Tears of Autumn, The by David Wiltshire Page B

yes.’
    Rosemary raised an eyebrow, so Anna explained.
    ‘Franchetti only wanted us there so that he could present us girls to Mussolini, who has a certain reputation with the ladies. A rather animal one. It could have got difficult – embarrassing.’
    Konrad frowned, but didn’t argue.
    ‘Really?’ Rosemary was bewildered. ‘I didn’t know that.’
    Anna snorted. ‘Oh yes. Rumour has it that he addresses the crowds from the balcony of the Pallazzo Venezia, while out of sight he is servicing Clara from behind.’
    Hearing a woman speak like that shocked Biff, but Rosemary screamed with laughter.
    Sheepishly Konrad began to smile. ‘It’s true – the rumours mean,’ he added hurriedly.
    The champagne arrived. When the glass coupes had been filled Konrad, visibly cheering up, proposed a toast.
    ‘ Il Duce .’
    Even though Konrad was winking, Biff didn’t really want torespond, and he didn’t, but he let his glass clink with the others because they were all happy again. The girls whispered and giggled as Konrad leaned forward.
    ‘Biff, I insist we stay the night in Amalfi. It would be embarrassing to be seen around here, especially in the evening. He may well have us observed.’
    Biff snorted. ‘So what?’
    Grimacing Konrad sipped his drink.
    ‘It’s perhaps easier for you. Do not forget Germany and Italy have been an axis – allies – since 1936. A report could be sent to my Admiral, noted in my records.’
    ‘Oh.’ Biff had, frankly, forgotten about Konrad the naval officer.
    Rosemary tapped the ash from her cigarette. ‘Well, I’d like to go. It sounds fun.’
    Biff stared at her, then at both grinning girls.
    He must have still looked unconvinced because Anna said: ‘There you are, Biff. My husband wants you to go, your wife wants you to go, I want you to go – so we go. Yes?’
    They all waited expectantly.
    Biff sighed. ‘So how do we make arrangements?’
    The other three cheered, causing some people to turn and look at them.
    ‘I’ll do that immediately,’ volunteered Konrad, and got up.
    He went off, easing his way through the throng.
    ‘Have you been to Amalfi before?’ Rosemary asked Anna.
    Anna shook her head. ‘No, but I’ve heard all about it from a friend. I was hoping for a day visit, but honestly, this would be better and we could have a great time.’
    They’d finished the bottle and the sommelier had directed his waiter to supply another one before Konrad came back, beaming.
    ‘Well?’ Anna was impatient to know.
    ‘All fixed.’ He sat down. ‘We are going to stay overnight at the Hotel Cappuccini Convento. It used to be a nunnery. What ismore, I have taken the liberty of booking us into an evening concert at the Villa Rufolo in Ravella, followed by dinner afterwards at the Villa Cimbrone next door.’
    ‘ Konrad ,’ snapped Anna. ‘Perhaps Biff and Rosemary won’t want to do that. You should ask first.’
    He turned to them. ‘Sorry, I hope it is all right. The concerts on the terrace at Rufolo are renowned for their setting. It’s where Wagner received inspiration for his opera Parsifal .’
    ‘That’s fine, we’d love to.’ Rosemary was excited. ‘Villa Cimbrone. I read something in the newspapers about that place, I’m sure.’
    Biff was not really listening. He liked dance music – but a concert…?
    ‘Biff?’ Konrad pressed. ‘They do short selections of Wagner – and other pieces, of course.’
    Wagner! But he saw both girls looking imploringly at him.
    ‘Well, I’ll give anything a try once.’
    ‘Wonderful.’ Anna clapped her hands in delight.
    Konrad breathed a sigh of relief. ‘You will love it, I promise. And we are very lucky. They had cancellations due to Mussolini’s visit. Mussolini’s party is coming here instead.’
    Anna took up her cigarette holder. Her voice was sarcastic. ‘Well, there you have it: good can come out of anything. What time shall we set off?’
    ‘We should go early, before the streets get crowded; they