Daughter of Calabria by Tania Blanchard

Author:Tania Blanchard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Published: 2021-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

‘Thank you for helping him,’ said Vincenzo one evening not long after our trip to the springs. We were sitting in the kitchen, waiting for the pot of coffee to brew for Papà. He’d arrived home for a few days from his post in Napoli. We were fortunate that Paola could still supply us with coffee beans, but they were becoming scarcer. The weekly ration was often non-existent and barley or chicory were common substitutes. I often used dandelion too, but when Papà was home, Mamma made sure he had real coffee to drink. ‘He said that the hot springs made a big difference and he feels more limber than before.’

‘You know I’d do anything for you, Vincenzo,’ I said. ‘And I couldn’t leave him like that even if he wasn’t your friend.’ I fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth. ‘Do you think that the army will discharge him?’

Vincenzo took a long swallow of barley coffee before answering me. ‘Only if he’s not fit for any duties.’

‘Stefano told me he has medical leave until he’s assessed by the army doctors but that won’t be for another couple of months.’

‘We’ll have to see what happens then, but he won’t be joining us in North Africa. They’ll most likely move him to another unit and if his leg’s still playing up, place him in an administrative role.’

‘North Africa?’

‘We only just found out. With the Americans joining the war, they’ve decided to help the British try to push us out of Africa.’

‘Have you told Rosa?’ Rosa was fragile and we’d have to rally around her and give her extra support when Vincenzo left again.

He nodded, looking unhappy. ‘She’s begged me not to go and won’t stop crying. I don’t know what to do.’

I squeezed his hand. ‘It’s hard on her, especially with a small baby, and she worries about you. When are you leaving?’

‘Some of the units in our division have already been sent to Tripoli and the rest of us follow in a few weeks.’

‘You’re going to Libya?’

‘Yes, but I’m not sure for how long. We’ll be sent wherever we’re needed most. We need a decisive win to take North Africa. Up till now nobody’s been the clear victor but with the Americans coming…’

I sighed, feeling heartsick. ‘When will this war end?’

Vincenzo put his arm around me and kissed my cheek. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll drive the British out of North Africa, return home and be loved and adored as heroes.’ He grinned. ‘Is Papà still insistent on you settling down with a family of your own?’

‘Not lately. Maybe he’s realised it’s not worth the headache of fighting with me since he’s barely home. And if he were to suggest another husband, it could be the thing that finally pushes me to leave this place.’

Vincenzo laughed. I’d told him about my dreams to work beyond the village.

‘Why do you ask?’ I said with a frown.

‘What’s going on between you and Stefano? He’s been asking me a lot of questions about you.

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