ciao, mr bruno

I moved to London in 2018 and, as most of us London adventurers do, I also went through the dramatic and (only at times) fun struggle of looking for a cheap but respectable room. After weeks of scrolling through OpenRent, I was finally introduced by a family friend to Mr Bruno - a 70 something year old, grumpy Italian man whose grown up grandkids’ rooms were not in need anymore. Still homeless and with my one-way plane being only a few days away, I decided to take on the offer. “Only until I find a better place” I thought. I ended up spending a whole year there with him. Let me tell you more.

Bruno was a quiet but restless man. Always doing something, always with a tool in his hand, in or outside the house. Very grumpy indeed, he deeply disliked hospitals or ‘spoilt Italian kids’, like he used to call them. To be honest, he probably thought I was one of them at first. Dear Bruno, I know it took you a little while to like me and realise that I wasn’t really doing anything dodgy in my room, if not cry my homesickness away. And in fact, only after a few months, he started to offer me his home-made ravioli and wine every time he figured I wasn’t having an easy day or that I was spending a bit too much time on my own. Under his tough skin and a very rare smile, was hiding a man who went through some serious sh*t in his life, but was generous and kind.

After I moved out, I stayed in touch with him for all these years and sadly was told recently that he passed away. I know he was probably scared of being lonely and that no one would miss him “now I’m useless” - he used to say. Dear Bruno, you felt home to me when I was missing home and made my British transition special and fun in your unique way. I’ll always thank you and remember you for that.

This is a little message for whoever is reading: when you have the chance to be generous and kind, do. Even when it means letting your armour down and taking the risk of getting hurt. Even when you think your kindness won’t make a difference. it always does. Bruno’s did to me.

Grazie signor Bruno, I hope you found peace.