“Papa, will you give me a break… Yes, I am going to see the clients in the morning.”
Giorgio hung up in exasperation.
He lit a cigarette.
He was still fuming at his father when he saw the Count standing at the bar.
Giorgio had not seen the Count for a number of years. He walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Germano!”
They embraced.
“It’s been ages. Come and sit down.”
They found a table in a quiet corner of the room and began to chat about old times. But the Count must have picked up on Giorgio’s mood.
“You don’t seem yourself. What’s up?”
Giorgio shrugged.
“It’s the old man,” he said. “Now he’s retired, he’s become a pain in the neck.”
“Tell me about it,” said the Count. “The old men will be the death of us.”
“This is stupid of me,” said Giorgio after a pause. “Let me get you a drink.”
Giorgio went up to the bar where he noticed a young woman standing with her phone in her hand. Needless to say, she was quite beautiful.
“Are you staying here?” he asked.
“No,” she said, “just passing through.”
“Oh, that’s a pity,” he said. “The food is surprisingly good. Can I get you a drink?”
“That’s very kind of you.”
The Count smiled when Giorgio returned with their drinks. “That was a rare treat,” he said. “You are a fast operator.”
“You are far too modest,” said Giorgio “I am an amateur in comparison with you.”
“Just like old times.”
“Indeed.”
After a moment or two the Count made his excuses and rose to leave.
As he passed the young woman at the bar, he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
The young woman turned round and smiled at Giorgio.
Then the Count took her arm and they walked out together.
Giorgio shook his head.
At least, he knew.
He picked up his phone and sent a text:
Very good. But it doesn’t Count if she’s your cousin.