Giles arrived at the domus, but wondered if he had taken a wrong turn while lost in his thoughts, for fresh paint was being applied to the street-facing wall, and the sound of men’s voices and hammering emanated from inside. But he had indeed come to the right place, and went in through the open door.
He stopped as if struck, for the place was bright with fresh paint and garlands that had been hung in honour of the season. A woman in a long wool grey cloak swept across the garden, and it was a few moments before Giles realized it was Ida.
“What’s happening here?” he said aloud, and the hammering stopped, as did Ida in her tracks.
She turned and began to approach him, her entire face a brilliant sun of joy as she came, but before she could reach him, Catus’ gnarled voice grumbled from th
