The room smelled faintly of polish and hardwood. The whole effect was stunning in its simplicity, choice of materials and lighting.

Placing her bag and keys on the table, she walked through into the lounge, turned briefly to see Max was following and sat down.

“Take a seat,” She said, as Max looked around, stunned again at the beautifully appointed, yet welcoming room. Settling down in a large armchair opposite her, he looked stern, focusing on her eyes, looking for the telltale eye movement down to the right when a lie is uttered.

Carla spoke. “I was given this place, two years ago by an incredible seventy-eight year old man called the Duke. He is not actually a Duke, but he has all the airs and graces of one. All those who have the privilege of knowing him, love him. I don’t know exactly how he made all his money, but he practically owns the town. Six years ago his wife died tragically when her car plunged over the side of Angel Pass, near here. He was emotionally destroyed at her loss.

I met him in London a few months later, and thought he might be my ticket to an easy life. I was living on the streets, taking drugs and into thievery and prostitution. I followed him back to his Hotel, found out his name, and after cleaning myself up, got his attention the following day.

I am too ashamed of what I did, to tell you, but he fell for it, and he was hooked. At least I thought he was at the time, but he was no fool. Anyway, he took me under his wing so to speak, and bought me a flat here, in the village.

I think he fell in love with me, and although we were never intimate, he educated me, took me with him everywhere, including significant social occasions, and helped me to reach my potential.

He built this place as his private retreat away from prying eyes for his private business meetings. He owns the whole building, four streets of shops forming a quadrangle. The backs of the shops formed the walls of this atrium. The owners of the shops are trusted friends and their families, so although they know of its existence, I doubt if any of them have been in here, apart from the cleaner and maintenance man. The people who built it were brought in from abroad.

When he went into semi-retirement a year ago, he gave it to me, just as you see it, as a reward for my kindness and loyalty. More than I deserve you may think, but I did bring him back from the depths of despair, and the cost of this place to him, was but coins thrown to a beggar.”

Max believed her explanation; he could detect no trace of a lie in her expression. He could imagine how easy it would be to fall in love with this girl. A tinge of jealousy ran through him, when he thought more about the Duke’s closeness to her. Wealth like that would make any man attractive to some girls he thought, regardless of the man’s age.

Carla fell silent for a moment, then slowly getting up she said. “I am tired and going to bed, I will show you your room.”

Walking away, she offered no opportunity for further discussion, so he followed without speaking.

His room was extremely luxurious, small, but with every convenience including French doors to a balcony overlooking the garden. The lighting was now subdued, the backlit plants smelled and looked so exotic, little light was reflected up in the room, most came from the glass roof of the atrium, where the moonlight shone through.

Carla pointed out the essentials of the bedroom and walked away saying. “Make yourself at home; I will see you in the morning.”

Left on his own to explore, he felt jealous, and angry. He could see no way of competing with the Duke for her affections, damn it, she did not even seem to like him.

Next morning Max awoke to the sound of a twenty-year-old Italian girl calling him.

“Good morning, Mr Max. I am the maid, Maria, I have brought your breakfast, I put it on your balcony.”

Max muttered. “Thank you,” and she continued. “It is 9.00am and a lovely morning. Miss Carla has gone out and will not be back until noon, but asked me to tell you, she would love to take you to lunch in town, if you would care to join her. She said don’t worry about what to wear because she will buy what you want, then.”

Maria continued again, “There is a gymnasium with a small plunge pool on the right hand side of the entrance hall if you care to use it. I will be here cleaning, so if you need me, just call out Maria, and I will come to you.”

The girl was beautiful.