He had been on better terms with next-door's previous inhabitant, Sophia Loren, whom his wife had given him permission to have a liaison with - but only under certain circumstances. "It had to happen just like this," he explained. "If I was on my way to Home Depot and she was out on the driveway in her bathrobe and she said exactly these words: 'Thomaso, would you like a cappucino?' I could go in.