On the journey to Rome, I was full of apprehension and felt as though I was chasing myself across the world. There was a subtle shift of gravity in my body as the plane began its descent.
Madeleine moved in her seat and opened one eye. “OK?” Reassured, she nestled again into the woolly comfort of her jumper that served as a pillow. Over the last six months, the dynamics of our relationship had changed and had strengthened in a way that it might never have done if we had not come on this journey together. If nothing else, it was worth it just for that.
The bus trip from Fiumicino Airport was as I remembered from my first trip years earlier. I had wondered then why people loved Rome – until the bus turned into the Piazza Venezia.
“Bella…” Madeleine’s sigh reflected my own thought, but I s
