Chapter 4
Scipio and Ana were sat up out the back of the Stella on the steps that lead to the water. The light was fading quickly and the wind whistled through the alleys of the city. Ana sat shivering and listening to Scipio.
"I found her new address; it's not far from where I met…" Scipio stopped; he didn't want to mention their meeting she might start questioning why he was there. "From here." He said quickly. "Do you want to go and see her now or wait?" He turned to look at Ana and saw a tear roll down her cheek.
"Ana what's wrong? I thought you would be pleased" He said putting the address back in his pocket.
"I am, and thank you for finding her. It's just now I think about it I'm not sure I want to go. I've never even met her I can't just turn up. I just think my grandmother was right."
"Right about what?" Scipio asked.
"About me, she always said I was unruly, and that unless I calmed down and studied I'd end up like my father." Ana imitated a nagging voice as she spoke and Scipio couldn't help but laugh.
"What's wrong with your father?"
"He was a plumber and my grandmother thought that was disgraceful; she always said I'd end up working in a supermarket all my life."
"Well it's your choice, if that's what your father was good at and enjoyed then good for him."
"I wanted to design clothes but she wouldn't pay for the school fees. And I got nothing in the will, except her orders on what to do with my life."
"Well then let's prove her wrong, we'll go see your cousin and go from there." Ana smiled and wiped her eyes.
"Sorry to be a wimp." She laughed.
"You are not a wimp; you're just… well you're in a new city and a new country, you just need to settle in." He said not sure what else to say.
"Thanks, Scipio."
"So what's England like, I've never been."
"Not that great, crappy weather. But there are some beautiful places, my grandmother took me to Scotland one year for Christmas and the views were amazing."
"So why run away to Venice."
"There was nothing to keep me in England; Ida's my only family now. My grandmother and I weren't the best of friends, she sent me to boarding school because she didn't like having me around all the time, and I just got under her feet and in the way of her stupid balls."
"What was she? A lady? A duchess? The queen?" Scipio smiled.
"Lady Elizabeth. What about you? Do you know anything about your family? Mosca said you were an orphan too."
"Did he?" Scipio sighed, he liked Ana, there was something about her that made him want to tell her the truth but he wasn't sure he could trust her she could blow his cover to the others. But she knew what it felt like to be a burden and to be shunted out.
"I don't know anything about them." Scipio said bluntly.
"I'm sorry." Ana said biting her lips, she gone and put her foot in it again like she always did.
"Come on, let's go and see Ida." Scipio said getting up and dusting off his coat.
Ana and Scipio left the cinema with Prosper and Hornet heading for the vaporetto port to cross the canal. They pushed their way through the crowds Hornet and Ana holding onto each other for dear life, and Ana clinging to Scipio's sleeve. They crossed the canal and followed Scipio to Ida's address.
They all stood staring at the door for a moment.
"I'm not so sure." Ana sighed.
"Oh for god sake" Hornet huffed and stepped forward knocking on the door.
The others hide round the corner out of sight. Ana waited as the footsteps on the other side of the door got louder, the door flew open. A woman in an apron opened the door.
"Scusi Signora" Ana said politely. "'I'm looking for Ida Spavento. Does she live here?"
"Wait here. I'll get her." The woman shut the door. The others watched as then the door opened again. This time a younger woman opened the door, she had a flowery blouse on and jeans.
"I'm Ida Spavento, how can I help?" Ana stepped out from behind Scipio.
"My name is Anastasia Clifford, you and I have the same grandmother. Lady Elizabeth Clifford."
"You'd best come in" Ida said quietly, Ana looked nervously at the others, Prosper nodded and mimed 'go on'. Ana took a deep breath and went up the steps and disappeared inside.
"I only recently found out about my grandmother." Ida sighed. "I was brought up in an orphanage here in Venice, the Merciful Sisters."
"I didn't know her that well, she sent me to boarding school. I got under her feet a lot."
"Well, it's nice to know I have some family." Ida said. "Please sit down." Ana sat down in an armchair and Ida's dog jumped up on her lap straight away.
"Sorry about Rufus. He doesn't have any manners" Ida laughed.
"I brought some pictures of her with me. They aren't very recent."
Ida and Ana sat talking about Lady Elizabeth and about their childhoods. Although their grandmother was rich, Ana was not spoilt or snobby like her grandmother. She was just like Ida, adventurous, and they had both been trouble makers at school. Ana was also was disappearing into the nearby woods with her friends for picnics and to go swimming in the lakes.
"She didn't leave me anything in the will" Ana sighed. "Or you. She left it all to her toy-boy. I figured I had nothing to lose so I came looking for you. I don't expect you to take me in and play happy families. I just wanted to meet you."
"Where are you staying?" Ida said putting the tea cups back on the tray. Ana froze her mind racing. SHIT! I can't the Stella.
"I'm staying with some friends. They were the ones who found your address for me."
"Well it was nice to meet you." Ida smiled. "You'll have to come and visit again; I have to run some errands before it gets too late." Ida smiled.
Scipio and the others sat on the steps outside. It was starting to get cold. After an hour or so they heard the door lock click, they all jumped up.
"Goodbye Ana" Ida said hugging her cousin. Ana pretty much skipped the whole way home. Laughing as she told Scipio all about Ida's adventures, and about her school days. Scipio just smiled as he listened. Ana was so lively all of a sudden, giggling and dancing around. Hornet and Prosper walked behind them laughing at Ana.
As they got off the vaporetto Prosper's face turned white and he ducked into a doorway with Hornet.
"Prosper what are doing?" Ana laughed loudly. Prosper grabbed Ana and pulled her into the doorway next to him Scipio saw a middle aged woman turn round as Ana said Prospers name. He waited until she turned round again and ducked into the doorway too.
"Your Aunt" He said looking at Prosper, who nodded nervously.
"This way" Scipio said leading the way along the canal and out of sight. They reached the Stella and Riccio let them back in. Ana had calmed down after they'd seen Prosper and Bo's Aunt and had gone with Hornet to get food.
Scipio sat on the stage with Prosper, Mosca and Riccio.
"We can't Scipio; you saw how happy Ana was. If Ida finds out she'll be heartbroken. We're playing a dangerous game; it's her only family Scipio." Prosper sighed. Scipio nodded.
"Then we're agreed we won't go through with it."
"Scip we need the money. What happens when fancy pants moves in with what'-her-name? What about us then? We'll be stuck here with no money again." Riccio kicked the stage with his heels and fiddled with the zip on his coat.
"Riccio, leave it out. Ida might not take her in; she might not want to or be able to afford it." Prosper jumped down from the balcony as the other returned with the food. Riccio stuck his tongue out at Ana as she passed him, only to receive a slap round the back of the head from Scipio.
"Behave yourself while I'm gone."
Prosper and Bo didn't leave the Stella for a few days in fear they would be seen by their Aunt and Uncle. Ana had visited Ida everyday and had told her about her friends in Venice but had kept their hideout a secret. Ida kept asking where Ana was staying but she dodged the question.
Prosper and Ana were sat in the stalls late one night. Prosper was so terrified his aunt would find him and Bo, he hadn't slept properly for days. Ana had been trying to keep Bo amused and they had built him a swing from the balcony. But he was getting restless.
"You can't hide forever" Ana sighed.
"I know but what if she catches us?"
"Well then we dye Bo's hair, everyone will be looking for a little blonde boy and we'll make him a little brown haired boy. It make him blend in easier, they'll just overlook him."
"We could try"
"Ahhh I'm such a genius" Ana laughed.
"Sure you are"