People were watching us, taking pictures. We felt like film stars. It was wonderful.
Introductions over, we sat in the back of the boat on leather seats, enjoying the matchless views of the beautiful houses which lined the Grand Canal and moved at a slow, stately pace away from the quayside.
‘They are not allowed to go faster than five miles an hour,’ Evelyn said over the noise of the engine, ‘but I think that’s a bonus, don’t you? It’s such a beautiful place. La Serenissima. The Queen of the Adriatic. My husband Douglas and I came here many times. We had friends in a district called San Marco for many years. Marjorie and I have been enjoying a little holiday with their son Franco; he owns this boat. People are so kind, aren’t they? Such fun.’
Evelyn held on to her hat as we went a little faster, the blue silk ribbon around the crown flowing out behind her. She was like a neat little doll in her jaunty nautical outfit, and she looked entranced at the scenery as we passed, even waving a couple of times to people walking along the quayside.
At last we slowed as our boat approached a new dockside and then, with the help of the crew, we got out again. There was no problem with our cases this time, because the helpful crew members took charge of everything, even our unglamourous backpacks, and within minutes we were walking up the gangplank to board theAtalanta.
This time there were no people blowing whistles and urging us to hurry, no steps to clamber up, no need to stow our cases in metal luggage racks and find our numbered seats. It almost felt as though we were safe again, we were coming home. A few other people were on board already, leaning on the rail of the ship, watching us.
‘Well, I think you’ll like this,’ Evelyn said, taking off her sunglasses, ‘I’m very impressed so far. I heard from friends that this boat was worth a visit. They said it was big enough to be comfortable but small enough to be attentive.’
‘That sounds perfect,’ Harriet said, and she looked happier than she had for days.
‘I love it,’ Anna agreed. ‘What a marvellous idea this was.’
‘I can’t wait to see our cabins,’ I said.
Evelyn laughed. ‘I expect you want to unpack properly for the first time in ages. I don’t suppose you’ve had much of an opportunity to do that recently. I hate living out of a suitcase, don’t you? Never quite knowing where things are.’
We agreed we did.
We entered the boat near the front and were directed down an elegant, glossy wooden staircase and towards a small desk where an attractive young woman, name badge Gina, was waiting with some folders and a clipboard.
‘Benvenute signore– welcome, ladies. How lovely to see you. I hope your journey here was uneventful.’
Harriet was still chatting away with Evelyn and ignoring Gina’s attempts to catch her attention. Anna at my side cleared her throat and didn’t say anything.
‘Not entirely uneventful,’ I said, ‘but here we are, safe and sound and very much looking forward to being here.’
‘Wonderful, and what a beautiful day for you to be here. Now then…’
Gina had some forms for us to sign and cabin key cards to be given out, while up another staircase, we could see tantalising glimpses of some of the other guests on the top deck, drinking champagne, eating things on cocktail sticks and laughing. To one side was a man standing with a woman I assumed was his wife. He was gazing around looking very pleased with himself. His view must have been glorious. My feelings of envy were happily tempered by the knowledge that very soon we would be joining them.
And then I remembered Jack and I wondered if he was up there too. A funny little shiver went through me even though it was a warm evening. At last Gina finished all her paperwork, having managed to actually prise Harriet away from Evelyn, and sort out a few queries about dining and breakfast from Anna. I looked around again, hoping to see Jack, wondering if indeed he really would be on board. I couldn’t see him.
‘So what time are we leaving?’ I asked.
‘Six o clock. We will have a lovely view as we sail,’ Gina said. ‘We can’t sail down the Grand Canal of course, because the ship would get stuck under the bridges, but even from here, Venice is probably the most beautiful city on earth. There will be a safety briefing in the dining room before dinner. You must attend or the captain will bemolto arrabbiato– cross.’
A couple of handy-looking crew in smart white shirts and navy-blue trousers were standing by ready to help us with our luggage. One was so muscular – name badge Ivan – that he looked as though he could have scooped us under one arm at the same time as our cases in order to spare us the trouble of walking to our cabins. It was all marvellously enjoyable, not having to struggle anywhere or worry about finding the right platform or the right train.
By telling her that we needed to go to our cabins and get settled before we could join the welcome party on the top deck, we managed to drag Harriet away from Evelyn again.
Evelyn immediately went off to the party, waving her fingers at us, telling us she would find her friend Marjorie and promising to introduce us very soon.
‘Don’t forget the safety briefing or we will all have to have pasta arrabbiata. Isn’t that what Gina said?’ she called.
She was escorted up the stairs and back out into the late afternoon sunshine by a very distinguished-looking man in a wonderful white uniform.
‘Shades ofOfficer and a Gentleman,’ Anna murmured.
‘You’re not kidding,’ I said.
‘Do come on,’ Harriet said impatiently, ‘hurry up! I want to see my cabin. Before we have the safety briefing.’
‘We’ve been waiting for you!’ Anna spluttered.
