Page 117 of Summer in Greece

‘Ah, not what I was thinking, actually.’

‘You’re too naughty!’

‘Mm, I do my best.’

By the time they got to her room, they were both laughing.

‘I hope you’re going to let me in?’ he said.

‘In what context are you speaking?’

‘Now who’s being naughty?’ He bustled her into the room and locked the door.

Two hours later they came back into the real world, bright-eyed with their secrets and their love.

‘I’m taking you to a taverna in my village.’

‘Your village?’

He nodded. ‘Over there in Vourkari. On the edge of the sea. The best fish.’

‘Do you have a plan?’ she asked.

‘Yes, I’ll drive there, we’ll eat, and the rest is up to you.’

‘No!’ she laughed. ‘You’re teasing me, now. Is there anything you would like to do tomorrow?’

‘We’re going on a dive at midday, then we’ll simply chill out, because the next day we’re going to Syros Island as soon as it’s light.’

‘Oh, brilliant, I’m so pleased.’

‘I’m quite excited myself. I have a big surprise planned for you there.’

‘Intriguing; will I need my dive equipment?’

He shook his head. ‘No, and don’t interrogate me, I’m not telling you anything more.’ He kissed the tip of her nose. ‘Enough to say: you will be absolutely blown away, and probably in tears too!’

CHAPTER 48

GERTIE

Dover, 1917.

‘YOU HAVE SPIRIT,’ INSPECTOR GLASSMAN said, handcuffing me. ‘I like a woman with spirit.’ I made the walk of shame to the station, where he took the cuffs off and locked me in one of the two holding cells. I was to stay there until the hearing. ‘You’ll be safe down here,’ Glassman said. ‘This basement’s stronger than any bomb.’

‘It’s not a bomb I’m afraid of, Inspector. I’ve seen the result of a gas attack, men coughing up chunks of their own lungs before they die. Will I have my mask with me?’

‘I’ll make sure it’s brought in with your essentials.’ The small room was about nine square yards, with a low ceiling, no window, and a barred door. A place in which to go crazy with claustrophobia. My head was already spinning when I realised Glassman was speaking. ‘Unfortunately, as it’s Friday, there’s no chance of a hearing until Tuesday, Miss Smith. However, we’ll make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. I’ll bring some supper later, meanwhile, if you make a list of things you require, perhaps your daily will bring them in for you. There’s a chamber pot under the bed, and a bucket of water behind the curtain.’

That was a grim moment, when he shut the heavy door at the top of the steps and silence fell around me.

In my solitary confinement, time stood still and I had no notion of day or night.

*

I heard the big door at the top of the stairs open and Mrs Cooper’s protesting voice.

‘Eeh, you’re not keeping the poor girl down here? Come on now . . . what if she were your sister, is this how you’d want her treated, lad?’