by Emma Nichols
Gianna had already started eating. ‘Go on, try it,’ she said, watching Soph poke at the dish. ‘It’s not going to bite you,’ she said, with a laugh.
Soph took a large mouthful of the succulent dish, and the flavours danced on her tongue. She groaned. ‘It’s good,’ she said, her fork eagerly seeking out the next bite.
Gianna flushed. She took a sip of her beer before sampling another mouthful, her eyes lovingly on Soph.
Soph’s plate of bones appeared before Gianna’s, and she lazed back in the seat. ‘That was awesome,’ she said, with a satisfied grin, her starry-eyed gaze fixed on Gianna, her heart fluttering. ‘I really like you,’ she said, suddenly.
Gianna smiled reservedly. ‘I really like you too,’ she said, but she was lying, holding back from the truth that had kept her awake at night and had her rushing to the house before the crack of dawn, and not wanting to leave Soph at the end of the day. She placed her fork on the plate and leaned back in the seat, studying Soph in silence.
Soph closed her eyes, comforted by the feeling of a full stomach and the company at the table, the almost deafening but soothing hum of the cicadas and the low hush of the sea. ‘I love this place,’ Soph said. ‘It’s so peaceful.’
Gianna gazed at Soph, admiring the colour in her tanned cheeks and her sun-bleached hair. It suited her. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.
‘What was Sophia like?’ Soph asked, her eyes remaining shut, her head resting back in the seat.
Gianna paused. ‘She was a legend,’ she replied.
Soph squinted one eye open. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah, she was pretty amazing. Built this place up from nothing after her husband died. Everyone loved her. The estate is a big part of the island,’ she said, smiling with something between fondness and respect.
Soph listened.
‘She used to sing, too,’ Gianna added, after a moment’s thought. ‘Used to sing in the bar regularly, and she’d get everyone singing along with her. Your voice is a lot like hers,’ she said, with a broad grin. ‘In fact, you’re a lot like her.’
‘How?’ Soph asked, sitting up and opening her eyes. She hadn’t given Sophia any thought, though she had seen some of the photographs dotted around the house. It seemed suddenly intriguing to her, that Gianna had known her great-grandmother. It was as if she had missed out on something - someone - special, and Gianna was a small link to that person. There was comfort in that, and the feeling of connection too.
Gianna faltered at the dark-blue eyes that were holding her gaze intently. ‘She was really happy and liked to have fun. She was friendly and kind, and she would always help someone if they were struggling.’ She shrugged. ‘She wasn’t scared of being bitten by a fish,’ Gianna said, laughing. ‘She liked nature, a lot, especially her roses,’ she added, with a warm smile.
Soph chuckled, pressed her hand to her chest, feigning offence at the reference to her fallibility. Her great-grandmother sounded nice.
Gianna grinned affectionately, reached across the table and took Soph by the hand, pulling her to stand.
The intensity in Soph's eyes etched the smile on her face with seriousness. She moved to speak, but no words came.
Gianna gazed into the deep blue pools knowingly and led Soph slowly towards the bedroom. She swept the hair from Soph’s face and studied her intently. 'Can I stay with you tonight,' she whispered.
‘Yes,’ Soph said, captivated by Gianna’s tenderness. She’d never felt more vulnerable in her life than she did right now, and yet, she'd never felt more certain about anything either.
Gianna smiled softly, traced a finger down Soph's cheek and jaw, and brushed across her lips. ‘Good,’ she whispered.
*
Ariana sat in her bikini on the large rocky outcrop at the furthest edge of the west-cove from the white house, beyond the jetty and the leisure boats, her feet dangling in the deeper water, gazing out to the west in the direction of Lefkada. It seemed strangely disconcerting to think that her mother had enjoyed this spot with Manos at some point in the past. She couldn’t imagine it and dismissed the more recent images of Teresa that threatened to spoil the moment.
Her clothes lay where she dropped them at the water’s edge and the snorkel and mask that Manos had left out for her, as she slept away the afternoon after the calamari lunch, hung over the pointed edge of a barnacle-covered rock. She had snorkelled for the best part of two hours, the soundless, weightless, environment providing the respite she needed, the salty water both refreshing and surprisingly cathartic to her aching muscles. She smiled to herself.
The other side of the rocky outcrop a steep rock face emerged from of the water, its length defining the coastline that formed a significant section of the northwest side of the island. Sometimes, locals would be seen jumping and diving from the ledges along the jagged rocks. She had watched them once, as a teenager, but never ventured to join them for fear of injuring herself, or worse still, getting caught by her mother.
She stared at the lowest ledge, not too far from where she sat, studied the water below it, and a wicked grin cut across her face. With fearless determination, she stood and inched her way up the side of the rock. Reaching the ledge, she pressed her back to the jagged cliff and winced at the sharp stone against her skin. She tried to stand taller and breathe deeply to relax, but watching the waves kissing the base of the rocks below had her heart pumping fiercely. The exhilaration was almost too much to bear, and she considered heading back to the safety of the rocks from which she had just stepped. She dismissed the idea; the difficulty of descending the tricky slope backwards filled her with more terror than the thought of jumping. The only way was to take a leap of faith and launch forward. Standing, staring out in front of her, avoiding the shimmering surface that made the sea look too far away, she took in a deep breath, pinched her nose, closed her eyes, and jumped.
‘Yes!’ she screamed out, as her head broke through the surface. She swam to the rocks and started the climb again, with increased confidence. She shouted out excitedly as she jumped, a beaming grin on her face as she hit the water. Emerging, she lay on her back, floating, feeling like a fifteen-year-old exploring for the first time, and she was. She returned to the rocky outcrop, pulled herself out of the water and sat. Grinning, her heart lighter, and her resolve stronger, she breathed deeply, her chest expanding effortlessly. Freedom felt so good.
She strained her eyes into the night sky, searching the horizon seeking out any tiny lights that might suggest a returning boat. Nothing. The calm sea swayed to its tune, undisturbed, its quiet hush mesmerising, the white foam brushing softly against the rocks, bathing her legs, soothing. She rubbed at her tired eyes, yawned, and glanced casually towards the white house, and the light-glow hovering over the rose garden. She chuckled, shaking her head back and forth. Really? The idea of Sophia looking over them from the rose garden was undoubtedly alluring, but common sense wouldn’t allow her the luxury of such a comforting thought.
‘Don’t tell your mother; it will be our little secret.’
She smiled wryly, shaking her head at her grandmother’s words, and stood. One last glance out to the sea and she eased her way off the rocks, through the shallow water and onto the beach. Picking up her clothes she sauntered lazily, barefoot, across the sand. Manos was relaxing on the lounger, glass in hand, the taverna silent but for the gentle purr of music emanating from the bar behind him.
‘Beautiful eh!’ he said, sipping at his drink.
She stopped, gazed at him and smiled warmly. ‘Yes, it is,’ she said. ‘Very beautiful.’
‘Drink?’ he asked, picking up the second glass from the sand, pouring and handing over the nightcap before Ariana could refuse.
She smiled with a tilt of her head, took the drink and sipped. ‘When’s Nikki back?’ she asked.
‘Maybe a few days,’ he said, studying her response carefully. ‘She’s had to go to Athens, for business,’ he added. The news didn’t land any softer for th
e justification.
‘Oh!’ she replied, her tone giving away her disappointment again. She had assumed Nikki would be back from Lefkada within the day, not heading to Athens. She finished the drink in her hand and placed it on the sand next to the bottle, her heart weighing heavier.
‘I’ll start repairing the wall tomorrow,’ he said, referring to the house.
‘Okay,’ Ariana said, but she hadn’t heard him, distracted by the empty feeling in her chest.
‘Nikki will finish the shutters when she gets back,’ he said.
The mention of Nikki’s name drew Ariana out of the trance, and she smiled. ‘Right,’ she said. Perhaps, if she got stuck into the decorating time would pass quickly, and then Nikki would be back. Nikki, Nikki, Nikki. ‘Night Pops,’ she said, softly.
‘Night Miss Ariana,’ he replied, with a warm smile.
Ariana strolled across the beach and up the path, the light-heartedness she had felt snorkelling, swimming and jumping into the water, overshadowed by the thought of Nikki’s prolonged absence, and something that hadn’t dawned on her until now. What if something terrible happened to Nikki? The thought caused her heart to stop. She knew she would never survive if something dreadful happened to Nikki. She wanted Nikki close, unharmed and close. Now.
14.
Gianna snuggled against Soph’s back, her eyes blinking as she adjusted to the early morning sun, Soph’s scent eliciting a groan of satisfaction and enticing her closer. Soph was snuffling and it was cute. Gianna opened her eyes, leaned up onto her elbow and gently swept Soph’s scraggly hair from her face, admiring the soft lashes, fair eyebrows and the sparkling stone in her nose. Soph twitched and groaned at the gentle disturbance. Gianna smiled, leaned in and pressed a kiss to the suntanned cheek. She smiled adoringly at the white panda eyes that had spent a good part of the previous day protected by the snorkel mask.
Soph groaned at the soft lips against her skin, wriggled herself onto her back and opened her eyes slowly. Squinting at Gianna’s dark-smile, ‘Hey, she said, her voice groggy from sleep.
‘Hey’ Gianna responded, tenderly brushing the loose strands of hair clinging to Soph’s face.
Soph lifted her head off the bed and rested back on her elbows, stopped, and then slumped back on the bed. ‘My head’s thumping,’ she said, with a sad face, pressing her palms to her temples.
'Too much sun,' Gianna said, moving to massage Soph's temples.
Soph groaned at the gentle pressure, Gianna’s scent stirring her senses.
‘Want some pills?’ Gianna asked. She made a move to jump up from the bed, but Soph stopped her and pulled her down on top of her.
‘In a minute,’ Soph said, locking onto Gianna’s dark eyes, holding her inches from her face. Soph ruffled Gianna’s hair with her hand and pulled her closer until their mouths touched. Tenderly, she pressed her lips against Gianna’s then released her and drew her into her arms. ‘Thank you for staying,’ she whispered.
Gianna’s lips tingled at the sensitive touch that had sparked a burning fire in her core. She snuggled into Soph’s shoulder, resting her head on Soph’s chest, savouring her scent and the warmth from her skin. There was no other place she would rather be. Easing out of the hold, she pressed a quick kiss to Soph’s lips and leapt out of bed. ‘Where’s the Paracetamol?’ she asked, beaming a smile, her face flushed.
‘In the kitchen, cupboard to the right of the sink, I think,’ Soph replied, leaning onto her side, smiling at Gianna as she hurried out the door. She relaxed onto her back, releasing a guttural groan at her erotic thoughts.
*
Ariana poured the coffee into her cup and sighed. She rubbed at her tired eyes. She had tossed and turned all night, her thoughts oscillating from the joyful day she had spent relaxing and reminiscing, to the fact that Nikki had just disappeared on her and wouldn’t be back for days, and then to the reality of the house sale. Her head had spun all night and without resolution. She needed to explain the situation to Nikki, but maybe Nikki wouldn’t want to listen. Ariana had pushed her away and now worried that perhaps she had pushed Nikki too far. She could feel the tension rising, frustration slipping to the surface and needing to find an outlet. Damn! Damn! Damn! She slammed the pot down heavily then jolted.
‘Gianna!’ Ariana exclaimed.
Gianna stopped suddenly, and equally as quickly heat darkened her face. ‘Oh! Hi Ariana,’ she stammered, her eyes searching for anything to focus on besides Soph’s mother.
‘Sorry,’ Ariana apologised, her hand on her chest, thrust from her irritating thoughts. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t expecting… Is everything okay?' she asked, suddenly aware that Gianna’s eyes were scanning the room.
‘Yes, Soph needs something for a headache. I think it was the sun,’ Gianna said.
'Ah!’ Ariana replied, a brief wave of concern causing her to ponder the fact that she hadn't given Soph much attention since they had arrived. 'Meds are in the cupboard,' she added, heading out of the kitchen and down the corridor.
Ariana descended the stairs in a state of mild confusion. She liked Gianna and the fact that Soph seemed happy, but the idea of Soph not needing her and needing someone else, caused a disconcerting feeling to lodge in her stomach. She stood in the open doorway, gazing at her daughter lying in the bed.
‘Hi mum,’ Soph said, squinting through half-open eyes.
‘Gianna says you're suffering from the sun. Are you okay?’ Ariana asked, crossing the room and reaching out for Soph. She perched on the side of the bed, swept the hair from Soph’s face and studied her intently.
‘I’m fine,’ Soph insisted dismissively, somewhat taken aback by her mum’s interest. ‘Honest,’ she added, hoping to reassure her. The last thing she wanted was her mother stopping her fun with Gianna, just because she’d had too much sun. She needed to be careful for the day, and she would be fine.
‘Are you sure you’re okay,’ Ariana asked, still stroking Soph’s face, still in need of reassurance, eyes searching her daughter.
‘I’m fine. I’ll stay in a bit today, maybe we can do some painting,’ she offered, optimistically.
Gianna walked into the room, pills and water in hand. ‘Here,’ she said, holding them out to Soph.
Ariana stood, gazed from Soph to Gianna and back again and cleared her throat. ‘I’ll get some breakfast ready,’ she said.
‘Thanks,’ Soph said, holding Gianna’s gaze with tenderness as she took the pills from her, and then nodding to her mum.
Ariana left the bedroom and climbed the stairs. Soph seemed different, more grown-up, and she didn’t know how she felt about that. Soph had had girlfriends before, but the way she looked at Gianna, she’d never seen her look at anyone that way before now. She knew what the look meant; she’d seen it in Nikki’s eyes and had no doubt Nikki had seen it in hers too.
She stood in the kitchen, her heart racing and anxiety churning her stomach. She knew that sensation well too; it was telling her she was out of control, and afraid. She tried to breathe, attempted to rationalise the competing thoughts that seemed to constantly challenge her emotions. On the one hand, Soph was happy and enjoying life here, Christ it was even starting to feel like home to Ariana. On the other hand, there was the not so small issue of the fact that they would be leaving the island, and that would mean Soph leaving Gianna behind. The thought that her daughter would experience a broken heart seared through her as if it were her pain, and maybe it was. Breakfast, she told herself and started busying around the kitchen, laying the table. I wish Nikki were here. The thought popped into her mind, followed by an empty feeling. She chased it away; she had a meal to prepare.
*
Heading out the front door with increased determination, Ariana nearly upended Manos as he passed by, weighed down by a bucket filled with a wet sandy looking substance. ‘Whoa,’ he said, swinging away from the potential collision, and chuckling. ‘Got a boat to catch?’ he teased, chasing the toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other.
&nbs
p; ‘Sorry,’ Ariana said, stopping, flicking her fingers through her hair and then finding a smile. ‘I’m just getting the paint,’ she said, pointing towards the garage. ‘The girls are going to help,’ she added.
‘Aye, I’m starting on the south-wall,’ he said, indicating in the direction he was walking, towards the rose-garden. The sidewall of the house scaling the three levels of the property and facing directly south across the sea was always the worst affected by the weather.
‘Right,’ Ariana said, pacing, with the sense of edginess that was driving her to distract herself in the work that needed doing. ‘I’ll get the paint then,’ she said.
‘Aye,’ he replied, continuing on his route. ‘Coffee would be nice,’ he added, with a chuckle.
‘I’ll bring one out,’ she said, stepping into the garage. Hunting around, she picked up the pot of apple-white and a pot of pure white paint and lugged them back to the house. She left the apple-white at the top of the stairs leading down to the bedrooms on the ground floor and put the white paint in the living room. Heading to the garage again, she returned with brushes, rollers and paint trays. Maybe the girls could paint Soph’s bedroom or the living room. She would continue with the shutters. Into the kitchen, she poured two coffees and carried them out to the rose garden. The strong scent of rose slowed her, and she breathed in the heady aroma. Did they always smell this sweet?
‘Thanks,’ Manos said with a deep smile, taking the drink, sipping as he rubbed his hands over the surface of the damaged wall. It was as if he were caressing rather than assessing it. ‘You know this was her favourite spot,’ he said.
Ariana knew to whom he was referring. ‘Yes,’ she said, in a whisper.
‘Sophia had the roses imported. Reminded her of Charles,’ he said.
Ariana hadn’t known that.
‘Your grandfather was British,’ he said.
Ariana had known that, but he had died long before Ariana had been born so she had no connection to him and she hadn’t heard Sophia or Teresa ever talk about her grandfather.