Maria put up her hand.
‘Stop with the thanks. Now, you go and sit outside under an umbrella, and I will bring you a coffee.’
‘If you’re sure. That would be lovely.’
She could certainly do with one.
‘Pah. This is my job. Off you go.’
Twenty minutes later she was joined by Maddie, and as soon as Maria spotted them together, she came out with more coffees and a laden plate.
‘We had some pastries left over from breakfast. They are allspitikó, home-made. I made them myself. You cannot go all morning without food.’
Sofia shook her head.
‘Oh no, Maria, it’s really not necessary. Coffee is fine.’
But Maddie already had her hand on the plate.
Her shock at seeing Elsie’s doppelganger last night had put her off her stride, and she’d eaten a lot less than the others, carefully concealing food and only taking tiny amounts. But her appetite was back with a vengeance.
‘This looks fantastic. I could eat a horse.’
Maria’s smile at Maddie’s enthusiasm lit up her whole face.
‘Let me explain.’ She held up a large cigar shaped tube, dusted with icing sugar. ‘These arebougatsa, filo pastry filled with a sweet custard, these,kourabiedes, cookies made with almonds, and these’—Maria puffed out her chest and pointed to the large squares—‘are pieces ofportokalópita,an orange pie, or cake really. Try… try.’
The slight stare that accompanied the food poisoning comment earlier was back in play.
‘Myportokalópitais said to be the best on the island.’
Maddie put a piece in her mouth and groaned with pleasure. Both women turned to look at Sofia. Maria had spoken the last sentence like they were about to argue and stick up for the cakes of women called Despina or Anna up the road. Sofia really didn’t fancy any food the state her stomach was in, but she could see she had no choice.
She put the square of cake dripping with syrup into her mouth and let out an involuntary groan identical to Maddie’s, as the fresh orange cut through the sweetness.
‘Oh my God. That is absolutely stunning.’
Finally satisfied, Maria strode off back to reception with a wave.
Sofia turned to Maddie.
‘She’s lovely, but a little scary, isn’t she?’
‘Sorry, mouth full.’
Maddie eventually swallowed and drank a glug of coffee.
‘I can’t believe everyone’s not the size of a house, if all this is on offer every day. They are fantastic.’
‘Good.’ Sofia reached for Maddie’s arm.
‘By the way, you were amazing back there, looking after Char. I know I was useless.’
Maddie smiled and flicked away any suggestion that she might have done anything praiseworthy. Sofia had noticed this tendency in Maddie before, to belittle her own achievements. She’d have to work on it.
‘I’m used to anticipating the needs of the residents. Knowing when someone’s going to puke has become second nature.’
‘But you’re so gentle and kind. You must have the patience of a saint. Don’t they irritate you at times with their constant demands?’
