It's just the beginning it's not the end

It’s amazing, isn’t it? The power of music. It can take you back to an exact place, feeling, situation in a second. And that’s exactly what this song did:

I thought that we would just be friends (Oh yeah)

Things will never be the same again

It's just the beginning it's not the end (We've only just begun)

Things will never be the same again

Things will never be the same again, Melanie C, northern star album, 1999

I remember sitting in the front of Dad’s burgundy volvo driving the 250 miles from North Cornwall to Gatwick Airport at a ridiculously early time. We would probably arrive 7 hours early but who was I to object.

Dad then asked if I wanted to listen to anything in particular and I’d brought the Northern Star album along which felt like my comfort blanket. It also felt like a fitting accompaniment to the unknown voyage I was about to embark on. It was either that or one of Dad’s many Bryan Adams albums. I’m not sure I could have coped with such a journey with him singing ‘Summer of 69’, ‘All for love’ or ‘Have you ever loved a woman?’. It may have just tipped me over the edge. 

I didn’t really know what I was doing or what I was going to find at my end destination. My 75 year old granny was convinced that I would encounter the mafia and possibly be kidnapped whereas my good friend Fiona was convinced I’d be bed hopping the whole time. Dirty cow. 

Neither was what I imagined. I imagined a fantastic six months teaching in an elegant school where I would pick up the lingo easily and enjoy some amazing food. I had found it very amusing that I would be a millionaire in a different country. My salary of 1.2 million lira was the equivalent to about one hundred pounds a week. Luckily, I had my apartment thrown in as part of the package so I had hoped all other expenses would be cheap.

In between songs, Dad said ‘He’s a very sensible boy, your Luke, isn’t he?’

I wasn’t sure how to reply to that. I didn’t really think of him as my Luke. He was his own adventurous soul. Hence this situation.

All I couldn’t think about was how much sex we had when we were together. Front ways, Back ways, sideways, All ways. He had been my first. On my twenty first birthday. Not sure why we decided to mark my significant birthday with this momentus occasion which is forever etched in my memory. ‘ How did you celebrate your twenty-first darling?’ my aunty had asked. ‘oh, it was lovely. I lost my v plates.’ And the real answer ‘it was great, we went for a punt’

We had snuck back to Luke’s room in Christ church meadows. He kissed me the whole-time whispering ‘do you want me to stop’ which sort of destroyed the mood. It did hurt the first time but it also felt like the cork from a very enjoyable bottle of champagne had come off and there was nothing that could be done to stop the flow. Whenever we saw each other after, we’d be hunting for a bed or quiet closet if they didn’t work just so he could stick himself in me. Every position known to mankind, we’ve done in. Without wishing to think about sex, I quickly reply

 ‘Oh yes, very sensible.’

‘I mean you’re both young. I think it’s a good idea that you club go off on your own adventures. It’ll make you stronger in the long run.’

‘Yes.’ I said trying not to cry.

I didn’t want to leave. I’m not the adventurous one. It was his decision. It always seems to be about Luke now that I think about it but I’m not going to say that to anyone yet. I’m not the one having to prove to my parents that I must fill my time proactively now I have a degree from Oxford. I’d rather stay at home and have my friends and family around me. Oh, and my boyfriend. He’s going to meet some hot experienced woman on his adventure and then I’m going to be dumped by email.

Dad sees me into the terminal and neither of us want to do a drawn-out goodbye so I say in an upbeat manner ‘I’ll call you when I get there. I’ll be back at Christmas. Only 6 weeks away.’

‘Yes see you sweetheart. Speak later.’

I head into the terminal with my chunky case and the tears start flowing. ‘What am I doing this? What’s so great about having a great experience in Sicily. I probably will encounter the mafia and get blown up.’

On the plane I took out my diary, book and details of who was collecting me in Palermo. Theresa Matteucci and her husband Giovanni. 

I was approached by a statuesque, beautiful woman was ‘hello, are you Rebecca? I’m Theresa. Absolutely pleasure. Goodness has anyone told you look like princess Di?’ she said in a very soft Australian accent.

‘Never actually but thank you. Has anyone told you you look like Nicole kidman?’

‘Oh stop it. You’re too kind. Did you hear that Giovanni, you’re married to Nicole Kidman.’

Her husband turned and grinned as if he was used to bringing out an insincere smile on demand.

I was dropped at the bottom of my apartment block and told that my roommate Kelly was upstairs to let me in and show me around.

Dragging my case up the spiral staircase to the third floor, I knocked on the apartment

‘Hey hey, I’m Kelly. You must be Rebecca. You didn’t just carry that case upstairs? Did Theresa not tell you there was a lift? Gosh has anyone told you you look like princess Di?’

‘Well not until I arrived here.’

‘You really do. Goodness.’

Kelly helped me in with my bag and took me down the long corridor to my room which had several crucifixes hanging from the wall and a large bed center stage dripping in lace. She opened the beautifully ornate shutters and said ‘There you go. A view of the sea. Not bad. I’ll close it again as it can pong a bit. Think it’s the poor drainage. Fancy a cuppa and we can get to know each other?’

‘That would be lovely. I also need to call home at some point.’

‘I’ll walk you to the nearest pay phone outside.’

Kelly filled me in on her entire life story which I found a bit traumatic, but I tried to sound interested and threw in lots of ‘wow that’s amazing’ when it seemed appropriate. She even told me she had got pregnant with her ex-boyfriend back in Australia but then lost it and she was still grieving. She said she was so scared of flying she had got ships and trains to Italy.

 ‘You sailed all the way from Australia?’

‘Yep. I probably need to see someone about my fears. It’s terrible. What about you? What are you scared of?’

‘Ooh everything. I guess my biggest fear is my boyfriend dumping me.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t know. He’s my first serious boyfriend. He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met and has achieved so much so far.’

‘But is he good in the sack?’

Spitting my tea. ‘Well yes. I don’t know.’

‘Is he your first?’

‘Yes but that isn’t to say we don’t have a good time.’

‘Well you wait till some of the Sicilian men cop a look at you. You’ll be followed around like a dog on heat.’

Not sure how to react I stayed quiet.

‘Right I better call home if you don’t mind showing me the way.’

‘Sure thing your highness. Do you fancy dinner later? Pizza and beer at the best place in town. It also has a salacious history.’

‘Amazing.’

The next morning, after the most amazing pizza and plenty of beer, I turned up at the school at 8am. On walking into the reception, I was greeted by an incredibly pretty girl who got up from behind her desk and came over to greet me with kisses on both cheeks.

‘Bongiorno, I’m Rosaria. You must be Rebecca. Theresa said you look like Princess Di. She’s not wrong. Come va? How are you? I am here to help. Please let me know if you need anything. Also no one really shows up for another few hours, so you are free to relax. Go and get an espresso and a cornetti.’

‘Thank you. I may just do a bit of planning for my first class if ok? 

‘No problem. Theresa has assigned you to the Liceo Classico and then some later classes with the babies. I say babies but they are 5 going on 25. They at extremely …how do you say ‘with the horns’ ‘like the devil’. 

‘They sound delightful.’ I giggled nervously. Surely 5-year-olds weren’t that scary.

With that I prepared for my classes that day. 

Theresa and Giovanni waltzed in after 11, huge glasses and designer jackets on. They were quite the couple. They insisted on taking me for lunch and I had the most delicious lasagna while Theresa nibbled her food but mostly smoked. 

‘They are going to love you at the Liceo. The kids are nice and they’re all from lovely families. We have a new teacher Dan who has flown in from the states and he is also starting today. He’s a lovely guy.’

‘Sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to meet everyone.’

I went home to change into my grey trousers and black shirt and on walking into the class at the liceo admiring all the beauty of the building. 

‘Mmmm where are they all?’ I looked at my class list…Francesca, Aurelia, Francesca, Carlotta, Maria and the list went on. 

I soon heard lots of giggles from further down the corridor so left my things to investigate.

I knocked on the door where a very tall, chiselled young man, blond hair, blue eyes was standing.

‘Oh, I think we’re in trouble.’ He uttered to the class.

I wasn’t sure how to take that remark.

‘Hi. I’m Daniel.’

‘Hi, I’m Rebecca. I think these lovely ladies are meant to be with me.’

A few sighs and then they begrudgingly stood up and left. I heard a few of them utter ‘I love Daniel. Why do we have to go with her?’

At the end of the class as everyone slowly piled out saying ‘thank you Rebecca, you are a good teacher.’

‘Oh thank you. You are so kind.’

Daniel peered around the corner. Sorry about that earlier.

‘Oh no don’t apologise. You can’t help being ridiculously attractive.’ I mean ‘attractive to them’ is what I meant.

‘Have you got time for a drink? I spotted a nice-looking bar on the way over and thought it would be rude not to try it?’

‘Amazing’ 

Dan ordered a large glass of the local red wine for us both and the owner brought over some nibbles which Dan said was squid.

‘Delicious. Cheers’

‘Salute!’

‘Where in the US are you from?

‘I’m from Boston.’

‘Wow. What are you doing in Trapani?’

‘Mostly running away. Well not quite. I was taking some time out to avoid going to medical school but then I fell in love along the way.’

‘Oh really? How amazing!’

‘Yes but it’s a bit complicated. My girlfriend Lisbet hasn’t yet broken it off with her boyfriend so it’s a bit difficult. She has flown back to Norway to speak to him.’

‘Oh goodness that’s so hard.’

‘I know. What about you? Where is your love?’

‘He’s in Africa. We have both just graduated and decided to do our own thing for a bit.’

‘Oh right so does that involve him seeing other people?’

‘No. Absolutely not. But now you say it, how do I really know?’

‘Well I’m sure he wouldn’t as he has you.’

‘That’s very kind.’

‘and I’m sure the local men will go wild for the royal Princess Di thing you have.’

‘why does everyone keep saying that?’

‘it’s the shy look with a hint of naughty girl.’

‘you are ridiculous Dan. Shall we have another drink? I want to hear more about Lisbet…’

And that was the beginning.