Tallow by Karen Brooks

Author:Karen Brooks [Karen Brooks]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781864714418
Publisher: Random House Australia

CHAPTER TWENTY

Of gondolas and canals

THE MOON WAS HIGH IN the sky as I crept onto the roof. Closing the attic door behind me, I tiptoed to the ledge and paused to admire the sight. No matter how many times I snuck out of the house for my midnight forays with Dante, the view always gave me cause to linger and absorb its beauty.

Now that spring was segueing into summer, the mists had all but disappeared and the snows were rapidly melting from the peaks of the Dolomites. There was a calm, almost lazy feeling settling over the city. From my vantage point, I could see the sinuous curves of the canals. Within their silver depths, another city lay shimmering under the sable sky. I raised my head to gaze on a field of pinnacles and turrets, below which the violet silhouettes of casas and palazzi lay dormant, waiting for their turn to come to life at sunrise. The night was so clear that my own sestiere, the ancient Dorsoduro, became a different place altogether. The glow of moonlight gave a healthy patina to the ruinous buildings, as well as the moss and mildew that clung to the skirts of the houses and between the cobbles on the fondamenta. It was as if a whole new world existed right beside my own. I liked this one – and exploring it with Dante was something I was learning to relish.

I stifled a yawn as I recalled how excited I'd been to receive a message from Dante this morning, hastily whispered by a chandler delivering supplies. While I was desperately tired, the chance to see Dante again was too good to ignore.

Ever since I'd first encountered him almost six months ago, Dante had taken whatever opportunity his work allowed to send me surreptitious messages via one trades-person or another, in order that we might meet. It always had to be after work, when the bustle of family evenings had subsided and everyone had retired to quiet contemplation or sleep. Foremost, our meetings had to be in secret. It wasn't only to defer the wrath of Quinn, it was also because I didn't want to upset Pillar. Ever since I'd bolted away from him that day in the Chandlers Quartiere, Pillar was cautious about letting me out of his sight. And for that I had only myself to blame.

All I had to do was shut my eyes, and the stricken look on his face when he'd finally found me would appear.

Instead of berating me as I fully expected and deserved, Pillar had dropped to his knees and embraced me so hard I'd thought my ribs would collapse. Even the presence of Dante hadn't deterred him from expressing his relief.

Then he'd stood up, ruffled my hair gently, and sighed. I'd reached for his hand and squeezed it by way of apology. Pillar never asked for explanations. He'd accepted the unspoken communication, and waited for me to introduce my new friends.

Pillar had been more concerned about Dante's presence than the dog's – his stance and fixed smile betrayed his tension.

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