Page 46 of Enzo

“Of course, Miss Turlington.” I must remember to give her the fridge magnet.

The children become boisterous again. I'd started telling them about my trip to Venice, leaving out details about my masked friend.

“Why did you go to Fenice?” George asks.

“It’s Venice, George. I went to a ball.”

“Like Cinderella?” Sabrina squeals. She loves story time, and I can see the cogs in her brain spinning.

“Yes, like Cinderella.”

Thirty pairs of small, inquisitive eyes are on me. They're wearing their painting aprons, but no one is painting. Some are holding brushes, some examining the small jars of water for washing brushes. Some are sitting on the edge of their seats and waiting for me to say more.

“Did you lose a glass slipper, Miss?” Alvah asks.

I laugh out loud, before clapping my hands together.

“Now, now. We're supposed to be painting, but let me tell you something. The best part of being there was seeing a different part of the world, trying new food, and meeting people I might have never met otherwise.”

I have their rapt attention. I point to the photos I've blue-tacked to the blackboard.

“I walked along the cobbled streets and small bridges, and saw the Grand Canal. These people are gondoliers with their gondolas.”

Someone asks, “Did you meet Prince Charming?”

“Not every fairy tale needs a prince,” I tell them.

The children giggle.

I didn't meet a prince, but I met a wonderful man I'd like to call my friend. Meeting Enzo was a highlight and I have a feeling that my evening wouldn’t have been as memorable without him.

Venice was unforgettable. The chance of a lifetime.

And now I can't think of it without thinking of the masked knight. The memory of it will forever be linked to him. We didn't exchange any details, and now I’ll never see him again. And that makes me sad.

I scan around the room. “For now, I would like you to draw whatever comes to your mind when you look at these.” I point back to the pictures on the blackboard.

“I'm going to put you in my picture, Miss. I'm going to make you a princess,” Sabrina announces.

“I'm going to draw a mouse,” Alvah hollers.

“What about a pumpkin?” someone cries, and they all burst out laughing.

“Children,” I put on my most serious face. They immediately quieten. “We don't have much time before recess. I would like you to finish your paintings before then.”

They get to it straight away. I love these children. I laugh and joke with them, but when I'm serious, they know it. The rest of the lesson proceeds as planned and at recess, I go to see Miss T.

“Miss T!” I cry. “Are you feeling better now?” I examine her face as I sit down on the chair across from her.

“What exactly did you get up to in Italy?” she asks.

“I had the most wonderful time, Miss Turlington! I almost wish you'd gone.”

“Almost?”

“It was unforgettable, and I'm so glad I went instead. I’m sorry you missed it.”

“I’m happy to hear that you had a good time.”