Legacy of Sorrows (37 page)

She knocked on the ward door and went in.

Marco's face lit up when he saw her. ‘You look so beautiful I could cry,' said Marco as he held her close to him. ‘Just be careful of my makeup,' she said, pulling back slightly. ‘Let me look at you Cavaliere Corti.'

Marco stood back and bowed for effect. ‘I've never seen anyone close up in tails before', said Anna smiling. ‘You just look so handsome. Let me see you with the top hat on.' Marco put on the top hat self-consciously and posed a little more.

‘I think we should leave now,' said Anna, ‘before I voice my wicked thoughts.' They both laughed and made for the door. The band was playing the Italian National Anthem and the watching public were standing out of respect for it. When they finished playing and the people sat down, the Italian President walked onto the podium. He took out his notes and began to speak: ‘Dear friends, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen. We have come to this place, in the beautiful city of Lucca, to pay homage to a very brave man who by his actions has enriched the Italian nation. By these actions, with disregard for his own life when he was wounded, he recovered valuable documents that shed light on a period of history when the world went mad. These documents are now being examined by academics from around the world and once their studies have been completed they will, on rotation, be displayed in museums throughout Italy. Today, I am pleased to announce that the Italian State is honouring this brave man with the Cavaliere Della Merita and I ask him to come forward to receive it.'

Marco stepped onto the platform to the sound of thunderous applause. He walked up to the President and stood to attention before him. The President opened the decoration's clasp and pinned it on Marco's jacket lapel, to yet more applause. The President kissed Marco on both cheeks, shook his hand and led him to the microphone.

Marco looked out at the crowd, paused for a moment, looked directly at the TV cameras then said. ‘Your Excellency, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen and last but not least, my parents. I am honoured and delighted to be awarded this prestigious decoration, for myself and for my parents Elizabeth and Angelo. I thank you all for coming here to join me in this celebration and I thank the President for taking time out from his busy schedule to present me with it. Thank you all.'

The audience applauded and cried out bravo, bravo. He signalled for them to stop and sombrely said into the microphone. ‘One last thing before I go. I would like to ask my girlfriend Anna Bastiani, the most beautiful girl in the world, in front of the TV cameras, to do me the honour of being my wife. I love you very much and I want to marry you very very soon. Please say yes.'

The crowd went wild, as only an Italian crowd could do. Even the President was applauding. They began to chant Anna, Anna, Anna. Anna, who was sitting near the front with Marco's parents, was stunned. Eventually she came out of her daze and stood up, smoothed her suit and ran towards the platform She couldn't get up beside Marco as her skirt, was too tight until Enzo and Angelo came to her rescue and lifted her up between them. She stood facing Marco with her eyes sparkling with joy and kissed him fully on the lips. After what seemed an eternity, she tore herself away from him, reached for the microphone and shouted ‘yes, yes, yes,' into it. They embraced and kissed again, then waved to the applauding crowd. Marco then went down on one knee and opened the ring box he held in his hand. He took the ring out and put it on Anna's finger. Anna cried with delight, and with unrestrained joy danced a little jig on the platform.

Chapter 17

T
he
wedding ceremony took place in Lucca at the church of San Michele in Foro in the main square with all Marco's and Anna's friends and family present. Anna had asked Enzo to give her away and her Aunt Rina was delighted to be her Matron of Honour. Anna wondered if Enzo could last the whole mass without a cigarette.

Marco had been in contact with his old army friend, Dusty Miller and he was over the moon to be asked to be his best man. Dusty was now a car salesman in Manchester, still single, and looking forward to catching up with his old buddy again.

The reception after the nuptial mass was held in Il Bugno, a restaurant in Fornaci di Barga, a village not far from Angelo's birthplace of Coreglia. Il Bugno, which means beehive, was a large restaurant set in the Tuscan hills of la Garfagnana, (the great woodland) with lots of room for dancing. Just perfect for a wedding celebration.

Angelo stood up after the meal to say a few words,' it is with great joy in our hearts that Elizabeth and I welcome Anna into our family. She is a special girl and we love her as a daughter. I hope that she and Marco will be as happy in their life together as Elizabeth and I have been in ours. So raise your glasses in the time honoured way and say together
Cent Anni, Cent Anni
.'

The guests responded by tapping their wine glasses with a spoon, along with the cry of
a Hundred years a hundred years
, echoing round the room.

After the toast, a small rotund figure slipped out of the restaurant and stood in the restaurant car park with an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips. The metallic click of a Zippo lighter could be clearly heard as a small flame lit up his moustached face.

Chapter 18

1
4th
September 1998
     It was Angelo's tenth birthday and he was enjoying the moment as all small boys do. His mother and father had taken him on holiday to Italy and they were now standing in front of a glass display case in the Lucca museum. ‘Is that one of the letters you saved from the Red Brigades dad?' the small boy asked, with the direct innocence that most children have. Marco answered him, ‘yes there were quite a few letters son. The rest are being shown in museums throughout Italy.' Angelo looked at his dad with doubt written on his face, ‘did you and mum really fight them before I was born dad?' Marco looked at his son and ruffled his hair as he said, ‘Yes Angelo, we did. And I don't know anyone who could fight with your mum and win.'

‘Can we go for ice cream now mum?' Anna answered, ‘Ok, but I'm sure it won't be as good as the ice cream we make at home in Scotland.'

‘When are we going home mum?' Asked Angelo.

‘Tomorrow son, tomorrow we fly home to Scotland.'