So as not to die in ignorance, not to regret it for all those years to come, when her own body would begin to decline.

Just to feel on her mouth the taste …

Gently, Clotilde placed her lips on Natale’s.

For a moment, just a moment.

Then their lips parted, as if it had been agreed, as if it was agreeable.

For a moment, just a moment.

Before their fingers intermingled around the silver circle, before Clotilde’s hand gripped the back of Natale’s neck, and Natale’s hand the small of her back, before their mouths melted into one and their tongues brought back lost time, and their bodies pressed against each other as if they had always been designed to fit each other.

As if, from now on, they alone could exist.

They stayed like that for a long time, kissing, she pressing her breasts against his torso. No longer knowing what to do to hold back time. Her head resting on Natale’s shoulder, Clotilde stared at the Aryon, attached to its mooring. The fisherman’s fingers ran over her back, hasty, tireless, clumsy, like quintuplets learning to walk.

‘Let’s get her back on the water again, Natale. Let’s get on board, and come back with the dolphins, let’s shoot the sequel to the film, there were at least five Jaws movies, surely we can come up with a Big Blue 2.’

He smiled sadly.

‘It’s impossible, Clotilde.’

‘Why?’

She kissed him again, until she was breathless. She felt so alive.

‘Impossible, impossible to tell you.’

‘Why? Why did you chain up the Aryon, Natale? Why did you marry Aurélia? Why are you the one, today, who is scared of ghosts?’

‘Because I’ve seen them, it’s as simple as that, Clotilde.’

‘Damn it, Natale, ghosts don’t exist. Even at fifteen, even disguised as Lydia, I didn’t believe in them. It was all a game. Ghosts are the opposite of vampires. One kiss and they vanish.’

She kissed him again.

‘I’ve seen her, Clotilde.’

‘Who, who have you seen?’

She brought her lips close to his again, but he turned away, merely resting a hand on the small of her back to press her in towards him.

‘You’re going to think I’m crazy.’

‘Find something else, I think that already.’

‘I’m not joking. I’ve never told anyone, not even Aurélia. But it has haunted me ever since.’

‘Since when?’

‘Since 23 August 1989.’

She clung to his shoulder.

‘Tell me, Natale. Tell me.’