Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Emma

Red Carnation

On the way back to her hotel, Emma makes a detour to the tapas bar. Roberto is just ushering out the last of his customers when he sees her approaching.

‘Ah, Emma, please come in– I have been hoping I might see you again.'

He greets her in Spanish and politely bows her in, the long white apron wrapped about his neat, plump figure still pristine, even after an evening of service.

The tapas bar is dimly lit, and Roberto settles her at a candlelit table at the back. He cuts short her thanks for his kindness, instead pressing a nightcap on her. Emma chooses a glass of chilled red wine, in memory of her father, and for the next hour they talk in Spanish about families and friendship. Roberto wants to know all about her father– his language and his hometown. His manner of speech is slow and formal, and he chooses his expressions carefully. In some ways, he reminds her of Les– well, a miniature, Spanish Les.

As he pours them both a second drink, their talk turns to what brought her to Cambridge. She explains her interest in the Titanic and her investigation into the flowers on board.

‘And you are being helped by a woman who herself worked onboard ship?' he queries.

‘Yes and no,' Emma explains. ‘She's helping, but it was her mother who actually ran a flower shop on board the QE2 .'

Roberto sips his small glass of port, toying with the petals of a red carnation that stands in a narrow vase on the table. ‘This is a most unusual project. And yet, I know that after all these years the Titanic still has a lot of international interest.'

Emma nods. ‘I guess it's because it was such a catastrophic event at the time, the sinking of the unsinkable ship, and so many different nationalities were involved.'

‘Were there many Spanish people sailing on the Titanic , do you know?'

‘Ten,' Emma replies with the certainty of the Recently Obsessed. ‘Nine were passengers and one was a member of staff. Most of them survived.'

He nods grimly. ‘Where do you go next in your quest?'

Emma is reminded of Tamas and, for a moment, is side-tracked by a nagging worry.

Without waiting for an answer, Roberto continues, ‘You must continue, you know– I have a feeling it is part of your recovery.'

They have not talked about Will, but Emma is in no doubt that Roberto has a good idea of what she is struggling with. After breaking down in his bar, her normal defences have collapsed– but somehow, she doesn't want to rebuild them. It's a relief and a pleasure to be at ease with Roberto.

And maybe the Spanish is helping, too. Talking to him in her father's language brings a huge measure of comfort.

‘I'm going to keep going, I think.'

‘Well, I am very interested in history myself, so you must tell me how you get on, and if I can help in any way, let me know.'

Emma feels a warm wave of gratitude. ‘I can't believe how helpful everyone is being.'

‘Myself, I am not surprised,' Roberto replies.

‘Really?'

‘No– not at all. In my experience, if you ask people for specific help and it is within their capacity to provide it, almost everyone is happy to give that gift.' Roberto nods thoughtfully. ‘Most people say vaguely, "If there is anything I can do to help, please ask". It was like that when my wife died.'

‘I'm sorry,' Emma responds, studying Roberto's face.

‘Ah, it was many years ago now. I was quite a young man, if you can imagine that.' He smiles.

‘My husband passed away last year,' Emma says. It feels easier to speak the words in Spanish.

‘I'm sorry to hear it,' says Roberto. He sips his own glass of wine, as though he knows she doesn't want to say more. ‘What I have discovered over the years is that most people do wish to help– it is just they do not always know what to do. So you have to be clear about what you need, and if it is something they can accomplish, most are generous.' He sits back in his chair. ‘So, no, I am not surprised that you have people helping you.'

‘People do often run towards a disaster,' Emma muses.

Roberto shakes his head, smiling. ‘You are not a disaster, se?ora.'

Emma returns his smile. ‘No, I mean– well, it can take a huge shock, like a disaster, to get people to overcome their reluctance to push themselves forward. As you say, people often don't know what to do. But I think you're right, if you say what you really need and someone can help, people are amazing.' Which makes her wonder why she hasn't simply asked for more help over the past year.

Emma starts to collect her things and rises to leave. At the door, Roberto bows slightly and hands her the red carnation from the table. Emma thanks him for his kindness and wishes him goodnight.

‘But not goodbye, I hope,' he responds.

She leans forward and kisses him on both cheeks, just like her father would have done.