Impossible Love

Impossible Love 94

Maxieplus

Lukas was to go to grans today he missed his garden and his cooking lessons, he would have been missed from kindy, but he has loads of stories to tell his mates now. Gran was on time and made up a special celebration breakfast, the kids were there and the room looked full again but we all had room around the table.

"I think we will move back to the house today Gianni, it will be fine."

"Yes Antonio, I wanted to stay here for a special reason that you know of, and tonight we go to our bed." He kissed me and I placed Luca into his high chair.

Gran came over with his breakfast, they have oats today and they hate them, she kissed his head then she kissed mine.

The boys had showered and were ready to greet their day and Iris didn't get her morning perversion in because they were dressed. I had an inkling it was deliberate, they are toning it down.

I will do something about it but not just now, I have to look after myself first, and if that's what they want to do then it's okay with me.

"When is the next show Iris?"

"Ask the boys Antonio, they haven't told me yet." She giggled. I looked over to Leon he replied.

"Next week, but we do not have anyone to interview yet."

"Okay, I believe you have Angelo lined up anyone else?"

"No Antonio, just our Angelo at the moment."

"You will get there, someone will turn up I'm sure it will be a fun night for everyone."

"I don't feel very funny at the moment Antonio," Carlos whispered.

They are depressed and apart from what they tried to do to me I still loved their quirky ways. When we were down at the beach I had a few ideas I wanted to run past them, but I think I might just have a solution, and that will mean instead of telling them I will show them.

"Iris you have many winemakers on your books, I think you should continue to interview them because that's what the show is all about."

"I have someone in mind Antonio, he owns a very small boutique wine business. I had the pleasure of tasting his wines when I was interviewing Geoffrey Ferguson and they were very good. I think another trip to Rutherglen will sort the part out."

"Do as you wish Iris," Leon said, he wasn't playing a part he was genuinely depressed.

I looked around the flat and everyone was quiet even grandad, he is usually laughing at cartoons with Lukas, I won't take the blame for this but I know I can fix it and the rest is up to them. So I did something I know would get the babies going but it had to be done anyway.

I slammed my hand on the table and they all jumped.

"Now I have your full attention I have an announcement to make. There will be no more long faces around my dinner table, so you all had better lighten up before tomorrow."

"What is happening tomorrow Antonio?"

"We are all going shopping."

"Why?" Carlos asked.

"We need to buy some things and I want you, Leon, Iris, Gianni, Conner, and Angelo to come with me. Maxie and Tommaso, you are coming also."

"Where do we go, Antonio?"

"Mind you own business Tomas, just take the afternoon off." All eyes were upon me as I got up passed Luca to Maxie and went to find a new exercise book and pen.

I wrote `Iris Wilson productions' on it then slipped it into my backpack.

I had this idea after I had spoken to Gianni at the beach, and thought it would be a wonderful way to get the boys back into the swing of things. In the meantime, I will start on their wardrobe and today I will start giving them names.

I kissed and hugged gran and said my goodbyes to my son, then Gianni carefully drove his little family to work.

I didn't expect what I received when I appeared at the cafe, nothing, no celebration and no people around to greet me. This I didn't mind as I settled the babies in with Bianca who welcomed me back with a big cuddle. The babies settled in to watch the tv there were no builders today so they had to be content with cartoons.

I did my chores and noticed someone had kept up with the rubbish so I got my normal cartons to crush and empty cup bins to clean out, then the used bottles, I boxed them up to be sent beck to the winery for recycling.

The boys had headed for the upstairs and Gianni wiped the frost off his coolers while I checked the cakes. Angelo and Bella were there and I waved as I wiped down the table, they are done before we lock up shop, but dust settles overnight so I like to give them the once over.

Stavros arrived with his mates and he waved to me I called out a good morning to them all and ordered their coffees.

I then made myself one and sat out the front with my exercise book.

Gianni came and sat because he would want to know what I am doing.

"What are you doing Antonio?" See I told you.

"Just an idea at the moment baby, for Iris's show."

"Is it going to be wonderful Antonio?"

"I am hoping it will lift your brother's moods, I hate that they are a little depressed."

I shoved the book over so he could read my doodles, he couldn't work it out at first because all I had written was the player's names and who played them.

"What is Lefty Leon?"

"Leon's mafia name, he can come up with something better but for now he is Lefty." I had given everyone mafia-type names and I figured if that's what floats their boat we should give Iris's show a mafia theme, maybe carry it through to the final episode.

I had also titled the show `The concrete loafers,' which tickled my funny bone, a lot.

Carlos was Cutthroat Carlos, Gianni was Fingers Cartasso, Conner was Crooner Conner, Iris was the main character, the Concrete Loafer. I figured she had to be the Padrino of the show.

I told Gianni all my ideas he sat there with his mouth open.

"They are all going to that cheap suit place to buy black double-breasted suits black shirts and ties and white hats, they have to look the part. Then they can start filming ten-minute episodes, that will give Leon ten minutes to do his thing with Angelo and whoever else is dragged into the studio, what do you think?"

He started laughing his head off, then he said.

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly."

"It is something we have always wanted to do but we are not as clever as you to do it, my brothers will be so happy Antonio you are very good to them I think."

"Well, we have to do something, and this will get their imaginations working again, you can tell them if you like."

"No Antonio, you are the dreamer you must be the one to tell them."

"They can pick out their mafia names these are just for fun."

"I may change mine if I may Antonio?"

"Yes Gianni to anything you want, I wanted to call you Tootsie Cartasso at first."

"Tootsie what name is that?"

"I was going to make you a mafia moll and put you in a dress."

He laughed so much he attracted a crowd of onlookers.

"That is so funny Antonio, yes I will be the moll but do not tell Leon." His mood had lifted to a much better place and I saw a little of my adorable boy coming back. It was around eleven that it all started, they said they had to wait for Iris and gran to get there, the wine flowed and Angelo placed platters of pasta dishes type on the tables. Gran and grandad came with Lukas he had a smile as big as the ocean on his face and had made me a special card.

Stavros made a nice speech about family and people looking out for their neighbours, nothing was mentioned about the Camorra incident, only that I had helped them all out with a difficult situation. Nina had a word with me and said the damage wasn't all that bad and she's working on installing the pool.

"It cant be deep because of the boys Nina." She gave me a sour look, duh.

"It will be five foot six deep Antonio, I have Dave onto making an insert for it, just one foot deep with a security gateway across, so the babies can splash around in that and the big boys can take them in the deeper part for more play. It will work Antonio he just has to find a plastics molder. When they learn how to swim you can remove the insert or have it dropped another foot as they grow."

"Great idea Nina, who in the hell came up with that one?"

She glared at me again and I blushed.

"Sorry, well done once again."

Angelo had done pasta but not like I had seen it before, it was served in some small Asian type takeaway boxes with little handles with a plastic fork standing in them. Great idea I had seen done at a wedding a few years back.

"You should do catering Angelo."

"It was Bella's idea and yes, the catering prices and menu she is working on now." He giggled.

"Are you happy?'

"More in love every day Antonio, we have moved into our place, and when you settle you have to come for dinner when I am at home."

"Good, I feel like a dumped lover, but I was dumped for a better person I think Angelo." I winked.

"It is okay Antonio, you are still my first love." He laughed as Gianni poked him in the ribs. It was a great party and even the market customers were treated to nibbles and wine, and when I looked for my brothers they were nowhere to be seen. I guess they are out the back with their noses stuck in a wine bottle.

"Come with me Fanny Galore." I pinched his ass, he laughed.

"I like that one better Antonio."

"Good then you own it, and I will own it tonight."

Picking up our glasses we walked out the back to find two men having a quiet drink.

"Fanny get me another drink."

"At once my darling." Gianni played the role beautifully.

"Lefty, Cutthroat another wine?"

"Are you talking to us, Antonio?" He looked around behind him.

"Yes, Lefty we have some business to discuss so keep sharp."

"What is this lefty?" He was confused.

"Your new name and cutthroat if you do not like your nickname you can change it."

Gianni handed the wine out and I kissed his cheek, I then fished in my back pocket and pulled my wallet out. I took twenty dollars out and handed it to him.

"Go buy yourself some sparkles my darling, but not now, we have business to talk about."

"What is going on Antonio?"

"Lefty, Cutthroat we go shopping tomorrow you need uniforms, ones that say Mafia."

"What?"

"You are mafia, it is about time you started looking like one and if you want to be part of this padrino's chapter, you have to look like you are."

Carlos started grinning and I nearly welled up but placed a damper on it, no tears today.

"Are you serious?" Poor Leon.

"Lefty, go and get the concrete loafer, she's out there with her nose stuck in a wine bottle somewhere, we will wait."

"Who is this concrete person Antonio, Gianni?"

"Her daytime name is Iris Lefty, and this gorgeous thing is my mafia moll my girlfriend Fanny Galore." Gianni started again.

"I do like that better Antonio."

"Ants pants to you Fanny, get it right." I started laughing because I hadn't named myself this is for my boys, I certainly wont be in this show.

"Well Lefty, what are you sitting there for, get Loafers in here."

"Right away Padrino." He almost leaped over the table to get to the doorway.

I looked at Carlos and said.

"Cutthroat, I need you to wipe someone out today, they have disrespected me, so bury them. Borrow Concrete Loafers loafers she can buy a new pair." I couldn't keep a straight face, I started howling with laughter as Carlos's blank face stared at me.

"Who Antonio?"

"Angelo, he rejected my advances so I want you to wipe the floor with his ass."

"Ants pants, what about me?" Gianni said.

"Your good sweetheart, but disrespect is disrespect." I kissed his cheek.

"Did you buy some sparkly baubles, honey?"

"Not yet Antonio I haven't got time I am still catching up with the game."

Iris came in with Leon.

"What is happening?" She said.

"I do not know our Iris but it is all very good in my books I think."

"Ah, Loafers you are here, I want three pairs of your best Concrete loafers within two days. Get the workers out back to dip them for you, and ask Angelo what size loafers he takes." She was totally confused.

"Lefty, get some gold paint and paint those suckers. We can use them on our wealthier clients."

"What the hell are you doing Antonio?" Iris was confused.

"Ants pants to you Loafers, Fanny take loafers here out with you she and you need a new roaring twenties frocks, I am sure they will have one in your size Fanny, otherwise go on a crash diet." I almost hit the floor laughing Gianni's face was priceless.

"But Ants pants we can get mama to get them."

"Mama is not in this little movie and neither am I, go to the op shop and buy yourself a nice fox fur darlin, I like those, oh and a saddle." More laughing from me.

Iris sat and Carlos poured her another drink, I got one also and our boy came looking for us, I picked him up and kissed him.

"You lot, listen up, this is Iron teeth Lukas, do not look at him sideways he has a mean deadly bite."

Leon did fall off his seat, he was now getting it loud and clear.

"Have you got it yet Lefty?"

"Yes Antonio, a gangster mafia show, we love it." He kissed Carlos then went on to say.

"A serial or movie Ants pants?"

"Monthly ten-minute serial, you all have to choose names except you Loafers and Fanny Galore." Gianni stood up straight.

"The kids will film it, and I will help with the script when needed."

"Our Carlos has to be the star, he is the best at doing that." Leon moaned, he's back.

I once again slammed my hand on the table, and it hurt this time.

"He is a star, he sings the songs but Concrete Loafers is the main character here, she is bloody dangerous so do not toy with her, secretly she is also a Camorra stooge. Once a month someone will win a golden loafer for their comments on the Iris Wilson wine show, but that's to be worked on. Lefty you have that job as well as script work."

As if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth Iris sat up straight and passed her now empty glass to Leon.

"Mines a top-up when your ready Lefty or is it Fingers."

"Yes mamm, I mean Loafers or Concrete coming right up from Fingers or Lefty."

"And what about me Ants pants, what does your Carlos do?'

"You are the handsomest gigolo Carlos, the crooner, the love maker, the most handsome one in the mafia, in other words, you look good on camera."

He grinned for miles, we will find a proper part for him, I just wanted everyone to think about their parts a bit then they can bring it to the table.

"You are needed Carlos, Conner and Brent are here." Nina popped her head in.

"Thank you big Gertie he will be there in just a tick," I said off the cuff, that sour look was back with a whole lot of attitude, the troop laughed so much they were nearly pissing themselves. We all marched out to greet our friends, I grabbed Brent and couldn't thank him enough for his kindness, he said the house was ours anytime we wanted to getaway. Carlos was talking to Conner and I noticed the organ had been set up, we are about to get a small concert I think.

Alice was all eyes watching as our friends had to have a baby cuddle with our growing boys, and Iris stood by the organ trying not to sway, she was in character not a readable movement on her face. Sabine had arrived and sat at a table with the gorgeous Tony. The organ played and Carlos and Conner started singing you could tell who had the better voice and the crowd laughed and listened as Conner's voice certainly turned up the volume a bit, Iris danced in the background not a smile to be seen.

When it was over she walked past Sabine and yelled.

"It's satire Sabine, get over yourself, come on Lefty let's get a drink." Boy she can be brash when she's had a few.

Leon followed her out the back again because the autograph seekers were looming. I had taken Jack and he was waiting for his chocolate froth, he did ask me several times why my staff was slow but I didn't understand him so I just nodded.

"Did they join you," Brent said in my ear.

"Who?"

"Mattie and John, did they try to join in on the fun?" I blushed.

"They did, didn't they?" He laughed.

"No, Matty kissed me but it was a friendly one but John was being invisible he is straight you know."

"Is he?"

"Well, I got the impression he was."

"He plays games, he's not quite out of the closet yet, he and Matty have been together for a few years now but we are not supposed to know." He grinned.

"Really they didn't show it."

"That's John, he doesn't want anyone to know, his wife left him with two small babies we helped him get full custody and a better place to live, then Matty moved in, I think it's been wall to wall man sex ever since."

"Wow, what I wouldn't give to see that."

"Me too." We clinked glasses and giggled.

"Seriously I think I would have gone crazy without your help Brent, the time spent there was well overdue."

"It's our pleasure, I believe the beach was your preferred place of rest."

"How would you know that?'

"Grant, they talked to Grant when they got back." He winked.

"He's your go-to gossip person then?"

"In my back pocket Antonio, whenever there is gossip in the ranks. I'm the first to know." he grinned.

"What are you two up to?" Conner arrived.

"Nothing." He flitted his eyelashes at Conner who had an evil grin on his face.

"I didn't tell you baby, I was told that there were very naughty Italians on our beach a few nights running."

"Really?"

"Yes, and two very horny men in the bushes watching I believe."

"I didn't know that Conner."

"In my back pocket they are Brent, in my pocket, Grant told me that one." He went to talk to some fans and Brents face nearly exploded, I laughed so much I did fall off the seat, by this time the frothy treat had arrived, Lukas got one and sat with Curtis while he fed it to him, as I said before I think little Curtis has a crush on our boy.

"So you had a good time then?"

"Yes Brent, it was the best, we never seem to talk about the important things when we are surrounded by family, it was so nice just to catch up with the real stuff for a few days."

"Well as I told you it's our place to go when life gets too heavy."

"How long do you think he will last at this pace?' I knew Conner had been flat out promoting the new album which is number one throughout the world.

"He's been singing since an early age Antonio, and he knows his voice has taken a big hit, he doesn't say, but he struggles with the high notes sometimes, it happens to every singer. He will change the way he sings but when this album has run its race we are going to go to the beach house and stay there for as long as we can while his vocal cords rest a bit."

"Will he do anything else, like writing?"

"Yes he has many melodies written, he only has to place words with them, but there is the family business and maybe he might have a win with the showroom. He won't perform there every night only once a month that's all he wants for now."

"Okay, he should look after his voice, the fame he has plenty of, but only one voice."

"I help him out sometimes by oiling it." He giggled.

"I bet you do." I grinned.

My next visitor was Stavros, he thanked me for what I had done and confirmed what I already knew, the guns were replicas and he was about to call his nephew the cop but I took over. He said they weren't scared but didn't know how to handle the situation which is what Gianni had told me. I told him I didn't want to do it but I had to for my family's sake.

"We will talk further Antonio, when we have more time." He kissed my head, that's the closest he has been to me for a long time. I had much the same conversation with Sabine but she started to get emotional and I told her we will have a girly catch up soon and talk after I sorted her children's lives out.

My day was fantastic and I got many greetings, but it took its toll, by four I was stuffed and wanted to go home. I grabbed Fanny and the babies and made him drive us home. We slipped out the back and when I got in I placed them on the floor and preceded to have a nap on the sofa, I did smell a slight odor of smoke but nothing really bad. Gianni watched from the table and my house was very peaceful for a change.

I slept for an hour then the kids wanted a play so I took them outside because I wanted to see the damage once again. On reflection, I am glad it was only a small fire, delivered by a cheap drone I was told. The kids played on their bikes and I ran my hand over the wall then patted it.

They went around the corner and I followed I could see a collision looming if I didn't slow them down, so I walked faster and placed my hands on two of them.

"Stay with dad." Gianni was standing by the balustrade with two wines in his hand, I walked up and deeply kissed him while the kids screamed around us.

"We need a beach."

"I will buy you one."

"Thank you." He reciprocated my deep kiss and I grew larger in my shorts.

When the boys came in it was like old times they were excited to start their filming and gave me a list of name suggestions. I thanked them and they poured me another drink, but I had to remind them it was their show and they make the choices, I am just here for backup, I also have had far too much wine today. Iris waddled out of the lift and grabbed one, I poured another for myself that will be our last for the day I was adamant about that.

The boys were in a better place and so excited, they immediately joined with their brother and Iris then planned a show, I reminded them it was a serial and they should plan twelve episodes that will run every month for a year. They were having trouble starting it so I sat with them and said.

"Write this down, and remember this is only a suggestion, you change it to suit yourselves."

They readied their phones because they wanted to record what I said, I started.

"It wasn't until the mafia's Padrino went looking for her cement loafers that she realised they had been stolen. Her gang could not operate without them. and at the scene of the crime, they found a calling card, with a note attached to it, the Cement Loafer thief wanted one million dollars for their return." They looked wide-eyed at me and I continued.

"They immediately gathered up the mob and knew who this bandit was, they had dealt with him before, Cutthroat Cartasso. He is the scourge of the nightclub scene, a major pimp of Tin Pan alley. A man not to be toyed with, their problem was the million dollars. The business had been slow lately and the safe was bare.

Fingers suggested they put Fanny and her girls to work but not even a team of streetwalkers could make that sort of money, but they came up with another plan. In the cities museum there was a whole section on the mafia from the probation days, and within that section were Al Capone's golden Loafers they were worth a million dollars."

"Wow." Carlos said.

"Wow wow wow." Leon joined him.

"Now you either continue or you put your very own spin on it.

"We like your story Antonio, is there shooting in it?" Leon asked, I guess he wants me to tell him the rest.

"Yes, plenty of shootouts lots of blood and guts and don't forget Leon, the mafia always wins." Iris was laughing to herself and she reached over to refill her glass, I was quick.

"Are you staying the night?"

"Looks like it Antonio."

"Okay, you can have another one then. I'll have one with you." I grinned.

I sat back and watched the three of them they started arguing about who was going to shoot who and I get it, I get it was a boyhood escape for two very confused little kids who suffered abuse in their early lives. It didn't affect their ability to do excellent business, but this was their game, something they did together and it warmed me they had this never-ending bond.

The story moved downstairs when they went to sit with Gino, he expanded it a bit, and when Alice arrived she added her spin on it and it grew so fast even I was amazed. There was plenty of comedy in it, especially when Fanny had to seduce the Museum guard with her lady-like ways.

Gianni was getting into it also, his wrist flopped and his eyelashes started flittering, oh no I have turned my husband into a girl.

Everything seemed to become alive again. The next day they bought outfits from a discount shop that sold ex-rental suits, I picked a small one up for Lukas because he had been written into the program by now along with a dozen more players. I will have a word with them because they are not making a full-length movie, but they can delete people as they do the final write

The writing the huddles and the giggling warmed me and I took a step back, when Brent and Conner came to sit on the steps with us the next night, he was hired. The look on his face was priceless when they told him it was all about the mafia.

"Yes cool Leon, what role do I play?"

"Do not go overboard with your advertising Mr.Conners. We have purchased a suit for you and you have no lines."

"What?"

"We need a victim of a robbery, so you will be playing the dead man."

"No fucking way, I will not do it then, killing me off, that's unheard of. Change it, or I will not appear."

"Suit yourself Mr.Conners that is the only role we are offering at the moment but you have to audition for it." Conner went off his tits as we all laughed our heads off, Brent and I held each other until our stomach muscles ached.

It was a fun night and Maxie and Tomas were filming it, just to get some experience in camera work. I had thought they may have uploaded that little comedy sketch but when I looked all I could see were pink loafers and Carlos's pop chart, Conner hadn't even got a mention on the website page.

It was three days later they placed an advertisement on the home page, coming next month The Concrete Loafers, a twelve-part series with all your favourite stars from the Iris Wilson wine show. They haven't even started production yet so nothing will be ready for this month's show.

Conner had spat the dummy big time, Brent told me he ranted and raved about his role all the way home, that's when I dropped the hint to Leon.

"Why don't you place a live Conner in it and make him Fanny's girlfriend, Light fingered Lily." I winked and laughed as I got another wine.

"He stays as a very dead body, but he will appear on every episode we have many bodies in the script," Leon said, my god, he will be playing the same role all through it, so bloody funny.

"I will ring him today sometime and tell him he has at least twelve appearances in the show now." Lefty grinned at me, then he said.

"Thank you Antonio, my Carlos and I are very grateful to you and we do love you so much." I hugged him and kissed his neck.

"I love you both also Leon, but please next time just tell me, then I can maybe fix it for you all."

"We will Antonio, we love you so much."

"Thats enough, we will speak of it no more."

"We have written gran into our little story Antonio."

"What part did you give her."

"All will be revealed later when we think of a name,"

I laughed my head off, and said.

"The knife throwing chef."

"Well done our Antonio, maybe it is a good name for her."

"I know you will come up with something more suitable Leon," I winked.

It was a big day for me, I was taking the day off, gran has insisted I come to her house with Lukas for the day, Gianni insisted it was time I spent some hours with her, so I resisted going into the cafe and he dropped us off at grans place, babies and all. She had the usual treats for the kids and hugged me as I walked in with them, I had learned how to herd them for short walks.

Lukas was hanging around the kitchen until he decided his plants needed a good watering, he dashed off to do that with grandad's help. Gran made coffee and we sat at the table watching him jump up and down because the babies were trying to strip his plants.

"Now Antonio, we talk I have some information and I need you to know." Thankfully I hoped she is going to open up a little.

"What is it gran?"

"Roberto has begun returning a lot of some possessions to the relevant families making a lot of people very happy, he said I should expect many cards and well wishes in the mail. The ones he is keeping are for the ones he cannot find. He will keep searching but it all takes much time." She took my hand.

"Grandson, there is such a lot of things with my inheritance box he has to send to me, he will do that in Gianni's container he has ways of keeping it from being pilfered I believe. When it arrives I want you to be by my side so we can discover our family together, as a family."

"That would be awesome gran, when it comes, we can do that for sure."

"Some properties are now owned by the government but Roberto says now he has proof of ownership they will be turned over to avoid a scandal."

"Why a scandal?"

"Because the government is only the caretaker, they knew about my existence but took them anyway."

"So they could have found you sooner rather than being caught out?"

"Yes I think so Antonio, I am not good with all this I want it all to go away, as you know I have a different life to my dear parents."

"Gran we will look at it as a bit of fun and a bit of history, we cannot change what has happened we have to learn to live with it the best way we can."

She smiled and when Lukas came in she sat him on the table.

"Now my Lukas we are going to make some more sauce can you do some tomatoes in the bucket for me?"

"Yes yes yes." he was excited, the babies followed grandad in and the tv went on, they almost covered him trying to get the best spot on the sofa.

She washed his feet and set it all up for him.

"Keep a watch on Lukas Nono, I will not be too long." She took my hand as our son giggled away squishing tomatoes to make his sauce, his brothers were now dying to help him.

She guided me to the garden shed and asked me to pull a few floorboards up, they revealed her stash and an old safe which she produced an older key for.

The cash was all the same as ours in envelopes and all dated. She pulled out a big folder and placed it on the bench.

"These are my most treasured items Antonio, I am not ready to hand them over to you, but if you want copies I will get nono to do that for you."

"What are they?" The papers were old.

"They are your father's birth confirmation first communion certificates along with school reports his wedding contract and certificate, mostly his childhood is in these folders."

"Wow, you kept them all?"

"Yes Antonio, this is my second treasure it contains all your records. Antonio I could be very wealthy and own several shops in High street or apartments and houses in the area, it all means nothing to me, this is my treasure and I sometimes come and sit just to read them when I get a little down sometimes." I get the message gran, and you are not handing them over to me until you have gone.

"Gran someday soon we will do that together, we will make it a happy time for us both, maybe have a vino and some pasta have our very own party, I understand very much how treasures work I have a few of my own."

"Yes and your treasures are with you all the time Antonio, they surround you."

"Yes they all do." I got reflective then she showed me the big brown bag.

"This has all my bookkeeping and rental books in it, it is kept up to date."

"Okay we do not need to go through all that, I don't need to know."

"Nineteen shops, sixteen apartments with nine houses Antonio, I work hard for my family."

"You what?" I nearly dropped my lunch.

"It is all in here, and I collect the housing rents on the first of the month, cash preferred. It is an easy job for this old nona, the two big apartment buildings down the road near the market are mine. Sometimes I slip out for half a day while Nono looks after our boy or the ladies give it to me at the club while I sit with the babies."

She winked, the crafty old bugger.

"Your grandfather and Stavros locked me out of the market so I did my own thing Antonio, it wasn't hard to do because I would listen to their conversations and run fast to secure any property they were thinking of buying, I let them have the rubbish but do not tell them." She laughed, gran, is back to her old self again.

"Now you know how I learn to keep secrets, I apologise Antonio I take it too far." I hugged her, there was nothing else to say and we locked up again I would have loved to had a look through my dad's things but that's not for now.

On the way back to the house I had a thought and stopped to ask her.

"Gran how did you find the money to even buy the first property, what work did you do?" She stopped and grinned.

"When I went to the Vatican I took the medals a letter, the book, and a bag of gold coins my mama said to take for my immediate use, these coins are old and only two helped me on my journey. The others are still in my safe, I did mending, cafe work and ironing I never told your nono I had some money, secrets Antonio more secrets."

"Well they are safe with me nona." Another hug and we continued our journey.

Lukas had finished his chore and the bucket had been placed on the kitchen bench because nono said the babies were eyeing it off.

She placed a big pot on the stove and sat Lukas on the bench.

"How do I make your special sauce Lukas?"

He sat and thought about it then rattled off the recipe, I was so proud of him.

"And what do we make it with?"

He screamed.

"Love nona Love."

"That is correct."