In 1986, Elizabeth Lewis dreamed of a glorious summer in Italy.

Working as an au pair in a remote picturesque village she planned to cook Italian, learn Italian, be Italian. There was so much hope to be dashed...

A long hot summer begins with Lizzie re-christened Betty - or should that be Cinderella? - by her Italian hosts. Between daily chores and child-minding, dreams of becoming Sophia Loren grow hazy. That is until her knight in shining armour arrives, in a Cinquecento, and Lizzie's romantic Brief Encounter begins.

Joyous romantic comedy, and an ode to Italy, youth and summertime. Based on a true story.

Betty ...... Emma Sidi
Vilmer Cantarini ...... Francois Pandolfo
The Translator ...... Stephen Perring
Marisa ...... Juliet Aubrey
Illyana ...... Alice Coles

Director: Helen Perry

A BBC Cymru/Wales Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018. Show less