Lisette was the centre of attention, alongside Mina and her family. They were invited to dance over and over again. Even Mama took to the cobblestones, an unexpected smile on her face. Soon all who could were dancing. The musicians played louder and faster to meet the pounding beat of all the feet that skipped across the cobblestones.
Nobody noticed, at first, when Paolo joined the festivities. He and Dario had remained at home, away from the crowds. Mama had intended to return to them once the farewelling was over, but was too well brought up to turn away from the parade of mourners who wanted to greet her. Then Papa asked her to dance, and Mina caught a sparkle in her mother’s eye such as she had not seen in many years. She watched her parents twirl around the square as though they were
