The gilt-framed glass hung over the far wall above the whitebautamasks and the glass-topped drawers where the Plague-doctor masks lived.
‘No, I can’t. I can’t go near them.’ Natalie snatched off the mask.
‘Just a few steps nearer; we’re going to count to ten.’
‘No.’
‘I’m in charge today. Ten seconds, that’s all, I promise.’
Natalie swallowed hard. ‘Okay.’
‘You’re not allowed to close your eyes. Now count backwards slowly.’
Natalie clenched her fists. ‘Ten, nine, eight…’ The shop lights seemed brighter, mesmerising her, as though she were staring into the candles on a birthday cake, the aroma from Pietro’s small cup of espresso like plunging her nose into a bag of ground coffee. ‘Seven, six, five, four…’
‘Three, two, one. Well done. Now we climb the stairs.’
Natalie needed no encouragement, gripping the metal handrail with her now sweaty hands. ‘What the heck was all that about?’
‘Desensitisation. It’s a good way of tackling phobias,’ Cate said, briskly bounding up the stairs behind her. ‘Max had to see a therapist once; he had a terrible fear of spiders.’
‘Hello, Natalie, Cate.’ Eraldo greeted them both with kisses. ‘What is all this about spiders?’
Cate looked at her.
‘I have… a fear of those Plague-doctor masks. Cate thinks it’s a phobia like a fear of spiders.’
‘Of those masks? That is why you were terrified? Why you left so suddenly the first time you were here?’
‘Yes, it’s silly, I know…’
‘Not at all. Those masks would have struck fear into the hearts of the very people the Plague doctors were trying to help but you know they have no power, they cannot hurt you.’
Natalie stiffened, but she understood he was clumsily trying to reassure her, not belittle her.
‘But I am glad that is the reason you scarpered,’ Eraldo continued. ‘I thought it was something that I said or perhaps you found my company so dull, you could not wait to get away from me.’
‘Not at all. But still, you invited me out for the evening when Cate went to the opera.’
‘It was the least I could do for a friend of Floella.’
So, he had invited her out of politeness. The sensation of an invisible thread pulling them closer as they’d sharedcicchettiunder a darkening sky had been nothing more than the magic of Venice bewitching her as it had bewitched thousands before. She had to forget her foolish imaginings. She hadn’t come here to progress a relationship that hadn’t even begun; she was here for Cate, who was already sifting through the pile of drawings Eraldo had fanned out across the coffee table.
‘Do sit down, Natalie,’ Cate said.
‘Coffee?’ Eraldo said. ‘It will concentrate our minds for the important decisions.’
‘Please,’ Cate said.
Natalie nodded. ‘Yes, thanks.’
‘Sit, relax, I will attend to the drinks.’
He was back with a tray of cups in a matter of minutes.
‘Now, Cate, tell me about this commission… that is, if you have not changed your mind.’
Natalie hadn’t realised how many details had to be considered when rebuilding and reconfiguring an old watch but the ensuing conversation was anything but dull. Eraldo’s enthusiasm was contagious, his voice full of passion. And Cate, surprisingly, had such an innate understanding of style and colour, it seemed a pity that her role in her husband’s company seemed limited to administration and charming the clients.
