‘That is so sad. We could add some additional information to the webpages that our viewers visit,’ Natalie said. ‘We could draw their attention to the importance of supporting the people and places that keep the real Venice alive. I know that is not much.’
‘But it is something,’ Lucia said. She checked her folder. ‘And now we must not be late for our appointment at the Giorgio Cini Foundation; we have special permission to film in the maze.’
‘I hope we don’t get too lost; I wouldn’t want to miss lunch,’ Phil joked.
‘Fortunately, the hedging they planted is not so tall; you can see over it so we will not have that problem,’ Lucia said seriously. ‘Do not worry, you and Cate will have a very nice light lunch; it is all arranged.’
‘Are you joining us, Natalie?’ Phil said.
‘No, Lucia and I will eat with the crew once they’ve taken some footage of you enjoying your food.’
‘Tonight, we go to George Clooney’s favourite restaurant,’ Phil said. ‘And you must eat with us, Natalie; I insist.’
‘Nat might have a date with someone else.’ Cate smiled.
Phil laughed. ‘Cate tells me you have become rather friendly with a handsome watch restorer. But if he has not yet arranged to see you tonight, I hope you will tell him you are busy. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m living proof of that.’ He turned to Cate with a boyish grin.
‘I would be delighted to join you,’ Natalie said. She longed to see Eraldo again but perhaps Phil was right. A short absence might make the heart grow fonder. But soon she’d be back in England for good. And whatever they had between them would come to an end.
34
Natalie paused outside the mask maker’s doorway. The last few days had passed in a blur of activity. All the filming forLuxe Life Swaphad gone to plan. Cate and Phil had done everything the director had asked of them: strolling around St Mark’s Square, taking a private tour of the Doge’s Palace, holding hands on a gondola ride along the narrowest and most picturesque canals. The footage of the couple they’d taken in the maze and at the top of the spiral staircase at the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo was sure to prove particularly popular. But half of Natalie’s mind had been on Eraldo; they’d snatched together what time they could but when they were apart, she couldn’t help wondering if he was missing her as much as she was missing him. She could hardly bear the way the days were rushing past. The thought of saying goodbye to Venice, never to return, seemed inconceivable. The place she’d associated with fear and loathing was becoming more and more dear to her with every day that passed.
She pushed open the door to Pietro’s shop. The bell jangled. Pietro looked up. He stood his paintbrush in the empty jam jar on his desk.
‘Natalie!Buonasera! I call Eraldo for you?’
‘Buonasera, Pietro. No, do not tell him I am here yet. I would like to look around.’
‘At my masks?’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘You are usually not so happy to see them. Perhaps they are now familiar to you or is it that now when you visit my shop, you associate it with happy things?’ He glanced meaningfully towards the spiral staircase.
Her cheeks warmed. ‘Perhaps.’ Whatever the reason, today was the first time she had stood amongst the masks without feeling a prickle of unease. ‘I feel so rude always rushing through your shop and I would like to buy a gift for my friend Floella.’
‘Allora, something bright, happy, sparkly.’
‘You must know her.’
‘When Eraldo speaks of her, I imagine a bold, brave lady who will wear a carnival mask like she wears a pair of jeans.’
‘That’s Flo.’ Natalie smiled.
‘What colour is her favourite?’
‘Purple, definitely purple.’ She picked up a carnival mask decorated with feathers. ‘This is made from papier mâché?’
‘Of course, by hand – by me!’ He touched his chest. ‘You like this? I will wrap it for you; you go upstairs. I warn you, you need to shout loudly for Eraldo’s attention; he is working on the watch for your friend Cate.’
‘Maybe I shouldn’t interrupt him if he’s busy.’
‘No, no, go up. I think you will be a most welcome visitor.’
She climbed the staircase with a spring in her step. Eraldo was bent over his workbench, headphones in his ears. He looked so intense, she didn’t know if she should stay and wait for him to look up or leave him to his work.
‘Natalie!’ His smile answered her question. He put down his magnifying glass, put on his tortoiseshell glasses and came around from behind the workbench. ‘Come here!’
‘Hi! I hope I am not interrupting… I mean, I am interrupting but…’
‘Basta! Enough! Stop talking and kiss me,’ he murmured, pulling her into his arms. Warmth flooded her from top to toe. She didn’t need to ask if he’d missed her.
