Sweet Music

I'm reading  a really lovely book by Kazuo Ishiguro called Nocturnes- Five Stories of Music and Nightfall. 
The first story takes place in Venice, San Marco Square. A simple musician meets a famous singer and they embark on a romantic serenade for the singers wife.


Many years ago, my rooster and I were lucky enough to be invited to Venice by my aunt and uncle. They had been many times before and wanted to share the city with us. The holiday was on them and they travel first class. They were much older at the time but lovely company. We saw the city through their eyes, galleries hidden away down narrow streets, restaurants on little islands and the music and coffees in San Marco Square. It was magical.


On our last night, we were having coffee in the famous square when we noticed that all the musicians from the four corners were playing the same song. Frank Sinatra had passed away and they were all playing New York  New York. 

My aunt was very upset by the news but was comforted by my uncle when he took her hand and stepped out into the middle of the square and started to dance with her.  Nobody else was dancing because when the music began to play, it began to drizzle, a soft cold rain, and most people took cover under the coloured umbrellas. They danced out there as if it was a  beautiful night  filled with stars.  People clapped for them when the song ended. 


It was sad and beautiful at the same time. 


My uncle died a few years later and though we had other holidays with them, that was the most special.


When I read the first story in Ishiguro's book, sweet memories came rushing back. I was in San Marco Square all over again.