Jessica's World

By Luigi Pagano

Jessica is a young and talented girl who, after the death of her parents was under the guardianship of her uncle. He eventually adopts her, becoming her putative father. Now an adult, she lives an independent life but still relies on him for financial and emotional support. Her desire to gather information about her dead mother raises questions that evoke memories of past events in the life of Uncle Jeremy and of Lottie, a wealthy Swiss widow whom he loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luigi Pagano
• Release date: Dec 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215325544

Luigi Pagano

Luigi Pagano Born in Italy, moved to England in 1961. Having dabbled in writing in his native country, he decided to resume this activity, as a hobby, in his retirement. He has published five collections of poems:'Idle Thoughts'; 'Reflections'; 'Cherry Ripe''; 'Poetry on Tap' and 'Cherry on Top' plus 'Guns and Dolls' – a short book containing three short stories – and three novelettes 'Jessica World'., 'An Enquiring Mind' and 'A Life's Journey' Digital versions of these can be found at Smashwords. and other distributors like Kobo and Barnes and Noble. He was a member of Writers Group and indie publishers I*D Books based in Shotton, Flintshire until they ceased activity. His work has been featured in various magazines and anthologies. A regular contributor to the websites ABCtales.com, Poetry24, and UKAuthors.co.uk, he was 'Writer of the Month' on the latter in December 2005.

Book preview

JESSICA'S WORLD

by

Luigi Pagano

Smashwords edition

© Luigi Pagano 2023

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photocopying or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

Chapter 1 - A Tense Situation

Souk it to me, said Jessica when I told her that we were going to visit the market in the medina of Hammamet.

She is my niece, a vivacious and adventurous 20 year-old whose looks attract a great deal of attention everywhere.

She's a would-be comedian and also a fan of old TV shows like Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.

Oh, very droll, I remarked.

She was in a jocular mood and went on to say:

Promise me, Uncle Jeremy, that you won't sell me for fewer than twenty sheep.

Don't you mean camels?

Whatever! Just make sure I am not undersold, or I'll get the hump.

***

She had been unsure and fearful of entering the walled city as she had been told that it was a dodgy place, best avoided.

It is true that souks are a maze of alleys and narrow streets, and it's easy to get lost. They are the traditional market places and are often divided into sections for the various trades. Herbalists, spice sellers, metal workers, tanners and food markets are congregated on trade-specific streets.

I had been equally anxious on my first visit, years earlier, and on that occasion I had been accompanied by Abdul, the waiter from the hotel where I was staying who had offered to act as my guide.

I tried to instil confidence in Jessica by telling her that I had been reassured by that experience and I that had found the local traders helpful and friendly.

What decided her was that Abdul's son Ali would be our guide this time.

The fact that he was a handsome boy of her own age was the main factor.

***

The variety and abundance of enticing and attractive products promised to be a cornucopia to satisfy every kind of taste.

While I was mainly interested in acquiring a luxurious carpet full of rich and colourful patterns, I knew that Jessica would want to make a bee-line to a boutique or a jewellery shop.

I was pondering on whether I ought to start haggling on an embroidered rug for which the vendor was asking far too many dinars, when I realised that my niece was no longer with us.

Both Ali and scurried in search of the missing girl but could not find her and I panicked at the thought that she may have been kidnapped or lured by some unscrupulous criminal.

I turned a corner and a young female motioned me towards her boutique. I was about to dismiss what I thought to be an invitation to shop at her premises when I heard giggling from within.

The laughter was unmistakably that of my mischievous young relative who, having avoided my vigilance, was now ensconced