Tell me about tea?

In the film (which starts in Florence, Italy in the early 1930s) Luca (Lucas) is the illegitimate son of an Italian businessman. When Luca's mother dies his father shows no interest in bringing up his son and Mary Wallace (Plowright) steps in and offers to take care of the young boy. Luca learns many things about life from Mary and her friends Arabella (Dench in a very different role for her, one of an artist rather than a commanding leader) and American archaeologist Georgie (Tomlin). He is aided financially by rich Jewish-American Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan (Cher) who knew his mother and is also watched over by Lady Hester Random (Smith) who is forever reminding everyone that her late husband was the ambassador. When things begin to get difficult for the resident English community due to the rising tide of fascism, Lady Hester takes it upon herself to visit Benito Mussolini to gain his assurance that the community will be safe. He gives his assurance and the group sits down to tea.