With a dramatic flourish of the wrist Francesco opened the message and read:Lucia, I thought I’d message to see if we’re still seeing each other next Saturday. I am coming to Venice and would love to see you. If you’re no longer comfortable with that, that’s perfectly fine. I understand. I hope you’re well. Nic.
Lucia closed her eyes and pushed the images of Alex by the grave, Vittorio Gatti standing in the school’s entrance, and the sarcastic smile of thecomuneemployee from her mind. She replaced it all with her kisser’s mask. That black half-mask in moulded leather that emulated the wind.
You deserve happiness. You deserve love. You deserve a chance. You have so much pushing against you now. You have nothing to lose. Just say . . .
‘Yes. Tell him, yes.’
trenta
Il Camino had that old-world smell of dated velour seating, heavy dusty curtains, and the stale atmosphere of a building that hadn’t been aired for decades. It felt timeless, as if the universe failed to exist beyond its four walls.
Lucia greeted Olivia with gracious cheek kisses and a beaming smile, and in turn introduced each of the five students she had brought along to the rehearsal that Tuesday afternoon.
‘Grazie mille,’ Olivia whispered, her blue eyes twinkling under the stage lights. ‘I am so glad you had some student interest. Thepalcowas looking a little empty. We are a light cast, with many actors simply playing multiple roles. So I don’t have enough background non-speaking performers.’ She fiddled nervously with a notebook she pulled from the rear pocket of her jeans. ‘Our budget was very tight for this. I am trying my best to get through on what I have at my disposal. Your students are a blessing.Grazie.’
‘Prego,’ Lucia replied. ‘Tell them what you need and I’m sure they’ll do a great job.’
Olivia clasped her hands over Lucia’s. ‘It’s lovely to see you outside of our usual quick exchanges at the soup kitchen. You’re Venezia’s hidden gem, Lucia.’
‘Some days I don’t feel so hidden.’
Knowing what had plagued Lucia of late, having seen it all play out in the media but wanting to remain respectful, Olivia simply smiled. ‘To those of us who know you, you’re a beacon of hope. Please never forget that.’
Lucia appreciated Olivia’s kind sentiment. ‘That means a lot. Sorry I couldn’t come down on Sunday. There’s just a lot going on. But I’ve left a small box of donations in the foyer. Could you . . .?’
‘Ma certo! I’ll take them tomorrow night.’
Lucia exhaled. ‘Mi dispiace. Thank you.’
‘Thankyou!’ Olivia now turned to face the students, hands on her curvaceous hips. ‘Are you ready to be the greatest space-fillers this side of thelaguna?Pronti?’
The students nodded and smiled excitedly.
‘Prof, I think they’re ready!’ Olivia laughed, giving a commanding salute.
‘D’accordo!’ Lucia giggled.
Olivia began to lead the group from the stage. ‘Let’s see what I have by way of costumes that might fit. And we need to assign some costume props, too. Did you want to come, Lucia?’
Lucia turned on the spot, enjoying the warmth of the bright stage lights. ‘I’ll come in a minute. I might just take some photos of the theatre for a project we are working on. Francesco was adamant.’
‘Keep him happy, then.Tranquilla,’ Olivia said with a wink, leading the students into the wings and out of sight.
Looking out over the sea of gold-rimmed, red upholstered chairs, Lucia sighed. She could only see as far as the first few rows, with the rest swallowed in shadow.
The silence of the theatre seemed magnified by the vastness of the black ahead of her. She took a step, which reverberated around the empty space, then another, and another, delighted by the responding echo.
But then, she heard another step. Lucia turned.
There, wearing stage black, stood Alex.
‘Dio . . .’ She couldn’t help it. The word had escaped her mouth without thought. But in a calm, reasonable tone, she asked, ‘What are you doing here, Alex?’
He stepped forward until they were just a metre apart. ‘I could ask you the same thing.’
‘I’m here with my students.’
‘I’m here to work.’
