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What was I just saying to the guests?I had completely lost my train of thought.

‘So…’ I attempted to focus again. ‘Alberobello is a small but very beautiful and romantic town that I am sure you will enjoy discovering as a couple. We will meet back here in two hours which will give you plenty of time to explore the houses, shops, bars and restaurants within these beautiful buildings. Remember to take lots of photos together for your memory book.’

‘Will do!’ one of the guys, Casper, replied.

‘And as you may have noticed, unfortunately Samantha’s partner, Edward, is unwell and has not been able to join us. So that she is not on her own, I will walk with her. But if there is anything you need, please call. You all have my number,sì?’

‘Sì!’ everyone replied.

‘Perfetto! Enjoy exploring this beautiful place together. See you in two hours.’

As the guests dispersed, I turned to face Samantha.

She was wearing a pretty knee-length yellow sundress and her vibrant hair hung loosely around her toned shoulders. Her skin looked very soft.

I shook my head. I should not be looking at her shoulders. I was just here to keep her company.

‘Thanks again for being my escort. Oops!’ She laughed. ‘Bad word choice. I didn’t mean it likethat. I know you’re helping me out, but I promise I’m not expecting any sexual favours in return!’

I flashed her a half smile to communicate that I understood she was joking. I was starting to realise that Samantha often spoke before she thought, so her words did not come out as she had intended.

‘My boss will be relieved to hear that,’ I said, thinking how true that was.

‘What I meant was, I hope I’m not cramping your style by making you babysit me. You’ve probably visited this place a million times before and usually just sneak off to get a pint. So, if you want to do that, I promise I won’t tell your boss.’

‘Do not worry. I already had four pints on the coach, so I am fine,’ I joked.

I was going to add that of course I would not drink whilst I was working, but then realised I did not need to. I was learning that Samantha enjoyed banter, so she would know I was not being serious.

‘Phew! You could’ve at least offered me a sip!’ She smiled and I noticed how it lit up her whole face. ‘And I’m glad you understood my English sayings too, y’know, likecramping my style. Your English is so good. Not as good as my Italianobviously, but y’know.’ She burst out laughing and a warm feeling filled my chest.

I was glad that she had not let Edward’s absence stop her from smiling.

‘Obviously!’ I laughed. ‘Your Italian is flawless.’

‘I know, right?’ She giggled. ‘But seriously, how come your English is so good?’

‘My mother is English,’ I replied.

‘No way!’ Her eyes widened. ‘Must be cool to be bilingual.’

‘You should know,’ I grinned.

‘Of course I do. I was just being polite!’ She laughed again.

‘Speaking English is helpful. Especially for this job. But growing up, we did not speak it much at home. My father preferred us to speak Italian. Mamma still tried her best to teach us, but if I am honest, when I was younger, I was not interested. It was only when I was a teenager and started to understand the benefits of travel that I began to pay more attention.’

‘Yeah, us Brits are lucky that so many people speak English around the world. But it makes us kind of lazy. Like we don’t have to bother making an effort because everyone will understand us anyway.’

‘Butyouhave tried to make an effort,’ I added.

We had joked a lot about her language skills, but it was true. I liked how Samantha always tried to use some Italian. Even though they were small, simple words, they still mattered.

‘Grazie! I’d love to learn more Italian.’

‘Perhaps I can teach you,’ I said, before instantly regretting it. I was just her chaperone for a couple of hours. Teaching her Italian was not part of the deal.

‘Yeah?’ Her face lit up. ‘I’d love to learn some swear words!’