'I will.
'
She smiled and hung up without answering.
After the lull of Christmas there was an immediate flurry of business. As they were clearing up on the second night she said, 'Do you mind if I hurry away? I want to get back to Piero.'
'Isn't he all right?' Vincenzo asked quickly.
'He's got a bit of a cold. I'd just like to make a fuss of him.'
'I suppose he caught cold going to San Zaccaria.' Vincenzo groaned. 'I wish he wouldn't do that in this weather.'
'But he doesn't any more. He hasn't been there since-' She fell silent as the truth dawned on her. 'Since that day I went to Murano.'
'And we met your boat,' Vincenzo said. 'And you came ashore and hugged him.'
As Julia reached home she looked up, wondering if Piero would be there, looking out for her as he sometimes did. But there was no face at the window, and for some reason that made her start to run.
He was probably just asleep, but still-
When she entered their room she couldn't see him at first. He was lying stretched out, breathing heavily. She moved quietly, not to awaken him, but then she realised that he was unlikely to have awoken, whatever she did.
His forehead was hot to the touch, and there was an ugly rasping sound to the breath, which seemed to tear his throat.
'Piero,' she said, giving him a little shake. 'Piero!'
He opened his eyes, but only a little way.
'Oh, my God,' she breathed. 'This is bad. Listen, I'm going to get help for you.'
'No need,' he gasped, and his feverish hand sought hers. 'Stay here,' he whispered. 'Stay with you-only you.'
'No,' she said fiercely. 'You've got to get well. I'm calling Vincenzo. He'll know what to do.' Then, before she could choke back the idiotic words she heard herself say, 'Don't go away.'
The ghost of hilarity flickered over his gaunt features. 'I won't.'
She found her cell phone and left the room. She didn't want him to hear her call. To her relief Vincenzo answered at once.
'It's Piero,' she said. 'He's very ill. I think it could be pneumonia.'
He made a sharp sound. 'All right, stay with him. I'll call an ambulance and be right there.'
She returned to find Piero sitting up, looking around him anxiously. As soon as he saw her he stretched out an arm.
'I wanted you-you weren't there…'
He held onto her like a child, his eyes fixed on her face.
'I called Vincenzo. He's sending for an ambulance.'
'Don't want-hospital-' came the painful rasping. 'Just you. Hold onto me.'
She settled him back on the sofa, and knelt beside him, one of his hot hands in hers. He kept his eyes on her, as though seeing her was all he asked. Her heart was heavy, for something told her that the end was very near.
He knew it too, she was sure, and wanted to spend his last few moments alone with her.
She heard a noise outside and went quickly to look out of the window. Down below, in the little garden that fronted onto the Grand Canal, she could see Vincenzo, opening the wrought-iron gate, and propping it so that it stayed open.
She returned to Piero, clasping him in her arms, and after a moment Vincenzo joined them.
'The ambulance is on its way,' he said.
As he got a better look at the old man his eyes signalled his shock, and he leaned over the back of the sofa, grasping Piero's arm warmly.
'Old friend, don't give us a fright like this.'
Piero managed a faint smile.
'Don't need-ambulance,' he croaked. He looked at Julia. 'I have-all I want-since she came back to me.'
Vincenzo frowned. Her eyes met his, reminding him of what they had realised earlier.
'He doesn't mean me,' she said softly.
Vincenzo nodded. He had understood.
'Of course I came back,' she said to Piero. 'You always knew I would, didn't you-Babbo?'
She hesitated only a moment before using the pet name that only his daughter had used. It was a risk, but worth it. She knew she'd guessed right when he turned a radiant face on her.
'Oh, yes,' he whispered. 'Always. I kept going to wait for you. People told me you were dead, but I knew-one day-you'd be on the boat.' A faint smile touched his lips. 'And you were.'
He gave a sigh and his eyes closed. Vincenzo's gaze met Julia's and she could see that he felt helpless.
Piero's eyes opened again and when he spoke his voice was faint.
'I was afraid-but when you saw me-you smiled- and I knew that I was forgiven.'
She drew in her breath. Suddenly her eyes were blinded with tears.
'There was nothing to forgive, Babbo,' she murmured.
'But there was-' he insisted weakly '-said such terrible things-you know my temper-always sorry afterwards but-this time-this time-'
His breathing came faster, more laboured. A frantic note crept into his voice. 'I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it-'
'Of course you didn't. I always knew that. I forgave you long ago.'
A smile broke over his face, and although the light was fading from him it was the most brilliant smile she had ever seen. Shining through it was the glow of happiness and peace.
Suddenly he seemed to become afraid. 'Elena- Elena-'
'I'm here-always. I love you, Babbo.'
'I love you, daughter.'
Vincenzo turned away, covering his eyes. A few moments later there was the sound of footsteps outside, and a voice calling, 'Is anybody there?'
Hastily controlling himself, Vincenzo went out into the hall where two young men had arrived with the ambulance. He beckoned and they quickly followed him.
One of them gasped when he saw the room. 'What a way to have to live!' he said. 'The sooner we get him to hospital, the better.'
Julia spoke in a muffled voice. 'You're too late.' They drew near to where the two figures clasped each other. Piero's eyes were closed and his rasping breathing had stopped. He lay quiet and peaceful.
'Poor old fellow,' said one of the young men sympathetically.
Julia laid her cheek tenderly against Piero's white hair. 'Don't feel sorry for him,' she said softly. 'He died as he wanted to, in his daughter's arms.'
The two young men took over, laying Piero gently on trolley. Julia planted a last kiss on his forehead before he was wheeled away, down into the garden and into the ambulance boat tied up in the water.
Together they stood at the window as the ambulance pulled away down the Grand Canal, until its lights were no longer visible. When it had gone Vincenzo opened his arms and she went into them.
'I'm going to miss him so much,' she said.
'So am I. But you were right. He was happy at the end and that's what matters.' He took her face in his hand and looked down at her.
'You were wonderful,' he said tenderly. He brushed the hair back from her face, then drew her against him, with her head on his shoulder, and they stood like that in silence for a long time.
'I'm taking you away with me,' he said at last. 'You can't live here alone.'
'All right, I'll move. But not now.' She turned back into the room, suddenly so lonely. 'I want to spend one more night here.'
