by Helen Spring
~
With his usual dashing courtesy, Paolo arrived on the following Monday evening bearing a dozen red roses for his hostess. When Anna protested that the flowers must have cost half his wages for the week, he was unrepentant.
‘What better way to spend one’s money?’ he murmured, kissing her hand with an extravagant gesture. ‘Than to please a beautiful lady?’
‘My beautiful lady,’ Clancy reminded him. ‘Just in case you forgot,’ he added, laughing, unable to resist Paolo’s infectious smile. ‘Will you have a drink?’
‘Thank you. A little wine perhaps? Er... I wondered... is James still awake?’
‘He was a moment ago,’ Anna smiled. In the three months since he had joined the restaurant, Paolo had become James’s favourite uncle.
‘May I go up, just for a moment? I brought him this.’
Paolo took a small wooden humming top from his pocket. ‘It’s just a small one,’ he explained. ‘But it makes a grand noise as it spins, and you can keep it going for ages. I got it from the market.’
‘You spoil James,’ Anna said. ‘It’s the second door on the right.’
Paolo raced up the staircase two at a time and Clancy began to laugh again. ‘It makes you wonder who is the child out of the two of them, so it does,’ he said, pouring Paolo’s drink.
Jennie arrived at that moment, and by the time Paolo returned minutes later, she was already seated on the large sofa in the drawing room, looking very elegant in her deep blue dress. Paolo’s initial surprise at seeing her was replaced by obvious pleasure, and as usual, he soon became the life and soul of the somewhat hilarious party.
By all measures it was a very successful evening, and Anna was happy to observe Paolo’s keen interest in Jennie, when he thought she was not looking and could steal a sidelong glance. After dinner the conversation turned on many subjects, from the international situation to prospective sites for more Sullivans restaurants. By ten o’clock they were completely relaxed, and were listening to Paolo extolling the delights of Rome, when the door suddenly opened and Lottie appeared, a little flustered.
‘Mr. Sullivan... there’s a gentleman here... he insists...’ Before Lottie could finish speaking, a big heavy set man pushed his way into the room, followed by two equally large companions. He wore a grey suit and a wide brimmed Homburg hat, and as Anna stared in astonishment she noticed his heavy lidded eyes, which roved around the room in languid enquiry. Following his look, she saw an almost imperceptible smile touch his mouth as he saw Paolo.
‘Uncle!’ Paolo, white faced, had got to his feet.
‘Paolo.’ The big man’s voice was soft, with a thick accent. ‘So I find you at last...’
‘I thought you were coming next week sir...’ Paolo still looked shocked.
The big man smiled. ‘You know I do not do what others expect,’ he said, not unkindly. He looked around the room. ‘It seems I find you in good company after all,’ he said, with an air of condescension. ‘After seeing that slum you are living in I am surprised.’
Paolo remembered his manners. ‘Uncle Vittorio, may I introduce my hosts, Mr and Mrs Sullivan? They own the restaurant where I have been working. This is Miss Jennie McCormack.’
Vittorio Vetti inclined his head slightly, ignoring Clancy’s outstretched hand. ‘I see. You have been working in a restaurant? I heard miracles happened in New York, now I know it is true.’
His joke seemed to please him and he gave an expansive smile. Turning to his companions he made a dismissive gesture, and the two men left the room. Anna regained her composure. ‘Mr. Vetti, we are so pleased to meet you. Clancy, do get Mr. Vetti a drink.’
‘Glad to,’ Clancy growled, ‘If he is staying...’ He stared at Vittorio. ‘You haven’t removed your hat sir,’ he said pointedly.
For a moment Vittorio Vetti held Clancy’s look, and Anna had a sudden impression of menace. Then he smiled again, and removing his Homburg murmured, ‘My apologies ladies... I am a little tired after the journey. A whisky would be very good.’
He accepted his drink and made a few desultory remarks about his journey and the weather. Paolo seemed struck dumb for once, and the atmosphere remained tense, in sharp contrast to the relaxed intimacy of only minutes before.
Anna said, ‘I’m sure your friends would like a drink. Please ask them to join us.’
‘No Mrs. Sullivan,’ Vittorio Vetti responded in his soft musical voice. ‘That is perfectly alright, my... friends... will not wish to disturb you further.’ He seemed amused, and added quickly, ‘I came here only to find my nephew. When I went to the address he sent me I was shocked to find him staying in such a place. The landlady said he had come here, and so I followed. I was anxious to check that he was not in bad company...’
‘Uncle!’ Paolo burst out, ‘Mr and Mrs Sullivan are very respectable people and have been very kind to me...’
‘Of course! I understand that now.’ Vittorio Vetti turned to Anna. ‘Please forgive me Mrs Sullivan, but I worry about Paolo. He is a little headstrong.’
‘I know,’ Anna smiled.
‘Thank you for befriending my nephew. I will take him off your hands now.’
‘I can’t leave the restaurant until next week uncle,’ Paolo protested. In response to a look of withering coldness from his uncle he added lamely, ‘They were expecting me to work next week, I have to give notice...’
‘That’s all right Paolo,’ Anna said gently. ‘We can manage, I can take someone on easily enough.’
Vittorio Vetti gave a lofty smile. ‘I can hardly believe it. My nephew is actually needed at this restaurant?’
‘Paolo has worked very hard.’ Anna said sharply. ‘We shall miss him a great deal.’
Vittorio looked surprised, but nodded his head and finished his drink. He put down his glass and said ‘Then I’m pleased. Come along Paolo, we must leave these good people in peace.’ He nodded to Jennie and Clancy, and said quietly to Anna, ‘You have been kind to my nephew. Thank you. If you ever need anything let me know.’ He picked up his hat and left the room, and Paolo, with a hasty goodbye, followed him. In the hall Paolo turned back to Anna as Lottie went to fetch his coat. ‘Mrs Sullivan... I am sorry, but you see how my uncle is...’
‘It’s alright Paolo. Try to keep in touch with us, and with Jennie.’
His beautiful eyes blazed. ‘You think I have a chance?’
‘I think so. Yes, I think you have a chance.’
The stunning smile lit up his face, as Lottie helped him into his coat. ‘I must hurry,’ he said, ‘My uncle is waiting in the car, but... Mrs. Sullivan... Anna?’
‘Yes, Anna.’
‘Anna, I want to say thank you for... everything. Everything! I will never forget and I am always your friend. You understand? Always!’
‘Yes Paolo. Always.’
Anna watched the large car drive away, and then turned to find Jennie and Clancy in the hall.
‘It seems the party is over,’ Anna said ruefully, ‘But you don’t have to leave just yet.’
‘I must,’ said Jennie. ‘I work for this dreadful boss who will expect me to be bright and efficient tomorrow.’
Clancy went to find the chauffeur to take Jennie home, and Anna confided, ‘It’s alright Jennie. Paolo will keep in touch.’
‘I doubt it,’ Jennie responded, ‘Uncle Vittorio will never let him out of his sight. Did you ever see such a strange person? Poor Paolo!’
‘He is intimidating I agree, but Paolo will keep in touch, he told me.’
‘Did he?’ Jennie asked eagerly, ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, I’m sure,’ Anna said, as Clancy returned with the chauffeur.
As they waved the car away Clancy said, ‘I hope you aren’t encouraging anything between Jennie and Paolo.’
‘You noticed it?’
‘I’d have to be blind not to,’ Clancy retorted. ‘They were both so aware of each other, and trying to pretend they weren’t!’
‘I am encouraging it. Why d
o you think I invited them here together?’
She expected Clancy to laugh, but he turned away quickly and returned to the drawing room. He poured himself a nightcap and then said shortly, ‘It’s not a good idea, Jennie has a good position with us, and we can’t afford to lose her.’
‘I shouldn’t like to lose her certainly, but I would never stand in the way of her happiness.’
‘Happiness? You think she’d be happy with him?’
Something in Clancy’s tone alarmed Anna. ‘What is it Clancy? You like Paolo, I know you do.’
‘I don’t like his family.’
‘I admit Uncle Vittorio is a bit strange, but...’
‘Strange? Anna, that man is Mafia!’
Anna felt her blood run cold. ‘No! You must be wrong. How can you possibly know that?’
Clancy turned, and his face was tense. ‘I thought there was something odd about Uncle Vittorio even before I met him, so I did. Twice I have asked Paolo what his uncle’s business is, and twice I got fobbed off.’ He laughed bitterly. ‘I asked because I thought we might be able to help, give his uncle a start over here. What a joke! Did you see his suit? The car? That man is no ordinary immigrant, he’s rich already!’
‘But that doesn’t mean he’s a criminal. Just because he’s Italian and has money...’
‘What about his two henchmen? They were bodyguards Anna, I’m sure of it.’ Clancy downed his whisky. ‘Anyway, with luck we’ll never see Vittorio Vetti again, he won’t want to know us any more than we want to know him.’ He sighed, and put his arm round Anna. ‘I know you were fond of Paolo and I liked him too, after all the lad can’t help his family. But for Jennie’s sake, let it go darlin’.’
Anna’s face was filled with dismay. ‘I can’t believe it. You have no proof of what you say, and I think you must be wrong.’ She swallowed. ‘Nevertheless, just in case, I shall be careful.’
She stared at her husband. ‘Oh Clancy, if it’s true, what will happen?’
Clancy shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘There is one thing though... I wish I hadn’t told him to take his hat off.’
BEST FRIENDS
1915
As soon as James saw Paolo in the park he began to run. It had been almost a month since he had seen his favourite uncle, and he knew there would be a surprise. His certainty was based on the celebration of his ninth birthday the week before. Paolo never forgot.
James had enjoyed his birthday. Eight of his classmates were invited to his party, which had been great fun, but he had missed Paolo, even though there was consolation in the shape of a new bicycle from his parents.
Paolo was leaning on a parapet looking at the water. James shouted, and immediately Paolo’s handsome face broke into a big smile.
‘Hello, little brother! How you doing?’
As James dashed towards him Paolo held out his arms in the way he always did, and James, too late to stop his headlong rush, suffered the indignity of being lifted up bodily and swung around, before being returned gently to the ground.
‘Stop it Paolo,’ he said, pushing his friend away with an impatient gesture. ‘People are looking.’
‘Oh...’ Paolo pulled a face, pretending to be hurt. ‘Too grown up for a swing now are you? Too much the young gentleman for old uncle Paolo?’
James flushed. ‘That’s for babies,’ he muttered.
Paolo relented. ‘Come on, let’s go to the refreshment tent, I expect you’re hungry.’ Amusement played around his lips as he said, ‘That hasn’t changed has it?’
‘No,’ said James, and followed Paolo to the crowded tent, where they queued for sandwiches and cake to take away in paper bags for a picnic.
‘Can I have coffee?’ James asked.
‘No. Milk.’ Paolo said, handing James the paper bags to hold.
‘But I am allowed coffee now...’
Paolo looked him closely. ‘Are you? Are you sure?’
‘Well... sometimes I’m allowed. If Mama is in a good mood.’
Paolo turned back to the waitress. ‘One coffee and one milk please.’
‘Oh, Paolo!’
‘Come on, and stop complaining.’
They made their way to the edge of the lake. There were several families enjoying picnics, but as they neared a space near the trees a man stepped forward and spread a rug. Paolo nodded to him and the man returned the nod, and walked away.
‘Is that your chauffeur?’ James asked.
‘Er... yes.’
They sat down on the rug and opened the paper bags. It was a warm day and as he munched his sandwich James felt his spirits rise. It was good to be with Paolo again, even though there was no birthday present after all. Paolo spoke first.
‘I’m sorry about swinging you. I can see you are a bit old for it now you are nine. I won’t do it any more.’
James was magnanimous. ‘That’s all right,’ he said loftily. ‘I know I used to like it when I was little.’
‘Where are you supposed to be?’ Paolo asked.
‘Having afternoon tea at Jacksons with Cummings.’
‘Who is Cummings?’
‘A boy in my class. His aunt is taking him out to tea this afternoon, so I got him to tell Matron I was invited too.’
‘How did you manage that?’ Paolo said with interest.
‘Gave him my treacle pudding.’
Paolo suppressed a smile at the matter of fact tone of the nine year old. He handed James another sandwich and said seriously, ‘Well old chap, I’m glad you’re growing up so fast. I feel I can ask your advice.’
James looked startled. ‘What about?’
‘It’s... it’s a matter of the heart,’ Paolo said solemnly. Seeing the puzzlement on James’s face he added confidentially, ‘A love affair, James.’
‘A what?’ James flushed. ‘Don’t be soppy!’ He took a bite of his sandwich and said, with his mouth full, ‘You’re always soppy you are. Girls and all that stuff.’
‘I’m not soppy this time James. This is serious. I’m going to get married.’
‘Married? You? What for?’
Paolo hesitated and then replied ‘Because it’s time. When you get older it’s quite natural to get married, everybody does it. Your Mother and Father for instance, if they hadn’t got married they wouldn’t have had you, and then where should we be?’
James considered. ‘I suppose so. Does that mean you’ll have children as well? Be a Father yourself?’
‘I expect so, in time.’
‘I don’t see why you need to,’ James said truculently. He held up a chocolate clair in case Paolo wanted it. Paolo shook his head with a smile and James bit into the clair with relish. He wagged the remains of it at Paolo. ‘You’ve got me. What do you want other children for?’
Paolo looked stunned. ‘But you’re not a child, you’re like my brother, a younger brother.’
James liked that. It was true, Paolo always called him “little brother”.
‘I suppose,’ he conceded. ‘I wanted a brother but I didn’t have one.’
‘Nor me,’ said Paolo gently. ‘I had four sisters.’
‘Where are they?’ James asked. This was news, Paolo had never mentioned sisters.
‘In Italy. They are all married now, I was the youngest,’ Paolo told him. ‘They were not allowed to come to America.’
‘Oh. Well... I suppose it will be alright for you to get married. You might as well start looking, but don’t get anyone too soppy.’
Paolo laughed out loud. ‘She’s not soppy at all, James.’
‘You’ve found one already?’ A knowing look crossed the boy’s face and he crowed ‘I know who it is... I know who it is... Jennie McCormack I bet!’
‘Good guess.’ Paolo looked at him keenly. ‘How did you know?’
‘I heard Father ask Mama if Jennie was still keen on you.’
‘Did you? When was that?’
‘A few weeks ago. Mama’s birthday, when the red roses arrived, the ones you al
ways send her.’
Paolo smiled. ‘Did she like them?’
‘Yes, I think so. Father said...’ James stopped himself and flushed slightly.
‘What did he say?’ Paolo asked. ‘It’s alright James, I know he doesn’t like me.’
James hesitated and then blurted out in a rush, ‘When he saw the roses he said Wonder Boy is still around is he? And Mama said yes and it was kind you still sent her roses every birthday and Father was grumpy and said was Jennie still keen on you.’
‘Oh. What did your Mama say to that?’
‘I don’t know. She saw me and sent me out to see Lottie.’
James looked at Paolo anxiously. ‘Don’t worry Paolo,’ he consoled. ‘They are very good parents really, Father is very kind.’
‘But of course he is.’ Paolo laughed. ‘James, your parents are very good people, and I admire them both.’
‘I know, you said before. But they wouldn’t let me invite you to my party, well Father wouldn’t, and Mama does what he says.’
Paolo sighed. ‘I have explained many times that your parents and my family have different business interests. It’s only business, that’s all.’
‘I know. I think it’s soppy, business.’
‘Yes, it is. Anyway, you will all be invited to the wedding,’ Paolo said with a flourish.
‘Father too?’
‘Of course. I think he will come. He is Jennie’s employer after all.’
‘I think weddings are soppy, all that dressing up,’ said James.
‘There will be lots of good food,’ Paolo pointed out.
‘Will there? Oh look, here’s your chauffeur again.’
Paolo got to his feet and took a large parcel from the sweating man. ‘I wonder what we have here...?’
James flushed with pleasure. ‘For me?’
Paolo laughed. ‘You knew I wouldn’t forget. Open it.’
James struggled with the box and at length, with some difficulty and a little help, he extracted a large sailing boat.
‘Oh Paolo, it’s wonderful! Can we sail it now?’
‘Of course, that is why we met here.’ He looked at his watch. ‘We have an hour before I take you back to school. We must make sure you arrive at the same time as Cummings.’