Olive island

by Kay Thorpe

  There was always a certain amount of trouble when picking up from Perata prior to calling round at the other hotels. It meant either an unreasonably early start for the folk from the Xenia, or a race round the town hoping that each of the three Solar groups would

  be ready and waiting to board. The problem could only be properly solved by having enough passengers booked from the Xenia to fill, or almost fill a coach on their own, but people who came to a place like Perata for a holiday mostly wished only to sample the more immediate pleasures of sand and sea and simple village life.

  'It's definitely got to be an early call for the Paxos trip,' Gerry concluded. 'Last time we almost missed the boat. Can you arrange for breakfast at seven-fifteen on Wednesday, and give your people warning? You'll find Milto quite prepared to rally round, How are you getting along with him, by the way?'

  'Quite well. He's very proficient.' Nicky got up from her chair. 'Time I was getting back. It makes a change for me to rush off first, doesn't it?' She smiled at him. 'Will you be on the Paxos trip?'

  'Not this time. I've got a bit of a knockout organized. The kids like competitions. I hear you've got a few folk coming in to the Achilleon on Friday night. Why don't you take the time off to come with them?'

  didn't know about that,' she said. 'Who told

  you?'

  `Spiros. You remember, the one who took you out to Perata your first day. He's picking them up at eight, apparently. Said he got talking to these two girls on Saturday — that would be when they came in on the sightseeing tour — and persuaded them to give the casino a try.' He grinned. bet he didn't know they'd both got boy-friends in tow. Anyway, as I was saying, there will be quite a crowd of us. I'm taking half a dozen myself. If we go in to dance I'm going to need a Partner.'

  `Big deal,' she said lightly. 'I'll think about it.'

  She got back to the Xenia about five, to be greeted by the new manager with the news that one of the older women guests had been brought up from the beach with a very bad cut on her leg gained from a broken bottle which someone had apparently been using for target practice.

  `I think it will need the stitching,' he said. 'I have sent for the doctor already.'

  The cut was certainly a deep one, and the woman herself looked none too well.

  `It's the blood,' she said faintly, avoiding even a glance in the direction of the injured member which rested upon a wad of towels on the bed. 'Never could stand the sight of it, especially when it's my own. I suppose the doctors here are properly qualified? I mean, are they as good as our own?'

  `I'm sure they are,' Nicky answered soothingly. 'This one you're having is excellent. I've been treated by him myself. Don't worry, you'll soon be fixed up. I'm only sorry this had to happen. If I can find out who left that bottle in the sand I'll give them a piece of my mind.'

  `It will be the children, I expect,' said the husband. `There was a crowd of them down there just after lunch. I thought they were playing with a ball, but it could have been pebbles they were throwing.' He drew Nicky to one side. 'I suppose this will run a bit expensive. Will it be covered by the insurance?'

  `Of course,' she assured him. 'You'll have to pay the doctor now, but you can claim it back when you get home. Actually, I don't think you'll find it so bad. It isn't as if your wife will have to go into hospital, or anything like that.'

  She left them then, and made her way down to the vestibule to wait for the doctor to arrive. Nikos came out from the office with his manager as she reached the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing the tan suit, and carried a briefcase. His expression was preoccupied.

  I hear there has been a small accident,' he said after greeting her formally. 'You have made the lady comfortable?'

  `Kyrios Tyropoulos had already seen to that,' she returned. only got back a few minutes ago.'

  His eyes travelled briefly over her neat uniform dress. I did not see you at the Castello.'

  'No, I met Gerry down on the Esplanade for a change,' she told him. 'He had some arrangements to make with one of the car-hire firms, so we took care of our business in one of the cafes.' She was explaining too much, but there was something in the question which had seemed to call for it. came back by taxi.'

  I see.' He eased the briefcase from one hand to the other, added evenly,I shall be visiting the Castello each week on this day. In future we will travel to the town together. Killing two birds with the one stone, I believe is how you would say it. You have no objection to this arrangement?'

  'No.' There was nothing else she could say with the other man looking on. 'It is very thoughtful of you, kyrie.'

  'It is only good sense.' The comment was dry.

  you walk with me to the car? I have another matter I wish to discuss with you.'

  Nicky went with him reluctantly, passing Sandy and the other three in the doorway. They walked slowly towards the car, almost reaching it before he spoke.

  `In two days' time Dino returns from the mainland,' he said. 'And before he does so there is something I should like to make clear.'

  `You already have,' she answered steadily. 'You don't have to worry, I shan't encourage your brother to come here.'

  His glance down at her was patiently controlled. `You are putting words into my mouth. That is not what I was going to say. Will you not listen before you leap to a conclusion?'

  `I'm not sure that I want to hear.' They were at the car, and now she stopped and faced him, her eyes lifting no further than the knot of his tie. She felt quite detached, almost as if someone else was speaking for her. 'Your family affairs are no concern of mine.'

  The black brows contracted. 'Very well.' He opened the door and threw the briefcase on to the far seat, got in and started the engine. `Cherete,' he said, and went.

  Wednesday's excursion to the island of Paxos went off without undue incident for once, the passengers embarking on one of the large motor caiqes with time and to spare.

  The voyage down the Corfu channel was calm enough, but once they had passed out beyond Cape Asporkavos on the southernmost tip and entered the open sea it began to get choppy. Nicky herself was a good sailor, but there were several of her fellow passengers who obviously wished they had stayed behind. Paxos came into view like some sleeping amphibian, low-lying and without interest. Only as they came nearer did it begin to take on shape and form, rising to a surprisingly high central ridge beyond the rocky east-em coastline.

  The entrance to Gaios, the island's capital, was marked by an islet on which stood the whitewashed monastery of the Madonna, now an automatic lighthouse. Here, the boat turned inland between steep green banks, formed to the south by a larger islet with a ruined fort where Antony and Cleopatra were said to have dined on the night before the battle of Actium. Invisible until they were almost on top of it, the little port opened directly on to its white paved square, surrounded on three sides by houses washed pink or white, and containing a tiny chapel with a belfry at one end. Apart from this and one or two streets linked by narrow alleys, there were only the olive groves, but contentment filled the very air. Let the world pass by; what had it to offer?

  Tables were set out in the shade of the chapel, served by a couple of the cafes without which no Greek square is complete. Most of the party elected to sit here and eat their packed lunches, washed down with copious draughts of beer or fruit juice. It was already after one o'clock, and the heat was intense. Gradually the scene lost its life and some of its colour as the townsfolk drifted indoors to eat and to talk until the cool of the late afternoon made movement once more a comfortable proposition.

  I wonder what this place is like in winter?' mused Berny. 'No running water, no proper sanitation, no entertainment.'

  'Even Eden must have had its drawbacks,' countered his girl-friend with lazy good humour. 'You're getting jaundiced, old dear. You should live for the moment like the Greeks do. Don't you agree, Nicky?'

  `What?' She came out of her thoughts with a start. `Oh, yes, I suppose so. Although there are times when
you're forced to look ahead to a certain extent.'

  `Like what you're going to do when you come to the end of this job?' Sandy shrugged. 'Why not marry a Greek and settle down here? I wouldn't mind staying on myself if I had the chance. I go for the atmosphere.'

  `For the men, you mean,' was Berry's response. 'I saw you eyeing up that big Greek Nicky was talking to the other afternoon — or is his money the attraction?'

  `Could be. Could very well be. Is he very rich, Nick?'

  `I don't know. I suppose he must be.' Nicky had not given the matter much thought before, and certainly had no intention of discussing the possible state of Nikos's affairs now. 'We'll have to get back to the quay in a few minutes if we're going to catch that boat. Did anyone want another drink?'

  The return trip was a little smoother, the wind having changed round. At half past five they disembarked and climbed into the waiting coaches, dropped off at the hotels in town and headed for Perata to the tune of a blaring klaxon as the driver threaded his way through the growing traffic. After the peace and tranquillity of Paxos the pace here seemed almost hectic by comparison, thought Nicky, but she was glad to be back.

  The week wore on. Friday morning brought another couple of cards to add to those which had been trickling in steadily all week from friends and relatives who had obviously been warned of the oft-times erratic nature of the Greek postal system. There was also a

  large parcel from Nicky's' parents — amazingly well timed — and a telegram from London reading simply: Regards and regrets. Lee. The latter she folded carefully and tucked into a corner of her writing case.

  Word had somehow spread among the hotel guests regarding the nature of the occasion, and at breakfast Nicky found herself bombarded with congratulations, and got a few small gifts. From the kitchen staff came a beaming offering in the shape of her favourite moussaka for lunch, followed by the grand entrance of a cake complete with icing and candles borne by a smiling Stamatis who had learned of the custom from an English film he had once seen.

  Nicky thanked them with a lump in her throat and warmth in her heart for these lovable people whose very simplicity was one of their greatest charms.

  Her enthusiasm for the evening at the Achilleon had barely increased in the last few days, but Sandy refused to take no for an answer when it came near to the time to go.

  'It's your birthday,' she said. 'You can't spend it sticking around here chatting to the mums and dads. Anyway, I need you to introduce me to that Gerry from the Castello. I'd love to know what makes him tick.'

  'He'll introduce himself.' Nicky realized she was fighting a losing battle. 'How on earth are we all going to crush into Spiros's taxi? It's only a Renault.'

  'We'll manage,' firmly. 'Go and get your glad rags on. You're not twenty every day.'

  They did manage, although it was certainly a crush. Eventually they set off with three girls and Brian in the back, and Berny beside the driver in the front. And if

  they got up the first incline it would be a miracle, thought Nicky fatalistically as they bumped along the valley road towards the far-off glow of the town. The engine sounded rough, and there were more rattles than ever in the bodywork. Few of the island taxis were spanking new, but most of them were a great deal better than this !

  Amazingly they made it without serious delay, only stopping once to allow the radiator to cool down after the steepest part of the climb. The Achilleon was a blaze of light, and the music could be heard right down in the town itself. Both Brian and Berny were eager to try out the casino before they bothered with a meal, and even managed to win a few hundred drachmae before their luck ran out. Twenty minutes later they decided that enough was enough, and allowed themselves to be led away to the table booked for them by Spiros — at a fee.

  By Greek standards, Nicky supposed, the food was good. For herself, she preferred the rather simpler fare of the Xenia. Gerry and his party had yet to put in an appearance. She assumed they were having dinner at the hotel before coming on here.

  Dancing with Brian round about eleven, she caught sight of the Castello people standing by the terrace doors. Only three of them, though, at the moment. Gerry spotted her at the same moment, and waved a hand in greeting. When the music stopped again he brought the young couple with him across to where they were all sitting.

  `We've left the others in the casino,' he said. 'They seem convinced that it's going to be their lucky night. You don't mind if we all join up?' This to Sandy in

  automatic acceptance of her position as leader of the quartet.

  'No, the more the merrier, I always say,' she re-joined. 'Can we find some more chairs, boys?' A moment later she was nudging Nicky. 'Say, those folk who just came in. Isn't he that Alex . . . something or other?'

  Nicky went suddenly cold. She turned her head carefully in the direction Sandy was looking, saw Nikos bend his head to listen to something Marguerite was saying and then make some laughing comment to the younger man with them. Dino grinned back, offered his arm to Marguerite and whisked her on to the floor, leaving his brother to sweep a slow appraising glance around the hall which came to an abrupt and inevitable halt when it reached the group of which Nicky was a part.

  'He's coming over,' said Sandy, staring unashamedly over Nicky's shoulder. 'Gosh, I go for these white dinner jackets !'

  Nicky's smile felt stiff and unnatural. She knew the exact moment when Nikos arrived at her back. She performed the introductions swiftly, listened to him and 'being devastatingly charming to the ladies in the party,

  could think of no adequate reason why she should refuse to dance with him when he asked her.

  The orchestra was playing a waltz when they got out -on to the floor. He held her lightly and very formally, 'his right hand centred exactly between and just below her

  shoulder-blades. Beyond him Nicky could see Dino and Marguerite, their heads close as they conversed, and she wondered if it was the usual custom for a man's fian

  cee to dance so intimately with his brother. She was

  certain that Nikos had seen them, and yet it didn't appear to be bothering him very much.

  `Today, I am told, is your yenethlia — your birthday,' he said quietly, capturing her attention. 'Is this the year you claimed to be on the first time we spoke together?'

  `Yes,' she said, and thought that now he could add liar to her long list of faults.

  `Why did you tell me this?' he asked predictably, and she sighed inwardly.

  `Because twenty seems so much more than nineteen, I suppose, and you were making enough fuss over my not being a man.'

  `I was?' He sounded surprised. 'I think you may have misread my meaning.'

  `Oh?' There seemed nothing more to say. The only time she did not feel at a loss with Nikos, Nicky realized, was when she was fighting him. But that was all over. There was nothing left to fight about.

  `I had a telegram from Lee today,' she announced into the silence, and felt him stiffen a little. 'Nice of him to remember, wasn't it?'

  `He was in love with you,' he said harshly. 'Naturally he would remember.'

  `Love? That's not what you called it the other night.'

  He drew in a long slow breath. 'A man can love women in several different ways. Many men desire you already, many more will do so in time to come. Providing the wish is not enforced against the will, this can be one kind of love.'

  Over his shoulder Nicky saw the other pair disappearing out through the glass doors leading on to the

  terraces, hands entwined. A kind of light-headedness swept over her. 'And the others?' she asked faintly.

  'The others?' He paused. 'There is the love a man feels for his mother or for his sister — and that is very special to him. And then, finally, there is that which he might feel for one woman above all others, if he is fortunate.' His voice had gone lower and softer, and his left arm had dropped, bringing hers down with it.

  The music stopped. Nicky gave him one wide-eyed glance which took in the tawny lights in th
e dark eyes. She said weakly, I think I'd like to sit down.'

  'Of course.' He smiled and released her, bowed slightly and took her arm to lead her back to her seat. 'This is not the time nor the place.'

  'Won't you join us?' asked Sandy with typical disdain for custom when they reached the table. 'Or are you anxious to get back to your own party?'

  'My own party will not be all that anxious to have me back, I think,' he answered on a humorous note. 'My brother and his fiancée have not been alone together for many days.'

  'Oh?' She studied him brightly. 'Are you a kind of chaperon, then?'

  His laugh threw back his head in genuine amusement. am not. We came separately, and we shall leave so. A Greek may be trusted with the girl he is to marry.'

  'But not so much with any others, from what I hear.' Sandy's glance flicked towards Nicky in friendly speculation. 'You look a bit tired. Are you ready to leave? Spiros said he'd be waiting from midnight onwards.'

  `Spiros?' Nikos looked at her sharply. 'You have travelled here with Spiros Verikiou?'

  `Is that his name? I wouldn't know. It's certainly not the most luxurious way to travel, and that's a fact !'

  `Wait here.' He was on his feet again. 'I shall make arrangements for another taxi to return you to the Xenia, or there is a likelihood of your spending the night beneath the stars.'

  `Sounds romantic enough, put like that, to almost make me want to take the risk.' Of them all only Sandy seemed entirely unrestricted by the knowledge of who he was. 'A taxi for five, will it be?'

  `No.' He said it quite casually. 'Nicole will accompany me.' His hand rested just one moment on her shoulder. 'I shall not be long.'

  `Wow !' commented Sandy admiringly as he moved purposefully away. 'He certainly knows what he wants, doesn't he? Are you going with him, Nicky?'

  Nicky looked round the circle of faces with their varying expressions, and knew that probably only Gerry had even the remotest idea of what that touch on her shoulder had meant.