Chapter 30
Beth hung the last of the bunting on the front of the book barge ready for her grand reopening.
She’d written the name in both English and Italian in fancy swirling letters on a chalkboard, and it was stood on the canal side.
She stared over and rolled the words around her mouth: Library of Words, La Libreria delle Parole.
She took a moment to look at the new and improved floating bookshop.
Where it had looked dark and full to the brim, it now looked light and airy.
Signor Zambelli the portrait artist and Riccardo the spray-painting artist were setting up on the upper deck, manoeuvring around each other, discussing their crafts in a way that excited Beth as she realised she was bringing both her passions to people in a way she’d never expected.
Even with visiting Emilio, Cesca had finished the upper deck, and the Parisian-style cupboards on the front of the barge had been tweaked and painted in light, pastel colours.
With the warm orange light glowing inside from the table lamps, the place looked welcoming and homely.
Pride swelled within Beth as she looked at everything she’d achieved just by going with the flow.
She’d never thought she could do something like this without planning, preparing, mapping and worrying.
If she’d learned anything from this year so far, it was that impetuous decisions didn’t mean disaster.
They could mean new beginnings and different doors opening.
She’d started the day with another morning row.
The sun rising slowly as she pulled the oars rhythmically, matching her breathing to the movement.
It wasn’t a race, and she hadn’t rushed.
This was simply for the joy of it. For the joy of moving her body, feeling energised and allowing stress to leach from her system.
She’d worried no one would turn up to her grand reopening.
Daisy and Elsa had begged to come, but Beth wouldn’t let them.
Flying in early pregnancy was safe for most people, but they’d gone through too much to take any unnecessary risks.
Beth had promised to take some videos and that they could come out as soon as the baby was old enough to fly.
She’d also promised a trip back to England when the season ended.
But with the customers she’d had so far, she was hopeful that at least a few people would turn up, especially Marco.
Since realising her love for him was too good to let go, she’d wanted to speak to him face to face, to tell him how she felt and admit that she wanted a future here in Venice with him.
Today, she’d decided, was the day. Emilio was recovering well and there was no reason to wait.
She wasn’t yet sure what she’d say, or how or when, but she knew for certain he wouldn’t leave here today without knowing exactly how she felt.
Lolanda from the coffee barge next door stopped at her side, handing over an extra-large takeaway mug. ‘It looks wonderful, Beth. You are the pride of the canal.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ she replied with a giggle. ‘Your barge always looks and smells amazing, and the fruit and veg one with all its colours looks like something from a magazine. But I am very proud of it.’
‘You should be. I will save you a bussolá.’ She patted her arm and scurried off to the coffee barge to help Galvano.
Beth went inside and ensured everything was in place and that the fire was lit, even though the breeze had grown warmer as the spring sunshine flooded the city. Easter wasn’t far away and though the sun was shining, the warmth everyone associated with Italy was yet to arrive in all its glory.
Voices sounded from the canal path and Beth recognised them immediately.
It was Cesca and her family. Her heart jumped into her mouth as she hoped Marco might be with them, but as she climbed out of the book barge, her eyes scanned for his tall frame and ice-blue eyes, her hopes falling like a stone sinking to the bottom of the lagoon.
He wasn’t there. How could he miss this?
He knew how important this day was for her.
It was important for him too. His artists were here.
Surely he’d come to support them. Still, she plastered on a smile and hid her hurt.
‘Paola, Elio! Thank you for coming.’
Paola was carrying a plastic box full of food. She handed it over, kissing Beth on both cheeks. ‘This is for you. To keep your strength up.’
‘Thank you.’ She chuckled.
‘The barge is good,’ Elio said, in his usual understated way. ‘And I like this.’ He pointed to the upper deck and the work on display. ‘Has Marco asked you to display our glass?’
‘Umm … no. No, he hasn’t. Yet. Maybe he will when I see him.’
Paola shot her husband a stern look. He must have been told not to mention Marco and had put his foot in it.
All Marco’s nieces and nephews danced around, tugging on her sleeve and asking if there were children’s books.
Beth replied that there were and told them they could go in and look if they liked.
Being allowed in before anyone else seemed like the biggest treat in the world as they fought each other to get through the door first.
Cesca came over to her and gave her a huge hug. Beth knew that Emilio had been home from hospital the day after the accident when they were sure there was no lingering water in his lungs. ‘How’s he doing?’ Beth asked.
‘He wants to get back to training already.’
‘What?’
‘I know. I tried to tell him he shouldn’t, but he wanted to, and his coach said it was fine. But congratulations, I’m so happy we got this done by Easter.’
‘Yes, you might have kept my business viable.’
‘Oh, it’s not that,’ Cesca said with a grin.
Beth stopped. ‘I’m going to go away with Emilio.
On the road with him. We want to be together, so we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen and I don’t want to keep waiting for him to return home.
I want to go with him, explore Italy. Explore the world. ’
She was smiling so widely Beth couldn’t help but smile too. ‘And does everyone know this?’
Cesca nodded. ‘Everyone. No secrets this time. We told them all yesterday after Emilio and I had decided ourselves.’
‘What did Marco say?’ Saying his name caused a churning feeling inside her.
‘He said he was happy for us, and he told me I have to stay in touch or Mamma will get angry. He told Emilio he better take care of me, or he’ll be answering for it, but that is Marco. I don’t think he was serious. And,’ Cesca continued, ‘he’s been working with Papa.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I don’t know what on. Something secret.
They keep running off to the workshop together and not coming back for hours.
Marco hasn’t stepped foot in there for years.
It’s all very confusing. They’ve been getting on really well too.
Ever since Marco jumped in and saved Emilio, they’ve been talking and listening to each other.
Papa has agreed to some of Marco’s plans to promote the business.
Nothing too crazy. Just a few exhibitions and hopefully getting a few shops to sell our work.
Marco would like an online shop and a website, but I told him to take it slowly with Papa.
The strange thing about them going in the workshop though,’ she said, circling back, ‘is that they won’t let anyone else come in when they’re working.
Papa is always careful because of the furnace, but they are being even more careful than usual. ’
‘What could they be up to?’
Cesca shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but it’s Mamma and Papa’s wedding anniversary soon, so maybe something for that. Whatever it is, it’s top secret.’
‘Right. So when do you leave?’ Beth asked, sad that she was losing her best friend in Venice.
‘The day after tomorrow. I don’t know how I feel about it. I’ve always lived in Murano or Venice. I’ve never really been anywhere else.’
Beth hooked her arm through Cesca’s. ‘Trust me, as someone who only came here for a year, it’ll be an adventure, and you’ll learn so many new things about the world and about yourself. And who knows, maybe you and Emilio will come back to Murano or Venice when the time’s right.’
Cesca nodded. ‘Emilio has already said when he stops rowing professionally he wants to come home and settle here.’
‘You know, I’m liking him more and more.’
Her friend grinned. ‘So am I.’
‘Is—’ Beth considered whether to finish the question or not, finally deciding she had to know for sure. ‘Is Marco coming today, do you know?’
‘Later. I don’t know what he’s doing, but he said he had something urgent to do first.’
Relief struck hard and fast but was followed quickly with nerves and anxiety. What if he’d changed his mind and didn’t want her anymore?