Page 129 of Villa of Secrets

She glanced towards the sea, which she could not actually see from the cottage but, looking up, there was a special light over the water that confirmed the presence of the Mediterranean. She decided to walk to the small harbour where her father would have moored his boat. Perhaps she would meet an old fisherman who had known him.

Naomi’s friends were leaving. When they came onto the patio, Rebecca sniffed hard and wiped the backs of her hands over her eyes. ‘Sorry. It’s so sad.’ She closed the diary.

‘You’re welcome to come to the church any time you want, Rebecca.’ Georgia patted her shoulder. ‘We always need extra help with the polishing and the flowers.’

‘Thank you, that’s very kind.’ Rebecca shared a glance with Naomi.

‘By the way,’ Heleny said. ‘Did you get all those packages Naomi was posting?’

Rebecca nodded.

‘And was everything in order when you received them?’ Georgia asked.

‘It was.’

Heleny said, ‘You understand it cost her a fortune? Week after week.’

Rebecca smiled, enjoying the game.

‘She worried about those parcels. We could tell, couldn’t we, Heleny? We were concerned for her.’

Heleny nodded. ‘Very concerned.’

‘Ladies, don’t worry. I got all the gun parts and snapped the weapon together in seconds. It’s ready for use.’

Georgia and Heleny stared at each other.

‘It was a gun!’ Heleny stuttered.

Georgia’s eyes were wide, her face astonished. The two women turned and scuttled up Spartili Street muttering to each other.

Naomi grinned. ‘You monkey! That’ll be all around the parish in an hour. You coming in?’

Rebecca nodded. ‘It’s great to be back, Naomi.’

*

After dinner, Naomi and Bubba sat at the table outside, a mound of sultanas between them.

‘You sort them, and I’ll de-stalk them,’ Naomi said. ‘You’re getting a lot more control in that hand, aren’t you?’

As Bubba smiled her crooked smile, Naomi noticed the left side of her grandmother’s mouth twitch. Such a small thing, yet Naomi’s joy was immeasurable.

‘That will be Costa,’ she said when the phone rang. She dashed indoors and picked up, eager to share her elation. At last, Bubba was well on the road to recovery and her husband would return home soon.

‘Bubba’s mouth moved just now,’ she said into the phone.

‘That’s great news, love. You’ve worked really hard with her. We’re all so proud of you,’ Costa said.

‘When will you be home? We’re worried sick about this court case, so many people depending on us. I’ll feel much better when you’re here.’

She glanced at her laptop, the inbox crammed with emails from Jewish diaspora around the world. Well-wishers, people begging for help, holocaust stories, and all of them hoping that the Cohen family case would set a precedent.

‘One young couple have sold their house in Canada and given up their jobs to fly over to try and get their great-grandparents’ place back. It’s not just about Bubba’s father’s shop anymore. Such a tragedy if we lose the case.’

‘Naomi, love, I have to tell you that I can’t come home. I’m truly sorry but I’d risk losing my job for next year.’

Naomi felt her world collapse. ‘It’s so important to me, Costa. Surely, the company must understand. We’re setting a precedent, and the entire Jewish world is watching. I was certain The Royal Sapphire would make an exception.’