Page 115 of Villa of Secrets

‘The stroke didn’t affect her hearing then,’ Rebecca said quietly, and they both laughed.

‘Mama! Mama!’ The door burst open and Angelos and Konstantinos rushed at their mother.

‘My boys!’ Naomi leapt to her feet, arms wide. Reaching up, she pulled them both to her, kissed their cheeks, stroked their hair, and kissed their cheeks again. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you both. Are you okay?’ She glanced at Konstantinos’s legs. ‘Good job you weren’t in that room when it happened. I was horrified when Angelos told me.’

‘Wait here,’ Angelos said. They nipped outside, and returned immediately, one holding out chocolates, the other a bunch of roses.

‘For the best mother in the world,’ Konstantinos said.

‘Oh, I’m touched. How thoughtful.’ Naomi beamed at them both.

Angelos grinned. ‘Don’t be too happy, there’s also a sack of washing outside.’

‘Yiayá,’ he said, giving Bubba the Greek title for grandmother while stooping to kiss her. ‘You look younger every time we come home! Have you been stealing Mama’s cream again?’

Bubba’s eyes sparkled, her smile as wide as it could be.

Rebecca sat at the kitchen table, watching the glut of love and celebration that seemed to fill every corner of the room. Her heart exploded with happiness. To be part of such a wonderful family was one of the most important things to live for, and she deeply regretted staying away for ten long years.

Rebecca had never had parents, or children, so this was her first experience of a room bursting with the love and kinship that came with a complete family. She thought about Bubba, and the diaries, and realised this atmosphere was the day-to-day norm in her young life; and it had been all so cruelly snatched away from her. Amidst the hugging and laughter, she caught Bubba’s eye and felt her tears rise. Bubba clearly understood Rebecca’s emotion and, smiling softly, nodded as if to say, ‘Your turn will come.’

In the cramped kitchen, Konstantinos turned and cried, ‘Look who’s here! Aunty Rebecca, just as gorgeous as I remember you!’ The boys came either side of her and planted a great kiss on her cheeks.

‘Do it again!’ Naomi cried, grabbing her phone and taking a picture when they did. ‘That’s one for the cupboard door.’

‘I hear you’re giving us some cousins at last, Aunty Rebecca, you clever old thing,’ Angelos said.

Rebecca sniffed. ‘Less of the old, if you please.’

Konstantinos grinned. ‘Any time you want a babysitter in London, I’m available for a very modest fee. Just send the flight tickets.’ At which Naomi clipped him around the ear and wagged her finger, which led to more giggles.

‘Hungry?’ Naomi said, already knowing the answer and starting to set the table. ‘Beef in red wine and garlic potatoes?’

Angelos turned to his brother. ‘Why did we ever leave home?’

‘Must have been mad!’ Konstantinos replied, and everyone laughed.

*

At seven thirty, Rebecca had a bout of nerves. Fritz had landed, and she and Naomi were waiting in the arrivals foyer. He had already left for America when she found the cache of baby gifts in the attic, and the discovery had a lasting impact. She recalled some of the tags: ‘I love you and our baby more than life itself’, ‘To the woman who made my dreams come true’, ‘My precious wife and child, you are more than I could have ever wished for’, and so on. Dear Fritz, a rigid businessman but a real softie at heart. She stood on her toes and peered over the latest gaggle of tourists, desperate to meet her husband and find out where he disappeared to on the first Monday of every month, and why he had to keep it from her.

Naomi took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Stop fretting. He’ll be here any minute.’

Suddenly Fritz was there, sweeping Rebecca into his arms. ‘My darling, I love you so much that I couldn’t stand another day without you. How are you? How are the twins? Did they treat you well at the hospital?’

‘Fritz! You came for me, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.’

Naomi smiled, soaking up the scene. Fritz noticed her, let go of Rebecca and held out his hand.

‘Thank you for taking care of my wife,’ he said cautiously.

‘We both love her, Fritz. At the moment it’s the only thing we have in common, but I hope we’ll get to know each other a little better.’ Fritz met her eyes and nodded. Naomi continued. ‘Would you like to go straight to your rooms?’

‘I wondered if I could have a few minutes alone with Bubba? I’ve brought her a gift and I need to say a few words. Clear the air.’

Slightly alarmed, Naomi peered into his ice-blue eyes, but she saw only kindness, maturity, and a depth of sadness that pulled at her heartstrings. She stepped forward. ‘How about a hug for your sister-in-law first?’

*