The professor was setting up his instruments. Nicolaus left Luna and went over to assist him and she watched him lug the tall wooden rod to the demarcated space on the grass and drop it into the shallow hole he’d dug on one of his earlier expeditions. He made it firm and secure before pulling down the hinged bar at the top and attaching it to the third arm now extended at an angle from halfway up the wooden rod, so that there formed a large triangle shape. Then he carefully laid out a quill and ink pot on a wooden board he’d carried in his satchel. He placed a small book on the board too. When he’d finished, he ambled slowly back and flopped down beside Luna again.

‘It’s all ready. And now we wait.’

They watched as the professor, deep in concentration, choose a rocky outcrop at a distance from them on which to sit and wait.

‘How long before it begins?’ she asked.

‘It has already, though till the Moon is high it is difficult to see the entirety. There’s a lot of patience in astronomy.’

Luna sat comfortably. The evening had darkened and there were shadows now where earlier had been trees and hills. Something rustled in the grass.

‘Did you hear that? My ears have taken over when my eyes can no longer see.’ Luna pushed herself farther onto the rug.

‘It’s only a mouse, I imagine. You get used to curious visitors in the hours of waiting.’ Nicolaus took off his cloak and wrapped it round Luna’s shoulders as he spoke. He offered her another swig of the flagon. The wine warmed her throat.

‘You told the professor you didn’t want to look at the stars. What made you change your mind?’

Luna was glad of the cover of dark. ‘Time, curiosity …’ she began, then her voice died out.

‘I’m pleased you did, whatever the reason.’

An urge to stay with him here beneath the stars took hold of Luna. She felt it dangerously strong. He didn’t move either and when she felt able, Luna flicked her eyes his way. Nicolaus was watching her too.

‘I wanted to study astronomy, back when I was still a hopeful student in Florence, but that was before everything changed.’ Her voice sounded like another’s in the dark. ‘After I heard you speak at the professor’s lecture, I went away thinking your notion that one flaw could justify reviewing the rest of Ptolemy was not unreasonable.’

She felt him shift in the grass beside her.

‘I’ve been working on my ideas, you know, even though I tell everyone I’m not.’

‘But you are telling me.’ Luna smiled even though she knew he couldn’t see her.

‘It seems easier out here and I feel comfortable talking to you.’