by Anne Hampson
'I'm all right…' She drew a hand across her eyes. 'It was just a recollection…'
'Of what, dear?'
She did not speak until they were seated in the shady little cafe, vines tangled above their heads, the table in front of them covered with a snow-white cloth.
'Leon saw us coming from the hotel…' She went on to tell him how her husband had tried to reach them before they could get into the car but failed. 'He was furious,' she ended, clenching her jaws as tears gathered again in her eyes.
'That was unfortunate, but surely you told him that we'd said a final good-bye?'
'He wouldn't believe me.' She felt disloyal, talking about Leon like this, yet at the same time it was a relief to unburden herself to someone she knew she could trust. However, she soon changed the subject, telling him what had happened to Marina. He watched her intently, and she saw that he was keenly interested in her description of the occurrence.
He was still thoughtful when she had finished, but spoke at last. 'So it's a bone defect? Nothing to do with the curse.'
'Nothing. I don't now believe in the curse.'
'I never did believe in it—oh, don't make any mistakes, it is possible for people to bring on illnesses themselves. But as for the effectiveness of a curse…'
He spread his hands and shook his head. 'That I cannot accept. However,' he added almost eagerly, 'I've a friend at the hospital, a Dr. Yannis Serapoulos, who has been carrying out extensive research in the field of bone diseases; he specialises in that particular aspect of medicine. He's made some wonderful discoveries and effected cures in cases where other doctors have given up hope.' He stopped and looked questioningly at her. 'Shall I get Yannis to go along and look at her?'
Kathryn's eyes had brightened. 'That would be possible, I'm sure. Oh, Jake, do you think there is any hope?'
'I can't say, obviously, but at least if she saw Yannis it would be doing something, whereas at present there is nothing being done.'
'It's all been done, according to the doctors Marina has seen. In fact, I learned only two days ago that they'd given up hope; they'd told her mother and brother that she was going to die.'
The waiter came along with a tray on which were two glasses of white wine and a meze. Jake paid him.
He looked at the tip and said, 'Efharisto!' then went away smiling.
'So they'd all given up hope?' Jake shook his head sadly. 'I do hope Yannis can do something for her.'
'Her brother—my husband—did not give up hope. I feel he was determined not to accept the verdict of the doctors.' She went on to mention the plight of Marina's mother, who wanted to get married but would not do so while her daughter was ill and needed looking after. 'Mrs. Coletis would never let anyone else take care of her,' she ended.
'When shall I make the appointment for?' Jake asked when, three-quarters of an hour later, they said goodbye outside the cafeneion.
'Suppose I talk with Leon and then phone you?' she suggested.
'That'll be fine.' He paused a moment in thought. 'The fact that Marina walked those few paces will, I am sure, be of great interest to Yannis. It was most strange, don't you think?'
'I feel that Marina could have convinced herself that, having got possession of the ring, she could walk.'
Jake's eyes widened and he nodded slowly. 'We get back to the psychological aspect, don't we?'
'Yes. Mind you, it's only my idea, and it could be wrong. But she was so excited when I gave her the ring and she said to Christos that the ring would make her better.'
'I must mention all this to Yannis, as the more he knows of the case, the better. He'll be able to ponder on it before he ever sees the patient.' Suddenly he frowned. 'But what about Marina's initial depression and brooding, the introversion which you've mentioned?' His frown cleared. 'Of course!' he exclaimed. 'She thought it was cursed and so became afraid, and that led automatically to her imagining she was becoming ill—which of course she was. But the loss of the use of her legs was a real illness—'
'Which came almost immediately upon her so-called imaginary illness! What a coincidence, Jake.'
'Certainly a coincidence.' He nodded, pursing his lips. 'Well, we shall have to see what my friend makes of it all.' He looked at her and his eyes became dark. 'This really is good-bye, isn't it?' he said.
'Yes, Jake. Thank you for some very happy hours.' Suddenly he kissed her and was gone; she watched until he had turned the corner, and then walked slowly in the same direction.
She did not know what to expect when, after telling Leon of the meeting with Jake and the suggestion he had made, she waited, a little breathlessly, for his reaction. His face had at first taken on a dark expression, helped by the blood easing up along the sides of his mouth; his eyes, too, had narrowed and smouldered, and Kathryn had hurried on, desperate to overshadow the actual meeting with the fact that Jake might be able to help Marina, through his friend Yannis Serapoulos, the bone specialist.
'So you had ended the affair, you said,' began Leon, then stopped, and his features relaxed. He seemed faintly ashamed of what he had intended to say to her, yet relieved that he had held his anger in check. She sagged with relief, and a long breath issued from her lips. She was pale, but the main thought occupying her mind was in fact the possibility of a cure for her sister-in-law. Leon, too, was occupied on the same lines, and so, mused Kathryn, they were united instead of aggressive towards one another.
'The affair—as you call it—is ended, Leon.' Kathryn broke the silence, her voice earnest, her eyes frank and wide. 'Today's meeting was sheer accident, but if it leads to help for Marina, then it was meant to be… fate.' She looked at him with a touching glance, her eyes moist and dark. 'It might mean she has to go into hospital—'
'That won't matter.' Leon's voice was soft, almost gentle, and her heart caught. 'This specialist has cured patients whose cases have been hopeless, you said?'
She nodded and repeated everything that Jake had said, although she had told Leon most of it already.
'Jake says this Dr. Serapoulos has recently made some outstanding discoveries during his extensive research.'
Leon's face became tense. 'If we should raise Marina's hopes—and mother's—and then nothing came of it…'
'I've already thought of that, Leon,' answered Kathryn seriously. 'But if we don't try, then she's going to die… Yes, I know that the doctors attending her have told you there's no hope,' she went on quickly, seeing his start of surprise. 'Why didn't you tell me?' she asked curiously.
'Because I didn't believe it!' he stated vehemently. 'Marina's young; why should anyone give up hope?'
'I thought that was the reason,' she said. 'I can understand your reluctance to accept a verdict like that, but, on the other hand, what would eventually have happened to her?'
Leon stared at her curiously. 'You talk as if you are sure she will be cured,' he said, and it was her turn to stare.
'Yes,' she murmured in a faraway tone. 'Yes, I did… and I believe she will be.'
Dr. Serapoulos came the following afternoon and was with Marina for over two hours. When he came away, he asked Leon if she could go into hospital for observation.
'You believe there is hope?' Kathryn, watching her husband as he spoke, thought she had never seen anyone look so grey and anxious. His face was drawn, his mouth tight, as if he was clenching his teeth together.
'I cannot give you any real hope at this stage,' answered the doctor guardedly, 'but I'd like to have her under observation. Her case is a challenge; I cannot say I have ever had a case quite like hers, but recently a new bone disease has been brought to light, a disease found only in remote jungles. I feel this disease is the one which could be affecting your sister, but I certainly would not hazard any kind of guess until I have had her in the hospital for at least a week.'
Leon said, after a pause, 'I believe you have been told about the so-called curse?'
The doctor nodded his head. 'Jake told me the whole story. Of course, there was no
curse. Unfortunately, though, these stories do affect some people, and your sister, having heard of the misfortunes which had befallen previous owners of the jewellery, brooded and worried until she became ill, all owing to allowing her imagination to run riot. Then this happened to her legs and both she and you quite naturally concluded that both symptoms were related, when, in fact, they weren't.' He paused, and for a moment Kathryn examined his features. Full-faced and dark-skinned, he had the appearance of the typical Greek, but with a very high forehead and eyes that seemed to be grey rather than the usual brown. He was stockily built, immaculately dressed, and his black hair shone with cleanliness. 'Marina would have had the bone disease even if she had never seen the jewellery.' He looked at Leon and asked again if his sister could enter the hospital in Athens.
'Of course, if she is agreeable,' replied Leon. 'I suppose we can visit her quite often?'
'Certainly,' with a slight inclination of his head. 'While she is under observation, you can visit her anytime you wish. She will be in a private ward and given every comfort,' the doctor went on to assure him. 'She has a mother, Jake was saying.'
'Yes, but Mother had to go out this afternoon. It was a previous arrangement and I assured her that she need not cancel it.'
'Her mother will need to give her consent to Marina's entering hospital.'
'She will certainly be glad to do so,' Leon assured him at once. 'When do you want my sister to go in?'
'As soon as possible—tomorrow morning, I would say.'
'It shall be done.'
'Would you like an ambulance?'
'I'd prefer to bring her in the car. She's very highly strung at the present time, owing to what happened when she tried to walk, so I think we'll dispense with the ambulance.'
'You are wise. We want to keep her as calm as possible.' He looked at Kathryn, made a stiff little bow and indicated his intention of leaving.
Leon showed him out, and when he came back he said quietly, unemotionally, 'Thank you, Kathryn.'
'We don't know yet what is going to happen.' She had coloured at his gently spoken words and her heart felt full. 'Don't thank me yet, Leon, in case we all are disappointed.'
'Somehow, I do not feel we shall be.'
Chapter Ten
The next week was an anxious one for everyone at the villa, as even the servants were caught up in the drama of the situation. Christos was a regular visitor at the hospital, as were Kathryn and her husband and, of course, Mrs. Coletis and Demetrius.
Demetrius spoke to Kathryn, asking if it were she who had been responsible for Marina's being in the care of Dr. Serapoulos.
'It was really through Jake, a friend of mine who is a student at the hospital,' she returned.
He looked at her with an odd expression as he said, 'Leon's mother mentioned him a couple of weeks ago. She said you had finished with him.' Demetrius' voice was accented and rather gruff, his expression faintly anxious. 'Don't let anything come between you and your husband, my dear,' he said, and patted her hand in a fatherly sort of way.
She smiled and said convincingly that she would not be seeing Jake again. 'At least,' she amended, 'not by pre-arrangement.'
'Well, that is wise of you.' His eyes flicked over her lovely face. 'Don't you worry about a thing, Kathryn. Be an optimist like me, and tell yourself that all will come right in the end.'
'I might just do that,' she promised, and suddenly her heart felt light.
At the end of a week Dr. Serapoulos told Leon and his mother that he would now begin treatment, but warned them not to expect any swift, dramatic change.
'But you have hope of a cure?' from Leon with unfamiliar intensity.
'I certainly have hope or I'd not be giving your sister treatment.'
Marina herself seemed lethargic, as if she had no faith in the doctor's ability to help her. Kathryn tried to shake her out of her torpor, but without success. Christos, however, had more success, for he was very firm—stern at times—as he told Marina she had best get better because he planned to be married to her before another year was past.
Kathryn was there when Marina said, her lovely black hair contrasting starkly with the gleaming whiteness of the pillow, 'You still love me, then?'
'You know I do. I have never loved anyone else, and I never shall.'
'But what about—?'
'It was always you, darling. Don't let me down. Promise you'll fight hard for my sake?'
At that point Kathryn rose from her chair and, after bending to kiss her sister-in-law's forehead, left them together.
The treatment had been progressing for about ten days when Dr. Serapoulos stated quite firmly that there had been an improvement in Marina's condition. And after another week he said she would walk again.
'You're sure?' It was Mrs. Coletis who spoke, and there was a distinct tremor in her voice.
'I never raise anyone's hopes unless I am sure I won't have to disappoint them.'
'It seems too good to be true,' breathed Kathryn when they were all at home. Demetrius had decided to come back with them and stay for dinner—if they would have him, dressed as he was.
'It's a miracle,' declared Mrs. Coletis. She turned to her daughter-in-law. 'And it is all due to you, dear. It is you we have to thank.'
Kathryn coloured delicately and glanced in her husband's direction. This business of Marina's going into hospital, the tension and anxiety, the raised hopes and then the intrusion of doubts—all these had served to bring the family close… and especially did Kathryn sense a change in her husband's feelings towards her. He was never harsh or even cool. It never struck her at this time that the change in him could be the result of changes in her manner towards him. In this situation, which so deeply affected them all, Kathryn had forgotten wrongs done to her. They would have seemed negligible anyway in face of this crisis, for they all had been aware that, had the doctor's verdict been that he could not help Marina, they'd have known she would die, perhaps a slow lingering death. She continued to look at Leon; their eyes seemed to hold and neither wished to look away. A slow and difficult smile rose to Kathryn's lips; it was a moment filled with tension, a moment she felt she would remember for the rest of her life.
Leon broke the silence at last, adding his thanks to those of his mother. Demetrius' whole attention was held, and so was that of Mrs. Coletis. The older woman's eyes were bright, evidence of tears unshed. Kathryn knew she would never shed them here, for she possessed that kind of enviable control which insured her against breaking down in public. If she had to weep, thought Kathryn, it would be in the quiet and privacy of her own room.
It was much later that Kathryn said to her husband, 'Do you intend to get rid of that jewellery?' And when he made no immediate reply, she added on a note of urgency, 'I think you should, Leon.' They were on the verandah of her bedroom, both clad in dressing-gowns. Kathryn had been there alone for twenty minutes or so before Leon joined her. She had not expected him and she had turned with a ready smile… and an invitation. He had come to stand beside her, cool and fresh from the shower, his wet hair glistening in the moon's argent glow which brought out the strands of grey and painted them bright silver. He had used a subtly perfumed body lotion which made her think of mountains and heather and that nostalgic tang of the sea, all mingled together to stir her senses and draw her a little closer to where he stood. The air around them was balmy, the breeze fresh, lifting the hair from Kathryn's forehead, colouring her pale cheeks.
'Why should we let it go?' he asked with a slight smile. 'We know now that there is nothing sinister about it.'
Her gaze was pensive; she was recalling that moment when she had come upon the ring and had nearly tossed it away.
'I don't think I want to see Marina wearing it,' she said, and at the hint of apology in her voice she felt her hand covered, gently, as it rested on the rail.
'I very much doubt that she will wear it,' he returned.
'Then why keep it?'
He said nothing for a momen
t, and the silence between them became heavy. 'You perhaps feel you ought to have the ring back?' was his unexpected query, and she instantly shook her head.
'The pieces must be kept together—'
'You are thinking of the curse,' he broke in, and now she detected the merest hint of amusement in his tone. 'But, as I've just reminded you, there is no curse.'
A difficult laugh escaped her and she turned her face to his. 'I'd forgotten already, Leon. Do you suppose, though, that any of us really could forget? If Marina wore any of it, we should all be uncomfortable because memories must inevitably crowd in on us.'
'But I have just said I doubt very much that she will wear it.'
'Then why keep it?' she said, repeating the question she had already asked.
'The decision lies with Marina. We shall have to see how she feels about selling it. Father bought it for her, and she might feel sentimental about it.'
Kathryn shook her head. 'It has caused too much heartache, Leon.' A plea in her voice, which was husky and faintly sad, for she was now thinking about her own situation, and the marriage which had come about solely because of that ring. 'Marina has suffered and… and so have I… well, both you and I have suffered…' She looked at him, saw the tenseness of his jaw as if he were suddenly suppressing anger.
'You said you didn't love me. Does that mean that you care for someone else… Jake?'
She turned away abruptly, more owing to his unexpected change of subject than anything else. She did not for one moment realise that her action could be misconstrued. 'Let's leave Jake out of it,' she began.
He interrupted her to say curtly, 'I'm afraid we can't leave Jake out of it!'
'I've told you, several times, that there is nothing between Jake and me. We've said good-bye, and that's the end of the affair.'
'So you now admit it was an affair?' Grim the tone, but with an undercurrent which was unfathomable.