“Until the ministry can provide a very good plan for handling the concessions for the uses of the water supply,” he said, “they won’t be able to start any construction. There is so much to be determined yet.” He counted on his fingers. “Drinking water, hygienic uses, industrial usage, fish breeding and fisheries, as well as recompense to those affected by the loss of land.” He raised his open palm. “Five metres. Basta. That’s what we promised them, and now we are going to renege on those promises. And let’s not forget, the majority of the population will have to be relocated with the electrical society’s proposal.”
Gina seemed deep in thought, her brow furrowed. “You’re up against a real machine, Angelo. You said your chief engineer reported on two lakes?”
“Yes. The Reschen and the Graun lakes.”
Her eyes flashed. “Why not write to Rome and insist on separate testing and investigation on the impacts made on the third lake. Insist that nothing happens until those tests are made.”
Angelo straightened. All the distractions had kept him from seeing the obvious. “Gina, you’re absolutely right.” He could kiss her!
“Of course, Angelo, this will not be enough.” She carried the cups of coffee to the table where he sat at the head, and she took the chair on his left.
“I remember the Gleno, and as much as there may be a debate about what the Tyroleans deserve or don’t deserve, those were our people—Italians—who died in that break. We needed better laws to protect the people, and you helped achieve that after the Gleno. You can do it again. Don’t stop there.”
He shrugged. “If only I were more closely involved in writing the laws.”
Gina raised an index finger. “Exactly. Have you considered it?”
He held her look. “The senate?”
“Ettore Tolomei won’t step down, Angelo,” she said thoughtfully. “Despite what his opponents are saying about him. He’s rooted. But you could begin making your objective known to the right people, establish the relationships you need to get yourself appointed. It would take a while but it’s not impossible.”
The Colonel wanted to start work on the lakes next summer. “I might be too late.”
“You couldn’t make it happen any faster, Angelo.”
No, he thought, but you could. She’d said something about politics to him the first time they had stopped for drinks at the Laurin, and though she may have been teasing him, he had sensed something serious in her proposal.
“You need time and backing,” she added. “The Reschen may not be spared, even if you do manage to delay, but there will be other projects.”
Gina then put an index finger under her nose, her thumb pressed under her chin, and studied him. He did not mind that she was measuring him but he wished he knew what she saw.
She leaned back in her chair. “I can see you’re not ready to consider this.”
His doubts then. That was what he wore for all to see.
“When you are, Angelo, I’ll be more than glad to help. Take your time. There are other ways you can help the people up north.”
If it were only more simple. He drank down the espresso.
She glanced behind her then, towards the kitchen sink or the window or where the flowers were on the counter. When she faced him once more, her expression was sober, serious. “I loved my husband. He was a good man. What the war did to him, that wasn’t his fault.”
Angelo crossed his arms, gazed at her.
“I’m good at what I do,” she continued. “I’ve helped many achieve the things they set out to do. And too many of them abused that privilege. Jealousy. Lies. Envy. Whatever their motivations might have been. I tried hard to protect my husband from the rumours, but in the end, they were killing him. He believed in me, you see. He swore he would never do anything to crush my talent for politics. And he did not. I wanted to stop him from any further pain. So when the Gleno happened, Angelo? I was relieved. I know it’s terrible. But I was. You were the only one I ever approached. Ever wanted so terribly. The only one. Do you understand what I am saying to you?”
Angelo gazed at her. How often would he get her wrong? When would he get her right? Damn it, he wanted to get her right!
She sighed and looked sorrowful. “That’s why I told you to mend things with Chiara, why I never showed up at the beach.”
“You steered me in the wrong direction, Gina.”
She smiled sadly. “I probably did it for my own good.”
“That was a long time ago.” To lighten the mood, his own tension, he indicated his cup. “Is there any left?”
“Of course.” Gina stood and went to the stove.
Angelo took the letter out of his breast pocket and held it for a moment. If she was giving a full disclosure, he should as well. He watched her come back to the table, and the courage drained to his feet. One step at a time.
“Gina, I have to ask you for another favour.” He produced the photograph of Annamarie. When she returned with the moka pot, he held it out to her as he stuffed the letter back into his pocket.
She examined the photo with curiosity, the pot suspended over the table.
“It’s a friend’s daughter,” he explained. “I was wondering whether Filipa might know her. Apparently she’s joined the local pioneers, and they have asked me to bring her something, but her address has since changed.”
Gina glanced at him and then at the photo once more, her smile gone. “She’s a pretty girl.” She held the photo tentatively between her fingers before tipping the coffee pot.
He lifted his cup and saucer for her.
“Do
