The Villa of Dreams Read online

  As we get up and head for the door, Antero leans in to place his hand on my arm.

  ‘Passion is good, but it sometimes… what’s the word… boils over.’

  ‘Hmm. Well, let’s hope I haven’t made a huge mistake, and he’s the right man for the job.’

  ‘Hey, Seren. What are you doing?’ Judi’s voice sounds bright and breezy today.

  ‘Sitting on a bench overlooking the water. It’s been a tough morning, so I treated myself to a chicken pitta with curried mango sauce and it was delicious. How are things at your end?’

  ‘Good. Really good. I promised I’d get back to you with some dates. The earliest I can get away is the second week of June, after that it’s the third week of July. I haven’t checked flights yet, but July might be an issue, being peak period.’

  ‘The fifth and sixth of June I’m working as it’s the weekend when everything is happening. We can get around it, though, as I can ask someone to pick you up from the airport, then, in the evening, bring you up to the monument where we’ll be filming. There will be plenty to see and do. Afterwards, we can walk back to my place, it’s close by.’

  ‘It’s sound exciting, but I don’t want to put you out. You’ll be under pressure.’

  The truth is that I have no idea how exhausted I’m going to be feeling at that point after the hectic run-up to the exhibition, but I can hardly leave Judi to fend for herself for the best part of two days.

  ‘How about I bring a friend? That way, you won’t have to bother about me, as I’ll have someone I can wander around with until you’re free.’

  ‘Well, aside from the sofa bed, I could sort out a blow-up mattress,’ I offer.

  ‘Ah, I hadn’t thought about that. It’s not a problem, we’d probably get a better deal on a shared hotel room with flights included, anyway. Leave it to me and I’ll let you know if it’s doable.’

  ‘I hope it is, as I can’t wait to catch up properly. And once that weekend is over, I fully intend taking some time off, so it will be great. Bring someone who is up for an inordinate amount of uphill walking and pack a pair of comfortable, flat shoes. Anyway, you sound really happy.’

  There’s a short pause. ‘I am, actually. Mind you, I haven’t heard a thing from anyone in my family for over a month and that’s always a blessing. I bumped into your mum the other day. It was a bit awkward as she asked me how you were doing, as if she hadn’t heard from you in a while.’

  I let out a sigh. ‘She hasn’t and I do feel guilty. I’ll send her another email, but whatever I tell her, she’ll share with my father. So, the less I say, the better. My life here is different. There’s still pressure of course, and plenty of it, but I’m happy. If I start dwelling on the past it will bring me down.’

  ‘Aww… my dear friend. Happiness is different things to different people, isn’t it? And sometimes what we think we want isn’t what we want at all. Other times it turns our lives around.’

  ‘That’s rather cryptic!’ I burst out, in surprise.

  ‘No, not really. I’m learning to stand back and see the bigger picture.’

  If that’s what having no contact with her family does for Judi, then it’s a step in the right direction. Or maybe it’s the relief of having settled into her new job and realising that a guy is just a guy.

  ‘Any developments you care to share?’ I enquire, intrigued by this new, philosophical Judi.

  ‘I might have had a couple of dinner dates. And a trip to the cinema with someone rather special, but I’ll leave it there, for now.’

  ‘Well good for you, lady. I was worried that without me by your side to keep you on track, you’d fall into the old trap of getting dragged into other people’s problems. I’m impressed.’

  ‘And I’m off to book a week’s holiday. Lisbon is calling and I’m all ears!’

  When I arrive back at the office, I think about how I’m going to pacify Rafael, as any solution is going to involve a compromise of some sort. It’s funny how different things look on a full stomach, though, and on balance I think he might have a valid point. During the rush hour, or if the wind is in the wrong direction, the traffic on the bridge might well be an overpowering distraction. If not for the audience, then for Rafael when he’s working.

  This calls for a little research. I need to walk up to the location on a Saturday around lunchtime to gauge the full extent of the problem. It doesn’t usually open evenings, so I can’t test it out, but I should imagine the traffic on a Friday night between seven and ten o’clock is going to be no worse than a normal Saturday when people are heading into Lisbon to shop, eat and see the sights.

  For me, the monument is a special place and I find the sounds of Lisbon intriguing rather than distracting. But I try to compare it to listening to music with an annoyingly pounding beat, which I find strangely disconcerting when I’m welding. My creative zone requires concentration and focus, and a more gentle, non-intrusive background of white noise. While classical music might enhance the mood, other sounds wouldn’t.

  As for the timing of the serving of the food, he’s just being too demanding over that. People can take a bite-size canapé from a tray as it passes in front of them with the merest deflection of their eyes. Is that likely to spoil their enjoyment of the spectacle, as he insists? I’m sure a live shoot is going to be a stop/start process anyway. Judging by what I’ve seen of Rafael, he’s going to stress over the slightest gust of wind and that, I know, is going to be an issue. Surprisingly, that was one concern he hasn’t raised yet, but Lisbon is known for the way the winds can change and the Cristo Rei is on top of a hill. A big one.

  With ten hours of daily sunshine being the norm here in June, the odds are in our favour for a dry day. The only unknown is the wind factor, which often carries with it sand and dust, which I would have thought was more likely to cause Rafael a problem. Rechecking the longer-term weather forecast yet again, I’m as happy as I can be this far out that we won’t need to erect the covered walkway among the avenue of olive trees, which is our backup plan.

  When my mobile kicks into life, I’m surprised to see it’s Reid calling. He’s up to date with everything we’ve requested, but maybe he’s chasing the fabric samples. I know he’ll feel happier once he’s seen them and they are due in this week.

  ‘Hi, Reid. How are you?’

  ‘I’m good, Seren, and you?’

  I try to keep my voice upbeat, for fear I’ll let out a groan, because that’s how I’m feeling. ‘Great, thank you. I’m just thrashing out the finer details of the photo shoot.’

  ‘Problems?’

  Awkward.

  ‘Not really,’ I reply a tad breezily. ‘But I’ve only visited the monument either first thing on a Saturday morning when it’s quiet, or in the evening when the gates are shut. I like to stand and watch the sun setting behind the statue. Rafael thinks we might have a noise issue during filming.’

  ‘From the bridge?’

  Oh. It’s a little worrying Reid immediately picked up on it.

  ‘Yes. I need to take a trip up there and consider what options we might have to help soften it.’

  He laughs. ‘Good luck with that. The bridge has a sound of its own, it’s the beating heart of Lisbon. Anyway, I’m ringing to ask if you’d do me a huge, personal favour.’

  Why does it make my stomach flutter a little to hear him say that? Our paths haven’t crossed since I visited his house in Sintra and our emails and phone calls have all been purely business.

  ‘Fire away. If it’s something I can help you with, then it would be my pleasure.’

  ‘I’m having a little get-together the Saturday after next. My assistant will be there to help as a co-host, but some of my guests will also be attending the party at the gallery in June. You’ve managed to attract an incredible amount of interest and everyone is talking about the exhibition. The problem I have is that they’re all curious and I’m anticipating a deluge of questions, things I wouldn’t answer half as well as you can. So, I though
t, rather than risk underselling the project you’ve masterminded, why not see if the lady herself is available?’

  I’m a little surprised by his request. ‘Isn’t that rather like talking shop when your friends will be there to simply relax and enjoy themselves?’ I point out, wondering what I might be letting myself in for; is it a little drinks thing, a party, or a sales pitch?

  That gravelly voice echoes down the line with a throaty laugh. ‘You don’t know my friends,’ he replies, and I can hear the sardonic smile in his voice. ‘You succeeded in painting me a virtual picture and, I’ll be honest, I needed that because even I didn’t really grasp the full breath of the project. People are naturally curious about what’s involved and many of them run local businesses. An art exhibition they understand, but someone asked me the other day if I was expanding into textiles. I suppose I am, in a limited way.’ He sounds amused by that thought.

  ‘Okay. I understand where you are coming from. Perhaps our marketing needs to be a little more cohesive, so that’s really helpful to know, Reid. I’ll pass that on to Carolina. And yes, of course, I’ll be there to circulate and answer any questions people might have – it would be my pleasure.’

  Reid Henderson is, without a doubt, the star of this project and if anyone is going to make waves, I would have thought it was him. Instead he’s been easy-going and cooperative, even given the fact that he’s clearly rushed off his feet, so this is the least I can do.

  ‘That’s great, Seren, thank you. My business manager will be delighted, as it’s something he’s arranged and he’s flying over from London to make sure it goes well. I will return the favour, I promise. I’ll get someone to pick you up at three o’clock on the day. You might want to consider packing an overnight bag in case it’s a late one. Several of my guests will be staying over. We’ll speak soon, then.’

  As we disconnect, I feel it’s only right that I make Senhor Ferreira aware of the commitment I’ve made. In the eyes of Reid’s guests, I’ll be an official representative of the gallery and it would be wrong of me not to inform him. When I pop my head around his door, he looks up with a smile.

  ‘Seren, come, take a seat. How can I help?’

  ‘I’ve just spoken with Reid Henderson and he’s asked me to attend what sounds like a formal cocktail party he’s holding at Casa da Floresta. I’ll be there to answer any questions that arise about the events we have planned. I wanted to check that you don’t have a problem with this?’

  ‘Not at all. It’s good of you to make yourself available. No doubt there will be some very influential people there.’

  His response is positive and it’s a relief. It wasn’t until after I said yes that it occurred to me there might be an unspoken rule to consider. Reid is, after all, a famous and well-respected artist and it might be more appropriate for one of the directors to be present.

  ‘It occurred to me that if Mr Henderson is fielding questions, then it means our marketing message isn’t clear enough. Carolina and I will review everything and revise our strategy.’

  Senhor Ferreira nods his head, cocking an eyebrow. ‘It’s a new concept, so the more information we get out there, the better. But it’s timely you should appear, because I’m getting a flood of emails from people who would like to come on board and be a part of the celebration.’

  I look back at him, straight-faced. ‘While that is good news, Senhor Ferreira, my concern is that we are stretched to capacity with the programme as it stands.’

  It’s not always the most comfortable thing to question Senhor Ferreira, but sometimes it pays to tell the truth.

  ‘I know and I appreciate your honesty, Seren. But when people see a good thing, they want to be a part of it. All I’m asking is that you give some consideration to possible ways of widening our partnerships for the duration of the summer. Success breeds success and we would wish to pursue whatever opportunities arise. What additional resources would you need?’

  I smile back at him, politely, my mind in overdrive.

  ‘If Carolina was promoted temporarily to become my assistant events manager, we could possibly enlist one of the general admin staff to support her on the publicity side without too much disruption. I would also need Antero to be permanently assigned to the team for the duration.’

  Before I get to the count of three, he responds.

  ‘Approved. Thank you, Seren. Your flexibility is duly noted and appreciated. Please congratulate your team for me.’

  Walking back to my office, I’m still processing the news when Carolina catches up with me.

  ‘I’ve been looking for you all afternoon. You’re not finishing for the day, are you? I need a quick word.’

  It’s been a long one, and I’ve done all I can for today.

  ‘If you’re ready to head home, we could talk on the way if you like. I have a bit of a headache coming on and a little fresh air might help. I have some good news to share with you, I think you’ll be pleased.’

  In no time at all, we’re on our way to the ferry terminal at Cais do Sodré. We’ve missed the first wave of the rush hour, but there’s still a steady stream of people making their way in the same direction. As we walk, I break the news about the changes to Carolina. I don’t know if she’s more delighted at the thought of stepping up and having more responsibility, or the fact that Antero is going to be working more closely with us.

  ‘You will find a way to work this out, Seren,’ she adds encouragingly. ‘And you know that both Antero and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure the project is a success. We knew Rafael was likely to be demanding. Nothing is ever easy, is it?’

  As the mass body of people are funnelled into the concrete terminal building, we soon come to a standstill as we wait while the ferry in dock offloads its passengers. Then it’s our turn to plough forward and cross one of the metal gangplanks. Carolina nimbly races ahead to make her way to the stairs leading up to the top deck. When I catch up with her, I sink down gratefully into the graffitied, faded orange and pale grey plastic seat, glad we don’t have to stand.

  ‘I haven’t had time to tell Antero yet, but I’ll phone him as soon as I get home.’ I can hear the tiredness in my voice and Carolina casts me a sympathetic glance.

  ‘This is wonderful, Seren. Senhor Ferreira will be pleased that the gallery is attracting such interest.’

  She’s right, of course. There’s nothing I’m being presented with that I can’t sort out. We settle back to enjoy the ten-minute journey across the river Tagus and take in the views. The scenery is stunning, and it never gets old, even though I do this crossing twice a day, Monday to Friday. It’s the sort of commute to work I could never have dreamt about living back home, and one that many of my friends in the UK would envy.

  Overhead, a silver bullet of a plane way up high glints, as the sun bounces off its wings. It looks like a bird flying over the Ponte 25 de Abril. At this level, the road noise is way above us and it’s just a low droning sound.

  Linking Lisbon to Almada, the suspension bridge is over two kilometres long and reminiscent of San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge. With six lanes and a train line suspended below road level, it’s high enough to allow the massive container and cruise ships to pass underneath. Of course, the sounds emanating from it are going to travel. A fleeting smile passes over my face as I imagine myself handing Rafael and his assistant some earplugs to block out the offending hubbub.

  Today, the water flowing beneath it is a rich turquoise blue. As I scan the sweeping coastline, my eyes instinctively home in on old-town Cacilhas and the cluster of dockside buildings, which include decaying warehouses long overdue for demolition. Beyond that, the white buildings of the city of Almada rise up, topped with the glorious hues of pinks and terracotta rooflines. My eyes automatically work along the coastline of the south bank. To the right, the tree-covered hill dips and as the land rises up again, there it is – standing alone, arms reaching out like a proud father ready to embrace his people, the statue of Cristo Rei. />
  With a wonderfully cool breeze coming off the water, I close my eyes for a couple of minutes and gradually the tension in my neck and the back of my head eases.

  When we dock, Carolina and I take the short ride to São João Batista together, where we hug goodbye before heading off in opposite directions.

  ‘I’m always here if you ever need company, or someone to talk to, Seren,’ Carolina offers. ‘Antero will be delighted and very grateful to you, as am I. His dream is to work solely for the gallery. This might be his chance to demonstrate that he isn’t just an interpreter.’

  I can see this means a lot to her and I have no doubt at all that they will both be eager to prove they are up to the challenge.

  ‘That’s good to know, Carolina. Thank you. We can work on raising Antero’s profile, I’m sure. See you back here tomorrow, same time as usual,’ I call out, as I begin the long uphill trek home.

  I call Antero as I walk and he can’t hide his enthusiasm, or delight. Afterwards, I slow my pace, taking the time to consider what the easiest options are to appease Rafael. The complexities of managing his expectations have a wider impact and yet his standing dictates that I cannot gloss over anything he raises.

  The company who are putting on the Gostos de Lisboa display represent a consortium of different restaurants and food-sellers, to present the tastes of Lisbon. The initial meeting simply outlined the companies involved, which the board of directors have now approved. Our next meeting will thrash out the details, such as where the catering vans will be parked and the mechanics of setting up food stations, from which the serving staff will replenish their platters. An idea pops into my head as if a switch has suddenly been flicked.

  ‘Simple,’ I say out loud, feeling pleased with myself. It’s not too late to steer it in a slightly different direction. Keeping everything a safe distance away from where Rafael will be working is easy enough. It’s a huge site, anyway, and the answer is to keep the waiting staff within a set area. If people are hungry, they can wander away from the promenade and return whenever they want.