future.
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Settling into
his seat, Luca took one last look at Milan Central Station as the
train pulled out into the daylight. The station itself was exactly
as he remembered; a foreboding, solid white entrance leading
through to a welcoming and immaculately designed arched
station.
Letting out a
lengthy sigh, Luca's mind ran through the chaos that had been his
morning. If he'd believed in destiny, he'd likely accept that the
universe was working to have him avoid this leg of the trip. Every
step he'd taken all day had been the wrong one; sleeping through an
alarm clock for the first time in his life, the disastrous taxi
trip to the station complete with a flat tyre and every red light
imaginable, then to be greeted with a ten-deep queue for tickets
and only minutes to spare before his train left.
His anxiety had
been rising steadily since arriving in Italy; now with the train
heading north to the sleepy village of Sondrio, there was no
backing out. By the end of the day, Luca would meet his father for
the first time since fleeing Italy with his mother and brothers as
a child.
Trying
desperately to dismiss his fears and nerves, Luca focused instead
on the passing scenery. Slowing to a stop as they pulled into Lecco
station, the breathtaking curve of Lake Como appeared. The lakeside
town housed dated almost dilapidated homes which set against the
pristine waters of the lake offered an intriguing contrast. As the
train slowly picked up speed, Luca's thoughts drifted again to his
father; his doubt about meeting the man gaining as much momentum as
the speeding train. It's not too late to bail; Luca thought to
himself not for the first time since announcing his plans to
Imogen.
Reaching for
his pocket, Luca felt for the ring box and found it safely in
place. Since buying the engagement ring his thoughts had been
dominated by when and where he'd propose; the thought of making
Imogen his wife bringing a smile to Luca's weary face every
time.
Looking up,
Luca realized the train was pulling in to stop at Colico station,
the last of the Como stops before turning and heading east toward
Sondrio. Colico itself was breathtaking; the Italian Alps standing
at attention fiercely in the background with the sparkling waters
of the lake sitting calmly before them. From here, the Alps would
guide them imposingly the entire way to Sondrio, a realization that
filled Luca with both strength and fear.
Stepping off
the train in Sondrio had offered a harsh reality; easily forty
degrees Celsius, no breeze and a breathtaking dry heat that
instantly transported Luca to his childhood. He was home; the
brutal heat reiterated that without compromise.
From here, Luca
needed to travel to Arquino, the closest village to his father's
home; a twenty five minute drive from central Sondrio and a
relatively isolated location. Imogen had been particularly
concerned about this leg of the trip and had suggested Luca hire a
car to give him more flexibility whilst visiting his father. Luca
had dismissed her research of the local car hire company and
assured her he'd be fine catching a taxi to his father's home.
However
standing in the vaguely familiar surrounds of Sondrio, memories
that Luca had long buried began to surface. Like a show-reel
playing through his mind, Luca began to see and hear the shouts and
screams of his mother telling them to hide, the dull thump of his
father's fist as he forced his way from room to room, person to
person annihilating the house and everyone in it. Memories Luca had
so carefully locked away unraveling before him, sucking the air
from his lungs as certainly as the heat did.
"Signore,
volete un taxi?" Sir, do you want a taxi? came the shout
from across the road.
"Si" Luca
called in reply, loading his backpack into the vehicle before
passing the driver Imogen's handwritten note detailing the address
of the car hire business.
Driving in
silence, Luca worked to steady his breathing and
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Settling into
his seat, Luca took one last look at Milan Central Station as the
train pulled out into the daylight. The station itself was exactly
as he remembered; a foreboding, solid white entrance leading
through to a welcoming and immaculately designed arched
station.
Letting out a
lengthy sigh, Luca's mind ran through the chaos that had been his
morning. If he'd believed in destiny, he'd likely accept that the
universe was working to have him avoid this leg of the trip. Every
step he'd taken all day had been the wrong one; sleeping through an
alarm clock for the first time in his life, the disastrous taxi
trip to the station complete with a flat tyre and every red light
imaginable, then to be greeted with a ten-deep queue for tickets
and only minutes to spare before his train left.
His anxiety had
been rising steadily since arriving in Italy; now with the train
heading north to the sleepy village of Sondrio, there was no
backing out. By the end of the day, Luca would meet his father for
the first time since fleeing Italy with his mother and brothers as
a child.
Trying
desperately to dismiss his fears and nerves, Luca focused instead
on the passing scenery. Slowing to a stop as they pulled into Lecco
station, the breathtaking curve of Lake Como appeared. The lakeside
town housed dated almost dilapidated homes which set against the
pristine waters of the lake offered an intriguing contrast. As the
train slowly picked up speed, Luca's thoughts drifted again to his
father; his doubt about meeting the man gaining as much momentum as
the speeding train. It's not too late to bail; Luca thought to
himself not for the first time since announcing his plans to
Imogen.
Reaching for
his pocket, Luca felt for the ring box and found it safely in
place. Since buying the engagement ring his thoughts had been
dominated by when and where he'd propose; the thought of making
Imogen his wife bringing a smile to Luca's weary face every
time.
Looking up,
Luca realized the train was pulling in to stop at Colico station,
the last of the Como stops before turning and heading east toward
Sondrio. Colico itself was breathtaking; the Italian Alps standing
at attention fiercely in the background with the sparkling waters
of the lake sitting calmly before them. From here, the Alps would
guide them imposingly the entire way to Sondrio, a realization that
filled Luca with both strength and fear.
Stepping off
the train in Sondrio had offered a harsh reality; easily forty
degrees Celsius, no breeze and a breathtaking dry heat that
instantly transported Luca to his childhood. He was home; the
brutal heat reiterated that without compromise.
From here, Luca
needed to travel to Arquino, the closest village to his father's
home; a twenty five minute drive from central Sondrio and a
relatively isolated location. Imogen had been particularly
concerned about this leg of the trip and had suggested Luca hire a
car to give him more flexibility whilst visiting his father. Luca
had dismissed her research of the local car hire company and
assured her he'd be fine catching a taxi to his father's home.
However
standing in the vaguely familiar surrounds of Sondrio, memories
that Luca had long buried began to surface. Like a show-reel
playing through his mind, Luca began to see and hear the shouts and
screams of his mother telling them to hide, the dull thump of his
father's fist as he forced his way from room to room, person to
person annihilating the house and everyone in it. Memories Luca had
so carefully locked away unraveling before him, sucking the air
from his lungs as certainly as the heat did.
"Signore,
volete un taxi?" Sir, do you want a taxi? came the shout
from across the road.
"Si" Luca
called in reply, loading his backpack into the vehicle before
passing the driver Imogen's handwritten note detailing the address
of the car hire business.
Driving in
silence, Luca worked to steady his breathing and
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