Six. Chapter Two.

The dining room of Guilio’s was full of murmuring couples and foursomes, the quiet laughs rippled the hushed atmosphere. Typical Italian decor of subdued reds worked better here than most of the genre. Genuine taste had been displayed in the decor by the owner - a small dapper man who had devoted his life in the U.S. as well as his name to the restaurant and bar. The success of his exertions was visible any night and a wait was mandatory procedure due to the owner’s no reservations policy.

Max walked in off the street and turned into the bar, relatively deserted as could only be seen on a Sunday night. At the bar an arrestingly attractive blonde sat on a stool drinking a small beer. Although dressed semi-casually, she seemed to outclass the other women in the bar just by being there and Max noticed the scattered men surreptitiously glancing over. Whilst ordering his drink a familiar voice spoke behind him.` I’m sorry Max, that crowd have just sat down. I’m afraid there is a half hour wait for a table.’ Max turned and looking down, smiled at the italian who had lost all trace of an accent. `That’s fine, Guilio, I’ll keep myself occupied seducing one of your daughters.’ He turned to wink at Rosetta, the youngest of the three girls who kept the bar with enormous efficiency and flirting good humour. She coyly grinned back and ingenuously batted her eyelids. Guilio accepted the flattery intended and laughing, said,`you are welcome to them my friend, they are more trouble than they are worth.’ He smiled adoringly at his baby and said mock-harshly `get back to work girl, stop distracting my paying customers!’.

In truth, Max suspected that Guilio knew that his delicious threesome attracted as many customers as did the delicate menu. `No Max, you should concentrate on a good American girl like Ms. Ellis here.’ He turned to the girl beside him at the bar `Ms Alison Ellis, may I introduce Mr. Max Roundhill. Max, ms Ellis is studying animals or something in New York for her doctorate and Alison, my friend Max here, is a writer.’The girl blinked her predatory eyes and smiled Her cheekbones and brow formed a triangular frame from which they seemed to glow. `Now I must leave you to enjoy each other while I see to my other friends.
Max laughed with the girl.`I’m sorry about that. All guests, new and old become friends of Guilios instantly and then he insists on sharing them - whether they like it or not.’
She took a swig of her beer and looked at him, still smiling.`I think in this instance, I can just about cope with it. I occasionally like company.’
`Only occasionally?’ he queried, `you generally prefer your own, I take it.’ He settled on the stool adjacent to hers. `What animals are you studying?’ he asked her, trying not to study her cleavage.
Amused, she answered, `Displaced pets, basically. The family dog that becomes too big or too expensive and gets dumped on the highway. I try and find out how their numbers change and in response to what. Mainly though, I’m studying how they survive and how easily they do so.’ She waited expectantly for him to form an intelligent question.
`Err’ he began, `Is this a lifelong ambition? He tried to keep the doubt from his voice.
She decided to answer seriously.`Well, I have always wanted to work with them. All animals, I mean. This is a fun way to get the doctorate and then,’ she paused `who knows?’ she shrugged her shoulders. Max was entranced by the way the bar’s soft lighting caught at the hollows at the base of her neck.
`A lot of pets as a kid, I suspect, or maybe you were dragged up on a farm and couldn’t bear the crying of the lambs?’ He smiled again, he just couldn’t help himself.