The rolling hills looked so pretty from the train. The winding roads dotted with tall, majestic Cyprus trees looked so impressive. In the distance, you could see beautiful towns nestled on the top of hillsides. There was no doubt Tuscany looked stunning, the skies were clear blue and the picture from the train looked just like those in the travel brochures.
Megan took a deep breath, she was finally here. Finally, her dream had come true. After months of hard savings and a broken romance, it was now time for her to start a new life in a new country. She had been teaching for five years at Stapleton school and after applying for several teaching positions she finally found a job in Lucca, Italy. Italy had been her country of choice after holidaying there as a child with her parents and brother. Megan’s father was half Italian so the family felt a deep connection to the country. At least once a year the family would holiday in Bagni di Lucca in Tuscany. Megan’s grandparents lived in a small hillside town not far from Lucca Bagni di Lucca.
Megan had two cousins living in Florence which wasn’t too far away from Lucca and she looked forward to spending time with them.
On arrival in Lucca, Megan was met at the train station by Daniella. Daniella was a teacher at the school she was going to be working at and offered for Megan to flat with her until she found her own place to live.
Daniella was lovely, she was bright and bubbly and she taught music and art.
“I hope you like music as you can’t come to Lucca and not love opera”, Daniella joked.
“Of course, I have grown up with music. My father is Italian and he has a pretty good voice, we enjoy opera in our house”, replied Megan with a smile.
“I am sure you will enjoy our school, I understand you are going to teach English?” Daniella asked
“Yes that’s correct, I am so looking forward to this”, Megan replied.
It was just a short drive to Daniella’s apartment which was on the second floor of an old palazzo. It had three bedrooms and high vaulted ceilings. It was lovely and looked over the amphitheatre.
“I hope you will be comfortable Megan, you can stay as long as you like”, Daniella said, showing Megan to her room.
Megan felt happy; she knew she had made the right decision in coming to Italy.
“I want to take you out to dinner to meet some of the teachers tonight, we can just pop downstairs to a café”, called out Daniella from the hallway.
“Sounds fantastic, I will just unpack and have a shower first if that’s ok”.
“Of course, no rush” replied Daniella.
Dinner was fun; Megan met five other teachers, one Italian and four British. They were all quite young and two of the ladies brought their husbands as well. John from Bristol was a handsome young teacher, he sat next to Megan and during the course of the evening, he told her he was a Maths and Science teacher. The Italian man was called Mario and he taught music also, he had been dating Daniella on and off.
The food was wonderful and the company excellent. Megan really enjoyed her first night in Lucca; this was indeed going to be the start of a new adventure for her.
The next day Daniella suggested that she, Megan, John and Mario go for a coffee in Pisa. The day was sunny and as they drove through the pretty countryside the wind blew through the open windows of the car. Megan’s hair blew into her face which made her laugh. She felt so happy and carefree.
John commented on Megan’s pretty dark brown hair and smile. Megan laughed and thanked him, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
The day was most enjoyable and they did some touristy things like climb the leaning tower of Pisa, which was fun.
Megan said she needed to get fitter and she felt quite out of breath when she reached the top.
“You should come jogging with me at night around the Lucca walls”, John said with a big smile.
“I should do that, I need to up my fitness levels”, Megan replied with a laugh.
After being dropped back at Daniella’s apartment the girls chatted about their day out.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself, Megan, it was fun. What do you think of John?” Danielle asked.
“He seems very nice and he has asked me to go jogging”, answered Megan, “I am surprised he doesn’t have a lady in his life”.
“Oh he did, he had been dating a local girl for over a year, suddenly they broke up and she moved to Spain, John was heartbroken”, replied Daniella.
“I see, well I better just stay friends. I don’t want complications in my life right now and I am sure he just wants a friend as well”, said Megan.
Daniella smiled.
“How about you and Mario? He is quite a catch,” asked Megan to her new friend.
“Mario and I have dated on and off for two years, more off than on. Neither of us wants a serious relationship. He is divorced and has a five-year-old son, so I don’t want to complicate his life”, said Daniella.
Megan felt her friend seemed a little sad about the situation but she didn’t want to pry.
Megan was looking forward to starting work at the new school. The roll was small and she felt it would be more beneficial being in a smaller school than what she was used to. She spoke a little Italian, enough to get by but hoped to take some lessons at some point.
The children Megan would be teaching were around thirteen and she was looking forward to getting to know them better. Teaching English to Italian children was going to be fun and with it brought a new and exciting challenge.
The first week at the new school went by fast. Megan had to get used to working a split day as school closed at one and reopened from 3 till 7 pm. This was due to the hot Italian summers, all schools and business closed. Most businesses closed from 1 pm until 4 pm.
After being in Lucca for two weeks Megan’s cousins, Margareta and Giorgio from Florence paid her a visit. They stayed in a local B&B just near Daniella’s apartment. On the Friday night Daniella cooked up a lovely pasta dish and Megan enjoyed catching up with her cousins. They were in their early twenties and Giorgio worked for a publisher, while Margareta worked for a local fashion house.
On the Saturday night after a little bit of Lucca sightseeing, Daniella arranged for Mario and John to join them all for dinner at one of the local cafés.
Megan noticed Daniella giving Giorgio a few nice smiles and Giorgio seemed interested. Megan could see Mario had noticed and wondered if this was going to cause an issue.
After returning to the apartment Megan decided to gently ask Daniella if she was interested in Giorgio.
“He is very cute, handsome and has lovely manners, that’s all, don’t worry Megan, he is too young for me anyway”, she laughed.
“I noticed Mario looked a bit taken aback”, replied Megan.
“Well really it’s none of his business; we are really only very good friends. Nothing is going to eventuate from our relationship, I can’t wait forever for him to get over his ex”, Daniella replied looking a bit upset.
“I did not mean to upset you Daniella”, said Megan looking at her friend.
“I know you didn’t, it’s just I am sick of being in limbo”, Daniella sighed, “It was a great night though and I enjoyed being with your family”.
The next morning Megan met her cousins out for coffee before they left.
Over coffee, Giorgio asked Megan a little bit about Daniella. “Is she romantically involved with Mario?” he asked.
Megan hesitated, “Look, Giorgio, I don’t want to be in the middle of this, but she is sort of involved with Mario. It’s complicated”, she replied feeling a bit like she was speaking out of turn.
“Ok fair enough, I was just curious. She is very nice, I will leave it at that”, answered Giorgio.
Megan made her way back to the apartment telling her cousins she would come and see them in Florence on her next school break. It had been great spending time with her relatives and Megan felt like she belonged more having some family living not too far away.
The next week at school was busy as the students were preparing for exams. After school on Friday, Megan bumped into John and he asked her if she would like to browse the antique market with him at the weekend.
“I would love to do that, I need to look out for some bits and pieces as I will need to get my own apartment sometime”, Megan replied smiling.
She was looking forward to spending some time with John.
Over dinner with Daniella at a nearby café, Megan told her she was going to go with John to the market in the morning and hopefully make a day of it together.
“I am pleased for you, he is a really super guy and you could do worse”, Daniella said.
“Thanks, he is nice”, Megan said blushing slightly.
Both girls laughed.
The next morning Megan met John downstairs. He looked handsome in white shorts and a black tee shirt; he also was carrying a fedora.
“Wow you look dapper today”, she laughed
“Ha ha, I thought I looked dapper every day”, laughed John, “Anyway miss you look pretty cute in your sundress. You seem to have an Audrey Hepburn thing going on there”.
Both of them chuckled as they teased each other.
“Let’s enjoy the lovely sunny day and make the most of it shall we?” said John.
“Sure why not?” smiled Megan.
The day was fun. Megan bought a few bits and pieces at the market, her favourite being a beautiful blue vase which John insisted on bartering on and buying for her.
‘Let’s hop in my car and head up to Bagni di Lucca for dinner if you fancy it?” John asked, hoping Megan would agree. He was obviously keen for the day not to end.
“I would love that, thank you. Did you know that’s where my father comes from and my grandparents used to live there”? Megan asked.
“Wow really, I did not know that”, John answered.
“Yes we used to go there for holidays when I was young; it’s a very special place for me”, Megan added.
“I can understand that”, said John.
The drive to Bagni di Lucca was enchanting, the roads were windy and the scenery beautiful. Devils Bridge was a sight that Megan remembered well from her childhood. Bagni di Lucca looked just the same with the river running through the pretty little town.
The evening was perfect, the food delightful and Megan felt she was getting closer to John. She was not sure but felt he had feelings for her too.
Life was good, Megan was happy she felt she had made the right decision to move to Italy. She has fantastic new friends, she was close to her two cousins in Florence – this was the new beginning she needed.
Over the next few weeks, Megan dated John more. They went for evening walks, drinks and dinners and went to the occasional opera. Their relationship was turning into something more than a friendship.
One evening over dinner John had to tell Megan he had to go back to England for a while as his mother had cancer. Megan understood but felt sad he had to go away.
“I would like to ask you to move into my apartment while I am away Megan. I had actually been thinking of asking you if you would like to move in any way. I am sorry but I must go and be with my Mother, I have taken three months leave from school, I know Mushy my cat would love some company”, he said.
Megan felt sad, she felt sad John’s mother was so ill and felt sad he had to go away. There was little she could do but agree to housesit for him.
Daniella was sad to see Megan move out as she enjoyed her company. Though she fully understood and supported her friend.
“Maybe Mario will come over more often now I am not there”, chuckled Megan.
“I don’t know, I wish he would sort himself out, I can’t wait for him forever and there is your handsome cousin as well”, laughed Daniella.
“Hush he is too young for you, I am sure Mario will sort himself out”, replied Megan.
“We will see, we will see…” Daniella said screwing up her face.
A few days later Megan went to the train station to see John off. Megan tried hard to hold back her tears. John could see she was struggling.
“I am sorry my little peach, I wish I didn’t have to leave you but my place is with my mother right now. Both Mother and Dad need me”, he added.
“Of course I understand fully, I am going to miss you, though”, she sniffled.
“I know darling, you never know Mother may suddenly pick up and I can come back quickly”.
With that, the train pulled in and John jumped on. He pressed himself up against the window blowing kisses to Megan.
As the train pulled out Megan fully realised she was in love with John and it was going to be hard without him. They could Skype and keep in touch, and she needed to be brave.
As John settled into the short train ride he too realised he cared for Megan deeply. He knew he would miss her terribly.
The flight from Pisa to London was delayed so John didn’t arrive until late evening; on arrival at his parents place he found both his mother and father in bed. John’s father Richard suggested they not wake his mother and John could see her in the morning.
John was upset at how frail his mother looked. It broke his heart, his mother had been such a healthy person and she had been dealt a cruel blow. John was an only child and his parents were very proud of how well their son had done. It was hard for them seeing him leave London and move to Italy but they did not want to hold him back.
John messaged Megan to tell her his mother was very ill. He was obviously very upset and she did what she could to comfort him from afar.
Over the next few weeks, John helped his father around the house and sat by his mother’s side and read to her. He told her about Megan and John could tell she was happy.
“I would like to meet your Megan”, his mother told him gently.
“Really mother, are you sure you want me to ask her to come over?” he quizzed.
“Yes dear, I would really like to see her. If she makes you happy then please ask her to come for a couple of days”.
That evening John called Megan and told her of his mother’s wishes.
At first, Megan wasn’t sure, but John insisted it was his mother’s idea.
Megan then agreed to come over for the weekend. She would leave Friday night and return on Monday if she could get the Monday off.
“I will let you know tomorrow”, Megan assured him.
“Alright darling, that’s great”, John replied.
Megan was able to get the Monday off and arrived in London very late on Friday evening. John was at Gatwick to meet her. The couple were excited to see each other and they cuddled all the way in the cab to Johns parents’ home. On arrival at the house, John showed Megan to her bedroom. Both John’s parents were asleep and John didn’t want to disturb them.
The next morning John woke Megan with a cup of tea.
“When you have had this, maybe have a shower. Mother is anxious to meet you”, he said gently kissing her forehead.
“Of course, I am sorry if I overslept”, replied Megan.
“No you didn’t it, just Mother is looking forward to meeting you. She gets quite tired so I will take you in to see her when you are dressed”.
Megan touched his hand and smiled.
Megan put on a pretty pink dress; she tied her long brown hair back with a small pink scarf and put on a little pink lipstick. She didn’t want to come across as over the top.
John took her by the hand into the bedroom.
John spoke to his mother quietly as she appeared to be sleeping. Gently she opens her eyes.
“Hello Megan, I am Cynthia. My how pretty you are, sit down beside me dear”, said the frail lady.
Megan felt a little nervous but gained strength with John’s hand on her shoulder.
The two ladies chatted for about half an hour then John suggested his mother may need a rest.
Megan felt herself getting choked up as she left the room but tried to contain herself for John’s sake.
The couple went for a walk outside and John gave Megan a big hug.
“Your coming here meant a lot to my mother”, he said hugging her more tightly.
“Cynthia is a lovely lady and I can see how pretty she is. Now I see where you get your good looks from”, she smiled.
“You are a tease,” John joked.
Over the weekend Megan sat and chatted with Cynthia she told her about her family and that her father was Italian.
“I rang my parents last night and told them I was here, I hope to see them later in the year as I miss them”, Megan told John’s mother.
“I am very happy John has met you, Megan, I can see you are good for him. I just want my son to be loved and happy”, she smiled.
“I do love him, Cynthia, very much. We have just been taking the time to get to know each other, we have a lot in common and we are really happy together”, replied Megan.
“That’s good dear”, replied John’s mother as she lay back in her pillow and drifted off to sleep.
Monday soon came around and John had to take Megan to the airport.
She was sad to leave John and his family but at least she had met them and had spent time with his mother.
“I don’t want you to go, Megan, I love you so much, and even Mother can see it”, said John sadly.
“I know, I feel the same and I told her that I loved you too”, Megan replied.
“You did? Well, that would have made her very happy”, John said feeling pleased.
An hour later Megan was on a flight back to Pisa, it would be quite late when she arrived so she would need to get a taxi to Lucca.
Mushy was pleased to see Megan when she walked into the apartment. Daniella had kindly fed her for the past couple of days.
Megan quickly messaged John to tell him she was home.
Both of them knew the time they had together in London was special and it helped them bond even more.
Two weeks had passed since Megan had gone to London and was after midnight and Megan’s cell phone rang, it was John.
“Mother passed peacefully away an hour ago, my heart is breaking and my Dad is so upset, can you please come over?” said John crying.
“I am sure I can get some special leave and come for a few days, I will call you in the morning darling”, said Megan trying to control her tears.
Megan felt helpless being so far away from John. School gave her a week off.
John met her at the airport. He looked terrible, he was unshaven and he looked devastated. He clung on to Megan and sobbed.
They sat down and had a coffee before leaving so he could compose himself.
“I think I may need to bring my Dad back to Italy for a while until he feels a bit better. He and mother did everything together. She was his life and now he is going to be lost, I don’t want him on his own”, John told her.
“That’s understandable, maybe I can move back in with Daniella”, Megan suggested.
“No no, not at all. I want us to be together, our future is just starting, and I love you and need you with me”, he said.
“Alright we will sort it out, don’t get upset John”, Megan said giving him a hug.
After the funeral, Megan was obliged to return to Lucca on her own to make the start of the school week.
A week later John and his father Richard arrived in Lucca. Megan met them off the evening train. Both men looked tired and strained. Megan went to John’s father first and gave him a hug. It obviously meant a lot to him; she then reached over to John and hugged him.
Megan had prepared a light meal; Richard ate some food then excused himself early and headed off to bed.
John put his face in his hands. Megan could see he looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“It will take time my love, this is all so fresh both for you and your father”, she said gently.
“Yes, of course, we will get there and thank you for your love and support darling”, replied John.
The next few weeks were challenging for Megan, sometimes she felt like an intruder and wondered if she should go back to Daniella’s and let John and his father grieve alone.
When she suggested it to John, he got upset, “I think we need to go to Florence for the weekend and catch up with your cousins, we can show Dad around a bit”, John suggested.
“Of course if you think you father would like that, I am all for it”, said Megan.
Friday evening they set off for Florence, Richard enjoyed the train ride and spent most of his time looking at the landscape rushing by. He had never been to Italy before and he was starting to enjoy himself.
They booked into a B&B near the famous Duomo; Richard was enchanted. The next morning he was up bright and early, ready to start his sightseeing.
“Father we have to wait until ten until Megan’s cousins arrive”, John told his father.
“It’s alright John, take your Dad to look at the Duomo and I will wait for them”.
“Ok if you sure”, replied John.
The two men went off. Megan could see they had a close bond and it was good to see Richard looking better.
An hour later they came back to the hotel where Megan and her cousins were sitting in the lounge waiting.
“I think we should get on a tour bus so Richard can see all the sights easily, what do you think John?” Megan suggested.
Everyone agreed and off they went.
They had a lovely day checking out the city and all its treasures.
By evening they found a small café and sat down to an enjoyable meal together.
The next day was more of the same and by mid-afternoon Sunday they had to catch the train back to Lucca.
“What a lovely weekend. Thanks so much guys, I appreciate you taking me to Florence, it is quite breath-taking”, said Richard cheerily.
Richard dozed on and off on the journey back. Megan and John felt relieved he was starting to look better and it was obvious he enjoyed himself.
The next few weeks Richard seemed more interested in looking around Lucca, he started to do some light house chores and sometimes cooked a meal.
John was happy to see his father starting to return to the person he used to be.
After being in Lucca six weeks Richard told John he needed to go back to the UK to sort things out.
“You never know I may sell up and move here, I really like the pace of life and it would suit me down to the ground”.
“That is marvellous news Dad”, said John excitedly.
Both Megan and John were sad to see him leave but felt happier knowing he was more settled.
Six months later Richard called to say he had a buyer for his house and he would be moving to Lucca. John was pleased.
“Dad said for us to look at some apartments that are for sale. He suggested he should look at buying a big one, as you can get more for your money here. He also suggested we move in with him, that’s if you want to of course”, laughed John.
“Tease! Of course, I do”, said Megan with a big grin.
The next few weeks were fun apartment hunting.
In the end, John chose a lovely apartment just near the walls of Lucca, it was large and had four bedrooms and two lounges, along with three bathrooms. All it needed was Richards’s approval.
On arrival, John took his father straight to see the apartment.
“It will be sold quickly father so if you are keen you best make an offer soon”, John suggested.
Richard was amazed at what he could buy for his money and after looking at two other properties for comparison he settled on the lovely apartment by the walls.
Three weeks later they all moved into Casa Bella. Daniella and Mario helped them move in along with some other teachers. Richard had some furniture coming from London so it was going to look a little sparse until that arrived.
Setting up the house was fun and the three of them went to the Antique Market and bought some furniture. Megan was excited as the men let her choose how to decorate.
Two months after moving in, the three of them went out to dinner at Antonio’s which was an upmarket restaurant in Lucca. While they were dining John got up from the table and then a man on an accordion came over to the table and sang ‘O solo mio’. After the impromptu song, John got down on one knee and proposed to Megan.
Megan gasped, this was something she had been hoping for months but it still came as a surprise.
“I am sorry it’s taken me so long to do this, but will you please marry me”, said an emotional John.
Richard looked over to Megan, his eyes were full of hope and he looked happy.
Megan’s eye filled with tears, she was so happy and flung her arms around John’s neck.
“Yes, of course, I will marry you”, she replied excitedly.
With that, John reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was a stunning sapphire and diamond ring.
“This was Mothers and Dad wanted you to have it. If that’s ok”, John said looking over at his smiling father who gave a nod of approval.
The ring was beautiful and Megan said she would be proud to wear it.
“Champagne, this calls for champagne”, called out Richard.
Everyone was excited, the night was special and John was happy his father approved.
“Welcome to our family”, Richard said giving Megan a peck on the cheek.
Both John and Megan excitedly told Daniella and Mario their news over coffee the next day, then they told their work colleagues.
“I need to call my parents and tell them also, they will be happy for me I know it”, Megan told John.
“I will talk to them as well and hopefully they can come over and see us at Christmas and we can plan the wedding for next spring”, John suggested.
“Excellent idea”, replied Megan.
Megan’s parents were happy for her; they missed their daughter as she too was an only child. They were delighted to be able to go and visit Megan and John for Christmas.
The next couple of months went by fast and soon preparations were being made for Christmas.
Megan and John invited Daniella and Mario and some of their close teacher friends to spend Christmas Eve with them and meet their families.
Megan’s parents arrived two days before Christmas; they were overjoyed to see their daughter so happy. They immediately warmed to John and also got on well with Richard.
Muriel and Dominic Mancarelli were a quite unassuming couple who had not travelled much so coming to Italy was a big adventure for them.
“What a pretty wee town this is Megan”, said her mother.
“Yes we love it, and it’s so pretty all year round and especially in the fall and winter”, replied Megan.
“I will go shopping with you tomorrow for some treats for Christmas if that’s alright”, said Muriel to her daughter as they hugged.
“That would be a lot of fun”, replied Megan.
Christmas Eve arrived; the apartment was decorated up pretty. John had got in a lovely tree and everyone helped decorate it.
Mario and Daniella were first to arrive, they looked happy.
“Look, we are finally engaged, I have finally got my man”, burst out Daniella excitedly.
“I am so happy for you my friend, I know you will both be happy”, said Megan giving her friend a big hug.
The evening went well and everyone enjoyed a sing-a-long and sung some lovely traditional Christmas carols accompanied by John playing the piano.
Christmas day everyone went to church at San Frediano, the service was moving and it seemed to bring the whole extended family closer together.
In the evening they all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas meal cooked by Megan and her mother.
“That was some meal”, said Richard, “you are going to make my son a good wife”, he teased Megan.
The next few days were lovely and Richard got on well with Megan’s parents and insisted they come over for holidays more often.
The months went by fast and all the preparations were well under way for Megan and John’s wedding. They would be married at San Frediano in Lucca then go up to Bagni di Lucca for the wedding reception. Megan wanted to have it there as the town had special significance for the family.
On the wedding day, Megan looked stunning in her beautiful gown; she wore a small veil and had pink roses in her hair. Daniella was her bridesmaid and wore pink, Mario was the groomsman.
Megan’s cousins came from Florence for the wedding. The day was magical. Both Megan and John were so in love, and you could see how happy they were.
This was a new life not only for the couple but for their respective parents as well.
By Kay Rayner
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