Page 99 of Villa of Secrets

I snatched the hoe and ran at him, hurling it javelin style. He startled, dodged the missile, and tried to take me in his arms. I punched and slapped him while screaming abuse, until exhausted and in tears, I cried, ‘Irini’s dead!’

‘What?! What happened?’

‘Xanthi’s the traitor. She had Irini tortured and thrown off the mountain. I’m going to kill Xanthi! I swear it. Then, I come back and find you kissing my little sister! You’re unbelievable, you dog! You bag of stinking shit! Get out of here. I never want to see you ever, ever again!’

I stormed into the hut, slammed the door, and hurled abuse at Evangelisa. ‘You want the shepherd boy? You’re welcome to him because I can’t stand to have you, or him, near me at this moment.’ I hauled the door open. ‘Go on. Get out! I’ve had enough of traitors for one day!’

She started crying. I didn’t care.

Giovanni stood in the clearing. He stared at the hut. I pushed Evangelisa in the back. ‘Go! The pair of you, get out of my sight. Do your kissing somewhere else!’

‘Dora, I’m sorry!’ Evangelisa cried.

‘Don’t waste your breath, I’ll never forgive you. Get away from here!’ I threw myself into the hut and slammed the door so hard the cabin shook.

They finally left. With everyone I’d ever loved gone, my life seemed empty and without direction. I didn’t know what to do. Mentally and physically exhausted, and completely alone in the world, I cried more tears. Nevertheless, I needed to draw a line under this appalling chapter, and perhaps, who knows, start again – or simply end it all.

At that moment, I desired nothing more than to join sweet Irini. To imagine life without Irini was impossible. As I wept bitterly for my friend, noise outside caught my attention. I thought Giovanni or Evangelisa had returned to apologise, and suddenly I wanted to hold them, share my grief, hear them tell me it would be all right. Filled with remorse for my vicious outburst, I needed them badly.

Tassos came through the door. ‘Nathanial said, “Tonight, if you can.” ’

He didn’t need to explain.

‘Yes, tonight’s fine.’ Then I would leave this cruel world having kept my promise to Irini. Her death would be avenged.

‘Here’s the instructions.’ He gave me a folded note, turned and left the hut.

The small village of Marietta, near Filerimos, was the home of Giovanni’s family. At this place, I was to execute Xanthi. I read Nathanial’s orders over and over before I burned them. I had two hours to prepare.

Chapter 42

Rebecca fell into a deep sleep and woke refreshed. Her first thought: she was having twins! Fritz loved her! Life was truly wonderful. She tossed the covers aside, pulled on her clothes, and headed for the beach. When she reached the old cement pillbox, she sat on a rock with her back against the gun-shelter and gazed out to sea. Everything had changed since the terrible day of her departure so long ago.

She recalled taking Fritz home to meet Bubba. She’d met him at college in Athens and it was love at first sight. Yet the moment he walked through the cottage door, Bubba had gone ballistic. She jumped to her feet and stared at Fritz. He stepped towards her, smiling, with his hand stretched out, but before he could speak, she said coldly, ‘Get out of my house. You are not welcome here.’

Rebecca was confused and embarrassed. ‘But, Bubba, this is Fritz. We want to get engaged.’

‘What?!’ Bubba cried. ‘No granddaughter of mine will marry a Nazi!’ She rushed at Fritz.

Naomi grabbed her and said, ‘Bubba, calm down! What’s going on?’

‘Get him out of here!’

‘I’m leaving,’ Fritz said, then turning to Naomi, ‘I’m sorry.’ He touched Rebecca’s arm and said, ‘I’ll see you later.’

When he’d gone, Rebecca said she couldn’t believe the terrible thing Bubba had shouted at Fritz. He wasn’t a Nazi. Her grandmother was consumed by rage and hatred the likes of which she had never seen. Naomi managed to calm Bubba a little, and Rebecca was so upset, but then her own anger flared and she retaliated. She called Bubba a small-minded Jewish bigot. And it was Bubba’s turn to shed tears.

Despite Naomi’s effort to sooth them both, trying to put each point of view to the other, things escalated over the next few days until Bubba, refusing to explain the reason for her animosity, forbade Rebecca to see Fritz. If she did, she was no part of Bubba’s family.

With that ultimatum, Rebecca retaliated with words she had regretted ever since. Then, she packed a bag and left.

Thinking about it on the Paradissi shore, she realised how difficult the situation had been for Naomi, living in the same house and loving them both.

Memories of her childhood returned, Naomi, always there, looking after her.

Put your clothes higher up the beach. Don’t go in too deep. Put your sandals back on, as there might be broken glass between the pebbles.

Good old Naomi, she’d been sister, mother, and friend; and nothing was ever too much trouble.