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  “And this is why, my darling . . .” he said unaffected, whispering in her ear, “this is why you’re going to do exactly as I say!”

  Laura collapsed on the ground, limp like a dead piece of wood, and he sat down beside her, as if they were two lovers sharing a blissful moment in peace. He leaned towards her and absurdly, impossibly, reached out to caress her hair.

  This time she let him. The horror dancing now before her eyes didn’t allow her to even notice he was doing that. All she could do is listen and nod as he continued to whisper in her ear, but alas, they weren’t the sweet nothings that any onlooker from the castle would expect.

  Instead, his threats filled her with dread for Christian’s safety, as she started to shiver, and still, she continued to nod. And so, right there by the lake in the surrounding silence, Charles held her hand and bought her, body and soul. Her price was fear and she had no choice but to take it.

  Chapter 12

  1988

  The girls had just had a cooling swim in the azure, Corfiot waters. Now, they were all sitting up on their towels, side by side, dabbing on sunscreen in generous quantities. Dora had trouble applying coconut oil on her arms, seeing that it blended badly with her wet skin, forming tiny bubbles instead of being absorbed. Sofia was helping Nana by applying lotion on her back, and they were both laughing with Dora’s grimaces of frustration, as she rubbed at her skin fiercely.

  “Oh Dora, leave it. Do you want some of my lotion instead?”

  “Thanks Sofia, but I love the smell of the oil,” she replied, not ready to give up just yet. Her up and down stokes along the length of her arm were getting all the more frantic.

  “Really, you’ll attract the bees with the coconut smell. Put on some lotion instead!” piped up Nana. Before she even finished her sentence, as if on cue, two tiny bees arrived to prove her point, buzzing over Dora’s shoulder.

  Dora grabbed her hat and swished them away, her face animated with annoyance, causing the other girls to burst out in frantic giggles.

  They were all so engrossed in what they were doing, that they didn’t even notice Jimmy approaching.

  “Hey girls! Kalimera!”

  “Hi, Jimmy!” they said in unison, Dora rearranging her features to appear suitably carefree, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. She took out a pack of tissues and started to wipe the coconut oil off her skin. Its divine aroma could wait for another day; one with less bees, hopefully.

  Jimmy pointed a finger at Nana. “I say, little one, you look so tall this year!” He winked. “How much did you eat all winter?”

  The girls giggled as one in response.

  “So, how’s everyone? I haven’t seen your Gran today, Sofia,” continued Jimmy.

  “She’ll come down a bit later with Aunt and Uncle.”

  “And how’s your granddad?”

  “He’s all right, thank you.”

  “I bet he misses the sea. He used to be a good swimmer, I remember.”

  “He does, and yes, he was. But with his arthritic legs, he can’t do it any more.”

  “Give him my regards, won't you?”

  “Of course! And how’s Sarah and little Michalis?”

  “They’re doing well, thank you. Go over and visit them, why don’t you? Loula knows the house. You know Sarah’s been helping her with her English all winter?”

  “Yes, I know. She’s done a great job, by the way. I can't believe Loula is capable of communicating in English so well already.”

  “Yes, it’s a great feat, isn't it - if you think Loula’s only studied English for a handful of months.”

  “Well, it’s amazing what love will drive you to do and what it can help you manage,” replied Sofia readily.

  Jimmy gave a firm nod. “Oh, isn't that a fact?” He smiled widely, then opened his mouth to speak again, to tell them how Sarah had to learn Greek incredibly fast too, for his sake.

  It was something he was eternally thankful for, and he would have said as much, had it not been for the young couple that approached then to steal everyone’s attention. And how could it not be so, for these two glowed with happiness. You could only be attracted to them, blinded by the light they gave off from their dazzling faces.

  “Steve! You’re here!” burst out Sofia first, springing upright.

  “Hi, Sofia! How lovely to see you again!” Steve gave her a bear hug, then offered his hand politely to Dora and Nana, as Loula made the introductions.

  Jimmy put out a hand to Steve then, his face beaming. “Hey, I remember you, my friend! You were here last year, yes?”

  “That’s right! Hello. Great to see you again.”

  Jimmy didn’t know Steve’s name, but he remembered him well. He also remembered his young friend and although he’d never said, he’d seen Sofia and Loula with the two boys around the bar and by the pier many times the previous summer. He’d even noticed Sofia with the other guy sharing a few quiet moments together on the pier more than once, feeding the sparrows at closing time.

  Nana whispered in Dora’s ear, chuckling. “He looks exactly like the singer of Johnny Hates Jazz!”

  Dora giggled. “Back again so soon? You must have liked our village a lot,” she said to Steve with a smirk, noticing how he turned to look at Loula in response, his face beaming.

  “Oh, I think it’s more than the village that he liked,” said Nana in Greek, sparing Steve from the embarrassment of the teasing remark.

  Loula burst out laughing, and Steve knitted his brows, looking at the girls, trying to guess what they’d said. “I really must learn some Greek!” He shook his head with mock frustration.

  “Yes, you should,” agreed Dora pointing a finger at him.

  “Do you know any Greek words?” asked Nana, in English this time.

  “Yes, I know how to say for example . . .” he lifted his chin, his eyes focusing in the distance, as he concentrated. The sounds came out slowly, and he nodded once for every word that came out, as if he were a schoolboy reciting the alphabet. “Yassou, yassas, kalimera, kalispera, kalinichta . . .”

  “You got your greetings down, that’s good!” said Sofia with a grin.

  “I also know: nai, ochi, efcharisto, parakalo—”

  “Very good!” Dora praised him.

  “And I can say I love you too, which is sagapo,” he added, turning to face Loula, whose eyes lit up.

  “Oh, look! He can't even say it without looking at her,” burst out Nana in Greek again, pointing at Loula and bringing on a fresh round of giggles.

  “Oh, I think I know what that meant!” said Steve with a wince, laughing alongside with them. He put out a hand then, to squeeze Loula’s hand in his tenderly, producing appreciative sounds from the girls.

  Even Jimmy, who had been watching without talking for a while, looked suitably moved by the display of affection. Before he left, he patted Steve on the back. Then, he walked away to resume work at the pier, looking just a bit taller, just a bit more lifted than before.

  ***

  Towards midday, Gran came down to the beach with Aunt Rini and Uncle Lilis. After a quick dip, Gran returned to shore to sit by Sofia on her towel. Her nephew and niece were far out in the deep waters while their daughters played in the shallows with Steve and Loula. They were throwing around a big, inflatable beach ball and kicking up one hell of a racket.

  “How come Loula isn’t needed at Karavi today?” asked Gran when she put her old straw hat on. It had a wide brim and a cypress green ribbon with ‘Corfu’ emblazoned on it, the ‘C’ having the elongated shape of the island.

  “She’ll be on holiday for two whole weeks while Steve is here.”

  “He’s one handsome lad.”

  Sofia didn’t reply, just nodded.

  “And how do you feel about him being here?” asked Gran, searching Sofia’s face, causing the young girl to look away. She tossed her hair behind her shoulder, then shrugged. It was intended to make her seem carefree and indifferent, which of course she was not.
She resigned from the attempt quickly enough and turned to face her Gran again, her forehead deeply furrowed.

  “I guess I’m happy for Loula.”

  “That’s not what I asked, agape mou. Look, I know it’s the friend of the boy, who gave you the hat. I remember him.”

  Sofia’s eyes widened. “You do?”

  Gran pulled a face that suggested she wasn’t that old.

  Sofia managed a faint smile. “Well, there’s nothing I can do, is there?”

  “Are you in contact with him still? Do you know if he’s coming back too?”

  “Gran!”

  “What?” She looked almost offended by Sofia’s scolding looks. “I care for you, kyra mou.”

  Sofia shrugged. “Truth is, we don’t write any more. But I don’t want to talk about it.” The look she threw her Gran then was pleading.

  Gran waved a hand frantically in response and threw a glance at the Epirus mountains across the water. They were barely visible through the blinding dazzle of the morning sunlight. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  “It’s all right, Yiayia. It’s just that it’s too painful to discuss. But I’m all right with Steve and Loula around. I promise. You don’t have to worry about me.” She tried to smile and Gran reached out to pat her hand.

  After a long pause spent watching the youngsters play with the beach ball, Gran spoke again. “I cannot believe Danda went ahead with it. When she said the boy was staying in the house with them, I was taken aback.”

  “Why, Gran?”

  “Well, call me old-fashioned, but it’s hardly suitable for your daughter’s boyfriend—who’s not even a fiancé, if I may add—to come and stay in your house. It simply begs for village gossip and, well, if I were her, I wouldn’t invite it like that.”

  “Maybe Mrs Danda doesn’t care for village gossip. Maybe, to her, it’s more important to make her daughter happy, than what the odd neighbour has to say.”

  The old woman gave a huff. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it is so. I just think it’s odd, that’s all.”

  “You do know Loula’s going to England this September to be with Steve, don’t you, Gran?”

  “Yes, Danda said.”

  “Well, what do you think the villagers will say then?”

  “I don’t know, Sofia. Perhaps I’m too old and too set in my ways.”

  “You don’t think it’s wrong to let her be with the man she loves though, do you?”

  “No, of course not, Sofoula mou. I’d never stand in the way of love. For anyone, least of all, you. If anything, I’ll suggest that when you girls go to England this autumn, you should both do all you can to find happiness in every way. And who knows? Perhaps through Steve and Loula, you could meet up with that boy again. The boys are still friends, aren't they?”

  “Yes, of course they are. They’ve been mates from high school.”

  Gran winked. “There you go.”

  “And you would approve?”

  Gran tittered and brought a hand to her chest. “For God’s sake, don’t look so shocked, agape mou! I said I’m set in my ways, but I can still remember what it was like when I was young and my heart skipped the odd beat out of love. Not much has changed in the world since then on that score. I say you go out there and do your best! Love, if it is true, has a way of working out, even if it all seems wrong at first. Sometimes, life and love will test us. So all you have to do is give it your best. And if it’s true love, it’ll all be worth it.”

  Sofia winced but felt she had to say it. “And if it’s not?”

  “Well, if it’s not, then you will have learned a great lesson in life by the time you’ve given up.”

  “Which is?”

  “If it doesn’t work, let it go.”

  “But how do you know when to let go? How do you know when to give up?”

  “Easy. Just listen to your heart. We overestimate what we hear from others, what the facts may be. But the truth, it always lies in our hearts. When you choose the right person to love, you’re happy. Even after one or two failed attempts, when there are obstacles in the way, soon enough things have a way of working out. But if you’ve tried all you could, and you’re still suffering, then it’s time to let go. Just ask your heart. If the pain is more than you can handle, then it’s time to move on.”

  Chapter 13

  In the afternoon, the youngsters returned to the beach for another swim. After a long, blissful stay in the embrace of warm waters that felt as velvety against your skin as liquid honey, Sofia came out to say a quick hello to Akis. He had just served chilled coffees in tall glasses to a middle-aged Greek couple and was now grinning at Sofia from the end of the sitting area. She walked up to him smiling but deep down she felt sorry. She could tell he was envious that they all enjoyed themselves, the way he never could.

  She often caught his eye when they were on the beach swimming, sunbathing, laughing and joking while he ran around or stood behind the bar. Since the day when she’d spoken bluntly to him about what she thought he should do, she hadn’t broached the subject again but imagined it had made an impression on him. She’d seen the evident desire in his eyes to join them, for the very first time. She hoped he would mention the subject first, so she could tell him again how she longed for him to brave the leap and seek more freedom in his life.

  “Hey, Akis! How’s it going?”

  “All right, Sofia. Can’t complain.”

  Still, Sofia thought, the deep frown on his face said otherwise. Even that endearing, toothy grin of his had less honesty these days.

  “How do you manage with the temp?”

  “She’s all right,” he replied, turning around to check on the young girl behind the bar. “She’s got a lot of experience. She’s even taught me a thing or two about making cocktails. I know we only asked her to work here for just a fortnight, but we might be tempted to keep her, teach that deserter of ours a lesson,” he teased, pointing a finger vaguely at the water, where Loula shrieked while tossing the beach ball around with the others.

  “She seems so happy,” said Sofia, a forlorn shake from her head signalling to Akis what she was really thinking about.

  This time, it was Akis’s turn to wish she would bring up her own painful subject. But instead of voicing his wish, he reached out and patted her shoulder without saying anything.

  In response, Sofia issued him with a puzzled look. “What?”

  He shrugged, his eyes glinting with embarrassment. “Nothing.”

  “Right, I’ll see you later then.” She knew what that was about, but she didn’t want to bring it up. Still, she felt thankful for his silent acknowledgement of her upset. Duly noted. Maybe Akis wasn’t just another careless guy after all. She took a few steps, then turned around again, catching him as he was walking away. “Hey, Akis! Thanks . . .”

  He gave a thin smile. “You take care of yourself, Sofia mou.”

  Sofia strolled back to her mat and stood by it, but then, instead of sitting down as she normally would, she slowly walked away and sat on the pier base to dip her feet in the water, in the exact spot she’d been dreaming about all last winter.

  She lifted her gaze from the mesmerizing, sparkling waters and turned to look at her favourite, pyramid-shaped mountain. In the clear afternoon sunlight, it seemed to come alive with its vibrant cypress-green colour, like a green giant sprouting from inside the earth, a huge mass of raw energy.

  She became so absorbed by the endearing sight that she didn’t register the soft splashing sounds that signalled someone was approaching.

  “Can I sit with you?” came Steve’s soft, whispering voice.

  She turned and beamed at him. “Of course.”

  He sat and gave a long sigh, the corners of his mouth curling up to form a relaxed smile. “Isn't this heavenly? How I love this place!” He splashed his feet in the water and rubbed his chin, feeling panicky when he realised he was sitting right where Danny and she used to feed the sparrows the previous year. Oh, how i
nconsiderate of me! But instead of voicing this, being as tactful as he was, he said nothing.

  “I may be partial, but I’ll say it anyway, Steve. I agree with you. This is my favourite place in the whole wide world.” She smiled then, but when their eyes met, he knew she was heart-broken that Danny wasn’t there. He wished he could tell her how sorry he was, but instead, he nodded.

  Sofia registered his reluctance to speak freely. She knew it was awkward for him too. Granted, she didn’t need to guess. Loula had told her earlier he had confessed to her how guilty he felt to be in the village, reminding Sofia of Danny’s absence. Of course, Sofia didn’t see a reason for him to feel guilty and ached to relieve him from that. There was nothing for it. One of them had to mention Danny first.

  “You know, Danny and I used to feed the sparrows here. It’s strange they don’t come near this year. It’s like they’re different birds all together. It’s like they don’t remember me any more.” She tried to smile; it was difficult, but she managed to curl up the corners of her mouth enough to make it passable.

  Steve gave a sigh then that resonated deep inside her. He lifted his chin and focused his eyes on the far, glistening blue horizon before speaking. “Yes, I know. I watched you two from the bar last year.”

  “I know you did. I know you all did,” said Sofia. Were they still talking about feeding the birds though? Suddenly, it felt like they were talking about anything but the birds.

  “You know, Sofia, you can always find other birds to feed if these don’t remember you.”

  Definitely not talking about birds any more. Sofia burst out laughing and nodded fervently. “It’s harder than it sounds, Steve.”

  “I know,” he said, smiling wistfully.

  After a short pause, he said, “seriously now, why don’t you feed the birds this year?”

  “It’s just not the same any more,” she said, shaking her head. He caught her eyes and pressed his lips together, then turned to gaze at the mountain. He gave a chuckle. “Speaking of Danny earlier, do you know? He did my head in last year insisting we should climb that mountain.”