The yellow light from the downstairs windows of the hotel made the flagstones shine like gold nuggets and a crescent moon lingered, silvery and low in the sky. Birds sang a morning chorus accompanied by the coo-coo-coo of a wood pigeon.
Eric sat down on a garden chair to dig stones out of his boots with his penknife and Ginny wondered if he’d already been out for a walk. The hills on either side of Splendido looked too dark and imposing to explore this early.
She was surprised that Edna hadn’t brought her walking stick. The older lady was dressed in dark shapeless clothes again, even wearing gray socks with her sandals. The only bit of color about her person was a patchwork fabric bag slung over her shoulder.
At least she won’t need sunblock, Ginny thought to herself.
She pursed her lips when she surveyed her own outfit of Heather’s People Power T-shirt and Edna’s skirt, missing the professional feeling her suits gave her, like she was ready to take on the world. Hopefully, her missing suitcase would turn up soon.
Ginny pushed back her shoulders regardless. “Morning, everyone,” she called out. “We want to get to the museum nice and early, before it gets busy. The weather’s supposed to be gorgeous again, so let’s embrace the day and have fun.”
Nico appeared in the courtyard with his arms wrapped around a multitude of brown paper bags. “I have made breakfast and also sandwiches for lunch,” he said. “Food can be expensive in the city.”
“Great. Thanks,” Ginny said, relieved they didn’t have to find a restaurant for the group. Edna seemed like a fussy eater and she suspected from his fruit intake that Eric might be vegetarian.
As the others boarded Nico’s minibus, she helped him to hand out the bags, heartache forms and tourist maps. She was impressed to see Nico had circled the gallery and noted down the ticket costs. “It’s so quiet I can hear a pin drop in here,” Heather said, sitting down. “Shall we all sing a song?”
Everyone ignored her.
Ginny selected a seat next to the window and was a little relieved when no one sat down beside her. Adrian liked to sit next to the aisle so he could stretch out his long legs or get out quickly if there was a crash. Laying her palm flat against the black vinyl of his vacant space, she let out a sigh. Being without him felt disorientating.
Nico drummed an impatient tune on the steering wheel before clamping his mobile phone to his ear. “Loretta,” he hissed, followed by words in Italian.
His daughter appeared several minutes later. “Whythisearly?” she asked with a yawn. Her crumpled dress looked like she’d scooped it off the floor. “I do not need to come with you.”
“We want to get to Florence before the tourists,” Nico said aloud so everyone could hear.
“Wearethe tourists.” Loretta climbed in and slammed the door shut.
Nico drove onto the narrow road and Loretta switched on the radio. Pop music blared out and Nico turned it down. Father and daughter argued with each other. Loretta pointed to a sign for Grand Hotel Castello Bella Vista, as if to say they should go there instead.
Ginny gazed up at the white castle on top of the hill. The sun was rising, making its turrets glow orange. In an alternate reality, she and Adrian would be staying there, curled up under crisp white sheets in a king-size bed. She felt a surge of disappointment and clasped her breakfast bag on her lap.
The farther they drove, the more the sun poured through the streaky windows, making shadows dance on her face. Ginny squinted and wished she’d put her sunglasses in her handbag.
The events of the last few weeks had left her feeling drained and she dropped her head forward to take a little nap.
When she next opened her eyes, she felt groggy and realized the minibus had come to a standstill. The countryside had vanished, replaced by hordes of people swarming around the pavement outside. Ginny looked at her watch and found that she’d slept for the entire journey. Heather and Curtis were busy gathering their things together and the minibus door was open. Eric took hold of Edna’s arm, trying to help her disembark.
“Thank you, but I don’t need any assistance. I have the balance of a tight rope walker.” Edna waved a hand as if swatting a fly.
“Everyone, try to keep close together so you don’t get lost,” Heather called out.
Ginny stepped off the minibus and rotated her arms to stretch them. The bustle of people around her sounded extra loud after the peacefulness of the countryside. Cars and mopeds beeped their horns and tourists chattered while examining maps and their phones. She heard Nico and Loretta exchanging words again as they stood in front of the minibus.
“I’ve been to the gallery before,” Loretta said. “I will meet you here later.”
“Where will you go?” Nico asked.
She pointed over her shoulder. “Somewhere.”
He called out to the back of her head as she walked away. “Where? What time will you be back?”
“The middle of the afternoon.” Loretta didn’t turn back around.
Nico watched her with his shoulders rounded. He sighed deeply as he returned to his flock. “Follow me, friends.”
He led them further into the city where ochre stone buildings contrasted against the periwinkle sky. Offices, shops and hotels had arches of every description and were topped with statues of cherubs and saints. Flags fluttered and pigeons strutted. A man on a bicycle rang his bell as he rode along a narrow street, followed by his two young sons, wobbling on their own bikes. Ginny heard the peal of church bells and glanced around her in wonder, admiring the gelaterias, tiny coffee shops and designer boutiques. She saw Nico’s eyes were pained after his discussion with Loretta and she caught up with him to talk.
