Olive island

by Kay Thorpe

  `Thanks,' she said gratefully, and turned to find Nikos regarding her with amused dark eyes.

  `You appear to be making a habit of this,' he said mockingly. 'I am getting almost to expect it. Why are you not with the others of your party?'

  Nicky looked round hastily, but could see no familiar faces among the people nearby.

  `I didn't know they'd moved on,' she said, trying not to stare at the young woman by his side. 'I'd better go and find them.'

  But first,' he said smoothly, 'I would like you to meet another member of the Alexandros family. Marguerite arrived only yesterday from Athens to spend a few weeks on the island as our guest. As you are very near to the same age in years I am sure you will feel a

  certain sympathy.' This last with a taunting inflection which was not lost on Nick.

  Hi?' said the other girl shyly, her lovely cameo of a face breaking into a smile. And then in English, `Nikos has told me of your work at the hotel. Are you not afraid to be alone in a strange country?'

  `Miss Brent fears nothing,' put in her escort satirically. 'She has even told me I must not interfere in the business of the Xenia.'

  Marguerite's eyes widened disbelievingly as she looked from one to the other. 'But the hotel is your business, Nikos. You cannot interfere in that which is yours already.'

  `You must persuade Miss Brent of the wisdom in your words,' he said, watching Nicky's face. 'It is not the custom for English women to listen while their menfolk speak.' Before she could even begin to form any kind of answer to that one, he went on, 'There is to be a dinner party tomorrow evening in honour of Marguerite's arrival. I am sure she will wish you to be there.'

  `Oh yes!' The agreement was swift and eager. 'It will be very good to meet with you again.'

  `Thank you.' Nicky's answering smile was polite. `Unfortunately, I've already arranged to take a number of the hotel guests to the local kendro to watch the dancing tomorrow night, so I'm afraid I won't be able to accept.'

  `They will not need you.' Nikos said it with firmness and finality. 'I shall arrange for Stamatis to take care of those who wish to visit the kendro. He has a brother who works there. You will please both myself and my cousin by accompanying Lee Merril to our small

  affair.' His hand took Marguerite's and tucked it gently beneath his arm. 'Come, pedhi, we must not keep Miss Brent from her companions any longer. You will find them on the steps of the Four Gods, which is down that path over there.' The dark head inclined towards her. Kalimera.'

  There was little Nicky could do just then but accept the situation as it was. She found the rest of the party about to move on from a study of the statues edging the flight of stone steps leading to another level of the gardens, and made Up some excuse about needing a new film when Harvey Tolman commented on her absence.

  Following on behind the Tolmans, she glanced up towards the terrace she had just left, but could see no sign of the pair she sought. She thought of them, moving together through the sunlit grounds, Nikos attentive, protective, looking down into the lovely face of his cousin and seeing there everything he considered desirable in a woman. And Marguerite herself. What of her feelings? She had looked at him with wonder in those huge amber eyes, as though scarcely able to credit that such a man existed. Did all Greek women regard their male relatives with such obvious adoration? Nicky doubted it. She had a strong feeling that the girl had been taken entirely unawares by an emotion she had not anticipated in meeting with the cousin she had probably not seen for years. In continental families it was quite common practice for cousins to marry. Perhaps Marguerite had been sent here to Corfu with just that purpose in mind.

  It must be the heat, Nicky thought, that was making her feel so suddenly depressed.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  SUNDAY anywhere has an atmosphere all of its own. Awake at six, Nicky emerged to a time-arrested world of pale gold and azure blue, with the mountains of Albania etched in mist along the skyline like echoes from a dream.

  The water was cold on her skin. She swam out to the far end of the long curving jetty, to pull herself up and sit with arms clasped about bent knees while the sun dried her off, eyes devouring the emerging landscape. The island was insidious, slowly exerting its pull until there came a, time when one couldn't leave, wouldn't ever want to leave its mythical shores.

  The sound of an engine shattered the spell abruptly. She turned her head to see the yellow MG come to a stop in the courtyard, and Dino's bronzed arm raised in greeting.

  He came swiftly along the jetty to join her, a towel under his arm. He was wearing a pair of levis which looked as though they had seen better days, and his feet were bare. His smile flashed.

  I hoped you would be here,' he said. come always on Sundays to swim at this hour. I may sit with you and smoke a cigarette first?'

  'Of course,' she said.

  About to refuse when he offered the case, she changed her mind and took one instead, accepted a light and drew gingerly on the smoke. She had not tried smoking before, and didn't think much to it now,

  especially at this hour of the morning.

  `I understand that you are dining with us tonight?' he said, dangling a foot into the water lapping below. `Nikos said they had seen you at the Achilleon. What did you think of our cousin from the mainland?'

  `She's very beautiful,' Nicky answered evenly. 'Is this her first visit to the island?'

  The first since she was a very small girl. Marguerite is beautiful, yes, but she has nothing of the spirit I have learned to admire in English women. She says "Yes, Nikos. No, Nikos" like all the others of her kind. Me, I could not endure such boredom, so tonight I talk only with you. You do not mind this?'

  Nicky said carefully, 'Don't you think it would be a bit discourteous to ignore the guest of honour? It's hardly her fault that she's been taught only to think of pleasing her menfolk. Perhaps if you indicated that your views were rather more enlightened, she might surprise you.'

  `Perhaps.' He sounded doubtful. 'It will not matter either way. It is not me she is interested in. She wishes only to be with Nikos.'

  Sour grapes? wondered Nicky fleetingly, and heard her own voice ask, 'And your brother — does he share the same wish?'

  Dino shrugged. 'Who can be sure of what Nikos is thinking? He knows why Marguerite has come to Perata, for it has long been the hope of my mother that he would marry and give her grandchildren while she is young enough to enjoy them. Such a marriage would be pleasing to all the family because it would join together the two halves into one whole again.'

  `It all seems rather . . . cold-blooded. Supposing

  Marguerite didn't even like him?'

  `It would not occur to her to consider such a thing. She would obey the wishes of her parents. And she does not dislike him. She loves him. She has told me so.'

  Nicky looked at the cigarette in her hand with distaste. 'That was quick. She's only been here a couple of days.'

  `Even one hour is time enough to know one's heart,' he said softly, his eyes on the sea. Then he looked round at her, and smiled. 'Did you not feel the magic between us the first time we met?'

  `Not that I noticed.' She threw down the half-smoked cigarette, and got to her feet. 'Are you coming in?'

  `You are afraid to stay here with me because I talk of love,' he taunted. 'You think that if you stay I shall kiss you, and you would like it.'

  Nicky had to laugh. 'You don't have to feel obliged to prove anything to me. I'll agree that you're wonderful without pushing. See you on the beach.'

  She took a header off the jetty, surfaced and heard him hit the water behind her as she struck out for the shore. Two minutes later she sank down on to the sand and waited for him to come up.

  `You'd have done better if you'd waited to take off your jeans,' she jeered lightly. 'You might even have been able to give me a race.'

  `I could have caught you at any time,' he re-joined, sinking down beside her. 'I allowed you to win.'

  `If that's true, why are you o
ut of breath?'

  `I am not.' With an effort he managed to control his breathing 'You see?'

  `I see, but I don't believe.' Nicky took off the wide

  blue band and shook out her hair. 'You just don't want to admit to being second best.'

  A scowl crossed his features. I am second best to no one !'

  'All right,' she said, surprised by his vehemence. 'So you're not. I was only teasing you.'

  Dino relaxed again, looking slightly sheepish. 'You are great ones for the teasing, you English.'

  'Listen who's talking !' She threw a handful of sand at him before standing up.

  'You are not going already?' he queried. 'It is not yet seven o'clock.'

  'But I have to dress, dry my hair and do a few other things before breakfast,' she answered. 'I'm not here on holiday, Dino, only as a working girl.'

  'You should not have to work,' he said, pressing himself to his feet. 'Pretty girls were not meant for such things. Marguerite has never done anything like this.'

  'Marguerite,' dryly, 'has never had to do anything like this. If my parents were rich and influential I might have grown up the same.'

  'Then I am glad that they are not.' He caught her hand, carried it to his lips. prefer you just as you are.'

  Nicky took back her hand in amusement. 'It's too early in the morning for hearts and flowers. There should be a moon.'

  'There will be a moon tonight. You will allow me to show you the gardens?'

  'Maybe.' She gave him a wave of her hand and left him standing there on the sand.

  The day took its course. Nicky bathed again, played

  a brief but strenuous game of quoits with the young honeymooners and rested for the statutory two hours on the terrace after lunch catching up on her letter writing.

  'You're getting too much afternoon sun,' commented Lee, finding her there about three. 'Wouldn't you be better indoors?'

  `Not,' she answered, 'in that cubbyhole you call a room. It's bad enough at night. Not that I'm grumbling, of course. We workers must be prepared to rough it.'

  'Seems I'm not the only martyr round here,' he grinned. 'At least have an umbrella.' He beckoned the young duty waiter before she could raise any protests, had one fetched and supervised the installation into the metal hole in the table centre. 'That's better. How about a drink?'

  wouldn't mind some lime with plenty of ice.'

  'No ice,' chimed in the boy promptly. `Ice-box not working.'

  'It's not the only thing.' Lee scowled at him with mock ferocity. `Ice, Kostas ! There must be some somewhere. Scoot !'

  Kostas scooted, grinning from ear to ear. Nicky said admiringly, 'You're a regular slavedriver, aren't you? I don't have to have ice.'

  I do.' He relaxed into a chair, tipping it on to its back legs and planting his feet on the lower rails of the wrought iron table with a sigh of satisfaction. 'This is the life ! The sun, the sea, and a good companion — who could ask fox- more?'

  Nicky wrinkled her nose. 'You make me sound like man's best friend.'

  `And you're not? Pity.' He sounded regretful. `Perhaps you prefer the boys?'

  `Oh, I don't know. My father always says that a man has nothing about him until he's over thirty.'

  `Sensible man, your father.' His eyes were half closed against the infiltrating sunlight. 'All ready for tonight?'

  `I think so — providing I'm not expected to sing for my supper. I take it we are supposed to dress for the occasion?'

  `It's always a good idea.'

  `You know what I mean. I don't want to be odd man out.'

  Lee's eyes opened lazily. 'You sound confused. Shall Uncle put you right?'

  `Thanks, I'll pick it up as I go along.' Nicky looked down at the pad before her with a sigh. `I was supposed to be writing home. I've only managed a short note and a card since I came here.'

  `You mean I'm distracting you? That's encouraging. Any kind of impression is better than none.'

  `Don't be too sure.' She paused for a moment or two before adding curiously, 'Why do you stay on here, Lee? There must be other opportunities for someone like you.'

  `Oh . . .' he lifted broad shoulders . . . 'idleness, I suppose. It's a cushy job in congenial surroundings, and I've lost the competitive urge. I might even decide to stay on permanently.'

  `What about the off-season? Surely the hotel is closed for a few months during the winter?'

  `About four altogether. The last time I went back to town and the restaurant business for three of them, and

  spent the other few weeks around Christmas in Eng- land.'

  `With relatives?'

  `No, friends.' He eyed her quizzically. 'Plural, not singular. I've long since lost contact with any old flames back there.'

  Nicky smiled. 'Not that it would take long to pick up the threads again if you wanted to. I'll bet there were other reasons for coming back to Corfu.'

  `Such as?'

  `I don't know.' She drew squiggles with her pen on the pad. 'Just reasons.'

  `If you're curious about my love life, why not say so?' He sounded amused. 'Yes, there have been women I've been interested in since I came out here. There was a French girl last year. An artist living in one of the cottages up the coast — a regular Bohemian, you could have called her. She used to drive down here for breakfast most mornings, which is how we met.'

  `What happened to her?'

  `She moved on to pastures new. And no, I'm not recovering from a broken heart, so take that look out of your eye. For a innocent young thing you have a surprisingly romantic streak.'

  `I was putting two and two together and making five,' she admitted, laughing. And then on a slightly altered note, 'Do I seem so very young to you, Lee?'

  His expression was enigmatic. 'Does it matter?' -

  It did, but she wasn't sure why. 'It was just a point of interest. Sometimes you talk to me as though I were about fourteen.'

  `Then perhaps I'm overdoing the protective male bit. If you do seem young it's only because I feel

  decidedly old at times.'

  'You're only thirty,' she pointed out quickly, and he smiled.

  wasn't talking in time. I've done a lot of living these last few years.'

  imagine most single men of your age have.' With one swift stroke she made one of the squiggles into a figure. 'Even His Lordship must have had his moments.'

  `Nikos? I'd certainly think so, although he's hardly had quite the same opportunities for sowing wild oats as Dino.' Obliquely he added, hear this cousin of theirs is reputed to be something in the way of peace-offering. There's been a rift between the two branches of the family for the last hundred years or so since Nikos's great-grandfather left the mainland to come here, and only a marriage between the two sides could properly unite them again.'

  'You really think he'd marry just to please the family?'

  'If it suited him to, and she's said to be very good-looking.'

  Kostas was coming over with the drinks. Nicky took hers gratefully, and drained a half of it before setting the glass down. was ready for that.'

  'So I gathered,' Lee commented dryly. 'Would you consider it a regression on my part if I pointed out that you're liable to finish up with a nasty stomach upset taking cold drinks like that?'

  'No,' she said. 'And I think you're right about the sun, too. I have had enough for one day.' She gathered up pen and pad and smiled at him brightly. 'Thanks for the drink — and for the company.'

  'One of them you can take with you,' he said, handing her the glass. 'Only this time drink it slowly.'

  Upstairs Nicky lay on the bed and tried to sleep, but the atmosphere was too heavy, her mind too restless. She thought of the man she had just left, attractive, easy-going and yet somehow so dependable, of Dino, the handsome young Greek who was anything but, and finally of Nikos, proud, arrogant and totally maddening — three men, each in his own way so different, and all of them possessing that indefinable something which set them apart from others. It would be . . . int
eresting, she told herself, to sec them all together that evening.

  Lee was in the vestibule talking with Margery Tolman when Nicky went down at eight. He looked well in the white dinner jacket, she thought, summoning a smile as Margery turned her head and saw her approaching.

  'So you're deserting us in favour of the local gentry,' remarked the other without particular malice. 'Can't say I blame you. That's rather a nice colour you're wearing. Apricot, would you call it?'

  'Hot peach they called it in the shop,' Nicky told her gravely, and saw Lee's swift grin from the corner of her eye. 'Are you all going up to the local kendro tonight, Mrs. Tolman?'

  'Not on your life. We can get all the local colour we need right here. No, we'll probably play a few rubbers of bridge after dinner, and then call it a day.' She began to move towards the dining room. 'Have a good time.'

  'I'd never have taken the Tolmans for bridge

  players,' remarked Nicky when she and Lee were in the car. 'Poker, yes.'

  `It takes all sorts,' he said easily, letting in the clutch. `By the way, I like the dress, too.'

  `Thanks. It makes a change from uniform.' She peered ahead through the windscreen as they turned out on to the dimly lit road. 'I hope you know where the holes are.'

  `Leave the driving to the driver,' he retorted. 'I'll get you there all of a piece.'

  He did, though it was a bumpy ride. The wide gates of the villa stood open, and there were already several cars drawn up before the house. Nikos greeted them in the cool, subtly lit hall, lean and vital in the white jacket and black silk cummerbund.

  `I am gratified that you decided to accept my invitation this time,' he said to Nicky with a glint in his eye. `My mother is waiting to meet you.'

  Nicky went with him resignedly, aware of the curious glances bestowed upon her as they crossed the salon to the chair by the open glass doors where Kyria Alexandros awaited their coming. There was dignity in the poise of the handsome silver-streaked head, a shrewd assessment in her gaze.

  `You are very young to travel alone to other countries,' she said. 'Do you not have the heartache for your home and those you have left behind?'