CATHERINE GEORGE - Under the Brazilian Sun

Katherine gazed at him in silence. With an Estancia as the family home, the Quinta for holidays, and soap-actress girlfriends in the mix, Roberto de Sousa lived a very different life from hers—or from anyone she knew. ‘Thank you for telling me,’ she said at last. ‘I hope it wasn’t painful to talk about it.’

‘Not to such a sympathetic listener.’ He smiled suddenly, the effect like a light going on in a darkened room. He looked up as Jorge appeared to clear away. ‘Tell Lidia the meal was gostoso , as usual.’

Katherine nodded in fervent agreement and the man smiled, pleased.

‘You would like dessert, Doutora ?’

‘No, thank you,’ she said with regret. ‘Could I have some tea, please?’

‘ Pois e! I will also bring café for the Patrao .’

Roberto smiled wryly as the man left. ‘I must take the back seat with Jorge now you are here, Katherine.’

She laughed. ‘I don’t think so. Both Jorge and Lidia obviously think the world of you.’

‘My mother told them to take good care of me—and they do.’ He sighed. ‘Lidia feeds me well, and Jorge is a slave driver when I exercise, also he will drive me to Viana do Castelo tomorrow for a check-up with a doctor and session with the physio. I prefer to drive myself but for hospital visits Jorge insists he does,’ he added loudly as the man came back with a tray.

Jorge smiled. ‘Dona Teresa mandou ,’ he said simply.

‘He said my mother ordered him to do it, so nothing I say will make any difference,’ said Roberto, resigned.

‘Thank you.’ Katherine smiled warmly at Jorge as he set the tray in front of her.

‘De nada, Doutora. Boa noite.’

‘So, Katherine,’ said Roberto when they were alone, ‘will you solve our mystery tomorrow?’

‘I certainly hope so, or you’ll have spent a lot of money for nothing in getting me here!’

‘And will pay more for you to stay longer!’ He rolled his eyes. ‘That does not sound good, I think. You must make allowances for my English.’

She shook her head. ‘You speak it very well. So do Lidia and Jorge to a lesser extent, though with much stronger accents than yours.’

‘We sound different because I am Brazilian and I was taught at school. Also I have travelled much. They are Portuguese and have not, but they have learned some basic English to deal with visitors to the Quinta das Montanhas. It is rented out for holidays for part of the year—the reason why I built the pool and the tennis court,’ Roberto added.

Katherine stared at him in astonishment. ‘You can actually bear to let the general public use your home?’

‘When I am not here, yes.’ He shrugged. ‘I am a practical man, Katherine. People pay very well to stay here, and it provides work for my empregados and money for the maintenance of the house. But not so many visitors are booked this season because I stay at the Quinta myself.’

‘Does Lidia cook for the guests?’

‘I do not allow this. Breakfast only is provided. There are good restaurants in the area.’ His jaw clenched. ‘For obvious reasons, I do not patronise them.’

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