Buonconvento is a beautiful mediaeval small town in Tuscany. Its name means happy, lucky, place. There is a bridge over the river Arbia; this is where the Arbia and Ombrone converge. On the northern side of the bridge there is a bus stop where a woman patiently waits in the warm sunlight; she is happy. Shopping bags surround her feet and she carries a large bunch of dark blue lilies.
Two British tourists join her at the bus stop; to their delight she speaks excellent English. They introduce each other – she is Maria, they are Rich and Polly.
You look happy, Polly says.
Maria smiles. The sun is in the sky. The clouds float on the breeze. The rivers flow clear and are full of fishes. The cypress trees stand as erect sentinels over Tuscany. The air is soft. There is peace. I am happy.
You have a lot of shopping, Polly says. What’s in the bags?
Pane Toscano; I make my own, but here they have one that is even better than mine. Garlic, my crop failed this year, I don’t know why, so I buy to roast with red peppers from my cantina. Little Carciofi, done Roman style. Early lemons for a Crostata al Limone – with crema! The little new rhubarb for Panna Cotta al Rabarbaro con Rabarbaro Tostato – superb! But tonight we will eat Cavolo Nero and my own home grown dried white beans dressed with olio di Rosmarino – of my own making – washed down with the local Brunello.
Food makes you happy? Rich asks.
Of course, I am a woman of this land. But not just food …. There is also the final reckoning …. You have forgotten what day this is?
We’re on holiday and have lost track of time.
It’s April 17th .
Rich and Polly are perplexed.
Today they bury the Thatcher.
Thatcher’s funeral! Rich roars.
How could we forget that? Polly asks.
Polly takes Maria’s lilies and sets them down on the bags. Rich takes Maria and Polly by the arm and starts to sing, Ding dong! The witch is dead. As they sing they spin like Dervishes in a trance. Ding dong! The witch is dead. Spinning. Dizzy with delight. As Polly and Rich repeat the lines Maria joins in their singing. Passing cars toot their horns as the celebration continues by the side of the road. They stop, breathless.
Why did you hate Thatcher? Polly asks. She didn’t wreak her wrath on the Italian people.
Maria takes a breath. The rich may steal from the rich, but, when they steal the milk from the children, it is too far. Sono del diavolo, del male, Vanno all’inferno! Do you understand me?
I get the meaning, Polly says.
Enough is enough. La morte e la migliore! Death is best.
Their celebration is suddenly sad in this happy, lucky, place.
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© Phil Cosker 2020
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Phil Cosker 
Hi Phil Last week I went to a virtual funeral of a close friend, which was odd! The funeral was a webcast, this whole lock-down thing is like an extended episode of Black Mirror. You might have known him, John Poutney. He often played the piano at the Drill Hall and used to own The Stage Door Cafe at the top of the High Street. Is there an element of truth in the milk snatcher story or is it fictitious or, do you wish to remain abstruse (not sure that’s the right word but it will do). Take Care Chris.
Hi Chris. I did know John and am sorry he has died. Was it Covid-19? When Thatcher was the Tory Secretary of State for Education she abolished free school milk for school children aged 7 to 11. It’s a fact. Go well. Phil