Claire Gulliver #03 - Intrigue in Italics Read Online Free Page B

shook her head, bemused by her experience before announcing, “I’m ready. Let’s see what this great market has for us.”
    The market was wonderful. Most of the booths had canopies to protect the goods from sun or rain but others were just tables laid out to display the goods. Claire was especially taken with a selection of silk scarves.
    “Look Ruth, these look just like the designer ones that cost a couple hundred dollars. Are they knock offs, stolen or what?”
    “I don’t know, but they look great. Don’t pay more than ten dollars each, because I saw some over on the other aisle for that price.”
    Claire, who had been about to close the deal, put the scarf back on the table to the disappointment of the vendor.
    “You not like? Good deal. Only twenty dollar U.S. Silk, real silk.” She spread out the one Claire had especially liked, bargaining, “You like? Two for thirty-five dollars.”
    Claire shook her head with regret.
    “How much you pay?”
    Millie spoke up, “Ten dollars each, U.S.”
    The vendor looked shocked, then when she saw the determination in their faces and they started to turn toward the other aisle, she changed her price. “Okay,” she whispered, “but only for you. Ten dollar U.S. each. Okay?”
    Claire nodded, relieved to be able to buy the ones she had already selected. She ended up getting five, not only were they a great buy but they were small enough to fit in her small suitcase. They would make perfect gifts.
    And they couldn’t get by the leather goods section until Ruth had bought a purse. Millie purchased belts of fine Italian leather for the three Richman brothers, and Claire bought a beautiful pair of sandals for a fraction of what they would have cost at home. But while the wares were tempting and the prices reasonable, eventually they stopped buying only too aware of their limited luggage space.
    They moved without speaking to a shaded table at a sidewalk café and ended up ordering large dishes of gelato (ice cream) instead of lunch. Two things they found were plentiful in Florence, coffee and gelato. There was no reason they shouldn’t treat themselves every day they told each other, but agreed they had to be disciplined so as to not do it several times a day.
    “Did we miss siesta?” Claire asked checking her watch.
    “Well, we may have missed Italy’s nap time, but mine is coming up soon. What say we head back for the hotel and a little quiet time before going out later this afternoon?” Ruth suggested. “I thought we might want to visit the Uffizi before we have dinner. It was closed yesterday and I have to see it. My goodness, that would be like visiting Paris and not going to the Louvre.
    “My guidebook says if we call, we can make reservations with only a fifteen minute wait. If it’s all right with the two of you?” Ruth paused and then seeing their nods, went on. ”There’s a restaurant located very close to the museum which those people behind us this morning said was very good. Perhaps we could try it?”
    Claire nodded. “I’m anxious to see the Uffizi. I’ve heard so much about the art there. But we need to decide what we’re going to see, because my brain goes numb when I’m in a museum more than an hour. I can’t even remember what I’ve seen after a while.”
    Ruth nodded. “You’re right. I think my book recommends several of the rooms. When we get back to the hotel I’ll check it out.
    “Is that Rick Steves’ book?”
    Ruth nodded smiling. “Of course, my travel bookstore recommended it.”
    “Okay, nap, reservations, plan on what to see and then dinner as a reward. That sounds good!” Millie checked each off on her fingers as they moved quickly toward their hotel, anxious for that rest.
     
    *  *  *
     
    “Well, I think we got it all.” Ruth looked again in the large armoire, checking the drawers along one side.
    “Are you sure you don’t want to move into a smaller room? We could help you pack up.”
    Claire shook her