Page 59 of Summer in Greece

‘What a moving story. Did they find his family?’

‘Theio wouldn’t allow it, he would rather they believed him dead than burden them. We should go to Syros one day and lay some flowers on his grave.’

‘He died?’

‘I’d think so. I haven’t seen him since I was a boy, and he was an old man then. I guess he’d be near a hundred now. My parents and grandparents are long gone. I mean, there are lots of hundred-year-old Greeks, believe me. You just have to go into any village kafenio to see them sipping their morning coffee – but come on, what are the odds?’

*

Before long, they left the bus in the centre of Athens. Harry’s excitement was contagious. In a taxi to the foot of the Acropolis, he muttered statements like: ‘The cradle of Western civilisation,’ and ‘The birthplace of democracy.’ On top of the great flat rock, Shelly stood in awe under the magnificent columns that skirted the Parthenon. She photographed everything. Harry led her around the walls where they looked down on the city and pointed out landmarks. She zoomed in, knowing the enjoyment she would get from her pictures later.

Harry studied his watch. ‘Eleven thirty, quick, we’re running late! We have to get back to Syntagma Square for something very special!’

They raced down to the street, jumped on a packed bus without a ticket and hoped an inspector didn’t get on. When he did, they squeezed through the other passengers and got off from the middle doors, laughing like naughty children. A short taxi ride took them to the houses of parliament.

‘You’ll have to jump out at the lights, is not allowed to stop now because the Evzones are changing guard,’ the taxi driver said.

Harry paid the driver. He pulled up sharply and they both leapt from the taxi, the door nearly taking out an enraged scooter rider. The square was crammed with locals and tourists.

‘Let’s see if we can get a better view. Put your biggest lens on the camera,’ Harry suggested. ‘Right, now come on!’ He took her hand and tugged her around the tourists to a policeman on crowd control and Harry spoke to him in Greek. As a result, the officer directed them to a spot with a good view.

‘This is amazing, thank you,’ Shelly said. ‘I’ve never seen so many soldiers. Just look at the uniforms, and they’re all so tall and handsome.’

‘It’s part of the requirement.’ Harry was beaming with pride. They watched the changing of the presidential guard until Harry said, ‘Come on, it’s almost over, let’s get away before the crowd starts to move.’

‘Where are we going now?’

‘The best museum in Greece, you’ll love it! Come on, keep up.’

CHAPTER 24

GERTIE

Greece, 1916.

MY HEART WENT OUT TO Perkins. He put on a brave front, but inside I guessed he was struggling to retain his sanity. I tried to imagine how it must feel to suddenly discover part of your body is elsewhere, missing in action. He frowned a lot now, especially when he thought nobody was watching. But when he caught me looking at him, his cheeky grin that touched me so deeply returned.

‘No nonsense now, Corporal. You must get some sleep,’ I ordered, trying to hide the affection in my voice. ‘You’ll need all the strength you can get if you’re going to be out and about tomorrow.’ I kissed two fingers and placed them on his forehead.

‘Now I really will have sweet dreams,’ he said, closing his eyes, his face expressionless without the pain. For a moment, I saw a different person, a young man who laughed with the boys, who hugged his mother and shook hands with his father. A man who wanted to play football, and dance with pretty girls. A man who loved his job, took pride in whatever he did, and in his appearance. As I looked down on him, I sensed his alternating euphoria and depression and the confusion that his mood swings caused.

Josephine had told me many things about amputees and what they went through. Phantom-limb pain, jumpy-stump, acute depression. When I became a qualified nurse, I wanted to specialise in this field, to try to make amends.

‘Be careful,’ Josephine said quietly from her desk. ‘Your job is to take care of his body’s healing, nothing more.’

*

Later, I walked around the harbour and sat on the chest with one of my letters.

‘What are you reading?’ Manno asked, sitting beside me, a little too close for comfort.

I moved to the edge. It wasn’t correct for a man to sit in such close proximity without so much as an invitation. ‘It’s private,’ I said. ‘From my mother.’

He moved closer again.

Annoyed, and determined to hold my claim on the chest, I got up, walked around him, and sat at the opposite end. Manno frowned at me.

I bit my lip to stop myself grinning. ‘Stay over there, please.’ I pointed at his end of the chest.