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| Rachel's Random Resources Book Tours |
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| Welcome to my Blog! Wander through worlds real and fictional, meet interesting people, visit exciting places and find good books to enjoy along the way! |
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| About the Book |
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| read an extract |
A few evenings into the retreat the main characters; Jessica Rose, the author leading the group, Zina who owns The Retreat House, and Karmela who’s working on her book, sit down with a glass of wine in the courtyard, after the others have gone to bed. But it seems to Karmela that the others might be hiding secrets.
Karmela watched as Iain
disappeared into the blackness, Sybil straining at her lead, no doubt excited
by the endless possibilities of her last walk of the night. Opposite her,
Jessica was toying with her almost empty wine glass. It was just the two of them
left, and Karmela wondered if, now they were alone, she would have an
opportunity to try to bring her out of herself and begin to get to know her.
Although Jessica smiled and nodded a lot, she seemed to have little to say
outside the confines of the classroom.
The
sweet night air drifted around them in an almost imperceptible breeze, the
heavy scent of geraniums tickling Karmela’s nose. The sky was inky black, the
moon no more than a silver ball perching on top of the hillside behind The
Retreat House.
“It
is so very peaceful here,” she said. “So calm.”
Jessica
nodded. “I wondered how it would be. I didn’t dare to hope…”
“A
top-up for either of you?” Zina emerged from the bar area, bottle in hand.
Jessica held out her glass, but Karmela shook her head.
“I
feel bad now,” Jessica faltered.
Zina
sat down next to her. “It’s fine. I won’t let you drink alone.”
There
was a moment of silence before Karmela resorted to the most obvious
conversational gambit, asking what had made Zina decide to start the retreat.
“When
I came back to the island, I wanted to do something different, something
worthwhile. Despite all the talk of over-tourism on Santorini, here we are away
from the crowds, and I wanted to capitalise on that. Show the other face, if
you like. Support the rural economy with something that would work alongside
the farm.”
“So
do you use your own produce in the kitchen?” Karmela asked.
“Where
we can, or we showcase other farmers. I want my guests to experience Santorini
with all their senses. Our tomatoes, for example, are not grown anywhere other
than the island. And the wild capers, we don’t even have to cultivate, just
pick them. In authentic local cookery you will barely find a dish without
them.”
“It
must be wonderful to be able to follow your dream,” Jessica said.
“I’m
privileged, that is for sure. But surely writing is a dream career too?”
“Oh,
yes. I am lucky.” Jessica sipped her wine but to Karmela her face seemed
closed. Suddenly she looked up. “Karmela, is writing where you see your
future?”
“I
do not think I would ever give up lecturing. I love my subject too much and I
really enjoy the interaction with students, especially the ones who are as
passionate about medieval history as I am. Sadly they are few and far between,
but if I can inspire just a handful more, then my working life is already
worthwhile. And anyway, I have barely started my book, let alone finished it.”
“So
what is it really like, being a famous author?” Zina asked Jessica, leaning
forwards eagerly. “I imagine you go to lots of events – launches, parties, that
sort of thing.”
Jessica
grimaced. “Some authors do, but mostly it’s sitting at a desk.” She played with
the stem of her glass. “You may have noticed I’m pretty shy. I find the social
side … difficult.”
“And
yet you stand up in a classroom,” said Karmela.
“No,
I couldn’t do that. Not in a million years. The five of you is about my limit
and I was perfectly terrified before the first session. You see, I’ve never
done this before.”
“It
did not show.”
Jessica
smiled. “Thank you, Karmela. I have seen how easy you find it to chat to
people, and you too Zina, and I’m filled with admiration.”
“I
can’t really imagine being any other way,” said Zina. “Before I came back here
I worked in marketing in Athens so I was constantly putting myself out there,
and I loved every minute.”
“So
why did you come back?” Karmela asked.
Zina
raised her hand to her mouth, as if pondering her answer, then shrugged. “The
time felt right. My father died last year and my mother needed my support.”
“That
is such a lovely thing to do,” said Jessica. “So selfless. You must be close to
your mother to do that. I have to say, my mum is my absolute rock and I’d do
anything for her too.”
“Then
that’s something we have in common.” Zina beamed.
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