‘Corna Fiorentine’ I said, confirming the name once again. At that Gennaro’s face lit up.
‘Well, indeed it is a small world! And of course I know the name well. It is my family’s store!’
I put a hand over my heart. ‘You’ve got to be kidding! We met your father, back in the nineteen seventies – seventy-two to be exact. Giovanni.’
Gennaro crossed himself. ‘Sadly, my father is with the angels now. My older brother runs the store.’
‘Lupo!’ I exclaimed. ‘We met him when we were there. He was this big.’ I placed a hand up to my hip indicating that the Lupo I had known had been just a child.
Gennaro laughed. ‘Indeed, this is a wonderful coincidence. Just goes to show you how fate works in strange ways. What are the chances that I buy a piece of work from a man whose parents met my father forty years ago? I say it all the time, all of us, we are all connected to each other. I believe there is a saying, about this. What is it now? “Seven degrees of separation”?’
‘Six,’ I said and then, remembering something, I started to pull back my sleeve to show him my charm bracelet, and the Italiancornohis father had crafted, but at that moment a young woman walked up and pulled on Gennaro’s elbow.
‘Excuse me, Gennaro, you are needed.’
He held up a finger to her. ‘One moment Sofia.’ He turned back to us with a smile. ‘I’m sorry, you will have to excuse me. How do you say, “hold that thought”, I shall return.’ And he quickly walked off.
I dropped my arm back to my side. ‘I’ll show him later.’ I looked at Jeff and smiled. ‘It’s amazing how things work, isn’t it?’
‘Speaking of charms, Mom,’ Greg said quietly. ‘I have something for you.’ He pulled a small pouch out of his pocket and handed it to me. ‘Something to mark this evening.’
I took the little cloth bag from his hand and opened it, looking inside. ‘Oh goodness. Look at this!’ I dropped the contents into my extended palm and admired the gift. It was a tiny horseshoe. I picked it up and examined it closely, noticing a small engraving on the rear.
Greg smiled. ‘I had today’s date, six eighteen, engraved on it, and the rest relates to this address.. As for the horseshoe … well, I guess that if it weren’t for luck, I might not be here tonight.’
I smiled, my heart filling with love and pride for my beloved son. ‘Yes, part may be down to luck, but there is true talent there, too.’ I smiled fondly at what would become the newest addition to my bracelet. ‘But Greg, this is your night, not mine.’
‘Perhaps, but I know I wouldn’t have had this night if you hadn’t encouraged me, if you hadn’t believed in me. If you hadn’t insisted that I follow my dreams, I don’t know if I would have ever discovered how much I enjoy being behind the camera. Besides, so much of my life is already outlined on that bracelet.’
At that comment I saw Karen subtly look away, sipping her champagne and glancing elsewhere, as if she paid no heed to the exchange. I knew her opinion on Greg’s photography though.
I reached forward and hugged my son, touched by the gesture. ‘I will always believe in you Greg. Always. No matter what. Give your full heart to whatever you do. It will ensure that you are always rich in happiness. If you have that, then you will always be exactly where you are supposed to be in life.’
44
First thing the following morning, when she was sure Danny was still asleep, Holly slipped out of the room and dialled Eileen’s number. Her mother picked up on the first ring.
‘What's the matter pet?’ she asked without saying hello.
‘How did you … ?
Then, shaking her head, she outlined what had happened to Danny. Once she’d reassured Eileen that her grandson was OK and should be home soon, she got to the real purpose of her call, the sudden reappearance of his father.
At the end of her tale there was a brief silence.
‘OK, so, Nick’s back,’ Eileen said eventually. ‘That has to be good for Danny, doesn’t it?’
Holly took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know, it's just more—’
‘More of what?’ Eileen interrupted softly, ‘more of life? Yes, it’s hard, and I know it's been tough for you, but some things you just have to let go of. For your own good, and for Danny’s. He needs his dad, irrespective of what you think about him. If Nick wants to see him, let him.’
Holly stared at the receiver. She thought her mom hated Nick, but now it sounded like she’d forgotten all he’d put them through.
‘Oh Holly, I was the happiest woman in the world when you left him, but I can’t pretend he’s not Danny’s father, and neither can Danny … Just try and let it go.’
‘Let it go?’
‘Yes honey, let it go. Your whole life is ahead of you, so why wallow?’
