Chapter 22
The Venetian dawn was growing brighter as the seasons changed and spring grew closer.
The delicate pink and blue of the sky reflected in the waters of the lagoon, gulls calling even at this early hour.
The slight tang of salt and seaweed, and of damp timber carried on the air.
It wouldn’t be long till Easter came and the tourists began to flock to the city, the streets growing busy until they were crammed full of people.
Buds were beginning to form on the trees, tiny green shoots and leaves opening up so the city would soon be blooming with wisteria blossoming and colourful flowers too.
As the cafés came to life, the sweet smell of pastry and the rich aroma of coffee took over, making her mouth water, and Beth decided to stop by Giambattista’s on her way back towards the book barge.
‘Ciao, Beth,’ he replied warmly as she greeted him. ‘I haven’t seen you for a while.’
‘No, life’s been … well it’s been busy!’
‘I’ve heard. Signor Sanna keeps me updated when he comes by. He said you were at the masquerade ball and told me the book barge is doing well. I think Signor Balbo would be very pleased.’
‘Would he? I was worried he’d be upset that I’ve … decluttered so much.’
Giambattista shook his head. ‘No, no, no. He always knew he had too many books. He just wasn’t really a very good businessman. He is very happy now. Enjoying his retirement.’
‘Does he come in here sometimes?’
‘Now he has time, yes. And he travels to see his children. He is very, very happy.’
‘I’m so pleased.’ Beth felt a warm glow inside. Not only did she feel she would be making Signor Balbo proud with what she was doing with the book barge, but she was happy he was seeing his family and building those bridges. He had seemed so sad when they discussed it that day.
‘So when can we actually celebrate the opening of your bookshop?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We need a party, a celebration! A grand reopening.’
The idea hadn’t occurred to Beth, and she chided herself. If she’d planned this from the beginning she would have thought of all these things, but going with the flow, while freeing, also meant losing track, it seemed. ‘Do you think I should? Wouldn’t it be weird as I’m already open?’
‘Of course you must! You need an official opening, something people can come to.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ she said, inhaling her coffee as her mind began to work. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll let you know when it is.’
She could tie it in with Easter and the start of the tourist season, maybe? She’d give it some thought.
After catching up on all Giambattista’s news and listening to him rave about his new tables again, Beth grabbed two coffees and made her way to the book barge, eager to speak to Cesca. There was a lot to discuss.
‘So,’ Cesca said when she arrived to begin work on the upper deck.
The lower deck was done, fully painted and with new shelves so they could now concentrate on the Parisian-style cabinets lining the outside.
‘What are you thinking? You want an event space don’t you?
’ She climbed up onto the deck, manoeuvring around broken wooden cabinets and dead pot plants.
‘So why don’t I build a stage here? Nothing fancy, just a small, raised platform where someone can give a talk or you can do an interview or something?
We might be able to create more room, but I’ll need to work on those cabinets on the front first to ensure people can walk around up here without tripping over and falling in the water. ’
As much as she wanted to dive in and talk about her new plan for a grand reopening, there was something equally important to discuss. ‘Cesca,’ Beth said firmly. ‘Can we talk about this later? I need to speak to you.’
Beth turned and walked inside, and Cesca followed. Beth closed the door behind her and turned the sign to Chiuso – closed.
‘What is it?’ Cesca asked nervously.
Sensing the atmosphere, Polo leapt through a small open window and disappeared for a walk.
Beth motioned to the armchairs and two waiting coffees she’d purchased from Giambattista’s.
The fire was lit, sending a golden glow and fierce warmth through the floating bookshop, but this wasn’t to be a cosy chat.
Beth took her coffee, cradling it in her lap.
Cesca lowered herself into her seat, her olive skin turning pale. ‘What is it? Are you not happy with my work? Have I done something wrong? If I have I can fix it. I—’
An iciness shot down her spine. She hadn’t meant to scare her friend and quickly put her mind at ease on that at least. ‘No! Your work is amazing; you know I love it! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you think that.
I – I need to talk to you about Marco and Emilio and you two.
’ She took a deep breath as Cesca grabbed her coffee, wrapping her fingers around the cardboard cup.
She looked up to meet Cesca’s deep brown eyes.
‘I can’t keep your secret anymore, Cesca. Marco and I, we’re …’
‘Are you dating?’ she asked excitedly.
Beth nodded. ‘Yes. It’s very early stages but I really like him and I want to see where this goes.’
Cesca immediately leapt up and hugged her. ‘I’m so happy for you!’
‘I can’t see him and keep this secret, Cesca. It’s dishonest and as soon as he finds out he’s going to hate me for lying to him.’
‘You haven’t lied,’ she replied, dropping her eyes. ‘You just haven’t told the truth.’
‘I’ve lied,’ she said, firmly. ‘The other night, at the masquerade ball, when you showed up, I had to parrot back what you’d said when he quizzed me about it. I might have tried not to out-and-out lie, but I have as good as and I feel terrible about it.’
‘Oh.’ Her eyes fell to her hands. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in that position.’
‘I know you didn’t,’ Beth replied, gently. ‘But now you need to fix this. You have to tell him the truth. He might be angry for a while, but he also might be fine about it.’
Cesca scoffed. ‘He won’t. You saw his reaction at the ball. He’s always been protective of me, especially since the accident.’
‘He told me.’
‘He did? Then he really must be in love with you.’
Beth’s heart tingled. ‘Either you or Emilio need to talk to him. Maybe Emilio can make it clear he’s changed. You have to tell him soon, Cesca, or I will.’
She looked up to see Beth’s steeliest gaze. After a second, she nodded. ‘I will. I promise.’
‘When? By the end of this week?’
She nodded. ‘I promise. I want you to be happy too, Beth. And my brother. You both deserve it and I’m sorry if I’ve got in the way.
I haven’t meant to.’ Beth hugged her friend, wishing they hadn’t had to have this conversation at all.
A small smile played on Cesca’s lips as they made their way to the door. ‘So … you and Marco … ?’
‘I’m not talking about this with you. You’re his sister, ’ Beth teased.
‘It was the dress,’ Cesca announced, sipping her coffee. ‘I knew it would do the trick.’
Beth smiled. ‘It was a great dress. So, when will this all be finished, do you think, Cesca?’
‘Oh, a couple of weeks, maybe less.’
‘Great.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘Because I was thinking of planning an official opening of the Library of Words for about three weeks’ time. Just in time for Easter and the start of the tourist season.’
‘That’s a wonderful idea! I love it! Yes, I’ll definitely be done for then. Have you told Marco?’
‘No, I only decided this morning!’ She really was learning to go with the flow, she thought proudly. ‘I just feel like I need to mark my official opening somehow.’
‘You definitely should, but look, we better get moving. You’ve got customers waiting.’
Cesca nodded towards the window and Beth followed her gaze to see people loitering outside.
Beth rushed to the door and welcomed them in.
A feeling of being home, of being in the right place, wrapped around her and she added another log to the fire before heading into another conversation with a customer about the latest book they were reading and what they planned on reading next.
When Beth arrived at Campo San Barnaba, she’d figured they were meeting someone to do with the church.
It was another famous tourist attraction in Venice known the world over.
Perhaps the artist was a stained-glass artist or a candle maker.
Beth suddenly decided that, at some point, she’d have a piece of glass made to replace a window in the boat: something beautiful with books and the name of the book barge.
Something to really make the place special.
The evening sky was a light blue velvet, free from clouds, but as spring drew closer, the day had been warmer and that meant the evening was too, the breeze cooling but delightful after a busy day working with Cesca and serving her customers.
The famous church was another landmark she hadn’t been in before, too busy with work, and she stared at the beautiful white neoclassical facade, charming and elegant in the light from the street lamps.
She stood next to one of the classical columns on the front of the building as Marco appeared as ruffled as he had been the other morning.
‘Mi scusi, Beth. I’m so sorry. I got caught in a meeting that wouldn’t end. Signora Cadora wants to meet me!’
‘Really? That’s wonderful!’
‘I’m very excited.’ He was smiling like a kid in front of an ice-cream shop.
‘You should be. I’m so happy she got in touch.’
‘Yes, and it’s thanks to you.’
‘No.’ Beth shook her head. ‘It isn’t. I didn’t do anything.’
He kissed her and butterflies took flight in her chest. ‘It definitely is. Now, shall we go?’
‘It looks closed though.’
Marco furrowed his brow in confusion. ‘What does?’
She motioned behind her. ‘The church?’
Marco smiled that mischievous smile of his and shook his head. ‘We’re not going in there. We’re going over here.’