Chapter 6
Beth arrived at the first apartment she was viewing with only a few minutes to spare.
Located near the main train station, the small flat she was due to look at would be useful for hopping over to mainland Italy, but the further she got from the centre of Venice, the canals and the book barge, the less happy she felt.
Her spirits fell further when she saw the small, squat, unattractive building.
The cream walls had faded to a tobacco brown, and the dark shutters made it look ominous rather than inviting.
The flat itself was an end-of-terrace and spread over two floors, and she reserved judgement, deciding she wouldn’t make a decision until she’d seen inside.
All she knew was that unlike London, she wanted to be in the centre of the city.
To feel it hum with life and be part of its heartbeat.
As she was starting a new life, she might as well aim high and go for exactly what she wanted.
Beth had just enough time to catch her breath when the estate agent arrived to show her around.
After exchanging pleasantries, she unlocked the door and Beth went through first. The building was so dark, she almost had to turn on the torch on her phone to guide her way.
The small windows let in hardly any light and the décor was incredibly old-fashioned with peeling wallpaper.
She tried to look past, thinking she could decorate, but something about the place just didn’t feel right.
Buying or renting a flat was a big commitment and she wasn’t about to lay down money unless she knew it was right.
After giving a polite no, she made her way to the next appointment.
This time, Beth had a few minutes to grab a takeaway coffee and a pastry on her way.
A smoothie had done a good job of reviving her after another morning workout, but it was heading towards lunchtime, and her stomach was beginning to feel empty.
She walked past a number of cafés and single tables lined up outside close to the buildings, so there was just enough room to walk the narrow streets.
She chose to stop at one she’d never been in before with a deep red awning, matching seats and tablecloths and gold writing on the windows giving the name of the place.
Though disappointed the first apartment hadn’t been up to scratch, she was hopeful for the next one, which had beautiful views over the city.
Or at least it had from the pictures they’d shown on the website.
The estate agent who arrived at the next apartment carried a leather folder and held out his hand for her to shake.
‘Buon pomeriggio.’
Beth bid him good afternoon in Italian, thanking him for meeting her.
He seemed surprised she could say more than just a greeting in his native language and smiled kindly as he told her about the building, its history and the apartment they were about to see.
As expected, he told her it was highly in demand and that he had a number of showings there this week.
Beth wasn’t sure she believed him but nodded along all the same.
This building was much prettier. Well kept, with pale pink exterior walls typical of Venice and wooden shutters painted in dark blue.
Beth’s hopes rose and a slight hint of nerves tingled her stomach at the idea that he was telling the truth and it might be snapped up before she had a chance to make an offer.
They climbed the three flights of steep, narrow stairs to the top-floor apartment, Beth’s legs burning after her workout that morning.
It took her a moment to catch her breath when she got to the top and she loosened the collar of her coat as Signor Ajello opened the door.
Immediately, her hopes faded, the nerves vanishing as she was hit was the smell of dampness.
Damp was a problem many buildings in Venice had.
It was quite common in the floating city, but this smell was so strong it was clear the apartment hadn’t been looked after at all.
Just as bad was how small it was. She hadn’t expected a mansion or anything bigger than the flat she had now, but it took all of a minute to see every tiny room in the tiny apartment.
She’d go mad if she lived here, and where would she put all her books?
Not to mention how long would it take to get rid of that smell, if she even could.
When Signor Ajello turned and smiled, asking her what she thought.
She mumbled, ‘It’s umm, it’s very nice, but I’m not sure it’s quite what I’m looking for. ’
‘No matter,’ he replied. ‘Like I say, is very popular. It will be gone quickly, I think.’
‘It’s just not for me,’ she repeated, making her escape.
Several more followed all in different parts of the city, but nothing had felt right.
They’d either been too cramped or in disrepair.
There’d been several problems from a leak that needed fixing (‘But that’s why the price is so low!
’) to a room so small she had to walk sideways like a crab.
She’d get a crick in her neck living like that.
Beth knew her budget wasn’t particularly large, but now she worried she was going to have to think of something else or save for even longer to be able to afford somewhere decent.
Venice was an expensive city – she knew that already – but she hadn’t thought she wouldn’t be able to find a place to live somewhere within its boundaries.
That afternoon, after a final viewing where she’d been on the verge of saying yes until the man who would be her neighbour walked out of his house stark naked, smiling and waving a greeting as though it was all perfectly normal he went about in all his natural glory, she stopped in for a coffee at Giambattista’s.
Beth fell into her chair, huffing out a breath as her bum hit the seat.
‘Why are you so miserable?’ Giambattista asked in his usual direct fashion. ‘You’ve just bought a bookshop; you should be happy!’
‘I am,’ she responded, spooning the foam from the top of her cappuccino and eating it.
He tutted in disapproval, not just because she was eating the foam ‘like a savage’ but because cappuccinos were considered a morning drink and not for afternoons, but she needed the strong coffee hit and she couldn’t stand espressos.
They made her eyes water. Beth put down her teaspoon and told him about the day she’d spent apartment hunting.
‘Venice is so beautiful; I thought it’d be easy. ’
‘Venice is like any other city. It has good parts and not so good parts. And it can be hard to keep the buildings in good condition. The water is hard on them. How many weeks do you have left to find somewhere?’
‘Three.’
He waved a hand. ‘I’m sure something will come up.’
Three weeks and she was going to have to move out of the society’s flat.
Maybe Cesca could put her up? Her mind flew to Marco.
She knew she shouldn’t still be thinking about Cesca’s brother, but his smile had played in her head all day.
She’d liked what she’d seen, and unfortunately, had made that clear to Cesca, who’d made that abundantly clear to Marco.
Her muscles tensed as the cringe factor spread through her body.
She shook the thought of him from her head, returning to the matter at hand, and scooped more foam from the top of her drink.
Maybe she’d have to take one of the terrible apartments she’d seen today, covered in mould and smelling of old socks, or so small she’d be able to go from the bed to the kitchen in two strides.
She hadn’t expected anything extravagant.
None of the apartments in Venice were overly huge, but she did have to live there. Forever. She had to feel comfortable.
‘Signor Balbo isn’t selling his apartment as well as his barge?’
He shook his head. ‘Unfortunately not.’
‘No, I’m not surprised.’
Giambattista sat with her and sipped his espresso. ‘Nothing will make him leave Venice. He is a true Venetian through and through. There will be somewhere though. I’m sure of it.’
‘I suppose as it’s out of holiday season, I can always stay in a holiday let for a while if need be.’
‘Good idea! I’m sure we must know someone who can help.’
‘No, it’s fine! Don’t worry, I can handle it.’
He stood to greet a customer, waving at them before turning back to her. ‘No, no, no! I will ask around, see if anyone knows of anything.’
Beth smiled. There was no point in arguing with Giambattista, but she was grateful for his support.
She just hoped he was right that something would come up.
Until then, she’d have to keep looking. At least she had a plan, Beth reminded herself, and it wasn’t like she had a lot of stuff to pack up.
She only really had her books, her clothes and a few knick-knacks.
She’d find somewhere, she told herself. She was sure she would.