‘I’m so pleased to see you,’ she said.
‘I was not sure if you had any spare time today. Come sit, shall I make coffee?’
‘No, just a glass of water, please. I wish I could stay longer but we are filming later.’
He swept an auction catalogue aside. She sank onto the low couch.
‘The filming, it is going well?’ He walked over to the sink and ran the tap.
‘Very well. Cate has been so professional; they both have.’
He handed her a glass of water and sat down beside her. ‘But you have more to do today?’
‘I’ll need to liaise with Lucia and then go back to my hotel to get changed. We’re filming at Caffè Florian later but we are waiting until dusk.’
‘You will have the most beautiful light. Venice at night, it is so special. But your film crew, they are so busy, are they not demanding overtime?’
‘They have a day off tomorrow; we all do.’
‘Ahh.’ He ran his hand over his stubble. ‘I suppose you will find some fun things to do with your old school friend.’
‘She may suggest we do something but I will say no. Cate… perhaps I should not say this… but Cate is worried about Phil. He has been distant lately. He is not the sort of man who talks about his feelings but maybe some time alone together will help them.’
‘And you?’
‘I’m not sure what I will do but I would like to go back to Burano.’
‘It is a beautiful place but have you not visited twice already?’
‘Yes, but last time, I was there for just an hour with the film crew and it was all work. And with Cate, well… that was a strange day.’
‘Strange, how?’ He leant back against the couch, folding his hands together.
She took a sip of water. ‘It was something to do with Cate, something personal. It meant we didn’t get to go to the Lace Museum, and that is somewhere I want to see. My gran and Mum both sewed and crocheted. Gran made beautiful, embroidered tablecloths and pillow slips. I can’t sew to save my life but I’ve always admired that sort of work.’
‘Burano lace is the best in the world. You know Leonardo da Vinci commissioned the women of the island to make the altar cloth for the cathedral in Milan? Some still create the handmade lace even though it takes months, sometimes years, to finish a piece. That type of devotion to a craft, that desire to keep the old ways alive is something I can understand. They say the museum is very interesting. I’ve always meant to visit.’ He gave a half-shrug.
‘I would love you to go with me. I don’t suppose you could spare the time tomorrow?’
His forehead wrinkled. ‘I have not taken off a single day for I do not know how long. I find it hard when I begin a new project like the watch I am creating for Cate.’
‘I see, I should have realised. Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.’ She took a long draught of water.
‘But I am glad that you did ask. I know I should take a whole week off, take a proper holiday. Tomorrow, Ishalltake a break.’ He smiled. ‘We will spend the whole day together but now I must work.’
Natalie glanced at her watch and jumped to her feet. ‘Oh! So must I. I have to run.’
‘Tomorrow, nine at the vaporetto stop?’
‘Tomorrow!’ She scuttled down the stairs.
Pietro waved a package. ‘Natalie! Floella’s gift! Pay me next time. You are always in a rush!’ He shook his head, chuckling.
* * *
It was tempting to stand under the rain-head shower for longer but Natalie had no time to spare. It was her own stupid fault she was running late; she’d walked the wrong way from the mask maker’s shop and had doubled back on herself, her head full of thoughts of her outing with Eraldo the next day. She tutted at herself. She needed to concentrate, not daydream like a teenager. She still hadn’t decided what to wear for the evening’s filming. The clothes she’d worn earlier were perfectly clean, but the viewers ofLuxe Life Swapwere used to Mandy Miller’s ever-changing wardrobe.
She grabbed a floral sundress from the wardrobe. Too skimpy even for the evening. Her pink top was nice but mysterious creases seemed to have appeared whilst it was hanging up. The green skirt wouldn’t do; she knew Cate was wearing her green maxi dress from Simona Rinaldi tonight. Today’s dress would just have to do. She would chuck on a bright-orange scarf, big hoop earrings and change her handbag. Swiftly, she emptied her shoulder bag out on the white bedspread, sorting through the inordinate amount of debris it had mysteriously accumulated over the last few days.
