Page 111 of Summer in Greece

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Outside the care home, Shelly allowed the tears to run freely down her cheeks. She cried until her broken heart was completely drained, then she hurried into the Ladies just inside the entrance and tidied herself up. Simon had gone in to see David, as was their routine. Shelly had an appointment with the Matron, and told the woman that she was not coming back, but she would continue with David’s upkeep expenses.

‘A wise decision,’ Matron said. ‘To tell you the truth, Shelly, your visits confuse him, and he’s unsettled for a couple of days after you’ve been.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘It had to be your decision. We’ll let you know if there’s any change, so you never have to worry about him, and you can still visit if you ever change your mind.’ She picked up a pen and turned it over in her hand. ‘There comes a time to stop living in the past, Shelly. If David understood, which he can’t of course, he wouldn’t want you to hold back. He loved you, still does in his way, so go and live a happy life while you still have time.’

*

Back home, Shelly slumped into a chair and wondered if she had the energy to listen to another of Gran Gertie’s tapes. She thought about DJ, then David in the home. One day, she might tell DJ about David. Perhaps she would bring him with her to see him, if he wanted to. But not yet. It was too great a burden for a boy so young. She decided to tell Dad of her decision tomorrow, but for the moment, she owed herself a large glass of red, and perhaps she would listen to ten minutes of Gran Gertie.

Her great-grandmother’s strength of spirit had helped Shelly to come to this difficult decision today, and she was grateful. She glanced at the window. Light flooded in now that the big old oak tree had gone. Her spirits lifted; she must search for some acorns in the morning and pot them up. A new beginning.

CHAPTER 46

GERTIE

Dover, 1917.

MOTHER WAS NOT FEELING VERY well the next day, but as we had already invited several people for afternoon tea, and Father had adjusted his busy schedule, he decided we should go ahead. He persuaded Mrs Cooper to abandon her chores and, along with her two daughters, serve afternoon tea, sandwiches and cakes to our guests. He had also invited Mr Hammersmith, the dentist, for reasons I didn’t understand.

Everyone arrived within minutes of each other at three o’clock and I greeted them in the front garden. When my eyes fell upon Corporal Perkins’s handsome face I almost forgot to breathe. I had forgotten how charismatic he was. Now, to see him in a smart suit, he appeared to be a gentleman of some standing and his slight limp only added to his allure.

‘Thank you for coming,’ I whispered, remembering I had kissed him. ‘We welcome your presence at the house for refreshment.’ Despite my self-consciousness, I relaxed in the knowledge that I could draw from his affection, so long as he did not remember what happened on that terrible day. Had my selfishness no bounds? My insides were in knots, and my mind desperate for something, someone, to cling to.

‘I thank you for inviting me,’ he said, lifting my hand to kiss the back. He went on to speak to Father, and although I spoke with Matron and Nurse Josephine, I was conscious of the Corporal’s every move, as I suspected, he was of mine.

Matron was very astute. ‘Decorum, Miss Smith.’

I pushed my shoulders back and stood taller. ‘Yes, Matron. Sorry, Matron, I lost control for a moment.’

‘Forgivable under the circumstances,’ she said kindly. ‘Corporal Perkins is an exceedingly handsome young man. I’m sorry to hear your mother is not well enough to join us.’

Corporal Perkins was never far from my side. I was distressed by the reporter drifting from one to the other, asking questions, being polite, and I guessed hoping to catch somebody off guard. He came to my side, and so did Perkins when he caught my worried glance.

‘Do you know that to go against military orders, as the person who opened the portholes did, is regarded as mutiny . . . a hanging offence, Gertie?’ Perkins said.

I clutched my neck. ‘No, don’t say such a thing, Corporal! I’m upset enough thinking about that terrible day.’

‘Somebody has to pay, that ship cost over two million pounds,’ the reporter stated. ‘Please excuse me, I must speak with the Matron.’

In one swift movement, Perkins sat beside me on the sofa and peered into my eyes. ‘Darling Gertie, how would you feel if I asked your father’s permission to walk you out?’ he said quickly, grabbing the moment.

‘What do you mean? You’re not making sense.’

‘Gertie Smith, I would go down on one knee if I could. You know that I love you with all my heart, and I hope, one day, you will do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

‘Corporal Perkins, this is hardly the right place or time! I can’t think.’

He lifted my hand to kiss the back, then he noticed the dolphin ring. ‘Why are you wearing a ring on your wedding finger?’

Surprised by the sudden cold tone to his voice, I answered. ‘Oh, erm, yes, it rescues me from unwelcome advances, from male patients.’

‘Am I making unwelcome advances?’

‘No, of course not. Also, it’s a dolphin, to remind me of my rescue on that terrible day when we all almost died.’ My thoughts went to Manno and our afternoon in Syros when he gave me the ring. With burning cheeks, I remembered his words: You are mine, agapi mou!