‘I wasn’t sure up until that point if I’d really have the strength to end things for good, but all the anger and hurt bubbled up inside me and came pouring out like a once dormant volcano. I suddenly knew what I had to do, for my own sake, no one else’s.’
Sofia gave her friend a thumbs up, earning herself a frown from Maddie, who threw her brandy back in one.
‘Shall we get out of here? There’s a fantastic ice cream place up one of the back streets that I’ve been meaning to try. It has a smoked hazelnut flavour that all the reviews rave about. It will give us all a walk, too.’
‘That sounds lovely. I’m a bit talked out to be honest. It will be nice to think about something else.’ Charlotte turned to the others and stifled a yawn. ‘Thank you both for being here for me. I think I’ll be up for an early night tonight.’
‘That suits me.’ Maddie nudged Sofia. ‘Especially as I’ve been volunteered to meet scary Greek momma in the morning.’
‘I’ll pick you up here at ten.’ Sofia grinned. ‘I’m not planning on an early night. I’ve only got three left with Adonis.’
After checking in on Charlotte the next morning, Maddie left her friend to have a long lie-in, turning the sign on her door to Do Not Disturb. While having a leisurely breakfast alone, she couldn’t resist opening her emails yet again, but there was still nothing from her son. It had only been just over a day, but it didn’t bode well.
The sound of a car outside told her that Sofia had arrived. She put down her coffee cup and brushed the crumbs off her navy linen shift dress. It was the best she could do in the circumstances.
The driver opened the car door to reveal Sofia looking the very image of a visiting European princess, dress and make-up immaculate. It was completely over the top for a visit to an old woman in Maddie’s eyes, but she was wise enough not to mention it. Even at a quick glance, she could see Sofia was strung taut as a wire.
‘You’re ten minutes early! I’ve only just finished my coffee.’
‘Well, you can never be too sure with the traffic.’
‘Okaay. And you’re feeling OK about today?’
A big nerve was twitching in Sofia’s forehead.
‘Perfectly calm. How’s Char?’
‘I’ve left her to sleep.’
‘Good. It’s what she needs.’
She’d quite like to go back to bed too. There’d already been an unsettling moment with Aphrodite, the attractive receptionist who seemed to hang on Adonis’s every word, as she prepared to leave the hotel.
Normally Adonis was with her, but he was already up and in his office. As she’d approached the desk, the woman had lookedleft and right to check no one was around and beckoned her over.
‘Your car is waiting, madam.’
‘Thank you.’
As she turned to walk away again, she clearly heard the whispered words, ‘he will never be yours.’
When she turned back again, the woman’s face was the picture of innocence, a false smile plastered on her lips.
She wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of querying her words, even though her first reaction was to punch her. There was no proof she’d said it, which the woman had made damn sure of. It would sound pathetic reporting it to Adonis, and as if she cared too much. She gave the woman a glacial stare before walking out.
She wasn’t about to mention it to Maddie either. They had enough to deal with as it was.
They pulled up at a traditional white house, with old oil cans filled with red geraniums all round the perimeter. For a moment, it reminded Sofia of the steps up to Giannis, the paddleboard instructor’s flat, and she swallowed hard. It was important she made a good impression here, and that evening had hardly been perfect. But she wasn’t going to take it as a bad omen, yet.
An elderly woman appeared at the door, with another woman behind her that Sofia recognised as Lydia, Adonis’s sister. She was glad she’d brought reinforcements too. Not that it was a battle, but it was nice to have Maddie with her.
It was Lydia who stepped forward first to welcome them and invite them to come through for coffee in the garden.
‘My mother speaks very little English, so Adonis asked me to come along to help, so you can communicate.’
Sofia could feel the mother’s eyes on her the whole time. They were about the same height, but the older woman was all in black, still in mourning for her long-dead husband. The black against the white made them look a little like pieces on a chessboard.Let the games beginwas the phrase that came to mind. Sofia smiled a big smile in the woman’s direction but got very little in return. A smile wasn’t exactly difficult to translate. She pointed at her chest.
‘Sofia,hero poli.’
