A Spanish Inheritance

‘Sometimes,’ he said, glaring down at her, ‘I really do despair.’

‘Why? I—’

His hands moved fast, as if he would have liked to seize her and shake her, but he stopped himself midway. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he murmured, and his touch was gentle as he steered her towards the door.

‘I still find all this hard to believe,’ Annalisa admitted as they dodged a couple of wheelbarrows full of trimmings.

‘You had the vision,’ Ramon pointed out, yanking her out of the way when it became clear that a race was in progress between some young boys from the village.

‘But without your water—’

‘A perfect partnership?’

The amusement in his voice made it hard for her to concentrate on talking business. She was thankful when they reached the big yellow trailer where most of the activity was taking place. ‘I’ve only just been able to start paying everyone,’ she said as they dodged some flying trimmings.

‘But that never stopped them coming to work, right?’ Ramon prompted.

Guard down, she turned to him. ‘I’m not used to such—’

‘Trust?’

The look he gave her was both provocative and challenging.

Raising her chin determinedly, she said, ‘Will you call everyone together for me, so that I can explain about back pay?’ She was determined to keep the exchange on a professional level. ‘I want to make it clear that I’m going to compensate everyone for all the days they—’

‘Señorita…señorita!’

‘Maria Teresa!’ Annalisa said, swinging round in surprise. ‘I thought you left ages ago.’

‘First, Señorita Wilson, I have this to give to you.’

‘A present for me? You really shouldn’t,’ Annalisa said self-consciously as Maria Teresa pressed a package into her hands.

‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ Ramon murmured diplomatically. ‘Everyone’s waiting.’

‘Of course.’ Annalisa glanced around self-consciously, realising she had suddenly become the centre of attention. She tugged the string off the brown paper package and her eyes widened as she examined the contents. ‘But this is—’ She had been about to say exquisite. But as she shook out the fine lawn shirt she could see that it was far too big for her. Hastily folding the sides inwards, to make it appear several sizes smaller, she held it up. ‘It’s really lovely…beautiful. Thank you, Maria Teresa.’ And, grabbing hold of her, Annalisa landed a kiss either side of her beaming nut-brown face.

‘No, no, Señorita Wilson! Not like that,’ Maria Teresa protested, shaking her finger in mock-reproach. And, taking the shirt out of Annalisa’s hands, she stretched up on tiptoes to spread it across Ramon’s chest. ‘Like this!’

‘I don’t understand,’ Annalisa whispered to him. ‘Is it a gift for you?’

‘It is a Menorcan wedding shirt,’ he informed her dryly as he executed a formal bow to Maria Teresa.

‘A what?’

Putting his hand on Annalisa’s shoulder, Ramon turned her slightly to murmur discreetly, ‘She has given you a traditional shirt—the type a Spaniard might wear at his wedding. And look,’ he said, pointing to a gap in the black silk stitching. ‘She’s left some of the embroidery for you to finish.’

‘I don’t understand—’

‘Just thank her,’ Ramon prompted softly. ‘She must have been working on this for weeks.’

‘But what will I do with it?’

‘Put it in your bottom drawer. You do have one?’

‘Surprisingly, no.’

‘Perhaps you should start one.’

Acutely aware that their whispering had gone on long enough, Annalisa pulled herself together. ‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling as she turned to Maria Teresa. ‘It is a truly beautiful gift and one I will treasure always.’

‘It’s not a museum piece,’ Ramon cautioned. ‘You’re supposed to put it to use.’

‘Doubtless I will,’ she said. ‘If I ever marry.’

‘I’ve left some stitching for you to finish, señorita,’ Maria Teresa said with a broad wink as she hustled between the two of them. ‘To bring you good luck…and many, many children!’

Remembering Maria Teresa had thirteen, Annalisa reminded herself to go steady on the stitching.

‘Will you examine the well now, Señor Perez?’ Maria Teresa demanded, gazing around anxiously at the waiting villagers.

‘Yes,’ he said, shooting a glance at Annalisa.

‘A well! That really is more than I deserve!’