Back in Brighton, Cindy had found a cheerful-looking Italian restaurant for lunch. There were a few tables with big umbrellas outside on the pavement. She managed to push Sarahs wheelchair up to one of these tables.

'Hello, Signorina,' said the young Italian waiter. He was very handsome, Cindy thought. 'Buon giorno, Signora,' he said to Sarah. 'You having a nice day?'

Sarah didn't even look at him. She was staring across the road at the sea, but her eyes were empty.

'Is it your mamma?' he asked Cindy.

'Oh no. She's my grandmother,' said Cindy.

'Ah, la normal Lovely hat, Signora. I get you the menu.'

'Yes, please,' said Cindy, 'but I'm not sure what she'll eat. She's a bit difficult. But today is her birthday, so...'

'Is her birthday? Oh lovely. How old?'

'She's eighty today.'

'Mamma mia! Ottant'anni! Wait. I go tell my papa. He'll come to see you.' And he rushed inside and came back with a smiling, middle-aged man with a round belly covered by a large white apron.

'Buon giorno, Signore,' he said, and bowed his head to Cindy and Sarah. He turned to Sarah. 'Is your happy birthday. Happy birthday! I make you something special, OK? You leave it to me. Leave it to Paolo. First I bring you some water and some wine. We make the happy birthday brindisi, how you say? Toast, OK?'

'Where's my tea? I want a cup of tea,' demanded Sarah.

'Is all right. No problem. I make you a cup of tea.'

A few minutes later, the son, whose name was Giovanni, brought them some mineral water, a bottle of Chianti wine and a cup of tea. He then produced a plate of antipasti: Parma ham, olives, cheese, sausage and tomatoes.

'Here, Gran, try some of this ham,' said Cindy.

'Is it cooked?' asked Sarah suspiciously.

'It's special, Gran. From Italy.'

'I don't want any of that foreign stuff,' said Sarah. 'I want some fish and chips.'

'Gran, this is an Italian restaurant. They make lovely food. And the owner is very nice. Come on, just try a little.'

Cindy served herself with a large helping - she felt really hungry after their morning on the pier - and began to eat.

'It's delicious,' she said to Giovanni when he came back, 'but my Gran is terribly difficult about her food.'

'It's OK. You enjoy it, OK?'

Just then his father came back with four wine glasses, and poured the wine.

'OK, everybody. What's your nonnas name?'

'Sarah.'