Derry Girls: A New Arrival Part 2

Chapter 5: A merry affair

It was now late Saturday night as Marco sat at the large, round family table inside the restaurant. The remaining staff talked amongst themselves as they smoked cigarettes and played cards. The restaurant interior was decorated with artificial vines that sported fake Lemons against smooth, white painted walls with assorted landscape paintings of Italian countryside and landmarks. Marco looked up and smiled as he was joined by Alfonso, and the restaurant manager Antonio; a short, stout Italian man with dark tanned skin, and white hair. Antonio sat at the table, placing down his favourite teardrop bottle, which was full of red wine. Antonio poured the wine into three glasses and slid a glass to Marco.

Earlier, Marco had acted on Sister Michael's instructions and contacted the UCAS organization about the apprentice chef position, confirming everything that Sister Michael had told him. As they spoke and drank their wine, Marco eagerly explained to the two men who had coached him into choosing a career to be a chef, about the possibilities that had suddenly been placed before him. They mirrored Marco exuberant manner; praising the news that the young lad they had taken under their wing was being given an opportunity that they would have killed for at such a young age. Marco had only been with them for just over a month, but his respectful manner had endeared him to them like he was one their own.

Antonio spoke in broken English with a thick, gruff Italian accent. "This the first time I see you this happy, Marco."

"Are you say you get the right result. You go to Ireland to be a chef?" Alfonso asked, with the same broken English, his voice was lighter.

"Yeah, well, it's northern Ireland, but yeah, that's right." Marco said happily.

"But why? Why you go to Ireland? We teach you; you stay here! Is no problem." Antonio remarked.

"No, no, Tony. Is more to it. There is a lady there he like!" Alfonso intervened.

"Ah, Ci. I forget. What is her name... Arla, right?" Antonio asked.

"No, it's Or-la." Marco happily corrected him.

"Ahhhh, OR....LA. OK, I see. So, you will.... leave us soon?" Antonio asked.

"I don't know yet. But I was told I need a reference from you, and then they will give me a date for this interview" Marco replied.

"Ah, Of course. I give you good reference. You a good boy, Marco." Antonio said happily.

"It must be strong.... correct?" Alfonso asked, with a mischievous smile.

"What?" Marco asked as he drank from his glass.

"The way you feel for this girl?"

"Yeah... it is." Marco said. Smiling back at him.

"I thought so. Hey, when it real heavy in here. Is always a good sign." Alfonso said, tapping his own chest.

"Did you feel like that when you met your wives?" Marco asked.

"Ci. But after 10 years, it start to feel more like heartburn." Antonio quipped. The trio laughed in unison.

"Come on, seriously. How did you know they were the one for you?" Marco asked, feeling slightly sloshed.

"With love, is no time to think, you just feel.... You understand?" Antonio winked, he started to chuckle.

Alfonso laughed at Marco's initial confusion, the pin dropped, and Marco gawked and laughed awkwardly at the innuendo. For a second, it was like he was having a conversation with Michelle.

"Hey Marco. If you are ready to do all this, so you can see Orla again.... You know already, she is the one." Alfonso said.

Marco smiled at Alfonso's kind words, as his head floated with glee. Antonio poured the last of the wine into the three glasses, another large serving. The trio toasted "Per Amore" and downed their last glass of wine. Antonio then rose jubilantly from the table and began closing the restaurant for the night. Marco asked if he could use the phone quickly. Antonio nodded; Marco swayed joyfully as he rose from his chair. He picked up the phone and dialled the number, his head was truly spinning from the wine. He licked his lips and tasted the remnants of the wine.