Chapter 29
29
‘Natalie!’
She turned her head at the sound of Eraldo’s voice. Of all the moments he could walk out of the shop, he had to choose this one. The dim, shady entrance dulled his dark eyes but his brows knitted in concern as he came towards her. Her hand went to her damp, dishevelled hair.
‘Natalie, are you okay? You look terrible.’
‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’ She gave a haven’t-got-a-care-in-the-world laugh.
‘I’m sorry, I did not mean…’ He twisted his hands together.
‘It’s okay, I know. I was just kidding.’
‘Kidding, that is joking, yes? But I think perhaps this afternoon, you have nothing to laugh about. Why are you not with Cate? I thought you were to visit the Guggenheim collection together.’
‘Yes, we went there together. Everything’s just fine.’
‘I do not think so… but if you do not wish to tell me, that is okay.’
‘It’s not that… I don’t know…’ Her voice cracked. ‘I just don’t know where to begin. Everything’s gone wrong.’
‘Ev-err-ree-thing?’ The way he drew out the word and half-raised his eyebrows almost made her laugh. ‘I have taken a break to have a coffee; why do you not join me? Tell me about this “everything”. Let us go to a nice place I know. You do not mind walking?’
‘I don’t want to keep you from your work. Are you sure you want to go for a coffee? I know you’ve got a coffee maker upstairs.’
‘Yes, and that coffee is okay, I suppose. But sometimes, I want to go out somewhere, have a few words with the barista, sit in a chair, and let someone else bring it to me. I like Da Michele. It’s been run by the same family for more than seventy years. My papà and my nonno before him used to take me there. And you will see a little more of the real Venice as we walk.’
‘I’d like that.’
They walked together in silence in the late-afternoon sun. Despite the unsolvable situation she’d created, she felt her cares temporarily subside as they cut through narrow streets past ancient churches and crossed vast campi where groups of young boys straight out of school played competing games of football, balls flying in every direction.
Eraldo stopped by a café’s red canopy. The few small tables outside appeared to be occupied but he didn’t seem deterred, holding open the door for her. The aroma of coffee and toasted bread filled the small, tiled interior.
‘ Salve !’
‘ Salve , Eraldo. Un caffè ?’ The tattooed barista was already twisting the basket into place.
‘For you, Natalie?’
‘The same, please.’ She glanced through the window; no seats had been vacated, no one looked in a hurry to move.
The barista said something in Italian. Eraldo shook his head.
‘What did he say?’ Natalie asked.
‘He says he can ask that old fellow to move; he and his dog have been hogging that outside corner table for nearly two hours. But I know him; he has no family, so he spends a lot of the day here talking to whoever comes by. We can sit inside instead.’
‘I don’t want to keep you too long,’ Natalie said again. She squeezed into a small corner booth.
‘Do not worry, I will let you know if I get bored.’ His eyes twinkled. He put their coffees on the table and sat down opposite her. ‘Now, tell me.’
‘It’s Cate’s husband, Phil. He’s somebody I knew a long time ago.’
‘An old boyfriend?’
‘Absolutely not!’ she snapped so loudly, the barista turned around. ‘Sorry… it’s just… oh, I don’t know. I don’t know where to begin.’
Eraldo ran his hand through his hair. ‘It is okay. You do not need to tell me. Perhaps we do not know each other so well.’
‘Sometimes, it’s easier to talk to a stranger.’
‘A stranger?’ His face clouded. ‘I thought perhaps I was a little more than that.’
She fiddled with her teaspoon. ‘You are… I just meant someone who can see with fresh eyes.’
His smile returned. ‘I hope I can do that.’
Natalie looked into his eyes, warm and sincere. ‘It was on our school trip…’ she began.
It was easier to tell her story than she thought it would be, Eraldo gently encouraging her each time she faltered. When she’d finally unburdened herself, he sat quietly for a moment or two before speaking.
‘Perhaps it is for the best that Cate is going home. You will not need to see this man who caused you such hurt. It does not seem a good thing now, but perhaps in time, you will be glad.’
‘But the show… Floella’s always been so good to me.’
‘Floella is a kind, good person; I think she will understand. She would not expect you to have to spend time with a man who did this to you.’
‘I can’t believe he’s wrecked my life again. He’s destroyed my one chance to present a prime-time show. Floella might forgive me but there won’t be another opportunity like this. They’ll have to set up the whole Venice sequence again; I expect they’ll wait for Mandy to come back now.’ Natalie’s phone beeped. ‘That’s bound to be Lucia, confirming this evening’s arrangements. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her all her work’s been for nothing.’
‘Answer it; ignoring it will not make things better.’ His voice was gentle.
She reached into her bag. ‘It’s Cate!’
‘What does she say?’
She hardly dared read it. But whatever Cate had written couldn’t make things any worse.
Phil is at the airport. Will do filming tonight as planned. See you and Lucia later.
She passed the phone across the table.
‘So that solves one problem,’ he said. ‘But now you must choose. Leave the show or meet Phil, knowing what you know.’
‘I’ll just have to be professional.’ She bit her bottom lip.
Eraldo’s hand reached across the table; it closed over hers. ‘You are very brave, Natalie. I wish I could do something to help.’
‘You already have. Just listening has helped. I’ve never spoken to anyone about what happened that night, except Cate, and look how that turned out.’
‘You did not tell your mum and dad?’
Natalie sighed. ‘I couldn’t. They were both so excited about the trip. Neither of them had been abroad themselves. It was such a big deal for them… How could I tell them it had all gone wrong?’
Eraldo squeezed the hand he was still holding. ‘I wish I could be there when you meet this Phil but I fear it would look very strange.’
Natalie sipped the coffee she’d so far ignored. ‘I wish you could too but this is something I need to do alone.’
‘I wish you luck. And afterwards, you will join me for dinner, I hope. You have eaten risotto in Venice already?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Let me take you to La Gallina Verde. Whatever risotto you have eaten, I guarantee tonight’s will be even better.’ He smacked his lips.
‘Thank you, grazie ! It will be something to look forward to.’ But she knew that when she came face to face with Phil, the thought of devouring a fragrant heap of glistening grains of rice would be the last thing on her mind.
* * *
Cate sprayed on a little more perfume. Chanel No. 5 had been her go-to for decades. It wasn’t the most original choice but even as a twenty-something, it had made her feel grown-up, sophisticated, ready to take on the world. But it would need more than a spritz of scent for her to feel confident that she could cope with whatever the evening threw at her.
She’d know from the expression on Phil’s face if he was guilty. And if he was then nothing would ever be the same again; all her cherished memories would be tainted. She wouldn’t ask him for a divorce, for Oli and Max’s sake, but she’d insist on separate bedrooms. They’d live parallel lives in their once happy home, drifting on in a marriage of convenience until both boys were old enough to head to university.
She stared into the mirror. Please let there be some other reason for Phil’s odd behaviour. Perhaps meddling Lucy had hit the nail on the head with her suggestion that he was playing away. She almost wished Lucy was right. An ill-advised affair between Phil and their neighbour Kiran would be a hundred times less distressing than finding out the father of her children was responsible for the attack on Nat.
She opened a blue, velvet box lying on the dressing table and took out her diamond pendant, a gift Phil had chosen for her last birthday. It took several attempts to do up the catch; it usually fastened so easily.
She checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Below the floorboards, she heard the scraping of a chair. The film crew were getting into place to capture the moment when she and Phil were reunited. Judging by the enthusiasm with which Lucia had greeted her an hour before, Natalie had dropped no hint of the slightest disruption to the smooth running of Luxe Life ’s schedule. Cate would put on her widest smile, give the audience what they wanted to see: two wealthy, privileged people, living their best lives and still so in love.
Outside, the canal was bathed in golden light; the sun was starting to set. A private water taxi was approaching the palazzo. She knew even before it turned towards the waterfront entrance that Phil and some of the camera crew were aboard. Taking a deep breath, she opened the bedroom door, began descending the wide steps to the piano nobile . She opened the door to the Red Room. Greeting Lucia, and Natalie – who avoided her eyes – she perched on the edge of a crimson couch.
Voices in the hallway. The hefty wooden door swung open. Phil, smart in an ivory linen suit, strolled in. She rushed towards him.
‘Cate, I’ve missed you so much.’ He wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his neck, the same old familiar scent.
‘I’ve missed you too.’ She turned to the camera, all smiles. ‘Darling, can you believe it? I told you the new presenter was someone I’d been to school with but Natalie was actually on that school trip to Venice where we first met.’
‘Small world! Pleased to meet you, Natalie.’ Phil held out his hand.
Natalie shook it. ‘Small world, indeed.’
Cate looked into the eyes of the man she loved, dreading what she might find there.