The air was dense with cold, and it began to numb all the teeming thoughts in my head. As we rushed toward the bus, away from San Gimignano and its towers, my ears began to ache and soon all I could think of was getting inside the bus and feeling warm again. I found a seat near the back and Angelica huddled next to me, her teeth chattering. Dusk, with the sun setting over the hills, was surely the chilliest time of the day. ‘So,’ I said when the bus started up and our faces had thawed, ‘you were saying? You can’t run away now. We have an hour and a half together and we’re sharing a very small bus seat. Will you tell me what Lucrezia has to do with us and our power?’ Angelica took a deep breath. ‘Don’t you feel this cold?’ I exploded. ‘Now we’re going to talk about the weather. The things people do to change the subject!’ ‘No,’ said Angelica quietly. ‘If you listen you will see the connection. This cold, these freezing temperatures aren’t normal, Roberto.’ ‘I know,’ I said impatiently, ‘Nonna’s told me all that.
