AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘My granny cut him off,’ Mary said. ‘I don’t know if she meant to, or if she was just angry, but then she died and it was foster homes...’ She didn’t know what else to say. ‘He used to be wonderful,’ she added. ‘Mr Sensible, we called him. Even though I see him every week, I miss him...’
Mary got her hug then. It was scented in Yolanda’s new perfume and it was so nice to be in another person’s arms, just to be honest while being held, but still she would not cry.
That she would do next week, and alone, when they’d parted. For now, she just burrowed in his arms.
‘I’m so lonely, Costa,’ she admitted, and her admission was raw. She didn’t even temper her words. ‘I don’t expect you to get it. I know you’re an empty tap where emotion’s concerned...’
‘Thanks,’ said the man who held her.
And although she was pressed against him, and naked, there was no need for his trusty fish method. This was no sensual moment. It was about comfort. And so he held her as her sadness seeped into his marrow.
‘I didn’t come with you to Anapliró looking for a relationship,’ Mary told him. ‘I wanted to be part of a family, I guess...just for a weekend.’ She inhaled deeper. ‘I wasn’t acting...’
‘I know you weren’t.’
Costa sighed, because though she might have been hiding for a long time, he’d been witness to the real Mary.
‘Insatiable,’ he said, and he was still not talking about sex.
‘Yes.’ She nodded. ‘I actually want to go over to your mother’s tomorrow and find out her secret recipe for baclava and make it with her...’
She was honest...so honest, he thought.
‘I want to go to the party and dance and then be carried home and made love to.’
‘And you want to take her a card signed from Mary and Costa...?’
‘Wrong.’
He instinctively knew she was speaking the truth.
‘Just from Mary. I bought some seashell earrings at Thira airport...but they’re probably touristy and not to her taste.’
‘Who knows with Yolanda?’
‘And I know you’ve got something fantastic lined up for her on Sunday and that I’m not a part of that.’ She peeled herself off him. ‘I just wanted to play families for a while, and then, believe it or not, I wanted to get on with my life.’
‘I see that now.’
‘What about you?’ Mary asked.
‘Me?’
He knew she was waiting for the mystery of Costa to be revealed.
But there were no reciprocal rights with Costa.
He remained closed.
‘I’ve booked your helicopter for ten,’ he told her, ‘and a hotel room with the best view of the Acropolis.’
‘You’re very nice to break up with,’ she said, then hastily added, ‘Not that this was a relationship or anything.’
‘Correct.’ Costa nodded, and waited for the winds of relief to blow, and yet the air in the room was still.
‘I need to eat...’ Mary said.
He heard a slight husk in her voice and she cleared her throat.
