Page 11 of Once Upon a Time in Venice

‘Oh my,’ Gina breathed. She was thinking how incredible her VIP guests would find this secluded spot – it was utterly perfect for a romantic sunset dinner. ‘How did you discover this place? I’ve lived here for many years but had no idea it was here.’

‘The city has many secrets. She’ll never reveal them all to one person.’

Gina thought about his words. It was true that the city, despite the millions of tourists that visited each year, had its secret places – hidden alleyways, mysterious passages, darker mysteries that would never be revealed – but that was all right, because people had secrets too, she thought, shivering slightly.

‘Are you cold?’ the man asked.

‘Only a little …’

The man took off his cape and wrapped it around her shoulders. Gina was touched by the old-fashioned gesture.

‘Now you’ll be cold,’ she joked.

‘I know I have lived because I have felt,’ he said in reply, his tone playful.

Gina caught her breath. He was quoting Casanova; she recognized the words instantly. ‘I know likewise that I shall exist no more when I have ceased to feel.’ The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

He turned to her, staring at her intently from behind his mask. Gina’s heart was thumping. Who was this mysterious man who had appeared out of thin air to rescue her, who took her to a place she’d never even heard about in her own city and spoke the words of the legendary Giacomo Casanova?

A firework whistled into the night sky, breaking the spell of the moment, exploding into a thousand shimmering stars that illuminated the city then faded to blackness. It was followed by dozens more, and the two of them sat side by side on two abandoned crates, happiness flooding through Gina as she watched the display. It was so magical – like something out of a film – that she almost wanted to laugh.

‘It’s astonishing to think that some form of Carnival has been happening in Venice for almost a thousand years,’ the man said, without taking his eyes from the sky.

‘That’s why the city feels so timeless. I hope it’s still happening for another thousand years.’

‘It’ll likely be underwater by then,’ he said sadly.

‘Don’t say that. I don’t want to think about it. Venice is unique, I can’t bear to think of it not being here any more.’

‘You love the city, don’t you?’ He turned to her, his eyes warm.

‘Yes. I adore it.’

‘So do I, although I’m not a native Venetian either. It’s as if the city has adopted me.’

‘That’s exactly how it feels,’ Gina agreed. ‘She gets hold of your heart and won’t let go.’

‘I love everything about it – even the freezing fog in winter and the stench of the sewage in high summer.’

‘It’s like we’re having a love affair with the city.’ Gina laughed lightly, but she was thinking of the man’s words; how he spoke so easily of love and had no fear of expressing his emotions. She felt so comfortable with him. Perhaps they’d known one another in a past life, she thought with amusement, the two of them attending Carnival together centuries ago, dressed almost identically to the way they were now.

Gina found herself imagining what the man looked like, then wondered why it mattered. What would he think of her if he saw her? And why did she care so much what a stranger thought?

For a crazy moment, Gina thought about removing her mask and asking him to do the same. She imagined he would have a kind expression, a trace of stubble along his jawline, and full, soft lips …

Bells rang out over the rooftops, as St Mark’s Clock Tower struck two minutes to midnight. Gina jumped up in alarm. ‘I didn’t realize how late it was. I have to leave.’

‘You’re just like Cinderella,’ the man laughed, but Gina was too flustered to acknowledge his comment. She couldn’t believe how swiftly the time had flown, nor how unprofessional she’d been to abandon the guests and leave Vittoria to deal with everything by herself. And now she would be late for the boat.

She headed for the stairs, but the man’s voice stopped her.

‘You don’t know the way. I’ll take you.’

‘Thank you.’

He clattered down the steps ahead of her, his boots heavy, his large frame solid and reassuring as Gina followed him. They encountered the crowds just a few streets away, and once again he took her hand to ensure they weren’t separated. Gina held on tightly, enjoying the sensation of his warm palm enfolding her own.

St Mark’s Square was heaving, the atmosphere feverish as the clocks struck midnight and the intoxicated revellers made the most of the celebrations.