‘Cate really is my better half.’
‘That’s something we’ve got in common, buddy.’
Phil followed Raj in a bit of a daze. The waterbuses and taxis and gondolas were still gliding down the Grand Canal, the tourists thronging at the station excited to take a ride. He’d finally met Raj and the world was still turning.
Cate and Neelam’s gondola was approaching, the two women and three kids waving like crazy. The sky was completely blue: a day for new beginnings.
‘I suppose it’s too late for us to be friends,’ Phil said.
‘A long time’s passed.’
Of course Raj wouldn’t be his friend; he’d been lucky not to get a punch in the mouth.
The gondolier was helping Cate and Neelam onto thefondamenta. Cate looked golden, radiant, free for a short while from the worries about her dad. It had been selfish of him not to insist they fly straight home but he’d had to see Raj today.
‘Our wives are getting on well,’ Raj said quietly. ‘My Neelam’s lovely but she’s always found it hard to make friends. I can’t remember the last time I saw her click with someone so easily. It’s lovely to see.’
‘Hi, Phil.’ Cate gave him a kiss. ‘Ooh, you taste of beer!’
‘Come here, you lot!’ Raj put out his arms. Three over-excited kids flung themselves on him, all talking at once.
‘It was lovely to meet you both,’ Neelam said. ‘Cate and I have been getting on so well; we must meet up again when we’re all back home.’
‘It’s so nice to make a new friend.’ Cate smiled. ‘I hope we can all have dinner soon. I’ve promised the kids they can meet Ted.’
‘Cate says if we’re good, we can take Ted for a walk,’ Malini said solemnly.
‘And if he gets all muddy and smelly, we can put him in the bath!’ The littlest child collapsed into a fit of giggles.
‘Still play tennis, Phil?’ Raj asked.
‘We’ve… umm, got a court at home, actually.’
Raj looked him straight in the eye. ‘I haven’t played since school but I reckon I can still thrash you.’
* * *
Natalie pushed open the door of the mask maker’s shop. The bell tinkled.
Pietro set down a jar of varnish. ‘Buonasera, Natalie.Bella! You look wonderful!’ He turned his head towards the spiral staircase. ‘Eraldo, it is Natalie!’
‘Grazie, Pietro.’ She climbed the stairs, heels clanging on the metal treads.
Eraldo laid down the watch strap he was examining. ‘Natalie! I have not seen that dress before. It is so elegant; I like it very much.’
‘I’m glad.’ She’d been concerned the deep-blue, V-necked dress was a bit over the top for a family meal but Lucia had convinced her that it was just the thing.
‘Relax, please sit. I will quickly tidy up. I am a little late; Floella rang me, asking all sorts of questions about what you and I have been doing. She was delighted I have asked you to meet my family tonight.’
‘She must have been surprised when you first asked me out.’
Eraldo closed a drawer. ‘No, I think not. Floella likes to plan things, even in personal matters. Without her intervention, I would never have dared. I would have assumed you had a husband or boyfriend in London.’
‘What intervention?’
‘Remember the first day we met? I guessed she asked you to bring me that package for a reason.’
‘I wouldn’t put it past her!’ Natalie tutted.
