Page 84 of Once Upon a Time in Venice

‘I have a visitor for you,’ she smiled, before standing aside.

Lucia looked up curiously. She couldn’t see who it was at first, due to the enormous bouquet of red roses he was carrying which completely covered his face and chest. Then he set them down on the first surface he saw and rushed over to Lucia.

‘Davide,’ she gasped. He looked the epitome of Italian cool in his chinos and black polo neck. The dark hair greying at the temples gave him an air of maturity, and he was sporting a deep tan from his recent holiday. She couldn’t believe he was here, and wondered if the medication was making her hallucinate.

‘I came as soon as I heard,’ he said, clasping her hands and smothering her with kisses as the nurse discreetly shut the door.

‘I thought you were in Mustique.’

‘I flew back on the first flight I could get. I was so worried. What happened?’

‘I don’t know exactly. There was an accident, and the helicopter crashed into the lagoon. I can’t swim, and I blacked out, but I was rescued—’

‘By Brad Redford,’ Davide said darkly.

Lucia laughed softly. ‘That’s not quite the full story. I believe it was … one of the hotel staff,’ she said carefully, ‘who came to my rescue first. We were surrounded by boats – one of them just happened to be driven by Brad Redford. Who is not my lover,’ she added, ‘despite what the press are saying.’

‘Was it that man again?’ Davide pressed. ‘The same one you were dining with last week?’

‘Are you jealous, amore mio?’ Lucia asked. But her tone was calm, and she wasn’t playing a game. She sounded merely curious. ‘Is that why you rushed here to see me? Are you planning to give up everything for me? Or did you merely enjoy the grand gesture?’

Her questions stopped Davide in his tracks, and Lucia could see that he was wondering at her behaviour. She was acting completely differently to how she would have done before the accident, but a lot had changed for her. Everything had changed, in fact.

‘Lucia,’ he said softly. ‘I love you. That’s why I came racing here to see you, but I … I can’t leave my family for you. My wife, my children … I’m sorry.’ He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed the back of them. ‘I always told you that, and nothing has changed. You are incredible, you know that. You’re so special. My little firecracker,’ he smiled sadly. ‘But I have a duty and …’

‘I understand,’ Lucia said quietly. ‘Then this is goodbye.’

Davide looked horrified. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Exactly what I said. I can’t be your mistress any more. I deserve better.’

‘If this is an ultimatum …’

‘No, Davide, not this time. Go, be with your family. But please, don’t contact me again.’

‘Lucia, you can’t mean it. I’ve never met anyone like you. We adore one another. And our passion … I can’t live without it!’

Lucia smiled wryly. ‘I’m sure you can, Davide. We’ve had a lot of fun over the years. But now it’s over. Please don’t be sad or angry. Let’s be dignified about this.’

Davide looked at her, his gaze sweeping over her. ‘You’re … different somehow. I don’t know how to explain it.’

‘It’s true,’ Lucia agreed. ‘You can’t go through an experience like I have – to look God in the face and tell him it’s not your time – and not be changed by it. Life is fragile, and precious, and not to be wasted. I can’t spend it frivolously any more, chasing after a married man. I need someone who is worthy of me. Who loves me for me. It’s possible I may not have my reputation for much longer anyway.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The doctors have told me. I was unconscious for some time … I swallowed a lot of water. There was fluid on my lungs. I may have lost my gift. I may never be able to sing again. And even if my vocal cords are miraculously undamaged, it’s unlikely my lung capacity will be what it was. I may need to think about a change of career.’

‘Oh, Lucia,’ Davide said tenderly, reaching out for her. Lucia let herself be held, finding comfort in Davide’s arms for one final time, as a lone tear rolled slowly down one cheek. She didn’t know what the future held, but she was determined to embrace it. She would no longer be the same person going forwards, but perhaps that was for the best. Perhaps the old Lucia hadn’t been very nice or very likeable.

She intended to start afresh and wipe the slate clean. But first, she needed to speak to Gina Bellini.

Chapter 38

The Casanova Lounge on the third floor of the White Palace was one of the most beautiful spaces in the hotel. Small and intimate, it could be privately hired for weddings or parties, and boasted superlative views out towards the Lido, the long, narrow strip of island that protected Venice itself from the Adriatic Sea beyond.

Today, the spectacular room, with its flock wallpaper, velvet curtains and Murano glass chandelier, played host to four people. Gina sat on one of the low-slung sofas, with Marco sitting close beside her. One hand rested gently in his, and he kept glancing over protectively, checking to see that she was OK. On the adjacent sofa was Lucia de Santis, dressed demurely in a plain black dress, her platinum-blonde hair pulled back in a low ponytail, her face free of make-up.

She and Gina were both recovering well from their injuries. Lucia had moved back to her suite at the White Palace to recuperate, where Massimo catered to her every need. Gina had reluctantly taken time off work. She had decided to stay in her apartment, despite Marco’s entreaties that she should stay with him and Daniela so they could both look after her, but he visited her every day anyway, bringing gifts, food parcels and funny stories. Often Daniela came too, and Gina adored seeing her.