‘One can become a cavaliere,’ ventured Angus. ‘Or is it a commendatore?’ He knew that his friend Richard Demarco had been awarded something of that sort for services to art.

‘There are various grades of the order,’ explained the man in the grey suit. ‘To become a Cavaliere di Gran Croce decorato di Grande Cordone is a very great achievement. Below that, there are five lesser grades of the order, culminating in the simple cavaliere ordine, of whom we have many thousands. That is not to say that it is any disgrace in being a cavaliere fifth class. For many of us, that would be an achievement indeed.’

Angus nodded; becoming a cavaliere fifth class, he imagined, would be rather like getting the MBE.

‘These awards, of course, are not available for animals,’ continued the man. ‘However, the Italian state holds in high regard acts of animal heroism, of which, if I may say so, this remarkable act of your excellent dog here is a prime example.’

Angus glanced at Cyril, who looked up at him with the look of one who does not quite know what is going on.

‘I cannot guarantee it, of course,’ said the man. ‘But suffice it to say that my department will be submitting the name of your dog to the Council of Ministers, with a strong recommendation – and I do mean strong – that he be made a cane-cavaliere. That is the order which is awarded principally to dogs who have provided good service to the Republic. It is given, for example, to sniffer dogs who have saved lives in earthquakes or avalanches – that sort of thing.’

‘And my dog …’

The man raised a finger. ‘Indeed. Your dog.’

Angus was at a loss as to what to say. Cyril had been in Italy precisely fifteen minutes before rendering a service to the Italian state and ensuring himself a recommendation for an award. It was, he thought, a good omen for the trip ahead. To arrive in a foreign country and be immediately recommended for decoration by the state was, he thought, a very promising beginning.

65. The Impact of Italy