Italian Doctor, Dream Proposal. Margaret McDonagh

volunteer a few hours each month at a local clinic for homeless people and others, such as migrants, who are without access to regular health care. And, when my hours allow, I volunteer at the animal rescue centre.’

      Doing things for others rather than herself, Rico noted, not at all surprised. ‘What about time just for you?’

      ‘My friends and I go out to the cinema or for a meal, and we’ll often have a girls’ night in, relaxing with a bottle of wine, all talking at once, and eating far too much chocolate,’ she added with a bewitching chuckle. ‘I’m not very sporty, but I like to swim…and go for long walks. Most of all, I enjoy learning new things.’

      ‘Do you have pets of your own?’ Rico asked, captivated by her, and barely tasting his meal of fresh local fish.

      ‘No. Although I’ve always wanted to.’ She took a sip of her wine, then set down her glass, her slender fingers toying with the stem. ‘I was never allowed pets when I was young, I…’

      Rico watched her, silently urging her to continue, sensing a moment of inner turmoil as a shadow clouded her eyes. Her words concerned him and made him wonder about her childhood. Had it not been a happy one? Before he could find a way to ask that would not have her retreating from him even further, she gave an imperceptible shake of her head and the moment was gone.

      ‘With the hours I work, it isn’t practical at the moment, but hopefully that will change one day. Until then I get to babysit my friends’ animals when they are away, and enjoy the ones at the rescue centre. I sometimes wonder if maybe I should have been a vet.’

      There was humour in her words but also the edge of something else. Something dark and sad. There was so much more to learn about her and her life, and they had not yet begun to talk about work and whether she would be interested in a change of direction in her career. He had asked her to come here because he had wanted to offer her a job…having met her, he wanted so much more.