Luigi's Freedom Ride by Alan Murray

Author:Alan Murray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

With the completion of work on the motorised bicycles, the time for road-testing was approaching. But first there was the matter of the cycling lessons for the sisters of the Convent of Santa Teresa.

The stripped-down and reassembled Raleigh All-Steel Irish X Frame bicycles were returned to the convent in Father Gianni’s car. Under the still-disapproving eye of Sister Piety, the cycling lessons were conducted by Luigi, Leonardo and Jacob on a flat pathway behind the convent. The three sisters who had shown ‘modern inclinations’ in their willingness to learn to ride were sisters Immaculata, Berenice and Maiella. All in their fifth decade, they were willing and able students. They crossed themselves several times before each lesson, and afterwards they said prayers of thanks for their safety. The prayers were directed towards Saint Christopher, patron saint of travellers.

The instruction of the three broadly followed the regime of the Army Cycling Training School at Livorno. Initially, some hours were spent in walking alongside the bicycles and in mounting and dismounting. Seat heights were adjusted several times, as were handlebars. Proper positioning of the feet on the pedals was emphasised, as was the safe use of brakes. With Luigi, Leonardo or Jacob gently supporting the handlebars, one by one the sisters found their balance and gingerly rode forward. Practice made elementary riding almost perfect. The next day saw the three riding single file, one metre apart, and turning with a measure of confidence.

On the fifth and final day of instruction, Luigi and Jacob decided there should be a formal ride from the flat area to the main doors of the convent, where Father Gianni and the non-cycling sisters were assembled. There were gasps as sisters Immaculata, Berenice and Maiella rode into view, their eyes bright, their black-stockinged ankles and calves clearly visible. The face of Sister Piety was a granite mask of reproach. Her fingers tightened and whitened around the rosary she had carried since her days as a novice. That she should have lived to see such things … perhaps this was her punishment for some forgotten, and thus unconfessed, childhood misdemeanour, she thought.

Sister Maria Angela made a short speech. She said Luigi, Leonardo and Jacob had lived up to their reputation as bicycle men of the first order, and had also proven themselves instructors beyond compare. Jacob, while not of the Faith, had found healing and a family in Tescano. He would always be welcome there and with the sisters of the Convent of Santa Teresa. They should never forget that Christ Himself was a Jew.

The following day, a Saturday, Luigi, Leonardo and Jacob met at noon to commence road-testing the motorised bicycles. Luigi carried an emergency tool kit, Leonardo had brought some bread, and Jacob carried provisions provided by Luigi’s mother. These provisions were not insubstantial: olives, pickles, cheeses, smoked chicken, boiled eggs, home-baked cakes and scones. Franca Ferraro, as Jacob had learned and as the other boys had known since childhood, was not one to risk any suggestion that those close to her would ever go hungry.

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