CONSEQUENCES

Chapter 6 - The Girl Who Cried Wolf

The weather closed in the next day, so any plans he had took a back seat. They spent the days snuggled on the sofa watching movies, playing board games, trying their hand at cooking – the pasta was barely edible but they didn't care – and talking about anything and everything, like they always had. And they learned more about each other in other ways, the ways that started with tentative touches and whispered words and ended in frenzied explosions and guttural cries, ways that came upon them unexpected, in the middle of playing Scrabble, in the kitchen making sandwiches and in the shower, and left them surprised at how much of the day had passed. And even though they planned to go to bed only to sleep, their naked bodies had other plans, and the night was interrupted with touching and kissing and joining. Three days later, they lay on the wooden swing outside their bedroom watching the sunrise after making love again. Despite the increased physical intimacy, there had been a growing emotional distance between them and Camila didn't know what to do. They filled the strange void with sex, but although it was amazing and ultimately satisfying, it didn't reach into the empty crevices that had began to form and she wasn't sure why.

"The rain is over, they are saying," Shawn said softly. "Let's go for a drive today."

"OK," she agreed. "Just no wine tastings. Please."

He chuckled. "No, I thought we'd do a little sightseeing."

Not much later they were in the car, and Camila turned to him.

"Where are we going?"

"Be patient."

"Somewhere with food?"

"It's always about food with you."

"Always," she agreed.

Camila was enchanted with Alberobello as they drove in and found the parking lot. It was on a small hill and was completely covered with Trulli, just like the one they were staying in.

They strolled through the streets, looking through the little tourist shops and buying silly souvenirs to take home, building up an appetite. Gina and Antonio had recommended a restaurant and Shawn followed their instructions, walking along a narrow laneway up a hill until they found themselves looking across the town in amazement. Camila squeezed his hand as he led her down some steps into what Antonio said was a "hidden gem". Later, their bellies full with delicious home-made spaghetti tossed in olive oil, lemon, garlic and chilli, they took a leisurely walk back to the car then drove through the countryside to Ostuni, The White City. Camila immediately fell in love with the pretty town. They explored the Cathedral and strolled up and down picturesque streets, beneath archways dripping with bougainvillea, finding small squares and laneways, all made with white stone or painted white, which is how the town got it's name, and then they would turn a corner and suddenly be faced with amazing views of the sea. Shawn bought her a pinwheel and took her photo in front of painted doorways and beneath ancient carved stone, and then took her to a very cute little gelateria. He bought her gelato and they sat in the little chairs outside. It was late in the afternoon and there was no-one to be seen. She felt a strange serenity come over her and she let her head hang back over the chair as she spooned gelato into her mouth and sighed.

"Camila," Shawn had never been so nervous in his life, not even playing MSG the first time or standing beside the Queen. She put her head down and slipped off her sunglasses, smiling at him blissfully.

"Oh Shawn, this place is just magical. I'll never forget this day, ever."

Her words calmed him. He knew it was exactly the right moment.

"Camila," he tried again. "You keep asking me why I came to Italy to find you. And it is because I miss you. But, after you left, I realised it was more than that."