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. The palco was 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.’
‘Thank you !’ Olivia now turned to face the students, hands on her curvaceous hips. ‘Are you ready to be the greatest space-fillers this side of the laguna ? 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.’
She checked her watch. ‘Don’t you usually sleep during the day?’
Just as Alex was about to respond, they heard the chatter and joyful banter of Lucia’s students, who returned to the stage with arms full of props and costumes to try on.
A few paces behind them was Olivia, who joined the pair, her almost crimson curls shining under the lights. ‘Ah, Lucia Trevisan, this is Alessandro Scarpa. Alex, Lucia runs La Scuola Rosa, and some of her students are going to form the chorus cast for us. Lucia, Alex is working with the costume departm—’ Met with awkward expressions, Olivia asked, ‘Do you know each other?’
Alex was frowning slightly, but he had not moved. ‘ Sì . We do. We are neighbours.’
‘We are,’ Lucia affirmed, and her eyes trickled across Alex’s face; those tear-stained cheeks and melancholic eyes from the cemetery were almost impossible to imagine under his current indignant expression. The way his sleeves were rolled to his elbow creases, however, drew her eyes to those delicious forearms for the slightest of seconds.
Lucia, mind out of the canal! This is not the time.
When the ensuing silence was clearly making both Olivia and the students uncomfortable, Alex pulled himself up a little straighter. ‘I’m done here, Olivia. Everyone has been measured. Tutto pronto . I’ll drop it all off in a few days. In bocca al lupo . I’ll just collect my things from backstage.’ He turned to Lucia and said under his breath, ‘ A domani , Lucia.’
‘Yes. I’ll see you at the comune .’
He hesitated for a moment, and Lucia watched as his softening stare moved from her eyes to her lips. It hovered there a moment before rising to meet her gaze once again. Then he turned and walked from the stage and was quickly enveloped by the darkness of the wings.
Lucia held her breath.
What was that? Did I imagine that? He’s never looked at me like that before.