‘Same here.’ Learning to navigate her way from A to B without peering at an app on her phone gave Natalie a chance to spot numerous little gems: the lion of St Mark’s on a lintel over a door, a curvy flourish carved into an old stone well, a plaque of St George slaying his dragon high up on a wall. And it was fun to people-watch, trying to pick out the native Venetians from amongst a population swelled by the summer crowds.
Neither of them referred to their school trip as they crossed the Accademia Bridge, though Natalie knew the night of the masked ball must be playing on Cate’s mind the way it was on hers.
A few minutes later, an intoxicating mix of floral scents told her they’d reached the perfumery. In a few moments, she would see Eraldo again.
‘Wait a moment!’ Natalie took her powder compact from her handbag and dabbed her shiny nose, ignoring Cate’s smirk.
‘Ooh, they do perfume-making courses here; I didn’t notice that before.’ Cate read from a notice pinned in the window. ‘I took a scented-candle-making workshop once but I’ve never done anything like this; balancing all those oils is a real skill.’
‘That’s an idea! Floella did ask me if I could think up some sort of activity or challenge for you and Phil to try.’ She didn’t mention she’d squashed Flo’s suggestion of mask making straight off the bat.
‘It’s a tiny place, though.’ Cate peered through the window.
‘You’re right. There’s no way we could get a camera crew in there. And I think Lucia’s gone ahead and arranged a traditional Venetian cooking class already.’
‘I’m not sure Phil will be keen on that. He can’t boil an egg without burning the pan and turning the air blue.’
‘Apart from the swearing, that sounds ideal. The viewers want to see that perfect people aren’t naturally good at everything.’
‘Perfect people?’
‘People who are living lifestyles our audience can only dream of.’
‘I guess thatisme. Sometimes, when I wake up, I have to pinch myself.’
‘At least you appreciate what you’ve got. Most don’t.’
‘I do. I don’t know how I got this lucky.’
‘Buongiorno!’ A booming voice made them both jump.
‘Buongiorno,Pietro!’ Natalie shouted back.
The mask maker beckoned from the doorway of his shop. Natalie and Cate crossed over the humpbacked bridge.
‘Come in. I suppose you are here to see Eraldo, not to purchase one of my beautiful creations.’
‘I am afraid so,’ Natalie said.
‘Oh well.’ He rubbed at his beard. ‘You are very welcome; please go up.’
‘I messaged Eraldo just before we left,’ Cate said.
‘Good to know he’s expecting us.’ Natalie headed straight for the spiral staircase, careful not to glance right or left.
‘Wait!’ Cate’s hand was on her shoulder.
‘Natalie, Cate, is that you?’ Eraldo’s voice came from above.
‘Yes, it’s us; we’ll be up in two minutes,’ Cate said.
‘What’s going on?’ Natalie turned to see Cate holding a golden mask in front of her face. Her eyes gleamed through the oval slits. She replaced it on a shallow display shelf.
‘Or how about this?’ Cate held up another, all purple glitter and shocking-pink feathers. ‘Try it.’
‘Okay, boss.’ Natalie carefully secured the elastic around her head.
‘Look in the big mirror, over there,’ Cate commanded.
