‘Agreed. All for one…’
‘And one for all,’ Charlotte finished the sentence.
Beside the ambulance, the smiling faces of Theo and Thea swam into view in front of their vehicle stamped with the hotel’s name.
Maddie fought back tears for the first time since she’d seen Thanassis fall into the boat. The peace and quiet of the hotel on the hill had never been more desirable.
‘Can we just go, please?’
Thea took her hand.
‘Of course.’
Before the ambulance doors closed on Thanassis’s inert body, Maddie caught a glimpse of a young woman with rich auburn hair, sitting holding Thanassis’s hand, tears streaming down her face.
As if she could feel someone looking, the woman raised her eyes and stared back at her for a moment. Maddie shivered in the warm air at the expression on the woman’s face. It was as though she’d just seen a ghost.
Chapter Fifteen
Asteaming hot shower and a couple of painkillers washed down with a double brandy had made Maddie feel a tiny bit more human.
The three of them were now closeted together in Theo and Thea’s private living room at the back of the hotel, away from the prying eyes of the other guests, who’d obviously heard about the dramatic rescue at sea, judging by the lowered voices earlier on their way through reception.
Thea seemed to understand without being told that none of them wanted to answer any questions tonight, for which Maddie was very grateful.
The hotel owner’s gentle face with its sweet smile appeared in the doorway as if Maddie had conjured her up.
‘Do any of you want something to eat? We have somemoussakain the kitchen which I made earlier, but there is far too much for us to manage alone.’
Maddie would bet money that Thea had put an extra-large portion in to warm as soon as the coastguard had told them their guests were on their way back to the harbour. But who was sheto argue with the Greek obsession with feeding people in every single situation, good or bad? She was happy to eat in almost every imaginable mood herself.
‘That sounds lovely, Thea, if it’s not too much trouble. I’d love some.’
Thea’s eyes lit up.
‘There are alsohorta, greens, to go with it.’
‘Count me in.’
Thea looked around at the others.
‘Anyone else?’
Charlotte came out of her own daze.
‘No, thank you, Thea.’
Sofia was stood at the fireplace, studying the many black-and-white family photos on the walls.
‘Nothing for me either, thanks.’
As soon as Thea had left the room, Sofia took the seat next to Maddie.
‘I’m not even going to ask how you can eat at a time like this.’
‘It sounds yummy.’
Charlotte lowered her voice.
