One misty morning, they haven’t been at work long, when Eugenio calls Iucci to go with him into the back storage room. As they keep the stock and financial books in that area, Iucci assumes that Eugenio wants to discuss finances. Iucci looks questioningly at Eugenio when he draws her to one side. She is then dumbfounded when he goes down on one knee in front of her. ‘Iucci, voglio farti vedere qualcosa. Iucci, I want to show you something,’ and putting a hand in his jacket pocket, Eugenio brings out a square, black, velvet box. As he opens the box, a sparkling, translucent stone twinkles up at her against a dark blue, velvet background. ‘I love you and I want to marry you. This diamond is from South Africa when I was a POW. I have had it cut so that it catches the light and sparkles from every angle. And now … now it can be made into a ring for you—the woman that I love and with whom I want to spend the rest of my life.’
Iucci realises that she has brought her hand up to her throat. She stares at the diamond as it glitters provocatively. Looking at the face of the man that she loves, his pale green eyes smile up at her. His dark brown hair is brushed back from his forehead in the rakish style of the day and he looks so handsome that her breath catches in her throat.
Just as she is about to speak, a noise behind Eugenio causes both of them to look round. Il Capostazione, the station master, has walked into the room and is gawking at the sight of Eugenio down on one knee. In a trice, Eugenio stands up and slips the black box back into his pocket. Leaning forward, he pretends that he had been stooping down to rifle through some books behind Iucci. Il Capostazione mumbles some incoherent words and makes a quick exit. Eugenio and Iucci grin at each other.
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