The Glassblower of Murano - Marina Fiorato [64]
`You're right. I am Leonora. And I'm amazed you remember me. I must have been ... what ... five years old?'
`Six,' countered Padovani. `It was at a University drinks party in London.You proudly showed me your brand new shoes. They were nicer than the ones you have on today.' His eyes travelled to Leonora's battered converse trainers, which she shifted sheepishly on the wooden floor. `And, you know, you mustn't give me too much credit for my perspicacity. You have become somewhat ... notorious ... since you arrived here, have you not?'
Il Gazzettino. Of course. The paper was taken by just about every household in Venice.
`But the rest of you has grown up so well, I suppose we must not be so exacting. The Primavera, yes? Botticelli is much more you than those Titian poses they put you in. But I suppose you have been told this many times, by younger men than me:
Encouraged by his old-world charm, Leonora got to the point. `I wanted to ask you some questions about my family ... if you have a little time.'
The Professore smiled. `Time is plentiful at my age.' He motioned to the window, where four easy chairs were placed for tutorials. `Sit down then. I'm going to, so you might as well.'
They sat in front of the peerless view, the chairs comfortable, but not cosy enough to induce sleep in the drowsy scholar. Settling himself, the Professore began, `At the risk of sounding like the villain of a bad movie - they always seem to be English, don't they, my dear? I wonder why - I've been expecting you. I take it Elinor doesn't know that you are here.'
Leonora shook her head. `No. I mean, she knows that I'm in Venice, but she doesn't know that I've come to talk to you.,
The Professore nodded, and his gnarled hands tapped the head of his cane. `I see. Then I must tell you, first of all, that I will not divulge anything which she has shared with me in confidence, but other than that, I will be as helpful as I can be.' The Professore looked frankly at Leonora, waiting. Her fingers were twisting the glass heart she wore on its ribbon - a sign, surely, of stress. He thought the trinket was a clue to which relative she would ask about first. And so it proved.
`What do you know of Corradino Manin?
`Corrado Mamn was the finest glassmaker of his time, and of any other. He escaped the murder of his family and hid on Murano, where he was taught the ways of the glass and became a maestro. He was particularly proficient at making mirrors, and became famous for it. It is said that the mercury of the mirrors finally killed him, as it killed many.'
`So he died on Murano?'
`I don't know for certain. But it seems likely.'
Leonora exhaled with relief, but persisted.
`Do you know anything about the story that he may have gone to France?'
For the first time in the interview, the Professor looked discomfited. `Yes, I read that expose. Your colleague seems to be harbouring quite a grievance. I'd like to know what the `Primary Source' is that he thinks he has. I imagine that you would not feel comfortable approaching him yourself?'
`There's absolutely no way that Roberto would tell me anything, least of all help me to exonerate Corradino. He's so angry with me that I'm afraid of him. I keep expecting him to ambush me from the shadows' She tried to laugh, but could see the Professore was not convinced. He did not probe further into her fears, but moved on.
`And the young lady at the paper? Might she be approached?'
Leonora shook her head. She had put in a call to II Gazzettino as soon as she had read Roberto's revelations. She was eventually put through to a frosty sounding Vittoria, who had abandoned all pretence of friendliness. She was sorry, Signorina Manin, but the supporting documents of her sources were strictly confidential, particularly in this case as Signor Roberto del Piero had asked that they remain so. There was a chance that they'd be doing a follow-up story in which the source would be reproduced, and Signorina Manin could look forward to that.
`Hmm.' Padovani shrugged expressively `Ah well.