Ben, the Marquis & Anna Maria (Part 7)

In the café, I notice that the pro-Ben and pro-Anna Maria factions are evenly divided, with both factions unwilling to give in to the other. A couple of old timers even threaten each other, but are quickly shouted down and told to grow up. Naturally, I am caught smack in the middle, unable to take sides.
It is astonishing that this story still evokes so much passion.
The neutrals contend that Anna Maria never had any intention of leaving Ben, that she was only putting him to the test, playing a typically female game of cat and mouse.
The discussion heats up and might have continued unabated were it not for the look on the café proprietor’s face.

Not long after the investigation, which sees no one sent to prison for the killing of the Ceylonese soldier, Ben is transferred to Naples, and Mario heaves a sigh of relief, convinced that absence will not, in this case, make the heart grow fonder, and that Anna Maria will soon forget Ben.
Providence decides to lend a helping hand in proving the Marquis wrong.
Ben has just driven into Naples when his van is hit by a ten ton American army truck, and he wakes up two days later in hospital with a broken jaw, a dislocated hip, myriad cuts and bruises, and minus a few teeth, the only survivor of the crash, his life saved perhaps by the fact that he was fast asleep at the moment of impact.
As coincidence will have it, he shares a ward with six other officers, each with the same injury, their teeth wired together so they can’t move their jaw. At meal times, there is an awful slurping sound as they suck their mostly liquid food through their teeth. Ben is lucky because, ‘thanks’ to losing a few teeth in the accident, he is able to get slightly larger pieces into his mouth.
On hearing the news, Anna Maria feels instant guilt for having treated Ben so badly. She must go to him.
Despite all Mario’s threats and futile attempts to stop her, Anna Maria has the time of her life winding more than one gullible British Army truck driver around her little finger. They can't resist her charms. If Allied transport hadn't been so tied up chauffeuring her and her chaperoning sisters back and forth between Naples and Arienzo, the war might have ended a lot sooner.
As soon as he recovers, Ben calls to arrange a meeting with Mario, which, to Tecla, Anna Maria and her sisters, can only mean one thing: Ben intends to ask for Anna Maria’s hand in marriage.
Excitement sweeps through the house. And the entire village.
How will Mario react? He keeps his thoughts to himself, and will make no decision until he has heard what Ben has to say.
But he isn’t thrilled.
He locks himself in his study for two days, refusing to see any member of the family, his meals left on a tray outside his door. In truth, he is searching his conscience for any excuse that will stop Ben taking his little girl away.
The day of the meeting.
Ben shows up, and is led to Mario’s study by an apprehensive Anna Maria, whose earlier confidence has taken a serious plunge, despite Tecla’s reassurances.
Mario opens the door for Ben, then closes it in the faces of his wife and daughters.
A sense of gloom settles over the house.
And the village.
Tecla, Anna Maria, the sisters, friends and the domestic staff sit in silence awaiting the outcome of the meeting. One can hear a pin drop.
During the meeting Mario does his utmost to regain macho control of his life, taking his role as head of the family with great seriousness. However, in spite of all the obstacles he thrusts Ben’s way, the young Englishman’s every response is right on the button. He is such a gentleman, his intentions so sincere, that Mario finally admits defeat.
Aware of the proverb ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’, Mario gives Ben permission to marry Anna Maria. But, because of British military law, they will not be able to do so until after the war. Mario’s only condition is that they not get married until the return of his son, Pippotto.
On hearing of this condition Tecla tells Mario to stop being an old bore and to let Anna Maria and Ben get married whenever they wish. There’s been no news of Pipotto since the day he was taken away, and Tecla has resigned herself to his death, has mourned him in private. Delaying Anna Maria and Ben’s happiness will not make things any better.
Again, Mario is forced to capitulate.

MORE TO COME