‘And you were all in the same year? Which would make you all the same age?’
It was asked with a smile, but Maddie’s eyes searched out Sofia further down the table.
Sofia’s eyes and ears were on high alert, and she’d caught the words school and same age and seen the determined expression on Lydia’s face. There was no way she wanted her age revealed this early on, which Maddie would know, but she needed to make it crystal clear. Why were they so obsessed with how old she was? It was like they were sizing up a racehorse they were thinking of buying. The atmosphere cooled a few degrees. Her eyes met Maddie’s, and she gave a brief shake of the head. Moments later she was relieved to see her friend get up from the table.
At the signal from Sofia, Maddie went for the first thing that came into her head.
‘Sorry, but I need the toilet. Can you tell me where it is, please?’
‘Of course.’ The smile didn’t waver, but Maddie could tell that Adonis’s sister was annoyed she’d failed in her mission. Whether she was the sole interrogator or briefed to speak on behalf of everyone else was hard to tell.
When Maddie returned, she was relieved to see that the main dishes were being brought in by Kostas and Ariadne, which was a spectacle in itself. Kostas put the first one on the table.
‘Help yourselves everyone. In honour of our guests, we have beef and aubergine stew,moskári memelitzanes, a chicken stew,kapamas, and a lamb stew withavgolemono, which is a delicious creamy egg and lemon sauce.’ Ariadne put the dishes in the centre of the table and made to go back to the kitchen.
Maddie caught Charlotte’s eye.
‘Surely not more food?’ she mouthed.
Ariadne returned with two bowls, even bigger than the rest.
‘To go with it, we have island potatoes mashed in olive oil, andmaroulosalata, a lettuce salad to take away the richness of the stews. Please, eat!’
The food was genuinely fantastic, and to Maddie’s relief, thankfully there was no more talk of ages or cats. The chatter around the table got louder and louder as the meal wore on, and they were encouraged to sample everything on the table. By the time theloukoumades, small Greek doughnuts, plus a separate jug of chocolate sauce on the side, came out, Maddie was so full she couldn’t believe that anyone would even attempt one.
But Sofia’s pleading eyes forced her to take a couple of the sweet treats and swallow them down with some water.
Just when she thought it was all over, and most people at the table had lapsed into a semi-conscious state, the shot glasses and therakicame out and were passed round.
Sofia stood up and toasted their hosts.
‘Thank you for your hospitality and a truly stunning meal. The best we’ve experienced in Greece.’
The satisfied smiles of Kostas and Ariadne showed it was very much the right thing to say.
‘It has been so lovely to be welcomed into Adonis’s family and to meet you all.Yamas!’
Everyone joined in with the shouts ofYamas!
Just moments later it seemed, Adonis pointed at the two cars which had appeared in the driveway. He stood and hugged his brother and sister and their partners in turn.
‘Thank you so muchta agapiména mou adérfia,’ which Maddie guessed meant ‘my lovely siblings’. ‘But I must go back to work.’
There was a collective groan.
‘I’m so pleased you have met Sofia and her friends.’
This was followed by cheers and clapping.
‘And now, sadly we must leave you to the washing up.’
Lydia flicked her brother with a serviette.
‘Pah, that was always the case. Mummy’s little treasure never had to do the washing up.’
She reached up to kiss him on the cheek.
‘Don’t leave it so long next time. You work too hard.’
