In response, he reached across and briefly rested his fingers against her left cheek. They were unbelievably warm. ‘I have excellent circulation. Second to none. Another of my talents.’
Didi bent down to collect the bottle of Prosecco wedged upright in a mound of snow. She took another fizzy swig, passed it across, then watched him drink before resting the base of the bottle on one knee. ‘I can’t believe we’re sitting here at four in the morning, in front of the Basilica.’ Her gesture encompassed the white marble, the Byzantine architecture with its ornate gold detailing, blurred now by the steadily falling snow.
Shay nodded in agreement. ‘When I woke up and looked out of the window, I had to come outside and see it properly for myself.’
‘And build a snowman.’
‘Sometimes these things just have to be done.’
Didi found herself wanting to learn more about him. ‘What A levels are you taking?’
‘Maths, physics, chemistry, English. You?’
‘English, history and art.’ She paused. ‘You must miss your mum.’
Shay took another glug of Prosecco, then passed the bottle back to her. ‘Of course I miss her. But it’s been six years now. You kind of get used to the way things are.’
Here, in this moment, it seemed as if a connection had been forged between them; Didi felt as if she could ask him anything. ‘What’s it like to have your dad in prison? Sorry, tell me if I’m being too nosy.’
‘No worries. People always ask me that question. It’s the kind of thing they want to hear about.’ He shrugged. ‘Again, I don’t really know any different. It’s like me asking you what it’s like to have two honest law-abiding parents who live and work together and own a luxury hotel. That’s your life and you don’t stop to wonder how it feels, because you’re used to it.’
He was right, she lived a privileged life and took it for granted. She said, ‘It must be horrible for you when he . . . goes away.’
‘It is. But again, I’m used to it. And then I’m glad when he gets out. It’s always great to have him home again.’ Shay shrugged easily. ‘I know he’s a bit of a nightmare, but he’s still my dad and I love him. He’s all the family I’ve got.’
Didi still couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with someone she barely knew. She found herself really looking at him for the first time, at his relaxed body, his damp blonde hair and carved cheekbones. ‘You’re doing so much better than most people would in your situation.’
‘I know.’
‘Modest too.’
He smiled. ‘When everyone in town expects you to go off the rails and follow in your father’s footsteps, it kind of makes you want to go the other way, just to prove them wrong. And now I have another question. What’s Didi short for? Or is it a nickname?’
‘My name’s really Danielle, but when I was little I couldn’t say it. When my mum and dad tried to teach me, it came out as Didi instead. Started off as a family joke, then after a while it just kind of stuck.’ She shrugged. ‘I’ve been Didi ever since.’
‘Cute.’
‘It wasn’t my fault. I blame my teeth.’
‘Of course it was their fault.’ He grinned and sang teasingly, ‘Guilty teeth have got no rhythm.’
‘You’re hilarious.’ But she was smiling too.
‘Are you getting cold now?’
Didi was starting to shiver. ‘Tiny bit.’
‘Well we can’t go in without taking a few photos.’ He reached into the pocket of his navy padded jacket and pulled out a disposable camera. She took a snap of him standing in front of the Basilica with his arm flung around the shoulders of their magnificent snowman. Then it was his turn to take one of her in the same position, followed by another as she twirled with her arms outstretched and her head tilted back, catching snowflakes on her tongue.
Finally, having beckoned a passing Venetian across to do the honours, they had a photo taken of the two of them together, standing either side of the snowman with the bottle of Prosecco clutched to his snowy chest.
‘Grazie mille, signor,’ Shay called after him as the Venetian trudged away in the direction of the Campanile, and Didi was quietly impressed by his facility with languages, seeing as this was his first trip abroad.
‘My toes have gone numb,’ she said as they returned the chairs to the café and prepared to set off through the narrow streets that would lead them back to the hotel.
‘Don’t forget this.’ He grabbed the yellow bobble hat from the snowman and gave it a shake.
Didi pulled it on. ‘That’s just making me colder.’ Her teeth were starting to chatter now.
Shay removed the hat, grinning as she brushed melting snow from her hair. ‘Can I just say? This has been fun. I’m really glad we did it.’
He was standing directly in front of her, his breath warm on her face. The fingers of his left hand made brief contact with her cheek as he lifted aside a wet strand of hair. Didi felt her own breath catch in her throat. His mouth was only inches from hers and all of a sudden it seemed as if he might be about to kiss her.
More to the point, all of a sudden she found herself wanting it to happen with every fibre of her being.
But it didn’t.
‘Come on, let’s get back,’ said Shay.
Didi nodded in agreement, because what else could she do? Fling her arms around his neck and wail, ‘But I thought you were going to kiss me! I was waiting for you to do it!’
No, that would be the opposite of cool.
As they began to make their way back to the hotel, he said, ‘Are we going to tell the others about this?’
‘I was just wondering that.’ If they did, would everyone assume they’d sneaked out together? Would they be teased unmercifully for the rest of the trip and possibly for months to come? ‘Might be easier not to.’
‘I think so too. And tomorrow when we come to the square, we won’t say anything when they see the snowman. It’ll be our secret.’
When they reached the hotel, he paused in the narrow street and Didi’s foolish heart did another skip, because maybe now the kiss was going to happen.
But no, double disappointment; all Shay did was slide his key card out of his jeans pocket and use it to open the front door of the small hotel. Then, having brushed the snow from their jackets and wiped it off their trainers, they made their way silently up the stairs.
On the third floor landing, he whispered, ‘See you tomorrow. Our secret.’
‘See you.’ Baffled, Didi wondered why it hadn’t happened. What was wrong with him, for heaven’s sake? Shay Mason should be flattered she’d wanted him to kiss her; he should have jumped at the chance.
Three hours later, she was woken by a whoop of delight followed by a great thud as Layla bounced onto the end of her bed.
‘Oh my God, you have to get up!’
‘Why? Ow,’ said Didi as her feet got landed on.
‘You aren’t going to believe this,’ Layla shrieked. ‘It’s been snowing.’
Chapter 2
Thirteen years later
Sometimes you had a few minutes to catch your breath before starting work. Other times you didn’t.