Page 51 of The Dolce Vita Divas
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It really was a lovely event. The room was indeed filled with people mingling, greeting each other with kisses and exclamations of delight, making a big fuss of Ceci and remembering Ellen, funny stories, happy memories. I had known her since university, and of course people wanted to hear about her as a young woman, what had she been like. Had she always been such a wonderful cook?
My memories of Ellen were of her having a particular fondness for bacon sandwiches, not gourmet cooking or fussing about with food preparation. Back then we considered finding a clean plate in the kitchen a culinary triumph.
I was standing with a small group of people on the terrace outside the ballroom, the afternoon sunlight casting shadows, the scent from the bougainvillea wafting in the warm air.
I bet it wasn’t like this back home. I could almost visualise the rain lashing against the windows of my cottage.
‘I remember her when she came to stay with me,’ I said. ‘She was so happy with her life, so proud of Leo. I don’t think I ever knew someone so content.’
Susie nodded in agreement. ‘But no one would have called her a wonderful cook. Not then.’
A woman who had identified herself as yet another of Paulo’s cousins, and with the sort of manicure that made me suspect she never cooked or did anything difficult, leaned towards me.
‘She learned. She tried. She was wonderful. HerGnocchi alla Sorrentinawas the best I ever tasted. And she was so welcoming. No one was ever turned away, even if we called in unexpectedly. And she was so kind to the convent in Sorrento, which was a particular favourite of hers. I understand the nuns still pray for her. She is sorely missed.’
‘Andbambini a scuola– the children at the school – they loved her too,’ her companion added, placing one hand on my arm.
It came to me.
‘Interassante,’ I said.
They went off again, looking wistful, leaving Susie and me to stare at each other.
‘Do you know, I’m beginning to think we didn’t know her at all,’ Susie murmured. ‘I remember her as being friendly, but none of this saintly behaviour. Looking back, I think she was probably quite controlling. She was always telling Paulo what to do. And Raimondo said the same thing.’
Could this be true?
‘I feel very unworthy,’ I agreed. ‘What on earth are we doing here? I’m surprised I haven’t been struck by lightning.’
At that moment, Leo, Raleigh and Eric held firmly in between them came into view, all three of them looking absolutely marvellous. Leo and Eric in what looked like matching suits and ties, Raleigh swathed in a complicated pale blue silk dress and stilettos which could have come off the cover of Vogue.
I sighed. ‘I wonder how Ellen would have dealt with young Eric?’
‘She would, I am sure, have been the perfect grandmother,’ Susie said, chuckling. ‘Remind me why we liked her? She sounds like Mother Teresa crossed with Grace Kelly.’
‘I feel utterly hopeless in comparison. I bet she wouldn’t have thrown her husband’s wellingtons out into the garden when he stomped through the house with them covered in mud and grass clippings like I did.’
‘Probably not,’ Susie said.
‘Or pretended to have a sprained ankle because she didn’t want to go to visit his parents for the weekend.’
Susie laughed. ‘Did you?’
‘Twice. I said I might have shingles one year when we were first married, so we didn’t have to entertain them for Christmas. Chicken pox always goes around primary schools at that time of year, so it could have been true. I did have a sore throat. I bet Ellen wouldn’t have done a thing like that. Hang on, I can see that priest is gradually making his way down the terrace towards us. I don’t think I can talk to anyone else for a bit about Ellen’s humanitarianism and modesty. I am ashamed of myself, I’ll admit it.’
We went back into the ballroom where people were starting to take their places at the tables and found some seats near the back of the room.
No sooner had we stashed our handbags under the table and settled down for some people watching than a waiter approached us.
‘Apologies, madam,Permesso.May I show you to your proper seats?’
Obediently, I followed him, hoping that the next people to sit there didn’t mind the crumbs from our breadsticks. He led me, with many apologies, to the biggest table at the head of the room, and then he took Susie off in another direction.
‘Un posto d’onore. A place of honour for you, madam,’ he said.
‘Oh good lord,’ I muttered.
