English Rose for the Sicilian Doc. Annie Claydon

not metal ones. It looks as if someone widened out the opening to the cave a very long time ago, probably so that it could be used. There are more caves beyond this one.’

      ‘Fascinating.’ Matteo really did seem fascinated. ‘May I have a look around?’

      ‘Yes, of course. Keep to the area inside the tape, that’s the area that has already been processed.’ Rose shone her torch onto the route that led to the next cave, marked out on each side by reflective tape. ‘If you happen to see any Roman-style jewellery scattered around, give me a shout.’

      ‘You wish.’ David chuckled, switching on one of the large lights standing on tripods around the areas where the archaeologists were currently working. ‘I’m going to do some more on that boring old pottery. You go look for buried treasure.’

      She let Matteo look around then led him through a succession of smaller caves, showing him where they’d made finds as she went. Away from the lights, his features were sharper, even more striking. And Rose couldn’t help staring at him every chance she got. His tall frame, his relaxed gait. Matteo was like a work of art standing still, but it was the way he moved that made her head swim.

      Her head really was swimming and her legs felt suddenly unsteady. Maybe there was something wrong with the air in here. Rose heard her torch clatter at her feet before she’d even realised that she’d dropped it and it went out suddenly. In the moments before the beam of Matteo’s torch swung round towards her she saw a faint glimmer of light in the far corner of the cave.

      ‘What’s that?’ She was blinded by his torch, shining straight at her. ‘Turn the light out, I can see daylight.’

      ‘Forget about that...’

      ‘No... Turn your light out.’ No one had been working in this cave and they’d thought it was the last in the series. But there was something beyond it.

      Matteo strode towards her, his fingers closing around her arm. ‘Don’t be alarmed.’ His voice was low and steady. ‘It’s a minor earthquake.’