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‘What do you mean?’ Johnny placed a hand on Flora’s.
‘Well, Mum feels really angry about what happened while I can’t even bring myself to think about the accident. I want to remember the good stuff before I forget it and I’m just left with the bad. But Mum’s stuck on that bit. She keeps talking about the court case coming up. And I don’t even want to think about it, any of it. Maybe I’m not ready to deal with it. Perhaps I won’t ever be… but,’ Flora shrugged, ‘definitely not yet.’
Johnny thought about it for a moment. ‘Listen, I know it feels like things will never be better, but I promise you they will. It just takes time.’ He stroked her hair, his fingers moving to her cheek to wipe away the tears slowly falling down her face. ‘In fact, I’ve got an idea, something that might just help.’
Flora looked at him. ‘What?’
He took both her hands in his. ‘I’ve been thinking we should go away for a few days, just us. Have a change of scene, spend some time together without having to worry about the kids, the shop. Or your parents. I love them but, you know… I just think you could do with a small break. So, how about we go to Venice for a couple of days? Good idea?’
She looked up and smiled at him. ‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
‘Are you sure? You don’t look very sure.’
‘No, I am, really. I’m sorry… that would be amazing.’ She forced an even bigger smile onto her face.
‘You went there with Billy when you were younger, didn’t you? I thought it might help, you know, to be somewhere that might remind you of him in a good way.’
‘That’s really thoughtful, thank you.’
‘Great, I’ll sort it out and we’ll go as soon as possible.’
‘Tilda and Susie can have… I mean, I’m sure they can help with the kids if it’s just for a couple of nights.’
‘Perfect. I’ll talk to Mack about dates and we can work it out from there. Honestly, I think you’ll love it.’
Flora kept the smile on her face but hated herself for not feeling more grateful.
* * *
‘Seriously, there’s such a lot we’ve got to fit in.’ Johnny pointed at a map on his laptop, Mack behind him with a small glass of wine in his hand. ‘There’s St Mark’s Square, the museums, the Rialto markets… It’s going to be a bit of a squeeze but we should be able to just about do it in two days, well, one and a half, if we have a plan.’
‘Which, no doubt, Johnny, you will have.’ Mack laughed, raising his glass.
‘Absolutely, Mack. You know me.’ Johnny raised his coffee cup back.
‘Where will you stay?’
‘I’ve found a small hotel, just off the Grand Canal but a bit behind the main drag. Nothing fancy but it ticks all the boxes.’
‘Sounds perfect. I know you’ll want to see all the big sights, but you must make time to just wander through the streets of the Cannaregio area to the north and sit a while with a glass of something whilst you watch the world – or rather, the local neighbourhood – go by.’
‘Definitely. You’ll have to show me where to go on the map.’
‘Goodness, it was a while ago. I went there with Elizabeth, before Jamie was born. We spent the days just walking about. We even went to the Lido and out to Murano, you know, the place with the glass? She loved it. I still have some of those glasses somewhere. We never used them; Elizabeth was too worried we’d break them.’ Mack made a mental note to try to find them, take them out of their box and use them from now on.
‘So, if it’s OK with you, we’d like to try and fit it in before Christmas. Before it gets really busy, that is. I’ve got some cover lined up: Flora’s friend Susie is keen to come and help in the shop during the day. She doesn’t know much about wine but is great with people and really keen to help.’
‘Fine with me, just let me know when suits you.’ Mack put down his glass and peered closer at the map. ‘It’s this bit here,’ he pointed at an area on the map, ‘full of little bars and restaurants where the locals go, not just tourists.’ Mack shoved his glasses further up his nose. ‘I remember one particular wine bar where we drank one of the most delicious glasses of Soave I’ve ever had. It was so subtle but so pure. I’ll have a look through my old wine notebooks, see if I can find the name of the place. If I do, you must promise me you’ll go.’
‘Based on that wine recommendation alone, I promise,’ Johnny laughed. ‘Right, I’d better get on with the stocktake.’
‘Ah, yes, don’t let me keep you from your spreadsheets.’
‘You may laugh, Mack, but without those spreadsheets…’
‘I know, I’m teasing. You know I’d be lost without you both.’ Mack turned to go up the stairs. ‘Actually, there’s another place I’ve just remembered. I can’t think what it’s called but there’s a heart-shaped stone, red brick, somewhere in the streets just off St Mark’s Square. Legend has it that if you and your loved one both touch the stone at the same time you’ll stay together forever. I remember Elizabeth was adamant that we find it.’
‘And did you?’
