Tears of Autumn, The by David Wiltshire Page A

but with a coat of arms and a Germanic scroll.
    ‘Is this your family crest?’
    Konrad pulled a face. ‘Yes. We can trace our ancestors back to the …’ he turned to Anna for help. ‘How do you say it?’
    ‘Twelfth century.’
    ‘Yes, twelfth century, but,’ he made a dismissive gesture, ‘in the modern Germany we tend not to worry about these things.’
    Biff gave it back. ‘All the same, it’s very nice.’
    Rosemary blew out smoke, looking around.
    ‘Is it fuller than usual or am I imagining it?’
    The long room was indeed busy with people dotted among the palms, mostly in dinner and evening dress, but there was the odd uniform, both military and carabinieri , and one officer standing nearby wore the uniform of black with silver lapel-badges of bundles of sticks wrapped around an axe – the Roman sign of authority.
    The man started to come towards them, and it suddenly dawned on Biff that it was the same chap who had been behind the reception desk, and who had taken their passports on their arrival. He reached them and nodded. ‘Good evening, Mr Banks,Mrs Banks, Oberleutnant and Frau von Riegner.’
    Konrad stood up and shook hands, so Biff got slowly to his feet and reluctantly did the same.
    As he did so Konrad said to him: ‘Allow me to present Signore Alfredo Franchetti of the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nationale .’
    Suspiciously Biff said: ‘You know each other, then?’
    Konrad grinned. ‘Oh yes, the signore welcomed us to Sorrento when we arrived. He must surely have met you, too?’
    Biff nodded. ‘Welcome? He still has our passports.’
    Franchetti waved a hand dismissively. ‘A formality I assure you – just for a few days.’ He looked at both girls. ‘May I compliment you, gentlemen: your ladies are the most beautiful here tonight. I know Il Duce would like to meet you all.’
    ‘ Il Duce ?’ Biff frowned.
    ‘Yes.’ Franchetti beamed. ‘He has been staying on Capri, resting after his successful meeting with Prime Minister Chamberlain, Daladier, and, of course, Herr Hitler.’ He bowed slightly in the direction of Konrad. ‘It is good to see the agreement they signed is already bearing fruit in your friendship here today. I1 Duce will tomorrow come here by boat before going on to Naples for a conference. We are holding a banquet in his honour.’ Franchetti grinned. ‘I would be delighted if you would all attend as my guests.’
    Biff was taken aback. To meet a world leader, even a fascist one, was something, and what with the joy at the Munich agreement … Then he remembered Abyssinia.
    But the decision was taken from him as Anna said something in German to Konrad. She looked very serious. He seemed uneasy, said something in return but Anna shook her head.
    Konrad sighed, turned to Franchetti. He spoke in English.
    ‘My dear Alfredo, I’m so sorry but we have made other arrangements. We are booked into Amalfi for the night, leave first thing after breakfast. We want so much to see the beauty of your coastline.’
    Anna joined in quickly with: ‘Our English friends are coming with us – isn’t that so?’
    It was news to Biff and Rosemary, but she recovered first.
    ‘Yes, yes of course. We have come a long way to see it.’
    Fanchetti couldn’t conceal his disappointment.
    ‘Can you not postpone?’
    Biff had cottoned on at last that Anna really didn’t want to attend, and chimed in with: ‘Impossible, I’m afraid, we can only go tomorrow.’
    ‘I see.’ Franchetti appealed once more to Konrad.
    ‘ Il Duce has brought about peace. Seeing you all together would have been a nice gesture – yes?’
    Konrad was forced to say: ‘I agree but . .’ he shrugged.
    With a bleak nod, Franchetti excused himself. When he’d gone Konrad and Anna exchanged subdued but obviously heated words in German, before Anna swung around to Rosemary.
    ‘I’m sorry, but if I hadn’t included you Franchetti would have asked you anyway and you probably would have said