The Bodega Pepe
Diego turned to Matteo: " I like this Bodega. I like sitting here in the shade. It's calm and cozy. You can see most of the Frigiliana from here, laid out before you in the sunlight."
"Frigiliana is one of my favorite cities too," replied Matteo. "I like sitting here as well. I know this place very well. Pepe, one of my best friends, asked for my help in finding a place where he could open a little restaurant. He moved from France to Spain some fifteen years ago, knowing nobody and being unfamiliar with the cities. Couldn't even speak the language. I recommended this place."
"How come you knew each other?" Diego asked.
"We met in Paris. We were neighbors and often bumped into each other when out exercising our dogs. He worked in a cafe back in those days."
"Funnily enough, I know Pepe too. I'm a regular customer."
"What a coincidence! Have you met?" Mateo asked.
"Yes, many times."
Pepe came out of the restaurant to greet the two men, hugging them and laughing. "I didn't know you knew each other," he said.
"We were just talking about you, and how you came to this place," Matteo said.
"Fifteen years ago," mused Pepe. "Well, my friends, I hope you'll enjoy your meal here."
"Absolutely," the two men chorused.
"Now, gentlemen, what can I get for you?"
"You know my favorite drink. A large jug for two pleases and a dish of hot Manzanilla. That'll do for starters." Matteo settled in his chair.
Pepe went back in and came out with the drink. "I hope you don't mind my ordering for you, asked Matteo."
"Of course not," replied Diego,"it's my favorite too."
Manzanilla olives appeared. Pepe went off to see other customers. The two friends began eating and drinking.
"I call him Papa even though he is younger than me, he looks like my papa," Matteo said.
"Diego looked at him, how long before have you been here?"
"I haven't been here for three months," Mateo answered when he was chewing an olive.
"By the way, how's your wife?" Diego asked.
"The same."
"Still drinking too much?"
"Yes, she just can't stop. Now she talks to herself and the Bible. Sometimes she says she talks to angels."
"Angels?"
"Yes, angles."
"What does she say to them?"
"Oh, nonsense really. She moves her hands up and down and shouts. She says some of them need her help and they talk to her. She imagines herself helping them. She also chooses some shops and sends imaginary customers there. She thinks she's actually done this. She tells me that if she hadn't done this their businesses would go bust. She even phones the shops telling them she's sent along with a load of customers. "Don't worry, I'll do it again for you." Occasionally she'll call her friends and tell them she's done them a huge favor and they'll have a sudden rush of business. "Don't forget it was me who helped you!"
"Amazing," Diego murmured.
"I once asked her if it wasn't better to go and work in the shops rather than help them like that."
"And what did she say?"
"She said she didn't need to do that as she already had a job. She changes completely once she's on the booze. Talking to angels, phoning shops, she's even pals with all the presidents, kings, and queens. They all want her help and advice. Purely imaginary, obviously."
Diego refilled their glasses.
"Then she suddenly shrieks and says it's over, she's done her job. Now, it's time for a chat."
"Can't you hide the bottles?"
"No. Then she gets angry and begins crying and simply goes out for replacements. She says she's God's messenger and that I'll never understand. She says God has sent her to help and guide the people. I can't judge her when she's not herself."
"Interesting."
"You think so?"
"I mean painful."
"What would you do if you were me?"
"Nothing. She's sick." Diego looked at his friend sadly and with sympathy. "Sorry I brought it up. Everyone's got problems. I'd like to tell you about one of the mines that began a few months ago and is still ongoing.
"Tell me about it," said Mateo, popping an olive into his mouth.
Diego took a sip from his glass and began. "I was in my grocery shop about six months ago when I received a phone call from a man. The man didn't give his name but just said this: " In about fifteen minutes three men, gang members, will arrive at your shop to rob you. Hide your cash and call the police." I didn't recognize the voice and normally I ignore anonymous calls. But I decided to be safe rather than sorry. I sent my son Chico off to the bank with all my money and I phoned the police station. Within minutes three plainclothes coppers were at the shop walking around, looking at the goods and pretending to be customers. The fifteen minutes came and went and in fact, it was nearly closing time when three men burst into my shop. Two of them came up to the counter where I was standing and demanded 3000 Euros which they said I owed their friend. I said I didn't owe anybody anything and in any case, I'd cashed up for the day and everything was in the bank. At that moment the third robber, having twigged that the other customers were police, shouted a warning to his friends. Outside there was a getaway car and driver. However, the thieves were all captured and one of them was shot in the neck. Just at this moment, Chico arrived with the bank receipt. Needless to say, he was terrified by all the mayhem. Barely slept for a week."
"My God, you must have been terrified too!"
"I'll say! I had to sit down and ask Chico for a glass of water. I was totally confused."
Pepe arrived to take their main course orders. "And a bottle of your finest wine as well," Mateo said.
Diego put an olive in his mouth. "There's an interesting postscript," he continued. "Shortly afterward I got a bell from the original caller. He asked what had happened and was I OK? I replied that I was fine and asked him who he was. However, he simply rang off." After refilling their glasses he went on. " Then, three months later, two of the three men who'd tried to rob me came back. The one who had menacingly demanded money now acted like a frightened little boy. Tearfully he begged me for money, for his sake as well as mine. So pathetic was his attitude that I looked in the cash drawer, safe, even in my trouser pockets and managed to scrape together some 3.000 Euros. The man handed the cash over to his confederate who'd been hovering in the background and then they both fled. I must have fainted because the next thing I knew I woke up in hospital on a drip and with injection needles in both hands."
"Yes, my friend Diego, a strange story indeed. Did you ever find out who the mystery caller was? Did you ever get the money back?"
"No, I just told the police."
But hear the rest of the story. I wish it was only 3.000 Euros!"
Mateo looked up from his plate. "I really don't know whether to laugh or cry. Come on, out with it!"
"Well, when I came out of hospital I was determined to catch these villains so I got the bank to loan me the money for four security cameras. I put one in each corner of the shop. Two months later the man phoned to say I'd get my money soon. He gave no details and rang off. Strange, eh?"
"No explanation?"
"None whatsoever. Then last month, he called me out of the blue. He invited me to a meal in a restaurant and the money would be handed over during the meal. He'd bring his wife and I could bring mine too if I wanted. The meal would be on him. He warned against involving the police. I was so happy at the prospect of getting my cashback that I insisted on paying the bill for the meal for myself. He told me that to preserve confidentiality I'd better reserve a table at the restaurant of my choice and then phone him with the details. He gave me a number. Shall I go on?"
"Yes, yes, I'm all ears," said Mateo
"I know a very expensive restaurant in a hotel in Malaga. I paid a deposit for a table for four and we would all meet in the car park. As my wife and I were walking over we were jumped by three men. They each had handguns. They had robbed the man and his wife in advance and then turned on us. I had 450 Euros, my wife 700. Our main concern was the baby she was carrying. After taking everything the men fled. "The other victim would repay us." One said.
Tragically we couldn't save our child who died on the way to the hospital."
"Excuse me," said Mateo, who had been listening to this with mounting anger, "I need the washroom." Pausing only to exchange greetings with Pepe's wife, who looked careworn and tired, he arrived back at their table as the proprietor was serving the next course. They drank and ate. It was 7.30 in the evening.
"I'm very sorry for you and your wife," said Mateo. "Were there any developments? Money? The mystery man?"
"No," replied Diego.
"Strange, very strange."
Pepe approached with their dessert, two pots of Catalan cream. He gave a small packet to Diego. "An unknown man asked me to give this envelope to you."
"To me?"
"Yes, to you."
Diego opened the packet hesitantly. Inside were 4300 Euros along with a note. This read "Thanks a lot for your help. Sorry for the inconvenience.” There was no name and no signature under the note.
He looked at the money in amazement, then at his friend in mistrust. How can this happen? Are they chasing me? He took out his mobile phone from his pocket and called a number. no line. "I can't understand, why is it playing with me!"
"I can't understand. Be happy, you finally got your money." Mateo said.
"This meal is on me," Diego said.
KZ
