‘Someone’s coming down the path. It’s my boss and a man I don’t know.’
She grabbed the T-shirt that she kept nearby for Will.
‘Here. Put this on.’
Will pulled it over his head and Grace helped to arrange it around his torso, resisting the urge to stroke the soft hairs on his stomach.
The couple was getting closer. Their faces were now in full view. Will leant forward.
‘Ah, it’s my boss too.’
‘I knew they knew each other, but why have they come together?’
‘I think we’re about to find out.’
Grace vacated her seat, and indicated for the man, who introduced himself as Panos, to take it. He’d obviously got something important to say to Will. She and Elena could sit inside.
Elena was already at the kitchen door. Grace looked from her to Panos.
‘Can I get you both a coffee?’
Elena shook her head.
‘No, we’ve just had coffee, thank you. I’d like to talk to you, in private. Can we go inside?’
‘Sure.’
Grace left Will and his boss on the terrace and pulled out a chair for Elena at Will’s blue dining table.
Elena stumbled on her words for a moment.
‘Grace… you have been so kind to me. I never really thanked you properly for what you did. I didn’t want Panos to hear our conversation, as he has no idea what went on.’
Grace nodded. She’d always suspected there was a nice woman hidden somewhere under the layers of convention and money.
‘It’s nothing, honestly.’
Elena put her hand on her arm.
‘No, you were brave. You took a risk and told me the truth. Not many people would have done that and put their own position in danger.’
Grace looked down at Elena’s loose white linen dress embroidered with tiny daisies. The baby bump was definitely visible. Elena stroked her stomach before speaking again.
‘The baby is kicking all the time now. We’re so excited about what’s to come. And we have you to thank for pushing us into facing up to our problems.’
Grace tried to bat the compliment away with her hand, but Elena locked eyes with her.
‘I love Giannis, for better or worse, and if you love someone, you must be prepared to take risks.’
Elena stared out at the terrace for a moment.
‘Don’t let true love slip through your fingers. It’s a rare and precious thing.’
Grace wasn’t quite sure what this all had to do with her.
‘Panos is out there with a proposal for Will. He is extremely grateful to him for putting his life on the line. And Giannis and I are grateful to you, Grace, for putting our lives back on track. If you decide you want to stay on the island and make a life here…’ Elena looked back at the terrace again. ‘We would be happy to offer you a full-time or indeed part-time job and sponsor your visa.’
Grace didn’t know what to say.
