Dearest Ian,
it's a real shame I won't be able to join you and our friends in Treviso on Saturday..
I'm from Italy, but I'm currently working abroad (I'm a lecturer in an English university), so I'll have to look for another opportunity to see you! I am writing to ask you a HUGE favor:
could you possibly lodge an insult against my boss, who asked me to leave Italy last week, just to eventually realize that he made a mistake in calling me so early?! He told me that I should have started teaching yesterday, and only two days ago he said: "I'm sorry, I got wrong, you will start next Wednesday" ! Grr....I might have stayed in Italy one week longer and see you !!!!
Well, many apologies for this (perhaps inappropriate) vent, and enjoy your time in Italy!
Elena