“So you are twenty-six now? I thought you were older.”

“I hope that’s a compliment.”

“It is, silly.”

“I was still about a year away from being ordained, but I’d been having doubts long before I left.”

“Did you tell anyone?”

“Only Father Bernardi. And for all that he’d been the one to put me forward for a place in the seminary, he was also the first to understand why I was happy to leave.”

They lay in silence for some time, and then Nico’s arm tightened around her. “I have more news. There’s been a further edict.”

“And?”

“All Jews are to be arrested and interned in camps, and all their property is to be confiscated.”

“When was it announced?” she asked, a spiral of dread slithering down her spine.

“The day after Zwerger’s last visit. December first. When you said nothing about it I thought you might not have heard. I didn’t want you to worry.”

“We didn’t have the radio on for a few nights. The electricity wasn’t working. Have there been more arrests?”

“Yes. In every part of the country that’s under German control.”

“What of Venice?”

“I don’t know. I’m waiting to hear, but I have to be careful. If the wrong people learn that I’m asking questions we’re all done for. You know that.”

“I know. I know, and I try not to bother you, but there are days I feel I’ll drown in it. All the worry and fear.”

“If there is news I will find out eventually. And I promise to tell you.”

“Even if it breaks my heart?” she whispered, her eyes hot with tears.

“Even then, my Nina. Even then.”

Chapter 14

22 December 1943

She wasn’t surprised when Nico woke her. The instant he touched her shoulder, she opened her eyes, fully alert, and dressed so quickly she was still a little breathless when she reached the kitchen.

The strangers gathered at the table might have stepped from a centuries-old painting, the lamplight flickering like chiaroscuro upon their exhausted faces. They were huddled together, their backs against the wall, their chairs drawn close. There was a man and woman about Nina’s age, a toddler in the mother’s arms, and flanking them was an older couple, their faces so like the younger man’s that they had to be his parents.

“I am sure you have come very far and are very tired,” she said soothingly. The young man nodded; perhaps he understood her.

She turned to see what had become of Nico, but he had vanished. She would have to explain, then. “We have a place for you to hide and rest. We have food for you. We will help you.”