My House in Umbria Page #3

- A lunatic.

- A clever lunatic, si, signora.

A bomb, carefully hidden

on the luggage rack...

Terrorists, not lunatics, I think.

- Hello, Werner. You all right?

- Yes, I am.

- It's very beautiful here.

- The garden's a dreadful mess, I'm afraid.

I'm always intending

to do something about it, but I never do.

Why? It's so beautiful.

- You have a garden at home?

- No.

- But my parents had one.

- They're no longer alive?

When I think of gardens, I think of England.

Not that we had a garden

when I was a child. Just a back yard.

I've always longed

for an English cottage garden.

Your herbaceous borders and roses,

lupins and hollyhocks...

and a stone sundial covered in moss,

perhaps a birdbath.

That's what I'd like.

Look at that. Isn't that perfect?

- But you said under the house.

- Yes, well...

There it is. Under the house.

It's south-facing, there's no wind.

It's an ideal setting.

We can have a herbaceous border

all the way along there.

We could have lupins.

We could have sunflowers.

Ms. Delahunty mentioned a flower

called "holly"...Something with "holly"...

Hollyhocks. Yes, absolutely.

We must have those all down this wall here.

It'll be a paradise for her.

Lot of work, mind.

- I just hope I can be of help.

- You know what they say:

"Many hands make light work."

And I think three just about qualifies.

It's good to do this, Werner.

Gardens make me think of the future.

By the way, she mentioned

something about a...

sun clock?

Sundial. Oh, Lord!

Well, we must do our best.

- More cheese, General?

- No, thanks.

If you'll excuse me,

I have some letters to write.

Where is this?

You're at my house, Aimee.

I'm Mrs. Delahunty.

My mother's cross with me.

She says I shouldn't spend

so much time painting pictures.

I should be outside, she says,

playing with the other children.

But I like it indoors. I like painting pictures.

It's like having a world all to yourself.

If I go outside, we'll only start fighting.

That's why I like it when it's raining.

Nobody expects you to go out then.

Dr. Innocenti found it encouraging

that Aimee had spoken.

But he reminded us that

the process of recovery in cases like this...

was often long and uncertain.

We must remember what reality is for her...

and how painful it will be

as her memory returns.

- Is that where we're going?

- Yes.

Gradually, our anxieties began to recede...

and we surrendered ourselves to happiness.

- Does it fit?

- Perfetto.

I couldn't help reflecting that happiness

is often an illusion.

But what's wrong with that?

"Evening had become night.

"Moonlight glistened on the Grand Canal.

"Marco took her by the hand

and opened the bedroom door.

"He led her to the bed..."

Go on.

"When she woke up...

"Tara knew she had found

the love of her life.

"'Kiss me,' she said,

and sank into his embrace."

Aimee had the ability

to bring about the very best...

and sometimes the most unexpected

qualities in those she was close to.

She gave us life and spirit

and new hope for the future.

What a beautiful garden!

It's such a beautiful thought!

Did you make it, Aimee?

A garden doesn't make up for anything,

but it marks our recovery in your house.

It's the most wonderful present

I've ever had. Thank you.

Perhaps for the General, Aimee became

a daughter with whom he might begin again.

Perhaps for Werner,

she was the girl who had died on the train.

For my own part,

I can claim without reservation...

that I became as devoted to the child

during that time...

as any mother could ever be.

Hello, pronto.

I have a person-to-person call

for Signora Delahunty.

Speaking.

I have your party on the line, sir, go ahead.

- He's coming to fetch her.

- Who?

Her uncle.

- Take her back to America?

- Yes.

What's he sound like?

Not an easy person.

When I was a girl,

I longed for a young man of good family...

to draw up in his car beside me.

When I was a woman...

I longed for a different kind of stranger

to appear in the Cafe Rose.

By now, of course...

all such romantic fantasies

were consigned to the past.

...probably brought you

the long way around.

They jack up the fare that way.

Did you pass a bridge about a mile away?

Well, possibly.

- Is Mrs. Delahunty...

- I'm Mrs. Delahunty.

Thomas Riversmith. How do you do?

You're most welcome, Mr. Riversmith.

Hope you had a pleasant journey.

- Is it the back room for the gentleman?

- Yes, please.

- I was just saying to...

- Quinty.

The taxi driver had some difficulty

finding the house.

Otherwise, the journey was fine.

- I'm sure you could do with a drink.

- A drink?

After all the traveling.

It's 6:
00, the cocktail hour,

as you Americans call it.

If you don't mind,

I would like to wash my hands first...

and then I'd like to see my niece.

Yes, of course. This way.

Your uncle's here.

Mr. Riversmith has arrived.

So, you are Aimee.

Yes.

This is not going to be easy

for either of us, Aimee.

But I hope we can become friends.

Thank you, Mrs. Delahunty.

I'll see you downstairs.

Thank you.

So what are you reading?

Lewis Carroll.

Would I fix you a little something, sir?

All that dust on the road,

you must be parched.

Thank you.

Will it be a bourbon?

Isn't that what you drink in America?

I'd prefer an Old Fashioned.

- That'll be on the rocks, I'm sure, Quinty.

- Yes, please.

One Old Fashioned with ice.

Mr. Riversmith, do sit here.

One of Aimee's.

I greatly appreciate...

what Dr. Innocenti has done for Aimee...

and you, of course, Mrs. Delahunty.

It's been a pleasure.

She's an enchanting child.

Be sure to let me have an account.

I want to have all that settled

before we leave.

- There's really no need.

- I have a note on where you are on all that.

Will you be having another one, Mrs. D?

Oh, really. Thank you, Quinty.

I think perhaps I will.

Can't have you drinking on your own,

Mr. Riversmith.

Werner! This is Mr. Riversmith.

Aimee's uncle.

- Mr. Riversmith, this is Werner.

- How do you do?

How do you do?

I had no idea you were

such an accomplished artist, young lady.

These are very interesting pictures.

- What pictures?

- These here.

I didn't draw them.

- I drew them.

- Werner drew them.

- I'm sorry, I don't...

- When are you taking me away?

That all depends on what Dr. Innocenti says

when he comes to see us.

How long will you be

staying with us, Mr. Riversmith?

I have a conference in Baltimore

on the 25th...

so I'm hoping we'll be back by then.

So quick?

Do you know Aimee well?

We met for the first time just an hour ago.

An hour ago?

Well, Phyllis, Aimee's mother and I...

There was a family quarrel.

Where do you live in Pennsylvania?

Virginville. I work in the university.

- Do you have children?

- No.

But Francine has two

from her previous marriage.

They live with their father.

Francine. A new name to me.

It seemed harsh, unpleasant...

like chalk scraping on a blackboard.

I suppose we should be

calling you Professor.

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