Living La Dolce Vita

Day 11

Today we explored Rome by train, an interesting experience to say the least. There are some very unsavoury types that travel around looking for easy targets and use any means possible, even faking being pregnant to achieve their purpose. 

Spanish Steps

© A Product of Silenc

Pantheon

© A Product of Silence

 Once off the train we moved around on foot, visiting the Spanish steps and then the Pantheon, where strangely across the square from this lovely old building, is McDonalds. I have to say that is the thing that struck me the most about Rome, that in amongst modern buildings are ancient stone walls and ruins of buildings. It is a truly surprising spectacle so see these different elements side by side. 

Pantheon Dome

© A product of Silence

Trevi Fountain

© A Product of Silence

After lunch outside the Pantheon, the dome of which, almost two thousand years after it was built is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, we visited the famous Trevi fountain. Another sight I had very much wanted to see, simply stunning, even in the rain. We also visited the iconic Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

  Later that night we attended a soccer match and cheered for the local team Lazio. Unfortunately the visiting team won the match but it was an incredible experience not least because we got to witness how the supporters of the two teams are kept segregated. The two groups are completely separated in the stands with security guards and fences surrounding the visiting supporters. Then when the game is over the locals are stopped from leaving the stadium until the visitors are on their buses and clear of the immediate vicinity. Unbelievable, but safer than the alternative I'm guessing.

© A Product of Silence

Going Home

Part 49

Within moments, Grace and Josh headed out to the South paddock scanning the land as they went for any trace of the missing girl. As they approached a gate Josh got off his bike and opened the gate for Grace to ride through then Grace got off and shut the gate after Josh.

Walking back to Josh Grace listened as he yells over the noise of the bike “we’re going down there” indicating an area to their left “there are a few mine shafts and the ground is rocky so be careful okay? Follow me and stay close.”

Grace nodded then leaning in she gave him a quick kiss “you just make sure you know where we’re going or we’re both in trouble.”

Smiling Josh gave her a wink. He loved that she was always ready for anything.

And getting back on her bike Grace smiled to herself, even though she could take care of herself she loved that Josh was so protective of her, it left her in no doubt about what she meant to him.

Together they searched the paddock systematically, stopping to call out every so often and checking and shafts they came across. After about thirty minutes Josh pulled up and turned off his bike. Grace rode over to his position and as she turned off her engine Josh used the sat phone to find out if there are any developments.

Margaret answered the phone when the connection was made. “It’s Josh, any word?”

“No nothing yet, your father has finished searching the out buildings and is now out searching other areas close to the house. None of the others have reported anything either.”

Josh frowned “Okay I’ll ring again in half an hour.”

“Fine, good luck.”

“Bye” Josh said and hung up. Then looking at Grace he said “ok we keep going.”

Going Home

Part 48

As Josh and Grace pull up near the house Robert appeared from inside and came down the steps towards them. Frowning Josh looked at him, “what’s going on?”

With a concerned expression Robert said “a child from a neighbouring property is missing, they think she may be on our land somewhere, she was headed this way when she was last seen.”

“Right” Josh said, automatically switching to work mode, “where do you want us to look?”

“Well we’ve got people heading out all over but I thought if you and Grace could look in the south paddock that’s one of the spots their land meets ours and it’s rough terrain with a few old mine shafts.”

Josh nodded, his frown deepening, “I remember. Okay I’ll take my climbing gear in case it’s needed. What do we do for communication we won’t get a signal out there?”

“I’ll give you the sat phone. I’m going to search the out buildings so I won’t need it.” Robert headed back inside to get the phone.

Josh walked over to retrieve his climbing gear from the car and returning to the bike looked at Grace “it’s pretty rough over there, you going to be okay?” 

Grace smiled, “I’ll be fine. Let’s just find the child.”

Nodding Josh turned back to his father as Robert reappeared with the phone and a torch. “how old is this kid?” he asked his father.

“She’s ten.”

“And what’s her name?”

“Maddie”

“Okay I’ll call in half an hour unless we find something sooner.”

Nodding Robert looked at his son with pride. He liked that there was no hesitation from Josh, just a willingness to get on with what needed to be done. He was impressed with the man he had become.

Living La Dolce Vita

Day 10

The grounds of the Vatican

© A Product of Silence

Today we toured the Vatican museum and St. Peters Basilica. Talk about ornate. There was no expense spared on the decoration in these buildings. Every conceivable surface was covered in frescos or paintings or mosaics and then there were the statues, unbelievable. It is all incredibly beautiful, even the grounds are a sight to see in their own right. 

Vatican Museum

© A Product of Silence

The highlight of the tour was the Sistine Chapel. This was a truly awe inspiring sight and because we were there in the off season we able to view it all at our leisure. We were told that in the summer everyone just files through in a continuous stream and you have to try and see it all on the way through. We stayed in there for ages, just taking it all in. Amazing is the only word I can think of to describe it. I will never forget the feeling of standing there surrounded by such beauty and history. 

Vatican Museum

© A Product of Silence

Leaving the Vatican we got on our coach for a tour of Rome, stopping at the Colosseum, yet another sight that left me speechless. We also saw the Arch of Constantine and the Roman forum. 

 After a day immersed in the past we were brought back to the present with a shopping spree in some lovely shops close to the hotel.

Going Home

Part 47

As they got back on the bikes to head back after lunch Josh took a deep breath. Grace was right coming back to the farm had allowed him to put his past behind him. He could now think of Gavin without the pain and as a result his memories of him seemed much sharper. But now that he could allow them in Josh realised just how hard he had had to work all these years to keep those memories out.

Glancing over at Josh as they rode back Grace wondered how he was feeling. It was obvious he’d resolved some things, but she had a feeling that he was going to need time to get used to it all, for it to fully sink in. The accident changed the course of his life and while he had now been able to come to terms with what happened, those events had left an indelible mark on him. They had helped make him the man he was today and the resolution of those old issues may have just as big an impact.

Lost in her thoughts Grace didn’t notice what was ahead until she heard Josh yell to get her attention. Then focusing on her surroundings again Grace spotted what Josh was indicating. They were not far from the house now. It sat below them and she could see several cars parked near by and some people moving around. Grace glanced at Josh and she could tell by his expression that he was thinking the same thing she was. This was no social event, something was wrong.

Going Home

Part 46

After a few minutes, hungry after all the exercise, Grace decided it was time for lunch and moved to get up.

However Josh had other ideas. He held her down.

 Laughing Grace protested “come on Josh I’m hungry let me up.”

But giving her a seductive smile Josh opened his eyes to look at her “I’m hungry too.”

Wary suddenly Grace shook her head and tried once again to rise “no way don’t you start that out here.”

“Start what?” Josh asked pretending not to understand as he rested his head on one hand and looking down at her stilled her movement by rubbing the other slowly up her thigh. Then tracing a finger across her hips he continued “this, do you mean? But I’ve already started.”

“Josh” Grace warned.

Grinning Josh continued his teasing touch slipping his hand under her top and running it up over her stomach and chest but without giving her what she wanted. Then in between slow seductive kisses Josh continued “besides this is your punishment for forgetting to tell me you had ridden a motor bike before.”

“Oh that” Grace said, he tone vague, “it must have slipped my mind.” She was no longer able to concentrate on what he’d said, the only thing she was conscious of was what his touch was doing to her. It is driving her insane.

Watching her and sounding equally absent, Josh said, “yeah right.” Then with his gaze fixed on her mouth he added, “now lie still and take your punishment will ya, because by the time I’m finished with you won’t be arguing about starting it out here, you’ll be begging me to finish it.”

And as he lowered his head Grace couldn’t even remember what her objection was.

Betrayal

Part 2

After a few minutes Sarah sat back and tried to pull herself together. Even though it was the last thing she felt like, she needed to get back to work. Digging around in her bag she found a tissue and wiped her eyes. She didn’t bother checking the mirror.  She knew full well she looked terrible, but it was nothing on how she felt. Taking a deep breath she blew it out and turning the key she started the car. 

All the way back to work she had had to fight to stop the tears flowing again and walking back into the office she could tell from the searching looks she got that everything she was feeling was etched on her face. There was nothing she could do about it. Stopping in the kitchen before heading to her desk, she made a coffee and used the time to try to compose her face and contain her emotions. However sitting back at her computer she knew it hadn’t helped. Jen, with whom she shared an office, was looking at her. Sarah could feel her eyes on her, even though she hadn’t looked at the other woman. After a minute the expected question came “Sarah, are you okay?”

Forcing a smile Sarah turned and looked at her “yes, I’m fine.” She and Jen were close. They saw each other for hours every day and talked about everything, but Sarah couldn’t tell her this. She couldn’t help but feel that this was a failing on her part. Even though she wasn’t the one who had destroyed it, she just couldn’t admit that her marriage was not what it should be .

“You’re sure” Jen said, her expression worried.

Turning back to face her screen and effectively bringing the conversation to a close, Sarah opened a new window and said “yep.” After a few minutes she felt Jen’s eyes move away from her. She knew the other woman wasn’t convinced but she was thankful she hadn’t pushed it.