Chapter 40
Leo’s probably awake too. I almost get out of bed to do our gondolier call from the bathroom, but with Mum, Dad and Griselda right across the hall, I don’t dare.
Today has been … a lot. I’m grateful for parts of it – finally speaking up about what art means to me, my family seeing it with their own eyes, and actually feeling listened to for once.
But I wish Leo and I had been able to spend our last evening together.
Just us. Before the showcase turned into a showdown.
Tomorrow I’ll be going to Florence with my family. We’re getting the train after breakfast and the plan is to do some sightseeing. Looks like I’m actually going to meet Paola and see the Duomo, after all.
There’s a soft knock. At first I think it’s Leo from the bathroom, but a second knock tells me it’s coming from my bedroom door.
‘Chi è? Who is it?’
‘It’s me. Are you awake?’
Griselda.
‘Uh … yeah. Come in.’
The door creaks open. ‘This place is too big and creepy. Can I sleep with you?’
I prop myself up on my elbows and peer into the shadows. ‘You’re checking Leo’s not in here, aren’t you?’
She slides over in her socks and flops on to the mattress, immediately hogging more than half. ‘I’m not always trying to catch you out, you know.’
I make a disbelieving noise.
‘It’s true,’ she protests. ‘Except for the brains-in-jars thing.’
‘What?’
Griselda giggles. ‘There are no specimens on the top floor. I was testing you. And I’d have rumbled you way sooner if the dorm manager in Florence hadn’t refused to give Paola any information when she went to see you.
I could tell something was off. But I assumed you were lying because you weren’t that interested in the science fair, and hadn’t bothered to scope out the building. ’
She yelps when I raise a cold foot to her bare arm.
‘Unfair! I’ve been working really hard. Like, harder than I ever have.’
She rolls to face me. ‘I know. And I’ve been too angry until now to tell you how amazing the parade was. I can’t believe you painted that and did all the fancy projections and light stuff.’
‘Better than the potato battery I made in S2 Science?’
‘Should have known then you weren’t cut out for lab life.’
We offer each other a tentative smile.
‘I’m sorry—’
‘I’m sorry—’
We smother our laughter into our pillows.
Griselda’s breathing evens out. ‘I didn’t mean to push you so hard. Or force you to give up the things you love. It’s just … my way feels safe. Yours doesn’t. And that scares me.’
I tuck my hands under my cheek. ‘I know. You’re looking out for me. You don’t want me to scrimp and save like Mum and Dad.’
‘But what you said about them in the osteria got to me. You’re right. They’re actually pretty happy, even with all the money worries. And I hate that they might think I’m trying to be better than them.’
‘They don’t,’ I reassure her. ‘They’re proud of you. But did you see the way Mum hung on to Silvia and Veronica’s words? I think she’s the one who needs to know she’s just as good as anyone else.’
‘Yeah. I really need to talk to her about that.’
‘Or,’ I say, ‘you could just … I don’t know … concentrate on you. On what you’re doing.’
‘Fine. Point taken.’ Griselda wriggles further under the covers. ‘So … you and Leo, huh?’
I smoosh half the cushion over my face. ‘Nooo. Not having this conversation.’
She tugs it away. ‘Seriously, Eves. I like him. He stuck up for you. He’s clearly been there for you and … if you’re really going to pursue art, you’re going to need a rich boyfriend.’
‘Grace!’ I protest, but she’s already laughing.
We go quiet again. The reasons she wanted to steer me away from a career in art are still there. But at least I get to explore my options out loud now. I don’t have to hide who I am or what I want any more, even if it isn’t easy, even if it takes longer than I want.
‘I’m sorry we ruined your last night,’ Griselda says after a pause. ‘You probably wanted to say goodbye to Leo in private, not with your whole family looking on.’
‘Maybe. Yeah. I was going to wake him up really early … see if he wanted to go for a walk.’ I close my mouth, worried I shouldn’t have said that in front of her.
‘Well,’ she says, rolling on to her back, ‘don’t wake me if you do.’
That does it. I launch myself at her. ‘Who are you and what have you done with my bossy big sister?’
She squeals and shoves me back, which only makes me tackle her harder.
Soon we’re wrestling across the bed, kicking at each other under the blankets, yanking pillows, muffling our laughter so we don’t wake the whole palazzo.
It feels ridiculous and childish – exactly like the play fights we used to have before life got so complicated.
For a few minutes it’s just the two of us again, being sisters and nothing else.