Martina Landini, translated into English by Ruth Stephens
Chapter 6 – Time To Retire
Gioacchino and the entire audience were shocked. They weren’t expecting a finale like this!
Gioacchino stood immobile on the stage, staring into space. His face was white and he seemed even thinner than usual.
Maria went over to him and took his hand. She led him to a nearby dressing room where she made him sit down on a small red sofa. Then she made him a cup of hot tea. Little by little Gioacchino recovered and his face lost its pallor.
“How are you feeling now, Gioacchino?” she asked him.
“As a matter of fact I’m very shaken,” he replied, “I can’t take it in. How could he? A bomb in a necklace! Things like that don’t even happen in films!”
“Obviously he was upset about being fired. He wanted to get his own back. But don’t let it trouble you now. It’s all over. Luckily no one was hurt,” Maria reassured him “Now let’s go to the hotel and rest for a little while.”
The following day, Maria and Gioacchino met at the central station in Milan. Maria was catching the train to Bologna and Gioacchino had come to see her off.
“You know, my dear,” he said, “Yesterday I was too shocked to talk. But I want to thank you for saving my life! Without you I would have been blown up as well as the model.”
“There’s no need to thank me,” replied Maria.
“It really is an incredible story, don’t you think?” asked Gioacchino.
Maria smiled. “Do you know what I think? It’s time for both me and you to say goodbye to the world of fashion and enjoy a well earned retirement!”