We smother our laughter into our pillows.
Griselda’s breathing evens out. ‘I didn’t mean to push you so hard. Or force you to give up the things you love. It’s just … my way feels safe. Yours doesn’t. And that scares me.’
I tuck my hands under my cheek. ‘I know. You’re looking out for me. You don’t want me to scrimp and save like Mum and Dad.’
‘But what you said about them in theosteriagot to me. You’re right. They’re actually pretty happy, even with all the money worries. And I hate that they might think I’m trying to be better than them.’
‘They don’t,’ I reassure her. ‘They’re proud of you. But did you see the way Mum hung on to Silvia and Veronica’s words? I think she’s the one who needs to know she’s just as good as anyone else.’
‘Yeah. I really need to talk to her about that.’
‘Or,’ I say, ‘you could just … I don’t know … concentrate on you. On what you’re doing.’
‘Fine. Point taken.’ Griselda wriggles further under the covers. ‘So … you and Leo, huh?’
I smoosh half the cushion over my face. ‘Nooo. Not having this conversation.’
She tugs it away. ‘Seriously, Eves. I like him. He stuck up for you. He’s clearly been there for you and … if you’re really going to pursue art, you’re going to need a rich boyfriend.’
‘Grace!’ I protest, but she’s already laughing.
We go quiet again. The reasons she wanted to steer me away from a career in art are still there. But at least I get to explore my options out loud now. I don’t have to hide who I am or what I want any more, even if it isn’t easy, even if it takes longer than I want.
‘I’m sorry we ruined your last night,’ Griselda says after a pause. ‘You probably wanted to say goodbye to Leo in private, not with your whole family looking on.’
‘Maybe. Yeah. I was going to wake him up really early … see if he wanted to go for a walk.’ I close my mouth, worried I shouldn’t have said that in front of her.
‘Well,’ she says, rolling on to her back, ‘don’t wake me if you do.’
That does it. I launch myself at her. ‘Who are you and what have you done with my bossy big sister?’
She squeals and shoves me back, which only makes me tackle her harder. Soon we’re wrestling across the bed, kicking at each other under the blankets, yanking pillows, muffling our laughter so we don’t wake the whole palazzo. It feels ridiculous and childish – exactly like the play fights we used to have before life got so complicated. For a few minutes it’s just the two of us again, being sisters and nothing else.
In the end it’s Gris— no, Grace – who wakes me. ‘Sun will be up soon,’ she whispers, poking my side until I twitch a hand in surrender.
I burrow deeper under the covers. I don’t want to move. Don’t want this to be my last day with Leo. If I keep my eyes shut, maybe it won’t be.
‘Evie!’ Two feet plant themselves on my back and shove me straight on to the cold floor.
Grumbling, I tug on yesterday’s clothes, grab my washbag and stumble into the bathroom. Quick splash, proper toothbrushing – because, hello, kissing – then I cup my mouth to Leo’s door. ‘Pope oeeee.’
There’s a rustle, a thud, and then he’s there, all cosy and half-asleep.
‘Want to sneak out and go for a walk?’ I don’t saylast, but the word hangs there anyway.
He nods, eyebrows straight and serious. ‘Meet you downstairs in five.’
At the door, he snatches his puffa jacket – only instead of pulling it on, he swings it around myshoulders. The thing swallows me whole. He laughs, and I’ve never been warmer.
We step out into the quiet, the city still dark, everyone still dreaming.
Fingers laced, we set off. I think we’re heading to see the sun rise over the lagoon again. Or, more accurately, a brighter patch of mist on the horizon. But it soon becomes clear Leo’s on a mission.
‘I couldn’t sleep last night,’ he says, swinging our arms. ‘I thought of a place you need to see and hated that I might not get to take you. So we’re going now. No arguments.’
‘Okaaay. Tell me more.’
‘There is a story, actually – a Venetian legend, a bit like your Scottish ones.’
