Chapter 7 Fiona

Fiona worked in the coffee shop of the city hospital. She was always bright and cheerful. Her customers needed that. Some of them were ill, some were suffering from shock. Fiona had never been very confident about meeting men. At the age of twenty, she felt that she just wasn't good at it. Her friends, Grania and Brigid Dunne only had to go outside and they met men. Sometimes she looked at herself in the mirror. She was perhaps a little too small, and of course she had to wear glasses. But Grania and Brigid had both said she looked great and had a good figure. Were they being honest? It was so hard to know.

And then she met Barry Healy. He was young, dark, quite attractive and worked in a supermarket. Fiona liked him at once. He was visiting his mother in hospital but he didn't tell Fiona why she was there, and Fiona didn't ask.

They went to the cinema together, but it wasn't a great success. Fiona couldn't decide which film to see, which food to eat afterwards or what to say next. Barry chose everything for her. He seemed to realize quickly that he would have to make all the decisions.

It was because of her parents, of course. They were nice kind people but they had nothing to say to anyone. And now she herself had no opinions, no ideas. How did Grania and Brigid become so confident? Grania had even told her father that she was going to marry his boss. Her father had been so angry that she'd had to leave the house and stay with a friend. She must be brave, Fiona thought.

She was surprised when Barry told her that he was learning Italian up at Mountainview school.

'Oh, my best friends father is a teacher there,' Fiona said. Barry said he'd been to Italy for the World Cup, and hoped to go back there one day.

Fiona wanted to ask him about his mother but she decided not to. It might be too private.

He drove her home on his motorcycle.

'Good night, Fiona. Thank you for not asking about my mother. I didn't want to talk about it. I'll see you ... perhaps in the hospital?'

'Yes, yes, if you're passing.' 'I'll pass every day.'

•

Barry took Fiona to a football match. There they met a dark man called Luigi. Luigi was very pleased to see Barry and they both started speaking in Italian and laughing a lot. And after the match they went to have a drink with Luigi and his girlfriend, Suzi. Suzi was beautiful, with long red hair. The men started talking about their class trip to Italy.

'Are you going to Rome?' Suzi asked Fiona.

'I'm not sure. I don't really know Barry very well yet. But if things go well, I might be able to go.'

'Start saving. It'll be great fun. Lou and I are getting married just before we go. The only problem is that the whole class will be on the trip too.'

'Well it might be easier to entertain him during the day, then.'

'Entertain him? I was expecting him to entertain me!'

Fiona was sorry she'd spoken. Of course someone like Suzi thought that way. Fiona looked at her with admiration. 'How did you become so ... you know, sure of things?' she asked. 'Was it just because you're so attractive?'

Suzi looked at her. This girl wasn't joking. 'I have no idea what I look like,' she said honestly. 'Some people like the way I look, others don't. I can't please everyone, so I decided to please myself.'

Barry had enjoyed the evening. He drove Fiona home on his motorcycle.

'Next time we'll do something that you choose,' he said. 'I'll see you tomorrow because I'm taking my mother home, but then it may be a few days until we can go out again ... when she's all right alone. Please don't think that I'm seeing anyone else ...,' he said anxiously.

Fiona realized that he really did like her. 'Oh, no, I understand.' And her smile lit up her whole face.

•

The time seemed very long, although it was only a week. Then Barry came to see her again.

'Is everything all right at home?'

'No, not really.' And now Barry told her about his mother's illness. There was some problem between her and Barry's father. His father didn't stay at home much and his mother had become really ill worrying about it. She didn't have any interest in anything. She even refused to cook or eat. Her hospital stay had not helped much.

'I don't know what to do. But have you decided what you'd like to do when we go out?'

And suddenly Fiona did decide. 'I'd like to come and have supper at your house.'

'No, that wouldn't be a good idea, Fiona, not yet.'

'But your mother would have to make an effort if you were bringing me to supper. And I'd be cheerful too.'

'Well, you may be right ... ' They fixed the date.

•

'I can't cook anything,' Barry's mother, Nessa, said.

'Of course you can, you're a great cook,' said Barry.

'Your father doesn't think so,' she said. Barry felt sad. Why couldn't his father Just tell" his wife that he loved her? After all, he was old now, nearly fifty.

'Well, all right. Mum, I'll try to cook something myself. We'll tell her you made it.'

'I'll do it,' said his mother. 'You couldn't feed the cat.'

And the evening went very well. Fiona bought Nessa Healy a box of chocolates and told her how nice she looked. And it was true, Barry hadn't seen his mother so full of life for weeks. The two of them talked together easily, and his mother began to relax.

At supper Fiona ate everything and said she'd love to be able to cook so well. And then she had a thought.

'That's what I could do,' she cried. 'Go to a cookery class. Barry was asking what I'd like to learn. But it wouldn't be easy finding a class in the middle of the term. Listen - no, but you ...' she looked at Barry's mother. 'What is it?'

'It wouldn't be possible, would it, for you to show me, Mrs Healy? On Tuesday and Thursday when Barry's at his evening class?'

The older woman was silent for a moment. “Then I'd be very pleased to teach you to cook, Fiona,' she said. 'We'll start next Tuesday with bread and cakes.'

•

Grania had been home to see her father. It was the first time since she'd told him about her and Tony.

Her father took her into his study, and she stopped in surprise. The evening sun was coming through the window, shining on the yellow and gold colours all around the window seat. There were beautiful purple and gold curtains, and shelves of books. Light poured down on to his desk.

'Dad, it's beautiful! Dad ...'

It was hard to say which of them moved first towards the other. Aidan put his arms around his daughter. There was no need for words.

•

The cookery classes were a great success. Sometimes Barry's father, Dan, was there. Tall and dark, he looked a lot younger than his wife. He worked for a big farm, delivering to restaurants and hotels around the city. He was pleasant, but he seemed like someone who was passing through. He "didn't seem to live there.

Mrs Healy was sure that Dan was meeting another woman. 'He works twenty-eight hours a week but he's out of here nearly twice as much,' she said.

'And who do you think she is?' Fiona asked quietly.

'I don't know but I'll find out,' said Nessa.

Fiona found it very upsetting to listen to her. But Fiona's company certainly seemed to help Mrs Healy. She had her hair coloured and cut short. She put on more attractive clothes. She looked fifty instead of seventy-five.

But nothing prepared Fiona for Mrs Healy's news. They were making a fruit cake.

'I've discovered who she is.'

'Who?'

'The woman, Dan's woman.'

'And who is she?' Fiona was anxious.

'She works in one of the best restaurants in Dublin. Quentin's. I followed him in a taxi on Wednesday evening when he went out in his van. We waited outside Quentin's and a woman came out. He called to her from his van. Her name's Nell.'

For a few minutes Fiona couldn't speak. What could she say? Brigid and Grania s mother, Nell Dunne, worked at the cash desk in Quentin's. This was very complicated.

•

The Italian class was having a big party to get some money for the class trip, the viaggio as they called it, in the summer. Each pupil was expected to invite five other people who would pay five pounds each for the party. They had already booked the hotel in Rome. Barry had not yet asked Fiona to come on the trip, but Fiona hoped he would.

'Will Mr and Mrs Dunne be at the party?' Fiona asked.

'Oh, I'm sure they will.'

'And your father is coming?'

'Yes, he told me that he would,' said Barry happily.

Fiona began to think. With Mr and Mrs Dunne, and Mr and Mrs Healy all at the party, anything could happen. What should she do?

• Grania and Brigid were getting dressed for the party.

'I hope it goes well, for Dad,' said Grania. She was grateful to her father. He had walked into Tony's office, after months of not speaking to him, and offered him his hand. Tony had nearly fallen off his chair with the shock.

'Hey, Mum, hurry up. We're going in a few minutes,' Grania said.

'I'm ready.'

They looked at their mother. She had made no effort; her hair was not even combed. Nell Dunne didn't really want to go. It would be boring, she thought, like everything in that school. Still, Dan wasn't free. He had to go somewhere with his son, he said.

•

This was Nessa Healy's first evening out since she had been in hospital. She hadn't looked so well in years. There was no doubt that Fiona had been very good for her.

His father looked worried. 'What kind of people will be there?”

'All the people who go to the class, Dad. It'll be great.'

'And Fiona s meeting us there?' Mrs Healy wanted the support of this cheerful young girl that she had become so fond of. Fiona had made her promise not to say anything about Nell, just for one week. And Nessa Healy had agreed.

'Yes, we'll see her there,' said Barry. 'Are we ready?'

•

Signora stood in the hall, tall and confident in a new dress, so unlike the shy woman who had come to Ireland a year ago. There were pictures all over the walls and bright coloured lights. A band was playing Italian music.

Aidan Dunne came in. 'I'll never be able to thank you enough,' he said.

'It is I who have to thank you, Aidan.'

Together they greeted everyone: Constanza with her children and their friends, Laddy with Gus and Maggie. Fiona saw Grania and Brigid come in with their mother. She was shocked. Mrs Dunne looked terrible. Good, thought Fiona. She knew that tonight she was going to tell some lies which would change people's lives. She, Fiona, the mouse. She had managed to get Nessa here, dressed up for this party. She must finish what she had begun.

The party was going well. People were drinking and dancing already. Fiona went to Nell Dunne, who was standing on her own.

'Do you remember me, Mrs Dunne?'

'Oh, Fiona?'

'Yes. I've just come to tell you something about Dan, the man over there.'

'WHAT?' Nell looked to where Fiona was pointing.

'You know, he's got so many women friends. You're probably Wednesday's woman, aren't you?'

Nell looked at the well-dressed woman laughing easily with Dan. This couldn't be the dull wife he had spoken of. 'Why are you telling me this?' she asked Fiona.

'Well, he delivers flowers to where I work, you see, and he's always talking about his women. When I realised one of them was Grania and Brigid's mum, I felt a bit sick.'

'I don't believe you. You're crazy,' Mrs Dunne said.

Later, Fiona pulled Luigi off the dance floor. 'Could you do one thing for me without asking any questions?' she said.

'That's me,' Luigi said.

'Go over to that man and tell him to leave his Wednesday night lady alone if he knows what's good for him.'

'Are you sure he won't hit me?'

'No, he won't. And Luigi ... could you pretend to be angry and dangerous?'

'I'll try,' said Luigi, who seemed to think it might be difficult.

Nell Dunne was going towards Dan. He was talking to a young, dark man with a very angry expression. Just before Nell reached him, Dan looked up and saw her. He looked at Luigi, took his wife's arm and began to dance.

The band was playing loudly. Fiona saw Nell Dunne get her coat and leave the room. Then Barry came and asked her to dance. He held her very tight. They passed Aidan, talking to Signora, and Barry's father, clearly enjoying his wife's company. There was Grania, holding Tony's arm. Fiona had been invited to their wedding. And Barry had just asked her if she would come on the viaggio with him.

Chapter 8 Viaggio

Grania sat with her father in his study the night before the viaggio. He had all his maps and guidebooks in front of him. 'Are you nervous about this trip?' 'A little. We want it to be as good as we all hope.' They did not talk about the fact that Nell was not going. She had told her daughter that she had not been invited.

•

Signora arrived first at the airport. There were forty-two people coming on the trip, including Aidan and herself. Slowly the others began to arrive. Aidan had divided them into four groups of ten with a leader in each. When they arrived or left anywhere, the leader had to report that all were there. Everyone seemed quite happy about this.

'Imagine, Lou is a leader!' Suzi said to Signora.

'Well, he's a responsible married man now,' said Signora.

On the plane the announcements were made in English and Italian. They were pleased to hear the words and phrases that they had learnt. Aidan s eyes met Signora's. It was really happening. They were going to Rome. Signora was sitting beside Laddy. Everything was new to him. But he was especially excited because he thought he was going to see his Italian friends, the Garaldis.

'Will they be at the airport?' he asked Signora. 'No, Lorenzo, but I've written to them. They know we're coming.'

Signora hoped the Garaldis would remember Lorenzo. She was worried because she had received no reply.

•

The bus dropped them at the Albergo Francobollo. 'The Stamp Hotel; Bill translated for them, with a smile. He was happy Back in Ireland, he had said to Lizzie that Luigi was getting married, Mr Dunne's daughter was getting married ... 'I think we should get married soon, don't you?' And she had said, 'Perche non?' ... 'Why not?' with a big smile.

The Albergo Francobollo was not one of the best hotels in Rome but it gave them a big welcome. Signor and Signora Buona Sera were full of admiration for their Italian.

Connie was sharing a room with Signora. She hung her clothes up carefully on her side of the cupboard. It was years since she had stayed in a hotel room without its own bathroom. But she did not feel better than these people because she had more money. She just wanted to enjoy the plans that Signora and Aidan Dunne had made for them. Like every other member of the evening class, she felt that the relationship between Aidan and Signora was more than just a professional one. Nobody had been surprised when Aidan's wife had not joined the group.

•

The bus trip would give them the feel of Rome, Signora said. Then they could all go back where they wanted and visit the places again. They would have a sandwich, and that evening there would be a big dinner in a restaurant near the hotel.

And when they came back, very tired from the trip, everyone had two hours' rest before dinner. Signora walked round to the restaurant to check the menu.

On the door she saw a sign: CLOSED, death in the family. Signora had no time to think of the unfortunate family. She hurried up and down the streets, looking for another restaurant. At last she found a place with the name Catania. It must be Sicilian, which might be lucky. Would they be able to serve a big, cheap meal to the class in an hour?

'Good evening,' she said.

The young man with dark hair looked up. 'Signora?' he said. Then he looked at her again. 'Signora? Is it possible?' And he came

towards her, reaching out his hands. It was Alfredo, the oldest son of Mario and Gabriella.

Signora sat down suddenly. 'Alfredo, is this your restaurant?'

'No, no, Signora, I work here ... to make money.'

'But your own hotel. Your mother's hotel. Why do you not work there?'

'My mother is dead, Signora. She became ill a month after my father was killed. My mother's brothers are managing the hotel. There is nothing for me to do there.'

'I'm so sorry,' Signora said. 'I can't tell you how sorry I am.' And suddenly it was all too much for her and she cried and cried with Mario's son beside her.

•

The leaders were counting the heads to go to dinner. Everyone was there except for Laddy and Signora.

At that moment Signora arrived, looking a little pale, with the news that the restaurant had been changed but the price was the same. Aidan said that he would find Laddy; he would take the address of the restaurant and join them later.

Signora looked at him anxiously. 'I think I should go,' she said. 'Perhaps he's gone to find the Garaldis. He knew their address and there's nowhere else for him to go.'

'My God,' said Aidan,' I left him alone for twenty minutes and this is what happens. We'll both go.'

First they took the others to the restaurant. Then they got a taxi and arrived at the Garaldis' house. On the way Signora had told Aidan about her meeting with Alfredo. Aidan felt a little surprised at this new information about Signora's Sicilian past, but he was even more surprised when he saw the Garaldis' big, beautiful house. These were very rich people. Had Laddy really gone in here?

They were shown into a hall where they found Laddy. Laddy had suddenly forgotten all his Italian, and the Garaldis didn't understand who he was or what he wanted. Laddy s worried face lit up when he saw Signora and Aidan. Signora explained clearly and calmly who they all were and how Laddy had really believed that they expected him to visit them in Italy. She said that they would go now but that perhaps Signer Garaldi and his family would show Laddy that they remembered his kindness and honesty when he had returned their money to them. She asked them if they had not received her letter.

Signor Garaldi looked ashamed. He said that he received so many letters and he had thought that Signora's letter was just another one asking for money. He hadn't read it very well. Then he went up to Laddy, kissed him on both cheeks and said, 'Lorenzo, my friend.'

Laddy never stayed upset for long. 'Signor Garaldi,' he said and held him by the shoulders, 'my friend.'

There were more explanations and then wine was brought and little Italian cakes. When Signora said that they really must go, Signor Garaldi invited them all to come back for a drink and a celebration on the Thursday.

'There are forty-two of us,' Signora said.

'This house was built for celebrations like that.'

At the Catania everyone was singing a song. The waiters stood in an admiring group and then Alfredo said there was a surprise for them: a cake in the Irish colours.

'I can't thank you enough, Alfredo,' said Signora, 'for making the evening so special.'

'You can, Signora. Can you talk to me tomorrow?'

'Not tomorrow, Alfredo. Signor Dunne is giving a talk about Rome.'

'You can hear Signor Dunne any time. I have only a few days to talk to you. Please, Signora.'

'Perhaps he'll understand.' She looked over at Aidan. This talk was very important to him. But Alfredo looked very anxious. He clearly had something to tell her.

And Aidan was very upset. He had been preparing the talk for weeks. But Connie promised to record it for Signora, so she could listen to it later.

'Alfredo, I hope this is important,' said Signora.

He made her a big cup of coffee and sat down beside her. 'Signora, I have to ask you to do something for me.'

Signora thought he was going to ask her for money. He could not know that she had nothing. 'There's a lot you do not know,' she began.

'I know everything, Signora. I know that my father loved you and you loved him. That you sat in that window sewing while we all grew up. I know that you behaved so well that you left when my mother asked you to.'

'You know all this?' her voice was a whisper.

'Yes, we all knew. And we were all so sad when you went away.'

'You were? Really?'

'We wanted to find you when my mother died. But we didn't even know your real name. And now God sends you into this restaurant. And now I can ask you. We want you to come home, Signora, where you belong.'

•

They all loved Aidan's talk. And when it was finished, he answered all their questions. Afterwards they separated to eat their sandwiches. Aidan had told everyone the way back to the hotel. Then he just went to sit on a wall, sad that Signora had not come.

Aidan tried to think about all the good things that had come out of this year. He had shared his love of Italy with all these people. The classes, his talk, the whole trip had all been a great success. But it had really all happened because of Signora. And now she was back in Italy, and its magic was too strong for her. What business could she have with a waiter from Italy, even if she had known him as a child?

Fiona walked happily back to the hotel. She'd just left Barry in a very noisy bar where they were watching a football match on television. The conversation had been about the World Cup that Barry had been to in Italy. Fiona was glad that he was enjoying himself, and she had left him alone.

Passing a bar, she saw Mr Dunne, sitting on his own. His face was sad. Fiona looked at him. She knew so much. The relationship between his wife, Nell, and Barry's father was finished now, but she knew, like everyone on the viaggio, that he was in love with Signora. And she was not the old, shy Fiona now. She took a deep breath and went in.

'Mr Dunne, could I speak to you about something?'

'Of course you can, Fiona.'

'Mr Dunne, its about Mrs Dunne. You see, she's been friendly, a bit too friendly actually with Barry's father. Barry's mother got very upset about it.'

'What?' Aidan looked completely shocked.

'It's finished now. It ended on the night of the party. If you remember, Mrs Dunne went home in a hurry.'

'Fiona, none of this is true.'

'It is actually. But you mustn't tell anyone. Because Barry doesn't know. And Grania and Brigid don't know. We don't want to get everyone upset about it.'

'So why are you telling me, if no one must know?'

'Because ... I want you and Signora to be happy.'

'You're a very special girl,' Aidan said.

•

'How was your meeting yesterday?' Aidan asked Signora the next day.

'It was interesting. Oh, and I've heard your talk. It was so good, Aidan, they all loved it.'

'I'd give you a repeat, you know that.' He was reaching for her hand but she pulled away.

'No, Aidan, please don't. You mustn't make me think ... well, that you care about me and my future. You live with your wife and children. I've got a decision to make now.'

'They want you to go back to Sicily, don't they?'

'Yes, they do.'

'But if you go away and live in Sicily, then ...'

'Then what?' her voice was gentle.

'Then my whole reason for living will go away too,' he said and his eyes filled with tears.

•

The forty-two guests arrived at the Garaldis' house at five o'clock on Thursday in their best clothes.

'This is the kind of life I was born for,' Lizzie said as she walked slowly up the steps.

The Garaldis were all there and they had invited a photographer. All the guests had their photograph taken. There was wine, beer and little cakes.

At the end of the evening. Signor Garaldi gave a warm speech. He said that they had been made so welcome in Ireland, and today people had come to their house as strangers and would leave as friends.

At eleven o'clock the evening class from Mountainview were out on the streets of Rome again. Nobody felt like going home. Aidan and Signora walked hand in hand, and Signora told him all about Mario and Gabriella and her life in Annunziata. Aidan told her about Nell and how their marriage had ended now. Signora decided what she would say to Alfredo.

•

The days passed quickly in Rome, and then they were catching the train to Florence. Next year's viaggio, Signora said, would be to Sicily. She and Aidan Dunne had promised Alfredo.

They sat away from the others on the train, Aidan Dunne and Signora in a world of their own.

'We'll have to live in a small flat,' he said. 'We won't have much money.'

'I've never had any money,' Signora said honestly. 'I love you, Aidan.'

And for some reason, just at that moment, the others were all quiet, so everyone heard. And the other passengers on the train never understood why forty Irish people suddenly began shouting and singing a variety of songs in English and Italian. Or why so many of them were brushing tears away from their eyes.