Linn Halton - The Secrets of Villa Rosso - Escape to Italy for a summer romance to remember

‘Aiutati che Dio t’aiuta.’

‘Which means?’

‘Quite literally, help yourself and God will help you. But I’m not forgetting the part you have played in this, Ellie. Sometimes He sends us a little help.’

‘You seem relieved and yet, surely, this was only ever about seeking out the right clients? You already know the products are of a good quality.’

Max kicks the engine into life.

‘I’ve come to learn that only a fool takes anything in this life for granted. Besides, it’s slow-going, Ellie. The website isn’t up and running yet, and how many buyers will take up the offer to come here in person? You are the first. But it’s about much more than that, as the family are still not sure I’m taking things in the right direction. Some of the loans I’ve convinced them to make may never be repaid if we fail. If I fail.’

Today we head away from the plains, turning onto the main highway and I see that we are heading towards Castrovillari itself. But the view flying past my window goes unnoticed as my head is trying to unravel a puzzle. I realise that the pressure on Max is probably a little isolating. To whom can he turn? But the biggest question on my mind is why does he stay?

~

Our first stop is very different to the places we visited yesterday. This is an ironworker’s compound and it’s on the edge of town. Large, wrought-iron gates lead us into a large parking area, surrounded on three sides by a one-storey stone outbuilding. This is an established business and immediately we pull up two men walk towards the car.

Max helps me out and one of the men steps forward, hand outstretched. They shake hands and then all eyes are on me.

‘Questa è la signora Maddison. Ellie, this is Eduardo Camillucci and his son, Piero.’

Eduardo and I shake hands as he begins talking to me in rapid Italian. I then shake Piero’s hand as Max says something to Eduardo, who nods vigorously. Unfortunately, the discovery that I can’t speak Italian doesn’t stop him talking to me and I give a sideways glance at Max, who simply smiles as if to say, ‘Don’t worry.’

It’s the first time I’ve ever toured a workshop like this. Eduardo talks almost non-stop and Max patiently translates as I learn all about the Camillucci family. Eduardo has three sons, but two of them have already been lost to him. Max explains that moving to a city in the north is almost as devastating as losing a child to Eduardo and his wife. He follows in the tradition of his father and grandfather, but has to face up to the reality that the next generation are prepared to go in search of bigger things. Eduardo now has to ensure that the business makes enough money to keep their remaining son at home. But as I look around I realise that this isn’t just where they conduct business. A part of the u-shaped stone building has smaller windows with shutters and is, in fact, their home. It’s possibly big enough for three, but must have been very cramped when all of Eduardo’s sons lived at home. And what of the one remaining son when it’s time for him to settle down and have a family of his own?

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