The city looked different when you entered it slowly. I had been to Milan before, but always in the blur of shows and deadlines, always rushing from one venue to another, barely noticing the streets between. This time I stepped out of the car at my own pace, carrying nothing more than a small suitcase and the sketchbook I had brought from Kyoto.

The air was warm but not heavy, the late afternoon light casting soft gold against the pale stone of the buildings. Julian walked beside me, our driver ...