‘Oh, I don’t think they’re romantically involved,’ Cleo replied with a smile. ‘They’re just friends. At least, that’s the impression I got from Marina. But maybe they haven’t told her the truth. I always thought there was still a twinkle in Konstantin’s eye and, of course, he does have form.’
Tash and Maya now knew about the strange conversation Cleo had had with Marina on their way down to the village. After Katerina and Konstantin had reconciled, Marina had agreed Cleo could share the information with her close friends, so long as they promised not to spread it far and wide.
‘I’m still wondering how Marina knew you’d be the one to bring the two old enemies together?’ Tash said quietly.
‘I don’t think she did,’ Cleo replied.
‘But she knew there was something you needed to do to help,’ Tash persisted. ‘Surely leaving Konstantin to look after Katerina when she’d fallen was that thing? After all, it was the catalyst which got them talking at last, and which finally ended their conflict.’
Cleo frowned. ‘I admit it’s odd how I just knew I had to take a step back and let them get on with it. It went against my instincts as a nurse but in that moment, Marina’s words came back to me and I was certain it was the right thing.
‘Marina’s mysterious, just like Katerina. She was the one, remember, who told us we were going to face a big challenge and be put to the test. Well, she was certainly right about that. But I don’t really believe in psychics and stuff. Do you? I mean, the earthquake would have happened whether we were there or not.’
Tash and Maya thought about this for a minute, then Maya gave a shrug.
‘You know, I used to put all my faith in facts and logic but since Crete, I’ve changed. I’m prepared to believe there’s something bigger out there than me, anyway.
‘Before, I thought I had all the answers. Now I realise I’m just as clueless as everyone else – and I’m happy with that.’
Cleo laughed and Tash joined in.
‘Here’s to cluelessness,’ Cleo said, picking up a jug of water from the table, filling three glasses and raising her own. ‘To Villa Ariadne – and to Crete.’
When the waiter arrived with their cups of coffee, they each took a sip, listening to the clink of cutlery and the murmur of conversations around them. After a few moments, Cleo reached for her white linen napkin and tapped it on the table.
‘So,’ she said, looking from Tash to Maya, then back again. ‘What else is news? I want to knoweverything. Who’s going first?’
‘It should be you,’ Tash said, nodding at Maya. ‘You’ve been shimmering since you arrived. What’s going on?’
Maya couldn’t hide her smile.
‘Well,’ she said, sitting up straighter. ‘I spoke to Adam.’
Cleo and Tash exchanged glances and an emotional charge zipped across the table.
‘YourAdam? Your son?’ Cleo asked.
Maya nodded. ‘The one and only.’
‘That’s wonderful!’
‘It really is,’ Maya said softly. ‘He called me out of the blue. We spoke for almost an hour. Actually…’ She looked down, fiddling with the handle of her coffee cup. ‘I think it might be the longest conversation we’ve had in years.’
‘Oh, Maya.’ Tash pulled a face halfway between relief and sympathy. ‘That must have meant the world to you.’
‘It did.’ Maya blinked rapidly. ‘He’s doing well, he says. University – they call it school in America – is going well and he’s playing a lot of basketball. He still lives with his dad but—’ she paused again and drew a steadying breath ‘—he asked if he could come and visit me.’
Cleo gasped. ‘That’s huge!’
‘It is,’ Maya replied. ‘And he wasn’t just being polite. He said he misses me. He actually used those words.’
‘I’m so pleased for you,’ Cleo said, reaching for Maya’s hand and gripping it. ‘Honestly, it’s been such a long time coming.’
‘It really has,’ Maya replied. ‘I need to sort some things out first – his flights, my work, making sure his dad knows. But yes, I’m hopeful it’ll happen soon, maybe over the Christmas break.’
‘Hopeful is good,’ Tash said warmly. ‘Very good.’
The waiter arrived with their food at last and they began to tuck in. After a few mouthfuls, Maya picked up her cup and inhaled the steam rising from it.
