Page 97 of Summer in Greece

‘Yes, let’s double check everything,’ Harry answered.

Shelly considered a change of subject. ‘Can I ask, what’s the dive for?’

‘Ah, it’s quite straightforward. Eco-science research, concerning pollution; and due to the latest equipment, they’re allowed to go inside and investigate the cause of the sinking for the first time.’

‘After so long! That’s exciting. Look, I know there’s a meeting with the team this evening, but I’d like an idea of the dive procedure in advance, if possible, Harry. They’ve been here for a week already, going through the process. I want to make sure I’m up to the plate, so to speak.’

Harry turned to his son. ‘Elias, go through tomorrow with Shelly, will you?’

‘Me? I’ve got enough to do. Where’s Petros, still in bed?’

‘Really,’ Shelly said in a calming voice. ‘If it’s inconvenient, there’s no need. I’ll be at the meeting tonight anyway, and I did read the entire Standard Operating Procedure online, all seventy pages of it. Sorry I asked, it was thoughtless of me considering the pressure you’re under.’

Elias glared at her. ‘Why don’t you just concentrate on your own job, and also – as you’ve got your SSO certificate, you can also assist the meet’s safety procedure officer, Brian Blake, make sure he’s on the ball tomorrow. OK? Is that important enough for you?’

‘Elias, that’s out of order!’ Harry said.

‘Well, you should take care of your own girlfriends, Papa!’

‘Enough!’ Harry shouted.

Shelly understood. Elias feared he was losing his father to a woman and, to be loyal to his mother, he had to object.

‘Look, I’m assisting you, Elias. Just tell me what you want me to do. I’m not here to score points or start a fight between you and your father, all right? I’m sorry I seem to have offended you in some way.’

Petulant little bastard.

CHAPTER 40

GERTIE

Returning to Syros, 1917.

LIKE ANY EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD, my heart roared for romance, and I longed for love. How I had longed for Manno in those dark hours on Lemnos.

I had written to him so many times, but he never answered. Nevertheless, his silence did nothing to dampen my ardour. This tormenting desire grew stronger each night! My love for Manno never wavered, but passion kept it company now and I knew I would not be able to resist the fisherman’s amorous advances. In fact, I ached for them. My longing to lay in his arms became almost unbearable. After all, once I got back to England they might throw me into jail, or worse.

When I left Josephine to saunter along the quayside, enjoying the tranquillity and the safety of solid ground, I was not thinking of the beauty of Syros or my reputation. Feverish with desire for Manno, I wandered along with my daydreams, and turned to look out to sea. There he was, drifting across the flat water in the bay as if in a dream. He had turned off the engine and stood in the centre of the boat, facing the front, his arms held out from his sides. With an extraordinarily long pair of oars, he rowed forward.

I couldn’t help myself! Bobbing up and down on my toes, I displayed my excitement by waving my hands above my head. I wanted him to know how I felt. Desire shimmered through my body. I would give myself to him and he would make love to me. I would allow it because there may not be another chance. If I had to spend the rest of my life in prison . . . or worse, at least let me have this day. Surely fate had thrown us together for a reason?

His sturdy wooden boat approached the quayside. My breath burned, my lips longing to press against his. I stood dangerously near the edge of the quay and waved. As soon as he could, my beautiful Manno leapt ashore, shouted a few words to his father, and hurried me away to the quietness of the backstreets.

‘You came back to me!’ he said incredulously. ‘I love you, koukla mou!’

‘I only have a few hours, Manno,’ I whispered. ‘Kiss me!’

He rose up above me, one hand behind my head, pressing me towards his mouth, his other hand against my derrière, pushing my hips against his. Oh, the thrills that raced through me. I wanted him so badly.

‘Please, Manno, I think I’m falling in love with you,’ I whispered.

‘Come to my house?’ he said in an urgent, questioning voice. ‘We will be alone there.’ Without waiting for an answer, he took my hand and pulled me up narrow, cobbled streets and steep steps. We arrived at a stone building with pale-blue louvre shutters and an arched door. He pushed it open, then dropped a hefty plank across the receivers on the inside. No one could enter. He started to pull the ties of my white apron, and I reciprocated, untying the kerchief around his neck. By the time we arrived at the huge, wall-to-wall bed, we were both almost naked.

‘Panagia mou! I love you. I want to marry you!’ Manno’s face was close to mine. He slipped his hand inside my chemise and stroked my bare skin. Oh, the thrill! I had dreamt of this moment so many times.

‘I’ve never done this before, Manno.’

‘God and all the saints!’ he cried in a fit of passion.