He really shouldn't be allowed to look so adorable, Pippa shook her head as she took Rory's arm and led him back down the stairs and out of Alessandro's home. The maestro's own vessel was tied up in front of the residence meaning the pair had a short walk along the canal until they came to an obviously much newer boat. The small sports craft was covered by a blue canvas tarp that hid its interior from view and the parallel docking along the canal obscured the boat's name.

"It's covered because I am a slob and lazy." She's explaining this as she drops her bag to the paved walkway and leaning over to undo the tarp, peeling it back and folding it in the process. Her idea of slovenly differs from most; resting on the leather passenger seat is a box filled with empty bottles (to be returned to a friend's vineyard), a change of clothes next to it and several pairs of heels on the deck (discarded because walking home barefoot was preferable when drunk).

Pippa climbed into the boat to finish dealing with the tarp and stowing it. Looking up at him, she held out her hands for their bags. "Untie that before you get in, please?" She pointed to the length of rope securing the boat.