A Certain Smile

I worry about Jessica, perhaps unduly. I am concerned about her welfare.

Up to recently as well as being my niece she had been my ward but the guardianship ended when she reached eighteen.

But even when she was under age I gave her plenty of leeway to lead her own life.

Though young, she always acted in a sensible way and it was clear she had her head screwed on right.

She is a very popular girl and has many friends. Her mobile phone is constantly ringing for a chat, a gossip or a date.

◊ ◊ ◊

We are on our way to Switzerland by train and her cell phone pings. After listening, a smile forms on her lip.

Although I am good at recognising body language, I cannot decipher whether that sourire is one of pleasure or amusement.

I pretend to be indifferent and open the book I'm reading. That does the trick.

“Uncle?”, she begins.

“Yes?”

“You'll never guess. That was Margot. Do you remember her?”

Remember? How could I forget. She was a close friend of Jessica, rather masculine in appearance which made me wonder about my niece's sexuality for a while.

They had a mighty row over a boyfriend, I believe, and the friendship broke off.

“She lives in Lausanne now and she's asked me to call on her when we get there.”

“I thought that you and her didn't get on.”

“Water under the bridge, caro zio”

She is a fluent multilingual speaker, our Jessica, having graduated in European languages.

◊ ◊ ◊

When we meet Margot, she's not alone but with a group of four young friends and the good news is that we are invited to spend an evening with them and savour the local speciality, a fondue au fromage, in one of the best restaurants.

The dish consists of melted cheese served in a communal pot and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks, with side dishes of pickled gherkins, onions and olives.

I suspect that Margot's is offering an olive branch, seeking a resumption of friendly relations, and now I realise that Jessica's smile was sardonic.

During the course of the evening news are exchanged and past events are recalled, with the exception of that incident, now seemingly forgotten.
The old adversary is in a steady partnership with an old flame and no longer feeling antagonistic.

Goodbyes are said and promises to keep in touch - which we know won't be kept – are made.

◊ ◊ ◊

Later on my niece explains to me what that old spat had been about.
Margot thought that Jessica's boyfriend Ralph was an obstacle to a more intimate friendship between them and wished her to end that relationship. A furious Jessica ended all contacts with Margot instead.

“It looks as if our world is full of secrets and revelations”, she tells me, “I bet that I could find some skeletons in your cupboard.”

© Luigi Pagano 2020

A previous episode:
https://www.abctales.com/story/luigipagano/train-thought