difference

G Trains at Wuhan Railway Station

China’s high-speed trains, also known as bullet or fast trains, can reach a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

Over 2,800 pairs of bullet trains numbered by G, D or C run daily connecting over 550 cities in China and covering 33 of the country’s 34 provinces. Beijing-Shanghai high-speed train link the two megacities 1,318 km (819 mi) away in just 4.5 hours.

By 2019, China keeps the world’s largest high-speed rail (HSR) network with a length totaling over 35,000 km (21,750 mi).

To make the five and a half hours go quicker we keep an eye on the speed which hovers between 290 and 305 kph, and sitting there with our camera waiting for the speed to hit 305 which is a rare occurrence, and then, for 306 and then for 307, which happened when we all took a stroll up to the restaurant car to find there had nothing to eat.

I got a strange flavored drink for 20 yuan.

There was a lady manning a trolley that had some food, and fresh, maybe, fruit on it, and she had a sense of humor if not much English.

We didn’t but anything but the barrel of caramel popcorn looked good.

The good thing was, after hovering around 298, and 299 kph, it finally hit 300.

We get to the end of the line, and there is an announcement in Chinese that we don’t understand and attempts to find out if it is the last station fall on deaf ears, probably more to do with the language barrier than anything else.

Then, suddenly the train conductor, the lady with the red hat, comes and tells us it is, and we have fifteen minutes, so we’re now hurrying to get off.

As the group was are scattered up and down the platform, we all come together and we go down the escalator, and, at the bottom, we see the trip-a-deal flags.

X’ian,and the Xi’an North Railway Station

Xi’an North Railway Station is one of the most important transportation hubs of the Chinese high-speed rail network. It is about 8.7 miles (14 km) from Bell Tower (city center) and is located at the intersection of the Weiyang Road and Wenjing Road in Weiyang District.

This time we have a male guide, Sam, who meets us at the end of the platform after we have disembarked.  We have a few hiccups before we head to the bus.  Some of our travelers are not on his list, but with the other group.  Apparently a trip-a-deal mix-up or miscommunication perhaps.

Then it’s another long walk with bags to the bus.  Good thing its a nicely air-conditioned newish bus, and there’s water, and beer for 10 yuan.  How could you pass up a tsing tao for that price?

Xi’an is a very brightly lit up city at night with wide roads.  It is very welcoming, and a surprise for a city of 10 million out in the middle of China.

As with all hotels, it’s about a 50-minute drive from the railway station and we are all tired by the time we get there.

Tomorrow’s program will be up at 6, on the bus 8.40 and off to the soldiers, 2.00 late lunch, then train station to catch the 4.00 train, that will arrive 2 hours later at the next stop.  A not so late night this time.

The Grand Noble Hotel

Outdoor scene

Grand Noble Hotel Xi’an is located in the most prosperous business district within the ancient city wall in the center of Xi’an.

The Grand Noble Hotel, like the Friendship Hotel, had a very flash foyer with tons of polished marble.  It sent out warning signals, but when we got to our room, we found it to be absolutely stunning.  More room, a large bathroom, air conditioning the works.

Only one small problem, as in Beijing the lighting is inadequate.  Other than that it’s what I would call a five-star hotel.  This one is definitely better than the Friendship Hotel.

In the center of the city, very close to the bell tower, one of the few ancient buildings left in Xi’an.  It is also in the middle of a larger roundabout and had a guard with a machine gun.

Sadly there was no time for city center sightseeing.

NANOWRIMO November 2023 – Day 19

“Opposites Attract”

…

Plans made, people to talk to

…

There’s no time to think about the overwhelming occasion that will soon be upon them.

Our boy has absolutely no idea what our girl is thinking or going to say when he delivers the proposal, he just has to make it memorable.

And, of course, being a boy, that sometimes is harder than it sounds.

That’s why he has the services of the best Personal Assistant in the world.

And she knows his bride to be better than her parents.

She is going to help.  Phew!

A call to his sister is basically to tell her he hasn’t screwed it up yet, but the romance is young, and she knows him better than he does himself.

This train might be going a little fast, but he explains the circumstances.

It’s one of those moments.

…

Today’s words:  1,999, for a total of 37,750

The Cinema of My Dreams – It ended in Sorrento – Episode 61

Evan and Juliet are a team

…

It didn’t take long to sort out what we were going to do next.  Alfie, Francesca, and Cecelia were going to look at the remaining properties and find out where the Countess and Mrs Rodby were being held.  Once found, surveillance until I’d done my part.

I didn’t have to tell Cecelia what to do if Francesca caused any problems, but Alfie muttered under his breath, which I took to mean he didn’t like the idea of being a nursemaid.

I had my own problems to deal with.

Juliet and I were going to see Dicostini.  I was not sure how I was going to approach him, but I was hoping the fake countess would be there.

Alfie was surprised that I would take Juliet with me given her history, and the trouble she had caused us in Venice, but I had to admit that a lot of the trouble she got into wasn’t necessarily her fault.

Larry had used her brother as leverage so she would do his bidding.

Vittoria concocted a story that I almost believed myself, so why wouldn’t she want to believe her father might have been a count and not a footman or gardener.

After consulting with the briefing team back in London, they had a set of targets to investigate and left.

While we had been discussing tactics Juliet had gone to have a shower, clean the wound on her head properly and change into clean clothes.  If she hadn’t been the person I knew, and it was for the first time, she would have warranted a second look.

Not that I was interested in having second looks at any woman, including Cecelia, because I had to get my mind back in the game.

“I was listening, you know,” she said after the others had gone.

She picked up the notepad computer with the file of Dicostini and read it.  After five minutes she looked over at me, and said, “This guy is a five-star loser you know.  And five-star losers, when desperate, are very unpredictable.”

“That’s your psychoanalysis of him, is it?”

“It was one of the fields I studied in med school.  And,” she sighed, “that feels like an eternity ago.  Life was so much simpler then, eighteen hours shifts, no sleep, get legless drunk, turn up the next day for more of the same.”

“No shagging in the storeroom?”

“You’ve been watching too many TV shows.  I was not the promiscuous sort, that was the purview of some nurses.  By and large despite the insanity, people behaved.

“No crush on another doctor?”

“Again, TV stereotype, Evan.  And despite what you might think, not with the patients either.  Especially not with the patients because you can’t get emotionally invested and still do your job.  You were an exception, but as you are aware, I broke it off quickly before it got too far.  I’m sorry, but it should not have started in the first place.”

“Was that the start of your spiral?”

“No.  That came later, when one of my patients died, and I was blamed for it.  It wasn’t me.  I got another doctor to cover, but she didn’t stay for the full shift.  Then she lied and got one of the other interns to back her story.  I got suspended, and then it all went to hell in a handbasket.”

“What happened to her?”

“She killed three others before they decided enough was enough.  The truth eventually came out, but they didn’t reinstate me, or offer an apology.  Bastards.”

I could see why anything other than the life she had been handed would be better, but it seemed it just didn’t get any better.

“You don’t have any other dirty secrets waiting to come out of the woodwork, do you?”

“Not today.”

I don’t know whether that was good or bad, whether she was joking or not.

I drove to the Dicostini farm and went back to the surveillance position that Cecelia had set up previously.  I’d brought the sniper rifle and high-powered binoculars.  I gave the binoculars to Juliet.  It would not surprise me if she knew how to use the rifle.

“What are we doing?”

“Watching and waiting.  I want to see if the fake countess is in there, and I suspect this might take a while.  I’d get settled in for a long session.”

“Is this one of those famed stakeouts?  Where are the snacks and coffee?”

“TV stereotype.  There’s water in the bag.”

We took turns to watch the residents, Dicostini, his wife, his children, farm hands, people helping out in the house, and visitors, but not fake countess.

“You think she might have gone to where they’re holding the real one?”  Juliet asked the question I’d been asking myself.

“It’s possible.  It’s also possible she won’t show herself in daylight.”

We both heard the rustling at the same time, and she shrunk back further into the undergrowth.  Someone was coming, whether they were looking for us, or just taking a short cut to the road, or simply patrolling just in case.  I was surprised no one came to check that spot Cecelia had taken.  It was one of two places that had a clear view of the house, without anyone in the house being able to see us.

I got us, and moved silently to a position behind two trees and waited.  If the knew about this spot then they would have to walk past me.

A minute later a man appeared, one I hadn’t seen before.

He was trying not to disturb the undergrowth and was moving stealthily.  On the edge of the cleared patch, he spotted the rifle, and said, to himself, “I thought I saw a flash.”

Just as he raised his radio, I hit him as hard as I could with the gun, and thankfully he went down and didn’t move.

I quickly got the tape for a gag and rope to tie him before he regained consciousness.  He was big and would be hard to tackle in a fair fight.  Juliet came out to see what was happening.

“Put some tape over his mouth, but not his nose.”

“After hitting that hard, why would you care?”

She ripped off a length of tape and put it over his mouth.

“I don’t.  I didn’t want to upset you, being a doctor and everything.”

“Do I look like a doctor?”

“You will be one for as long as you live Juliet, whether they let you practise or not.”

She glared at me.

“And get eyes back on that house.  It’s getting dark soon and we don’t want to miss her if she’s there.

I tied him to the tree so he couldn’t escape, and reapplied the gag so he couldn’t make much noise.  If he told anyone what he was doing, it wouldn’t be long before someone came looking for him.

…

© Charles Heath 2023

Searching for locations: Hutongs, Beijing, China

What are Hutongs?

In Beijing, Hutongs are formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences, called siheyuan.  Neighbourhoods were formed by joining many hutongs together. These siheyuan are the traditional residences, usually occupied by a single or extended family, signifying wealth, and prosperity. 

Over 500 of these still exist. Many of these hutongs have been demolished, but recently they have become protected places as a means of preserving some Chinese cultural history.  They were first established in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)Many of these Hutongs had their main buildings and gates built facing south, and lanes connecting them to other hutongs also ran north to south.

Many hutongs, some several hundred years old, in the vicinity of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower and Shichahai Lake are preserved and abound with tourists, many of which tour the quarter in pedicabs.

The optional tour also includes a visit to Shichahai, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning West Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty and remnants of old-style local residences, Hutong and Courtyard.  

First, we had a short walk through the more modern part of the Hutong area and given some free time for shopping, but we prefer just to meander by the canal.  

There is a lake, and if we had the time, there were boats you could take.

With some time to spare, we take a quick walk down one of the alleyways where on the ground level are small shops, and above, living quarters.

Then we go to the bell and drum towers before walking through some more alleys was to where the rickshaws were waiting.
The Bell tower

And the Drum tower. Both still working today.

The rickshaw ride took us through some more back streets where it was clear renovations were being made so that the area could apply for world heritage listing.  Seeing inside some of the houses shows that they may look dumpy outside but that’s not the case inside.

The rickshaw ride ends outside the house where dinner will be served, and is a not so typical hose but does have all the elements of how the Chinese live, the boy’s room, the girl’s room, the parent’s room, the living area, and the North-south feng shui.

Shortly after we arrive, the cricket man, apparently someone quite famous in Beijing arrives and tells us all about crickets and then grasshoppers, then about cricket racing.  He is animated and clearly enjoys entertaining us westerners.

I’m sorry but the cricket stuff just didn’t interest me.  Or the grasshoppers.

As for dinner, it was finally a treat to eat what the typical Chinese family eats, and everything was delicious, and the endless beer was a nice touch.

And the last surprise, the food was cooked by a man.

Searching for locations: Hutongs, Beijing, China

What are Hutongs?

In Beijing, Hutongs are formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences, called siheyuan.  Neighbourhoods were formed by joining many hutongs together. These siheyuan are the traditional residences, usually occupied by a single or extended family, signifying wealth, and prosperity. 

Over 500 of these still exist. Many of these hutongs have been demolished, but recently they have become protected places as a means of preserving some Chinese cultural history.  They were first established in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)Many of these Hutongs had their main buildings and gates built facing south, and lanes connecting them to other hutongs also ran north to south.

Many hutongs, some several hundred years old, in the vicinity of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower and Shichahai Lake are preserved and abound with tourists, many of which tour the quarter in pedicabs.

The optional tour also includes a visit to Shichahai, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning West Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty and remnants of old-style local residences, Hutong and Courtyard.  

First, we had a short walk through the more modern part of the Hutong area and given some free time for shopping, but we prefer just to meander by the canal.  

There is a lake, and if we had the time, there were boats you could take.

With some time to spare, we take a quick walk down one of the alleyways where on the ground level are small shops, and above, living quarters.

Then we go to the bell and drum towers before walking through some more alleys was to where the rickshaws were waiting.
The Bell tower

And the Drum tower. Both still working today.

The rickshaw ride took us through some more back streets where it was clear renovations were being made so that the area could apply for world heritage listing.  Seeing inside some of the houses shows that they may look dumpy outside but that’s not the case inside.

The rickshaw ride ends outside the house where dinner will be served, and is a not so typical hose but does have all the elements of how the Chinese live, the boy’s room, the girl’s room, the parent’s room, the living area, and the North-south feng shui.

Shortly after we arrive, the cricket man, apparently someone quite famous in Beijing arrives and tells us all about crickets and then grasshoppers, then about cricket racing.  He is animated and clearly enjoys entertaining us westerners.

I’m sorry but the cricket stuff just didn’t interest me.  Or the grasshoppers.

As for dinner, it was finally a treat to eat what the typical Chinese family eats, and everything was delicious, and the endless beer was a nice touch.

And the last surprise, the food was cooked by a man.

NANOWRIMO November 2023 – Day 18

“Opposites Attract”

…

A proposal for a proposal

…

Well, things are getting serious.

I mean when you are waking up next to the girl of your dreams, what conclusions are you going to make?

Don’t be going plucking a flower, saying, she loves me, she loves me not, the petals disappearing one by one.

You know how that works, you get to the last one and she hates you.

Neen there, done that.

Since the grandmother has given the union her blessing, and her time is running out, and she wants to be there for the wedding, does it seem like this whole thing is like a runaway train?

Yup.

But there are protocols to be followed, and going down to tackle Mr Rothstein, who has mysteriously reappeared seems daunting, to say the least.

Let’s hope Mrs Winkle isn’t there.

It seems our boy is living on the edge, but today is the day when Mr Rothstein can’t say no.

…

Today’s words:  2,758, for a total of 35,751

The Cinema of My Dreams – It ended in Sorrento – Episode 60

One less enemy to worry about

…

There was no doubt at that point that Vittoria and the fake countess were working together, and Vittoria knew who she was.

I helped Juliet sit up against the wall and fetched her a wet towel to put on the back of her head.  After a minute or so she seemed better.

“Did you know the countess wasn’t the countess?” I asked her.

“I just did as I was told.  I think we’re both being used in one way or another, Evan.”

I was beginning to think that too.

Vittoria, of course, had to protest, “What do you mean the countess is a fake.  She is not.  If anyone would know it would be me.”

“Can I shoot her now?” Cecelia asked.

“Do something with her, but don’t leave a mess.”

Cecelia hit her with the gun butt, and she slid to the floor, unconscious.  She was not going to be of any use to us, so it would be a call to Alfie to get the cleaners.

“What the hell was that for?” Juliet was upset.

“Did you go to a farm when Vittoria and the fake Countess went to talk to a man called Dicostini?  Think long and hard before you answer.”

She did.  “I can’t say for sure, I was told to stay in the car.”

“At a farm, another vineyard?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you think they made you stay in the car?”

Another moment to consider the question.  It wasn’t hard, even for her.  So I couldn’t tell you who it was we saw.  They didn’t trust me.  It seems everyone I meet or know doesn’t trust me.”

“Do you honestly think that woman is your mother?”

“Honestly?  No.”

“Well, I don’t think she is either, but I’ve got people working on it.  And, like it or not, you’re working with us now.  Please don’t let me down.”

She sat there for a few seconds or perhaps it was a minute, during which I found I was holding one of her hands.  It was an odd feeling that went through me.

Not the time to get distracted.

“Why are you giving me a chance?”

“Let’s just say I’m hoping you’ll find a way to redeem yourself before I have to hand you over to the authorities.”

“And if I do?”

“I might give you a ten-minute head start.”

I tied up Vittoria so she couldn’t get free or make a noise, then called Alfie and told him we had a package to pick up.

Cecelia tidied up the room so it wouldn’t look like there’d been a kidnapping, and then we put Vittoria in one of the beds and set her out like she was asleep/

If the housemaids came they’d be none the wiser.

Juliet recovered and I cleaned the wound.

It was then she worked it out.  “So, if that other countess was fake, where’s the real countess?”

“Being held where you went yesterday, or another place owned by that man.”

“When did you make this discovery?”

“After speaking to Anna.  She doesn’t know the real countess is missing, nor does anyone else know there is another person also missing, which is basically why Cecelia and I are here.”

“What do expect me to do?”

“Help me find them.  There will be two teams and a few properties to search.  And now that we’re finished here, we’re leaving.”

I helped her to her feet.  “Can you walk?”

“I got hit on the head, not shot in the leg.”  She sounded a little annoyed.  I was not surprised.

“Good.  Save that anger you’re feeling.  You’re going to need it.”

© Charles Heath 2023