Stavros, Christos’s nephew, is on the beach busily helping Beata and Christos ferry food for the barbecue. He’s twenty-five, Rose knows, a sweet, handsome boy who possibly reminds Grazia of the children she doesn’t have? Grazia has said she doesn’t have children, but did she want them?
Who knows?
‘Rose, I think it’s important to note that I was all the children had when Maria died,’ says Bernard, now speaking like he’s at a board meeting and minutes are being taken. ‘You know how it is, when they were older, I was the only stability.’
Grazia turns to look at him with disdain. ‘They were like big kids even when they were fully adult. You got them out of scrapes all the time,’ she points out. ‘When Stephen’s investments failed, who picked up the pieces? You did. Same with Viola. She knew Daddy would always help. They have never had to behave in the real world like adults because Daddy was always there for them.’
‘Do you agree with what Grazia’s saying?’ Rose asks Bernard.
His eyes are misty with unshed tears and he says nothing, shaking his head as if he can’t speak.
Rose wants to leave some time for him to think about what she and Grazia have just said.
‘I love them and I love you,’ Bernard finally says in a croaky voice. ‘I am so sorry, Grazia, so sorry—’
To Rose’s astonishment, given Grazia’s previously steely demeanour, Grazia gets out of her chair and puts her arms around her husband.
‘Would you like a moment or two?’ asks Rose.
Grazia nods.
‘We’ll start the meditation in five minutes, OK?’
‘Thank you,’ says Grazia and she and Bernard walk down the beach.
‘I hope they get all sorted out with his kids,’ says India a bit tearfully. ‘They’re a sweet couple and I don’t understand why children wouldn’t want their dad to be happy. Doesn’t everyone want the people they love to be happy?’
Rose loves India’s genuine kindness.
‘Sometimes the people who are our nearest and dearest don’t want us to be happy. If we are, the contrast is too great. It is easier for them when everyone is unhappy. Does that shock you?’
‘It doesn’t shock me,’ says Dianne.
‘Not everyone is as lovely as you, India,’ Diannecontinues. ‘You need to be aware, that’s all I’m saying. Be aware. Red flags!’
‘What sort of red flags, Dianne?’ asks Rose.
Dianne holds a hand up. ‘No, you’re not catching me that easily!’ she says, and her face goes blank.
It’s incredible how she does that, Rose thinks.
One minute, her face can be allI’m putting your head in the blender, and the next minute, it’s a flat mask. Incredible really.
Rose moves on to Dan.
‘How are you feeling, Dan?’
Dan hesitates a beat, as if scanning his body for tension or any other issues.
‘I’m fine,’ he says, sounding slightly surprised.
‘Excellent. And you, Keera?’
Keera smiles sunnily back at Rose.
‘I have pains in muscles I didn’t know I had,’ she says, then adds by way of explanation: ‘India and I met Alexei.’
‘Ah yes,’ says Rose sagely. ‘He’s an excellent yoga teacher.’
