‘I don’t know what came over me. When I caught you. I thought you were going to fall. But then I just felt . . .’
Lucia bit her lower lip.
Did she feel it too?
‘Nothing of any significance happened, Alex.’ She turned back to face the stage once more.
‘Oh. Ok.’ Her neutral tone burst the balloon of his spirits. ‘I still felt compelled to apologise. I hope it didn’t cause any misunderstanding with Francesco.’
Lucia turned again, her head tilted in confusion. She whispered, ‘Francesco?’
‘Because you are together. And I shouldn’t have . . . It was just in the moment . . .’ He was aware he’d started to ramble so he stopped talking.
Lucia had gone quiet, too. Her eyes searched the space between them for clarity. Eventually, she said, ‘You think Francesco and I are . . .?’
Alex nodded. ‘Aren’t you?’
‘Francesco is gay.’
Alex blinked as this sank in, then he felt his confidence return. Hehadn’timagined the clinging hands, the grip on his arms. The way she had risen slightly on her toes to meet him. And while none of it made any sense, there was something completely satisfying about this news. ‘So, you’re not . . .?’
Lucia half giggled. ‘Definitelynot.’
‘I’m still sorry.’
‘Grazie.’
Searching for anything that might stretch their conversation out further, Alex said, ‘After the show, let me walk you home.’
Lucia shook her head. ‘I’ll be fine.’
‘I know, Lucia, but it will be late. Dark. We are going in the same direction.’
She paused for a moment then said, ‘Don’t you have to work?’
‘Once the show is done, I can work from my studio.’
‘What is it that you do exactly?’
A burst of laughter from the audience caused them both to turn to the stage and watch the next part of the scene, in which one of Lucia’s students featured, play out.
‘So, you will join me?’ Alex prompted when it finished.
She turned her head slightly and nodded, her eyes never leaving her students.
After kissing Francesco goodbye, and bidding her students a hearty ‘Bravissimi!’ and ‘Buonanotte!’, Lucia and Alex set off for Calle del Leone, this time walking companionably side by side.
Tonight the sound of Alex’s footsteps offered her comfort and security, and she was glad that she had accepted his offer – not on account of any fear or concern about being on the streets at night, but rather, because she was curious to feel what his company might be like to share.
As they walked, Alex talked. He explained how he had led the costume department for Olivia’s production at Il Camino, and while that was only one job he had, the hours suited him well since most performances were at night.
Just as they came to a stop in front of La Scuola Rosa, Lucia asked, ‘Alex, why do you work at night and sleep through the day?’
His expression flattened a little and his gaze fixed on the pavers. ‘I’ve been programmed this way for the past twenty years.’ There was something very definite about the way he said it that didn’t invite further questions, so Lucia just nodded.
The faint echo of Foscari barking at her from her apartment window drew her attention away from Alex and the moment. ‘I should head inside.’
‘Yes. Go.’
