Day 1 in Rome: Rachel awoke early. She could hear the sounds of the early morning, of a city coming to life. There was the low rumble of delivery trucks to the many hotels and apartments in the area. There was even the distant screech of a suburban train. Rachel found if she listened very carefully she could hear the sharp sound of many starlings welcoming the morning light.

Rachel lay there luxuriating, thinking, ‘I’m on holidays! It’s so long since I’ve had a decent break....