Lucy Gordon - Wedding in Venice

But in the same moment she knew she hadn't wanted him to do that, and the greater pain would be to leave without seeing him again.

His hand tightened over hers and he drew her into the boat. When he had seen her seated he swung away down the Grand Canal, then across the lagoon to the airport, reversing the journey of the first day.

But something was different this time. Suddenly the engine spluttered and died.

"We seem to have a problem," Riccardo said.

"I don't believe it," Justine said, jumping up and coming to stand beside him. "There's nothing wrong with that engine."

He shrugged. "Let's just say there are things I want to say before you leave. You may ignore them. You probably will. But I can't let you go without saying them."

Before he could say more, a large wave made the boat rock, knocking her off balance so that she had to cling to him. He was as steady as a rock.

"You see?" he said. "The boat lurches but we don't fall because we cling to each other."

"Pretty words, but only words," she said desperately. "You were right when you said that I don't trust love. How can you trust something that's built on such shifting foundations?"

Riccardo's answer astonished her.

"What's wrong with shifting foundations?"

She stared. "Everything's wrong with them. You can't use them to build something that will last."

"You can say that after what you saw yesterday, when we had to wade through high tide? You're wrong, and Venice is the proof that you're wrong. No city was ever built on shakier foundations than this one.

"A thousand years ago our ancestors fled into the tiny islands of the lagoon to escape the barbarians. Here they thrust wooden stakes down into the mud and built a city on top of those stakes that has been the glory of the world.

"You've heard that Venice is sinking, and yesterday you saw it for yourself. She's been sinking for centuries, but she's still here. Why? Because those of us who love her fight and struggle to keep her afloat.

"Does the lagoon flood? We'll build barriers. Does the humid air rot the pictures? We'll restore them. We never stop patching the old girl up, and she's still with us."

"But love isn't like that -"

"Love is exactly like that. People change all the time, because life alters them. The man and woman who fall in love are not the same people they will be when their first child is born, then their first grandchild.

"If the love lasts it's because they've struggled and adjusted to the endless changes. When the foundations move, they move with them, and so the love survives. It alters. After many years it looks different, but it's still there, and it's still love. Don't you see?"

"Yes," she said sadly. "I do see. And you're right."

"Well then -"

"My darling, please try to understand. I see everything you want me to see. But I can't do it."

Silence. Only the lapping of the water against the boat. His face was sadder than any human being's she had ever seen.

At last he released her and started the engine again. Soon they were skimming across the water. Gradually the airport came into sight, growing larger every moment, until he slowed and eased into the jetty.

In a few minutes she would be gone, and everything would be over. Her heart was breaking, but she had no idea how to stop what was happening.

Riccardo carried her bags from the boat to the airport buildings and piled them onto a trolley.

"I'll say goodbye now," he said briefly.

"Won't you come with me to the check-in?"

"There's no need."

"You can't wait to get away from me."

"I thought it was you going away from me."

Justine made a helpless gesture. She was beyond speech.

"Listen, amor mio," he said, taking gentle hold of her shoulders. "I thought there was still a chance for us, but there's something in you that I can't get past – fear or stubbornness, or just that you don't really love me -"

"Don't say that," she cried passionately. "You know I love you."

"But it isn't enough, is it? Too many ghosts haunt you, and I can't dispel them. I wish I could, because now I, too, have a ghost that will haunt me all my life."

"Venice is a city of ghosts," she reminded him. "You taught me that."

"Yes, but I didn't want you to be a ghost. I wanted you to be my reality. Instead, you'll be a 'might-have-been,' and that's the worst kind of ghost there is."

She nodded. She couldn't deny it. But neither could she stop what was happening. It was like being carried on by the irresistible tide that flowed through the lagoon.

"So," he went on, "I won't come any further. I won't watch you get onto the plane, and wave as it vanishes into the sky, because I couldn't bear to."

"It isn't that I don't love you," she said huskily. "Please believe me. It's just that I can't take any more risks."

"What do you mean 'any more'?" he asked with sudden anger. "You've never taken a risk in your life. Even your marriage was hedged around with safety barriers, and they were what destroyed it.

"Do you remember my saying that if you jumped into my boat a third time you'd have to marry me? Do it now. Risk it. Take that third leap, and find my arms outstretched to catch you. Because they always will be."

"I know," she choked. "But it's how I am. I can't help it."

"Then there's no hope for us?"

She shook her head.

"Goodbye, amor mio," he said softly. "I shall never forget you."

He took her face between his hands and kissed her with a tenderness that broke her heart.

"Goodbye, goodbye," he whispered.

She clung to him, wanting to prolong the moment forever, but unable to change her mind.

He walked away from her toward the jetty. She waited for him to look back, telling herself that until he did that, it wasn't over.

But he didn't look back, and she realized that he wouldn't do so. He wasn't sentimental, just a man with a powerful, loving heart that she had rejected.

She began to push the trolley toward the check-in, but every step seemed forced.

She had made her decision and must stick with it.

Even if the rest of her life was desolate. And it would be.

That wasn't a risk. It was a certainty.

"Defense is the best form of attack, but it leaves you with nothing."

"I can cope with nothing."

Not anymore.

In a few moments he would be gone forever. It only needed a little courage and a lot of faith.

"Take that third leap, and find my arms outstretched…"

She looked around wildly. It was almost too late. She began to run. Outside she could see the water and the queues waiting for motor taxis.

He was there, just getting into the motorboat, starting it up.

"Riccardo!" she screamed. "Riccardo, wait for me."

But he couldn't hear her. The noise of his engine drowned her out. She began to run, frantic as she saw the precious chance slipping away.

The boat was drawing away, but at the last moment something made him look back. Justine saw his face, alight with love and joy as he realized what she meant to do.

"Wait for me, my love. I'm coming. I'm coming!"

The onlookers parted to let her through. She sped the last few feet and took a flying leap off the jetty, soaring high into the air before falling into the arms that were outstretched to receive her forever.