‘Who owns it?’ Stella asked quickly. She was even more eager to find out now, after the old man’s odd reaction in the shoe shop.
‘Ah, you’ll have to ask Mrs Papadakis that,’ Marina replied, much to Stella’s frustration.
She was about to say theyhadasked, but the housekeeper had ignored them. She didn’t, though, fearing it might seem rude. She was beginning to think there must definitely be more to the villa and its owner or owners than met the eye. The mere mention of it round here seemed to stir up so many peculiar emotions.
Marina quickly changed the subject.
‘I love your earrings.’
She was admiring Louise’s array of gold studs and sleepers. The artist pushed away the thick curtain of hair on one side of her face to reveal her own ears, decorated with four silver hoops of differing sizes. ‘You see! We think alike!’
A speck of dust flew into Stella’s eye and she removed her sunglasses and tried to rub it away.
In an instant, Marina’s focus switched again to her.
‘Let me look at you properly.’
The woman was gazing intensely at Stella’s face, which made her feel shy all of a sudden. She wanted to replace her shades, but didn’t wish to be impolite.
‘Is my mascara splodged?’ she joked.
Marina didn’t reply. ‘You look sad,’ she said instead, leaning forwards over her palette and frowning.
Stella shuffled uncomfortably. ‘Do I? What makes you think that?’
Sensing Stella’s unease, Louise sprang to her rescue. ‘That’s not a very nice thing to say. You don’t know anything about her!’
Marina scarcely blinked, but she leaned back a little and softened her gaze. Her eyes, though, remained firmly on Stella.
‘I’m sorry if I alarmed you. I didn’t mean to speak out of turn. What I wanted to say was, I think you’ve suffered, but you’ll soon be reunited with someone you love.’
All of a sudden, Stella felt herself wobble. She was surprised the stranger’s words had had such an effect.
Louise must have noticed her friend sway, because she glowered at the artist and placed a protective arm round Stella’s shoulders, drawing her in.
‘How dare you upset her! You’ve no idea what she’s been through.’
‘Forgive me. I meant no offence.’
Marina’s stillness was disarming. She glanced at her lap, where the palette was still resting, and didn’t budge.
With a sigh, Louise gave Stella a gentle squeeze before turning her in the direction of the steps.
‘C’mon, let’s go home. I’ve had enough of Porto Liakáda for one morning.’
They didn’t look back but were aware of Marina’s eyes following them until they were out of sight.
Stella took deep breaths as they slowly ascended the steps. She felt winded, as if she’d been punched in the stomach.
‘What the hell was she thinking?’ Louise muttered, almost to herself. ‘Stupid cow.’
Digging in her shorts pocket, she found a wodge of tissues, which she passed to Stella. ‘Here, take these. Who the fuck does she think she is?’
They stopped for a moment while Stella blew her nose.
‘What do you think she meant about being reunited with someone I love?’ she asked, tucking the damp hankies in her back pocket.
‘Absolutely nothing,’ Louise said with a growl. ‘Forget it.’
