Dangerous Liaisons in the Kitchen: Luca Ducceschi's Menu (Passion)

6 courses, 6 recipes developed through 6 short stories.

(from: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, First Course)

I found out about my brother on TV while I was cooking. I was busy shelling prawn tails when I heard his name on the news. It took me a few seconds for it to sink in.

Giorgio P. was arrested during the night on suspicion of being a serial murderer.

It seemed surreal. Utterly absurd.

For various reasons, Giorgio and I weren’t speaking to each other. We hadn't communicated for years. Our parents had died, so we had no reason to see each other. But this was crazy.

I carried on with what I was doing in a dream, catatonic. Various thoughts were running around in my mind. I was squeezing the tangerines when I received the first phone call.

Gianluca was a young local news reporter. And the first to have found me. I decided to give a short interview, but only to him. Besides, I didn't have much to say. Later, sitting at the table eating the linguine with prawns and tangerines I had prepared somewhat absently, my friend Elena persuaded me to keep to myself as much as possible.

Avoid the paparazzi, she suggested. I followed her advice.

The reporter was scheduled to arrive at about four pm. Elena asked me if I wanted her to be present. I told her no. I was going to get rid of him as soon as possible, and then I would go to bed.

"I'm sorry for the mess" I said when he entered. Gianluca was about twenty-five. Tall and fit. Jeans and cord jacket. A wayward lock of hair on his forehead. A nice guy. "I haven't had time to wash th dishes."

"Don’t worry." He smiled. "Did you have guests for lunch?""Just a friend."

He glanced at the sink and at the marble worktop.