by Enrico Maso, translated into English by Ruth Stephens
Chapter 3 – The Journey
The next morning, Luca arrives at the station. He looks to the right and to the left, then he sees Marco. They greet each other and Luca suggests they go for a coffee.
Marco checks his watch. “Okay, there’s time.”
The station bar is all new: new seats, new tables, new waiters. It’s very nice, but expensive.
“The coffee’s good, though,” says Marco. Luca laughs.
By now there are a lot of people on the platform and Luca and Marco join the queue to board the train. Marco looks at his watch; one minute before the train leaves.
As the friends climb on board, Luca hears a voice behind them and looks back to the platform.
“Wait! Please wait,” someone is calling. It’s an old man. He has a stick in his right hand and a suitcase in his left. He’s walking slowly towards the train. Luca gets off and goes towards him.
“Can I help you?” he asks
“Oh, thank you, yes,“ replies the man.
“The train is about to leave.” announces the guard and blows the whistle.
Luca looks at the man “Come on, I’ll take your case. You can do it.”
They manage it just as the train begins to move.
“Thank you, you’re very kind,” says the man “I’m Eugenio.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Luca, and this is Marco.”
Marco shakes hands with Eugenio. “Pleased to meet you. Would you like to sit with us?”
“Yes, I’d like that very much,” Eugenio says, with a smile.