‘OK.’
She took the cat from Angeliki’s arms and turned her back on the others for a private moment. The white underfur on the cat’s belly was supersoft to the touch and after a tentative stroke she was rewarded with a loud purr from her charge.
They locked eyes as the tiny cat stretched out its back legs, the little stump on one side barely moving. The animal’s blinking eyes were giving her cat kisses the entire time she held her. Maddie’s own eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t cry, not now, not with everyone watching. One of her tears escaped and fell onto the cat’s fur, making her jump, but she carried on purring like a trooper.
The decision had been made as soon as she’d agreed to hold her. This brave little scrap of a cat was coming to live with her. Not one of the more perfect specimens that played around her feet. It had to be this cat. They’d both been knocked about by life, but neither of them was going to give up.
There’d be some red tape to go through, and it wouldn’t happen straightaway, but she’d give this cat her best life, the life she deserved. She’d keep her Greek name,Kanela, to remind her where she’d come from. Her friends had known better than she did what she wanted or needed.
When she turned back, the three women standing in front of her all had tears in their eyes as well.
‘You crafty buggers. It’s worked… Where do I sign?’
Angeliki led her over to the office to start the formal adoption process before leaving for her work in the town.
‘I’m so pleased you’ve picked her. I know you’ll look after her.’ Angeliki lowered her voice and looked around at the cats beneath their feet. ‘Don’t tell the others, but she’s my favourite. Such a strong girl.’
After plenty of photos ofKanelain every single pose imaginable, and a tearful goodbye to the little cat, it wasn’t just Maddie who needed the excuse of the ‘quiet hours’ betweenthree and five in the afternoon for a lie down. It had been one emotional morning.
She was still looking at shots ofKanelaon her phone while they waited for the car to take them to the club. They’d all agreed to wear the same dresses they’d worn to thepanigýri, but Maddie had absolutely no plans to dance with stray fishermen tonight.
The Star Bar turned out to be high up on one side of the main town, a big performance space surrounded by old stone walls and open to the skies, with a bar attached.
Sofia took them up to the counter and looked from one to the other and then to the barmaid and back several times as if waiting for something. It was Charlotte who clocked it first.
‘Oh my God, it’s Suzie Sessions, isn’t it? My brother had her poster up on his wall for years. He was obsessed with her.’
Sofia smiled.
‘Yes, I think most teenage boys were obsessed with Suzie in the eighties. I got a bit of second-hand glory because I looked and acted a bit like her, being small, dark and mouthy, or as we say, spirited.’
‘You still do look alike.’ Maddie smiled. ‘What’s she doing here of all places?’
‘She owns the bar. Married a Greek years ago and stayed. Got two grown up sons.’
‘Hey, Sofia!’
Suzie came down the bar to greet their friend.
‘Didn’t realise you were back in town.’
‘Yes, and I’ve brought my friends this time, meet Maddie and Charlotte.’
Suzie waved from behind the bar and Charlotte did a particularly vigorous wave back while Maddie restricted herself to a smile and a nod.
‘Hi, girls. First drink’s on me. What would you like?’
Sofia dived in on their behalf.
‘Three Mythos please.’
‘Coming up. Is Grace on her way?’
‘Yes, she should be here in a minute.’
Suzie handed over three ice-cold bottles of the Greek beer they’d all come to love, condensation dripping in rivulets down the green glass. Charlotte wouldn’t dream of drinking beer at home, but here it seemed the natural choice.
‘Take these, and I’ll catch you later.’
