Page 123 of Summer in Greece

‘Manno, you sold your precious boat? Oh, my goodness.’

‘Well, to give you the truth, it was my father’s boat, and now he is threaten to shoot me. But no worries, when I tell him about the grandson of his, everything will change.’

‘You’re crazy, Manno. Really crazy. Let me speak to Father. Come to the house with me.’

I pointed to the chairs under the oak tree. ‘Wait there, Manno.’

‘You’re sure he will not shoot me?’

‘I’m sure.’ I pulled the front door open, wheeled the perambulator into the vestibule, and lifted Adam.

‘Who is that?’ Father asked as he turned away from the window. ‘He was here earlier, looking for you.’

‘Manno is the mailman who rescued us when the Britannic went down, Father.’ I sat in the nursing chair in front of the fireplace. ‘His grandmother looked after me, did my laundry and gave me her bed. A very special lady.’

Adam snuffled and gave a little cry, telling me of his hunger. As usual, the sound made my nipples harden painfully. I quickly unbuttoned the front of my dress and then opened the top of my combinations. My baby searched, open-mouthed, for my teat, latched on, and then nursed hungrily. His little fist opened and closed against the white skin of my breast, and his eyes half closed with contentment. There was something miraculous about feeding my little one, and the process filled me with wonder.

Father came over and, with an adoring look, peered down at us. ‘One of the most wonderful sights in the world, Gertie.’ Then he straightened up, and asked, ‘What do you want to do about the young man?’

‘He sold his fishing boat to come here and see me for a few hours, Father. His ticket to go back to Greece is for the morning ferry. I’m sure he will never return, so I would like to spend a little time with him. I know that’s inappropriate, but still . . . who will know? Oh, Father!’ And suddenly it was all too much. My tears broke free and raced down my cheeks. Adam stopped suckling and stared at me.

Father turned back to look out of the window.

‘Oh, Father. I feel so ashamed. I’ve been nothing but trouble, haven’t I? I’m so sorry. I try to do the right thing, but everything seems to go wrong. And now . . . and now I will have to bear the consequences of my actions for the rest of my life.’

‘Do you love him?’ I nodded. ‘Where does this leave your husband?’

‘Johnathan is a good man, really, and he does love me. He will provide a fine life for us, and Father, he deserves better than me. I will thank you to forget all this as soon as you can. Johnathan need never know. It would only hurt him.’

‘I see. Gertie, as your father, I must advise you. Lies are never a good foundation on which to base a marriage. You must live with them for the rest of your life. However, I understand your reasoning.’ He turned away from the window. ‘I have to take the Ford into town for a service, so I’ll stay at the club after surgery and return home around noon tomorrow. Will you be all right?’

I stroked the downy hair on Adam’s head. ‘Yes, Father. Thank you.’

‘Then I’ll see you tomorrow, when I hope we can put all this behind us and forget it ever happened.’

*

Once my father had left, I called Manno in. He sat on the sofa and rocked Adam to sleep.

‘He is magnificent, and so strong, like Hercules. Did you see how hard he gripped my finger? I feel so proud now, I don’t want to be parted from him, Gertie. I should stay.’

‘Don’t frighten me, Manno. I’ve told you what will happen if my husband finds out the truth. Do you want me to hang?’ I clutched my throat. The idea terrified me. ‘Your son will grow up knowing his father caused his mother’s death. He’d never forgive you.’

Manno’s eyes widened. ‘Forgive me, agapi mou, I didn’t think of these things.’

‘You are a good man, Manno, and I love you, but we have to think of what’s best for our son. One day, I swear on my life, he will come to Syros.’ I went to my mother’s writing bureau and removed a small ivory box. ‘Just to prove I am telling you the truth, look, here is the money I have already saved up towards my trip to Greece.’ I hesitated, I had worked so hard for this, but then I thrust it towards him. ‘As a demonstration of my love for you, I want you to take this money and buy your father’s boat back.’

He reached out, I thought for the box, but instead he took my hand. ‘You are still wearing my ring. The silver dolphin. That is enough proof for me, agapi mou. The boat is no problem, I sold it to the mayor of Kea. I’ll win it back in a game of tavli. Also, the mayor has to get the mail from Syros, so he will lend me my own boat to get it. You see, is not so bad.’ He looked tenderly into my eyes. ‘Where is your bed?’

‘No, Manno, I’m a married woman now. It wouldn’t be right.’ His face fell. ‘Manno, you took my virginity, and I have given you a strong, handsome son, is that not enough?’

He sat in silence for a while. ‘I have decided, I will wait until this war is over, then I will ask you to leave the Englishman and join me on my beautiful Greek island. While I wait, I’ll build you the most wonderful house of stone that looks out over the sea. I’ll plant olive trees, so we are rich with oil, and grapes to make the sweetest wine. There will be many almond trees, for their beautiful blossom in the spring, and walnut trees for fine nuts in the autumn. We will have beehives, full of golden thyme honey, and because you are English, we’ll have roses . . . the biggest red roses.’

This was too much for me. I didn’t want him to leave.

He lifted my chin. ‘Why you cry, Gertie? I love you. One day we’ll be together, agapi mou.’

‘Oh, Manno, I wish with all my heart.’