The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick

Author:Phaedra Patrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Park Row Books
Published: 2022-04-05T19:32:54+00:00

19

TATTOOED HAND

On her last morning in Croatia, Liv woke at 5:30 a.m., too early to phone home. The last couple of days had taken their toll, and her head lolled with tiredness as she packed her belongings into her suitcase.

After showering, she slathered on sun cream and dressed in a floral dress and comfy sandals, adding the striped tie loosely around her neck. It was a beautiful day, and she wanted to wander the streets of Dubrovnik before she tried to speak to Sven, after his meeting.

Holidays for Liv usually meant six weeks of planning for one week in the sun. It was a thankless task buying sun lotion that didn’t irritate Jake’s skin and shorts with zips so the boys’ mobile phones didn’t fall out. It was freeing not having to lug anyone else’s sunglasses or reading material around. She left the two manuscripts behind on the bed and took the empty tote bag.

She bade “Dobro jutro” to a lady on the reception desk and wandered outside into the sunshine. The morning was already hot, and Liv bought bread from a baker’s shop for breakfast, tearing off pieces to eat while she waited at the bus stop.

During the twenty-minute journey into the city, she listened to Euro disco playing on the bus radio and realized she’d left her mobile phone back at the hotel.

After a few moments of panic, she knew it was too late to go back. She gazed out of the window and decided to embrace the rare freedom of being uncontactable.

The bus arrived at the Pile Gate, the main entrance to the city walls, and Liv hopped off. A woman dressed all in black and wearing a white headdress sat on a low stool making lace. She had a pile of postcards at her feet for sale and Liv picked up a few and handed over some kuna.

She made her way across a beautiful old stone bridge that was once a drawbridge. The Stradun stretched before her, a long square with shiny limestone paving stones and a statuesque white clock tower. Liv walked along it with her chin raised, taking in the wooden-shuttered windows, arched doorways and a majestic domed cathedral. She felt like Alice stepping into Wonderland.

It felt strange not having to chastise Jake for walking one meter in front of her, or to referee Mack and Johnny’s squabbling. She could turn corners and slip down streets without prior negotiation of who wanted to do what.

Most of the shops were still closed, and there weren’t many people around yet. Liv meandered, looking in windows at handcrafted leather handbags, and chocolate truffles with curls of coconut on top. On one of the side streets, a man stood in a doorway and held out a plate full of crystallized orange slices and caramelized almonds. “You try.” He gestured.

“Hvala,” Liv said and crunched into the sugary orange. “Delicious.” She bought three small bags and asked him how to find Bar Boca.

He pointed toward a narrow street. “Look for the gap in the wall.

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