Chapter 25 #2
‘Male. But they left, leaving him with debt they’d racked up without him knowing and he had to face the consequences.
That business folded and he started a new one on his own.
Papa wanted him to come into the family business after the first PR firm fell apart, but Marco wouldn’t.
I know he began working on the business side rather than blowing the glass because of the accident, but I honestly think he likes it more.
He’s always wanted to stand on his own two feet and so he tried again.
Papa thought it was a bad idea, and they argued over it a lot.
’ Cesca paused and Beth’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
‘Since then, he’s struggled to open up to anyone.
To trust them. And I think that’s why he’s so angry with Emilio.
He feels another friend has betrayed him. ’
‘And me too,’ Beth said as more of Marco’s reaction fell into place. She still couldn’t forgive him for not letting her explain, but this did at least make his reaction make more sense.
‘Why didn’t he tell me all this?’ Beth asked. Her heart ached as she understood why this situation had hurt him so much.
‘He didn’t want anyone to know. He didn’t want to talk about it.
Ever.’ She pushed her hand against her forehead.
‘I’ve made such a mess of everything. I knew all this, and I still didn’t tell him about me and Emilio.
But he shouldn’t have taken it out on you.
That was wrong of him and all my fault.’
‘Not all your fault. He’s a grown man responsible for his own actions. But he has hurt me. A lot.’
‘Have you tried contacting him?’
Beth shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t know where to begin. Not yet.’
‘I’ve ruined things for you. I’m so sorry.’ Cesca reached out and took Beth’s hand. ‘I’ll do everything I can to make it right, I promise.’
‘I’m not sure there’s much you can do.’
‘Are we …’ Beth looked up when she didn’t finish the sentence and Cesca tried again. ‘Are we still friends?’
‘Of course we are!’
‘We shouldn’t let men get in the way again.’
‘No. Definitely not.’ Beth raised her mug full of wine. ‘Let’s drink to that.’
‘I will speak to Marco again though. Try and make him see he shouldn’t be angry with you.’
‘It might just be better to let things lie.’
‘You’re not giving up on him, are you?’ Cesca’s expression was so pained and panicked Beth felt instantly guilty.
‘I don’t know,’ she admitted. ‘But it takes two people to make a relationship work. And if he’s not ready, or can’t forgive me, I can’t make him.
And whilst I understand, he’s hurt me too by not listening to me.
I’ve done so much this year already – changing my life, making decisions for my future – I refuse to sit around waiting for any man. Even one as handsome as your brother.’
Beth’s words were stronger than she felt, but at least she’d tried her best to believe them. She stared out of the book barge’s window, seeing the waters of the canal drift by, splashing the bank and the houses on the other side.
‘You will still come to the big race in two weeks, won’t you?’
‘What big race?’
‘Haven’t you seen the posters all over the rowing club?’
‘Sorry, I’ve had my head down just getting to the showers or getting out on the water.’
She forced herself not to relive images of her and Marco rowing together, talking as the sun rose.
‘It’s a local competition between us and a rowing club from Giudecca.’
Giudecca was another local island, even smaller than Murano. Another place Beth knew she should visit.
‘I’m not sure I can. I should probably be open as much as possible.’ The thought of seeing Marco again was too much.
‘Really? I was hoping we could row in the women’s race together.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes! You went out on the water with Marco, didn’t you? And you’re very good. If nothing else, it could be fun. Please? I haven’t got anyone else I can ask, and I would like to do it with my best friend.’
Beth looked up at Cesca’s face, so sweet and shy. Whilst she had Daisy and Elsa, Cesca was her best friend here in Venice and she’d loved going shopping for the ball gown and new clothes with her. But this was a lot to ask, especially as it could mean seeing Marco. ‘Cesca, I—’
‘Pleeeeeese? Emilio goes away again after that, and I won’t see him for months.
Please come? I know I have no right to ask but I don’t want to row with anyone else, and I tell you what, I will not charge as much for renovating the top deck of the book barge if you agree to race with me.
And you can leave straight after if Marco is there. I’m not even sure he will be.’
‘You’re resorting to bribery?’ Beth smiled.
‘I am. You’ve left me no choice. Please.’
Beth closed her eyes and exhaled a long, slow breath. With any luck, Cesca would be right and Marco wouldn’t attend, and she did quite fancy racing for the first time, especially with her friend. ‘Fine.’
Polo jumped onto her lap and pushed his head onto her hand, demanding attention.
What would she do if Marco was there? Beth studied Polo’s thick grey fur.
She was going to have to speak to him sooner or later and at least this way she had two weeks to compose herself.
With any luck her heartache would have faded away entirely by then, but was that even possible?
As it stabbed once more, as strongly as one of Polo’s claws catching her skin, she knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t possible in the slightest.