YANNIS (Cretan Saga Book 1)

by Beryl Darby

  Phaedra did worry. She was filled with dread should Yannis drown or decide to stay hidden near his family, and tried to persuade him to take her with him.

  ‘Now that’s being silly,’ he chided her. ‘You’ve told me that you can hardly swim. If it did capsize you could drown.’

  ‘How long will you be gone?’

  ‘I can’t say for certain. I’ll go at night, but it depends where I manage to land and how far I have to walk to Plaka. I expect I’ll be at least three days.’

  Phaedra pursed her lips. ‘I wish there was some way you could let me know you were safe.’

  ‘That’s easy. I’ll ask Anna to wave her red scarf to let you know I’m there.’

  With that Phaedra had to be content. ‘When are you going?’

  ‘Tonight.’

  She swallowed quickly. ‘Are you sure, Yannis? Wouldn’t it be better to wait awhile?’

  ‘There’s no moon tonight. I’m going to speak to Takkis and Spiro now as I’ll need some help.’

  Phaedra listened whilst he outlined his plan to the two men. They were full of enthusiasm and encouragement, eager to help him carry his bathtub down to the jetty, offering advice about currents and the shortest distance to the shore.

  ‘Couldn’t Manolis take you over?’ asked Phaedra.

  Yannis shook his head. ‘If the authorities found out he’d have his boat impounded. It wouldn’t be fair to put him in that position. If he lost his boat he wouldn’t be able to come to see Flora.’

  Spiro and Takkis grinned. ‘I just wish he’d stop bringing her geraniums. The whole place reeks of them. Couldn’t she have a fancy for marrows or onions? At least they’d be useful.’

  Yannis waited until the cooking fires began to glow, then he, Spiro and Takkis picked up his bathtub and marched openly down to the jetty. From beside the storehouse Yannis took a length of wood and climbed into the bobbing tub.

  Spiro looked at the flimsy craft in apprehension. ‘You’re running a risk, you know, Yannis. It all sounds easy, but you could end up miles out at sea.’

  ‘It’s not likely,’ he assured Spiro with more confidence than he felt. ‘If the current does double back I’m more likely to be sitting by the island tomorrow than on my way to Rhodes.’

  Once away from the shore it was darker than Yannis had envisaged. He felt panic rising in him and tried to reason with himself. All the time he stayed afloat he was in no danger at all. The mainland was a dark mass in front of him and he used the length of wood as an improvised paddle to speed his slow progress. He shifted his position cautiously, the tub rocking wildly as he did so, bringing a return of the panic that had assailed him earlier. The sky darkened and he cursed himself for his stupidity for trying the trip on a moonless night. He could no longer see the landmass in front of him and had to rely on his instinct and the current to take him towards his goal.

  He felt a grating and shuddering beneath him as he skimmed across a submerged rock, tilting dangerously for a moment or two before rocking on his way. With a sudden lurch that nearly threw him into the water the tub stopped, stuck fast between two rocks. Without any hesitation Yannis slipped over the side. The water was deeper than he had anticipated and almost up to his neck, he floundered, slipped and swam across the rocks until he reached the shallows and was able to walk on dry land.

  Now that the time had come Yannis felt strangely nervous. Stifling his fears he walked quietly along the road to the farm where he had been born, realising with a shock that he had tears running down his face. He longed to push open the door and rush inside. Instead he crept into the yard; then risked drawing attention to himself by pulling the handle on the pump and plunging his head under the cold water. It trickled down his throat and made him gasp. The kitchen door opened and a wavering oil lamp was held aloft.

  ‘Who’s there? Who is it?’ The oil lamp began to move closer.

  ‘Yiorgo?’

  ‘Who are you?’

  ‘I’m Yannis. Your brother Yannis.’

  ‘How did you get here?’

  ‘It’s a long story. How’s Mamma?’

  ‘Much the same.’

  ‘Can I come in and see her?’

  Yiorgo hesitated. ‘I’ll ask Pappa.’

  ‘I’ll understand if he says no. If I can’t come in could you bring me some dry clothes and some food?’

  Yannis did not see Yiorgo nod in the darkness; the sound of the door closing told him he was once more alone. Yiorgo eventually returned with the oil lamp held aloft.

  ‘Come into the kitchen.’

  Yannis walked inside the door and looked around him. It was exactly as he remembered. A chair was thrust towards him and he sat down wearily. His father studied his appearance. The disease was quite apparent in his son now. His eyebrows were missing, one side of his nose flattened where the bone had been absorbed, the whole side of his face covered in white nodules. Yannis tore a chunk from a loaf of bread with hands that were clawed and masticated noisily.

  Yiorgo turned away. This was his brother, his brilliant brother whose future had been destroyed along with his health and his looks. The man sitting before him looked old beyond his years, careworn and pathetic. Yiorgo cleared his throat.

  ‘Before you see Mamma I think we ought to smarten you up a bit.’

  Yannis smiled ruefully at him. ‘I didn’t wear my best for the trip. I must look like a beggar. My clothes are soaked.’

  ‘What did you do? Swim?’

  ‘Only the last few yards, I borrowed one of the bathtubs.’

  ‘I’ll find you some clothes.’ Shaking with emotion Yiorgo left the kitchen and Yannis senior gazed at his son.

  ‘What have they done to you?’

  ‘Nothing. I took a bit of a beating when I was in hospital, but that was a long while ago. I’m fine now.’

  A silence fell between the two men.

  ‘I’m sorry, Pappa.’ Yannis put his head on his arm and sobbed brokenly. ‘I shouldn’t have come here, but I wanted to see Mamma.’

  His father watched, a lump in his throat. He took a bottle from the shelf and poured a generous measure into a glass. ‘Drink that, you’ll feel better.’ He put the bottle to his own lips and took a long pull, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘Go on, drink it.’

  Yannis lifted the glass and allowed a little to trickle down his throat. He choked as the fiery liquid slipped down, then took another small sip. ‘I haven’t tasted brandy in years. I’d forgotten how strong it was.’

  Yannis sat down opposite his son. ‘Did you get permission to come here?’

  Yannis shook his head. ‘I floated over in a bathtub.’ He took another cautious sip of the brandy. The initial shock and emotion having passed he felt better now.

  ‘What made you do a foolhardy thing like that?’

  ‘For years I’ve looked across at this farm, wondered what you were all doing, how you were keeping. I didn’t know about Mamma until Father Minos visited us, and I didn’t know about Maria until Andreas was able to send a letter to me. Finally I had to come myself.’

  Yiorgo entered with a bundle of clothes in his arms. ‘These should fit you – and I don’t need them,’ he added, thrusting them at Yannis.

  ‘I’m grateful for anything.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  Yannis looked at his brother in surprise. ‘Going? Nowhere.’

  ‘You can’t stay here.’ Yiorgo spoke more sharply than he had intended.

  ‘I know. I’m an outcast. No one wants a leper in their midst. Even the hospitals treat you like a criminal. I didn’t ask to be ill. It’s not my fault.’

  ‘Then where are you going?’ Yiorgo repeated the question.

  ‘I came to see you, particularly Mamma. I’ll leave again tomorrow and get back to the island.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘The bathtub is still down amongst the rocks. I can go back in that.’

  Yiorgo shrugged. ‘Ther
e are some caves up in the hills.’

  Yannis shook his head. ‘How long could I stay hidden before someone saw me and told the authorities? I don’t want to be hunted like an animal. When I’ve seen Mamma and Anna I’ll get back as best I can.’

  ‘Where will you spend the night?’

  ‘In the stable, I’ve slept in worse places. I could do with some more to eat, though.’

  Yiorgo handed him another small loaf and a jar of home made brawn.

  ‘Any tomatoes and olives?’ asked Yannis hungrily and Yiorgo produced them. His father and brother watched as he munched and chewed, sipping intermittently at the brandy.

  ‘When can I see Mamma?’ he asked.

  ‘In the morning. I think it might be wiser if we talked to Anna first and she prepared Mamma. We mustn’t give her too much of a shock.’

  Yannis was forced to agree, anxious though he was to see her. ‘I’ll wait until you call me.’

  He slept well, curled up on the straw next to the donkey, not stirring until long after dawn. When he first awoke it took a moment for him to realise where he was, then the donkey, stamping her feet, reminded him and a smile of pure pleasure spread across his face. He was at home. Impatiently he waited until he heard footsteps in the yard and the door was thrown open.

  ‘Anna!’

  She threw her arms round his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. ‘Yannis, oh, Yannis, it’s so good to see you.’

  Gently Yannis disentangled her hands and held her away from him. ‘I’d love to hug and kiss you, Anna, but it’s better not. I don’t know how infectious I am. No one seems to know and I don’t want to risk giving it to you. Have you told Mamma I’m here?’

  Anna nodded. ‘I’m not sure she believed me. She kept nodding and smiling and saying “he’s a good boy, a clever boy,” as though you’d just returned from High School. You’ll see a great change in her, Yannis.’

  ‘She’ll see a change in me too, so we’ll just have to accept each other.’

  Anna led the way across the yard and into the kitchen. ‘I’m so pleased to see you.’

  ‘I don’t think Pappa and Yiorgo are.’

  ‘They are really. They’re just worried in case someone sees you. If you were found here they’d probably take us all off for tests.’

  ‘Then we must make sure I’m not found.’

  Yannis gazed at his mother, slumped slightly to one side in her chair. She looked far older than he remembered her. ‘Mamma.’

  ‘Come here, Yannis, let me look at you.’ Her words, although slurred, were quite distinguishable.

  Yannis stood before her. She studied him for a long time before she spoke again.

  ‘You look well enough – considering.’

  ‘I am – considering. How are you?’

  ‘I’m useless.’ She pointed to her withered hand. ‘No more embroidery or cooking.’

  ‘You deserve a rest. You always worked so hard.’

  Maria hardly seemed to hear him. ‘I have Anna. She’s a good girl. Sees to everything, even little Yannis. Maria’s gone. Gone forever. I couldn’t say goodbye to her. She wasn’t a bad girl, just unlucky, impatient, couldn’t wait. Babbis blames himself. Won’t take much notice of little Yannis. Reminds him of his poor Maria. Bad luck has hit this family. We’ve been cursed. First Yannis broke his leg; then you were taken away, then I became ill, then Maria. What’s to become of us?’

  ‘I’ll always be here, Mamma,’ promised Anna.

  ‘Yannis’s come back, Anna. He’s come to visit us now he’s better.’

  ‘Mamma, I’m not better. Not yet. I have to go back later today.’

  ‘Go back? Go back where?’

  ‘I live on the island. I’m a leper.’

  Maria nodded slowly. ‘That’s what they told me. My Yannis, a leper.’ She sucked in her breath. ‘You’re still my Yannis; my clever Yannis. Who brought you over to see me?’

  ‘No one, Mamma. I floated over in a bathtub.’

  ‘Clever Yannis; always had good ideas.’ Maria’s head sank down and she appeared to be asleep. Anna turned to Yannis.

  ‘Come and sit over here and tell me about the island.’

  Yannis smiled at her. ‘It isn’t a very pleasant subject.’

  ‘I want to know just the same. Everything Yannis. From when you were first ill in Heraklion and went to hospital there.’

  ‘Father Minos will have told you all about that.’

  ‘I want you to tell me,’ insisted Anna. ‘Tell me now, whilst Mamma sleeps.’

  Capitulating to his sister’s wishes, Yannis related how he had first been diagnosed and the help the priest had given him, then his short stay in the hospital in Heraklion before being sent to Athens.

  ‘That was the first we knew, when Andreas and the priest came here. It was a terrible shock. Did they give you all the latest treatment in Athens?’

  ‘The treatment they gave us there was worse than you can possibly imagine. We were treated like criminals. Locked up, half starved, beaten if we protested.’

  Anna’s eyes opened wide in horror. ‘I’m glad you’re not there now.’

  ‘I’m glad too. I wasn’t at first. I thought we’d been sent to the island to die. I suppose we were in a way. No one seemed to care until Father Minos came.’

  ‘What was it like when you arrived? Tell me truly, Yannis.’

  Yannis smiled grimly. ‘Derelict, dirty, stinking – you name it.’ Yannis described the island as he had found it when he had first landed. He painted a sad picture of the crippled occupants, trying to live on decaying food and sheltering in derelict buildings.

  ‘It’s much better now,’ he assured his sister. ‘I’m sure Father Minos has had something to do with better food being sent over.’

  Anna shook her head. ‘It was Pappa. He threatened to report to the government anyone who sent rotten food.’

  ‘I’m surprised they worried about that threat. The government doesn’t care. You should have seen some of the food in the hospital.’

  ‘I think they guessed Pappa has a reason.’

  ‘You mean the villagers know I’m there?’

  Anna nodded. ‘Why should I suddenly start waving to an island occupied by lepers, or Pappa send out a goat and insist that the food was fresh? He’d never bothered before.’

  ‘Waving!’ Yannis clapped a hand to his forehead. ‘I’d forgotten. I promised Phaedra I’d let her know I was safely here by asking you to wave your red scarf.’

  ‘Who’s Phaedra?’

  ‘One of the women out there.’

  ‘Is she your girl?’

  Yannis laughed. ‘Hardly. No girl is likely to look at me. We’re just friends.’

  Anna did not believe him. He was far too insistent that she must go and wave immediately. She teased him for a few more minutes, then took her red scarf from behind the door and went down to the beach. As soon as she had left Maria opened her eyes.

  ‘You’ve had a hard time, Yannis.’

  ‘I thought you were asleep, Mamma.’

  ‘I was listening. I knew you wouldn’t tell me the truth as you would Anna. I’m proud of you, Yannis. You were always the clever one. I shan’t grieve for you any more. You’ve found your purpose in life. Ill or not, you were sent there to help them.’

  Yannis looked at his mother. ‘Do you really believe that?’

  ‘There’s a reason behind everything. We can’t always see it, but you were needed there, and the only way you could go was to be sick yourself.’ Maria closed her eyes again. ‘You’re a good boy, Yannis. I often sit here and they think I’m asleep, but I’m really listening. I hear their arguments and I think “what would Yannis have done, or said?” and I let my thoughts drift away. I hear much more than they realise. You stay with your Phaedra. If you’re good friends now you always will be. Yiorgo, now, he never looks at a girl. Always busy on the farm. Loves the land too much to be interested in anything or anyone
else. Anna, well, maybe, but not yet, poor child. She won’t leave me, but when I go there’s Babbis. It’s poor Stelios I worry over. He worshipped you, Yannis, tried to be like you in every way. Now he’s changed; he’s very bitter. Won’t talk about you. Father Minos tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. I think he’s frightened that he will have it and be sent to the island.’

  ‘I know how he feels. I hated that island. When I found I’d been sent there I was petrified. Gradually I realised it wasn’t as bad as the hospital had been. I’ve some very good friends there, usually we have enough to eat, and we’re not prisoners in one large room, watching each other decay and die.’

  Maria nodded. ‘And you have your Phaedra. I don’t doubt that you’ve chosen the prettiest and cleverest girl on the island.’

  Yannis shook his head. ‘You’re a crafty old lady, Mamma. You’ve gone far ahead of me. I would be lost without Phaedra; she’s been a good friend to me. She’s not particularly pretty, and she can neither read nor write.’

  ‘Then why don’t you teach her?’

  ‘Teach her?’

  ‘There’s probably a good few over there that have either never learned or have forgotten. Why don’t you teach them? Keep you occupied.’

  ‘Oh, Mamma, you always did want me to be a teacher if I wouldn’t become a doctor.’

  ‘So now’s your chance, Yannis.’

  ‘Maybe,’ Yannis agreed cautiously. ‘In the winter.’

  ‘Have you got your books, Yannis?’

  ‘Most of them. I often wish…’ Yannis’s voice tailed off as Anna burst through the door.

  ‘Yannis, they’ve found the bathtub. They’re looking for you.’

  Yannis’s face paled. ‘Who are?’

  ‘The fishermen. If they don’t find you they’re going to inform the authorities so they can start a full scale search.’

  ‘I must go. I can’t let them find me here. I’ll walk on towards Elounda and if they find me I’ll say I’m making for Aghios Nikolaos to see my girl.’

  Anna’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I wish you could stay, Yannis.’

  ‘I wish I could too. Don’t cry. I’ll come again.’

  Yannis turned to his mother who stretched out an arm to him. ‘Kiss me goodbye, Yannis. I may not be here the next time.’