Hidden Truths (Intertwined Souls Series Book 3)

by Mary D. Brooks

  “Your back is going to kill you in this bunk.”

  Eva smiled. “Do you look after me even when you're asleep?”

  “Yes, it's my job.” Zoe's sleepy response made Eva chuckle. Zoe let go of her and allowed her to get back up on the top bunk, where she did have more room. Eva took Zoe's hand and held it as she leaned against the bunk. Zoe opened her eyes and met Eva's gaze. “I promised God, even though I don’t trust Him, that I would look after you and love you for the rest of my life if he would just save you.”

  “You did?”

  “I did.”

  Eva watched Zoe's eyes drift down. She pulled the blanket over Zoe and watched her sleep. “I will always love you,” she whispered, and leaned in for a gentle kiss on the cheek. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I promised Him as well,” she added, and kissed Zoe again before she climbed back up.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “You crazy goat!”

  Eva leaned out of the carriage to see one of the train conductors chasing a goat across the hill embankment near the trail tracks. She smiled. “Now that's something you won't see in Sydney.”

  It was dawn and they were two hours away from Larissa, or more if the goats had anything to do with it. A light breeze had picked up, causing the tall grasses on either side of the rail line to sway ever so gently. Eva leaned against the doorway and took out her cigarette case. She lit one, lost in thought on the approaching visit to Zoe's hometown.

  Larissa. She despised the town. The only two good things to happen to her there were finding who her real father was and, more importantly, falling in love with Zoe. Other than that, it was more hell for her, following on from Aiden.

  “Good morning.”

  Eva turned to find Mrs. Muldoon. “Couldn't sleep?”

  “Oh, no, I'm a morning person,” Mrs. Muldoon replied, and looked out of the doorway. “Why are we stopped?”

  “Goats.”

  “Goats?”

  “There're some goats on the tracks and they are trying to get them off before we run over them.”

  “Oh...goats, well, that's a new one.”

  “Not around here, it's not,” Eva said as she took a drag of her cigarette. “We’ve been stopped for quite a few hours before the goats showed up.”

  “So you're up early, I see.”

  “I'm an early riser.”

  “Ah, and Zoe?”

  “Still fast asleep. Zoe won't get up for another,” Eva checked her watch, “two hours or so.”

  “I’ve been meaning to tell you that I saw the photographs you took. They are amazing. You have a good eye.”

  “Thank you.” Eva smiled.

  “Is Zoe feeling nervous about going home?”

  “Nervous? No,” Eva lied.

  “How about you?”

  Eva shook her head. “No, it’s fine.” She turned when a goat made another attempt at escape from the conductor. “My money is on the goat.”

  “Well, I hope he makes it. Would you like to have some breakfast with me?”

  “Sure.” Eva pushed herself away from the doorway and followed Mrs. Muldoon into the nearly empty buffet cart. They took a booth near the windows. The waiter approached them and they ordered some tea.

  “I've never been to Larissa. What's it like?”

  “It's a small farming community—quite nice.”

  “Not that you were paying attention to the scenery in 1942? Right?”

  Eva shook her head. “It wasn’t pleasant.”

  “So you’re not nervous?”

  “No,” Eva replied, realizing Mrs. Muldoon had asked that question earlier.

  “You must be a little anxious.”

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “Well, you were there as part of the enemy. I’m going to guess that not all of the residents will be thrilled to see you back.”

  “I don’t really care.” Eva shrugged. “Hopefully, they won't want to stone me to death,” she added quietly. “I don't know. I'm sure they won’t be too thrilled to have the daughter of their enemy come to visit.”

  “But your father is the local priest.”

  “That's where it gets complicated,” Eva replied as the waiter delivered their tea. She waited for the waiter to pour their tea before she continued. “My father is loved by the town.”

  “Your life is never easy, is it?”

  Eva took a sip of her tea. She put the cup down and shook her head. “It's interesting.”

  “I find it extraordinary that in the midst of all of that, you and Zoe got together. I'm quite sure you don't want to go into it again, but I find you and Zoe are so fascinating.”

  “You have a gift.”

  “I do?”

  “Yes. I don't feel like you are interrogating me.”

  “I'm not trying to interrogate you. I'm just being nosey, as my husband would say.”

  “Zoe would ask a million questions and remember what you had said years afterwards.”

  “I have discovered that.” Mrs. Muldoon smiled. “She is a very interesting woman. You on the other hand are a closed book—you seldom talk about yourself. You are so different in every way to Zoe.”

  “Am I? I like being a closed book.”

  “You also don’t make it easy for someone to warm to you.”

  “Depends on what that person wants.”

  “What do you think I want from you?”

  “I don’t know,” Eva replied honestly. “It has something to do with my grandmother, so it must be related to that.” Eva watched Mrs. Muldoon carefully. Mrs Muldoon’s lips twitched and Eva knew she had been right. She chose to leave the matter of their collusion alone for now. “How you treat me is irrelevant to me, but how you treat Zoe is totally different. Offering her something she has dreamt about doing and then crushing those dreams is just cruel.”

  “I wasn’t going to renege on my offer, Eva. That was genuine.”

  “What is your stake in this? What has my grandmother given you to go to such lengths?”

  “Your grandmother is not the evil woman you think she is.”

  “No, she’s not evil.” Eva leaned back in her chair and looked out at the tall grasses surrounding the stationary train. “She wants to control everything and everyone, including me.”

  “She does care.”

  Eva shook her head. “I don’t think we will disagree that she cares. She wouldn’t have sent you to create this elaborate scheme if she didn’t care. She must have offered you some inducement for you to do this.”

  “Your grandmother didn’t offer me anything. I was doing her a favor.”

  “Oh?”

  “My sister worked for your grandmother as her assistant. Her name is Jana and you have met her many times.”

  Eva was about to put the cigarette in her mouth when she stopped. She stared at Mrs. Muldoon for a long moment. “Jana Broder? Jana is your sister?”

  “Yes.” Mrs. Muldoon nodded with a knowing smile. “Jana survived Kristallnacht when your Uncle Wilbur saved her from the Brownshirts that entered his factory.”

  “What happened to Jana after that night?”

  “Your grandmother eventually got her out of the country. You may have a different opinion of your grandmother and it may be valid, but for me, she saved my sister’s life and I owe her.”

  “I’m happy she did that for Jana.”

  “So am I. I got word before we boarded the ship that Jana’s husband, Percy Hester, has been appointed as Minister for External Affairs.”

  Eva caught sight of Zoe coming towards them and smiled. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

  Zoe stuck out her tongue and scooted next to Eva on the seat. “I woke up and you weren't there,” she said quickly before addressing Mrs. Muldoon. “Hello, Mrs. Muldoon.”

  “How many times do I have to say this, Zoe? When we are in private, please call me Della.”

  “Ah..uh..” Zoe stammered. “Della.”

  “You need to get over that problem,” Mrs. Muldoon repli
ed gently, and tapped Zoe’s hand. “Did you see if they caught all the goats?”

  “No, they were still rounding them up. I offered to milk one of them,” she said and turned to Eva. “Have you had breakfast?”

  “No, just some tea.”

  “And cigarettes, I see.” Zoe pointed to the four butts in the ashtray.

  Eva rolled her eyes melodramatically and stubbed out the fifth cigarette. “Zoe...”

  “Don't Zoe me, you have to eat something,” she gently scolded. “You promised you would.”

  Eva sighed. “Alright.”

  “So what were you discussing?”

  “My grandmother and Mrs. Muldoon.”

  “Oh.” Zoe shot a quick look at Eva before she turned her attention to Mrs. Muldoon. “An interesting topic.”

  Mrs. Muldoon stood up from the table. “Please, excuse me. I’m sure the two of you have much to discuss.” Without another word, she left Eva and Zoe at the table.

  Chapter Thirty

  Eva leaned against the half-open window of the train cabin. The goats were still running around and she could see the engineer remonstrating with a train guard and another man. Eva caught snippets of conversation that didn’t bode well for the train leaving the area soon.

  “So what is going on out there?”

  “There is something wrong with either the tracks or the train. I don’t believe this. We are two hours away from Larissa and the rate we are going, or not going, this trip could take another day!” Eva grumbled. She was exasperated, angry with herself, and tired. “Greeks!”

  “Hey, your wife is Greek,” Zoe teased.

  Eva gave Zoe a shake of the head. “Why is it every time I’m in this country, it all goes to shit?”

  “The Larissa Curse.” Zoe put her arms around Eva.

  “Don’t start.”

  “I know, but you are in a bad mood, Mrs. Muldoon’s made you even angrier, and you think you behaved inappropriately, although I don’t think so.”

  “I made such a mess of it.” Eva pursed her lips. “I want to know what my grandmother told her. She basically didn’t say anything.”

  “Other than the story about Jana.”

  “Yes.” Eva nodded. “Not sure I believe that one.”

  Zoe had a dubious look on her face. “Why would she make that up?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Maybe it’s the truth.”

  “What if it is?”

  “Are you listening to yourself? If someone didn’t know you, they would think you were a heartless soul.”

  “Zoe…”

  “It’s true, love. They would. Mrs. Muldoon just told you that your Uncle Wilbur saved her sister’s life and you were just indifferent. She might as well have told you that the sky is blue.”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Eva!” Zoe admonished.

  “I know,” Eva said quietly. “I was wrong.”

  “You don’t lead with your heart; you lead with your head.” Zoe tipped Eva’s chin gently with her fingers and tilted her head. “You’re stealing my thunder,” she joked, and leaned in for a gentle kiss.

  “Don’t want to steal your thunder.” Eva flashed Zoe a lopsided grin. “I need to apologize.”

  “Yes.”

  “But she lied.”

  “Still doesn’t make you right. Mrs. Muldoon has been lying to you for four weeks and now you find you want to confront her? You were curious and you wanted to see what she knew about your grandmother.”

  “Yes.”

  “So. What are you going to do about it?”

  “The train isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so taking a walk outside would help clear my mind?”

  Zoe shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

  “I’m not going to apologize for speaking my mind.”

  “That’s not why you are apologizing for.”

  “I know,” Eva said in a resigned voice. “Do you want to come with me?”

  “Of course.” Zoe got up from her seat and took Eva’s hand. They looked at each other for a moment. “It’s funny.”

  “What is?”

  “Usually I’m the one who gets into a mess when my heart rules my head.”

  “You’re rubbing off on me,” Eva quipped as she exited. She smiled when Zoe tapped her on the behind. The corridor was narrow and they passed other passengers in a single file.

  They arrived at Mrs. Muldoon’s cabin and knocked on the door. She opened the door, smiled at them, and beckoned them inside. The cabin was slightly larger than their own. Mrs. Muldoon sat down near the window.

  Eva glanced at Zoe before she turned her attention to Mrs. Muldoon. “I want to apologize.”

  “All right, but what for?”

  “I’m sorry for being insensitive,” Eva admitted as she looked directly at Mrs. Muldoon. “I let my personal feelings about my grandmother negate what she did for you.”

  “Apology accepted. Sit down, Eva.” Eva took up her offer and sat opposite her.

  “Can I just say that my offer to Zoe was not a lie? That offer still stands.” Mrs. Muldoon glanced at Zoe before she turned her attention back to Eva. “Your work is amazing and the refugees genuinely liked you once they got over their prejudices. I did not lie to you; I just omitted the truth.”

  “Not John, but Johnny.” Eva used one of Zoe’s often-repeated sayings.

  “I’m not sure what that means, but not telling you the full truth is not a good way to do business. Would you have come to work for me if I had told you?”

  “No.”

  “Yet you found me out at the start of this journey and said nothing. Isn’t that the same thing that I did?”

  “Not exactly, but I can see the similarities,” Eva admitted, giving Zoe a quick look.

  “Your grandmother is not the evil woman you think she is. Someone that evil wouldn’t spend the time to make sure her granddaughter was well looked after.”

  Eva remained silent as she pondered these words. “I paid for my cabin by working for you.”

  “You did, and you did an excellent job. I was very impressed with your work. You are a talented photographer and you speak several languages.”

  “Why is that advantageous to you?”

  “It is because you have done an outstanding job. I didn’t know anything about you other than what your grandmother had told me.”

  “What was that?”

  Mrs. Muldoon’s eyebrows furrowed, and her lips pressed together. “That would be betraying a confidence.”

  “I guess we have nothing to discuss then. I came here to offer you my apology. That has been done.” Eva stood up and did an about turn to leave.

  “She said that you were kind-hearted and loving. She is a very proud grandmother.”

  Eva sighed deeply and closed her eyes. “I’m afraid we have a different view.”

  “You are wrong about her. Jana would vehemently disagree with you. As I told you at breakfast, it was your Uncle Wilbur who saved my sister’s life, but it was your grandmother that allowed her to escape the Nazis and took her out of the country. She took the risk.”

  “Yes, it would appear she took the risk because of her political affiliations, and she saved your sister’s life.” Eva conceded gracefully.

  “I hope you get the chance to talk to your grandmother. Now as our paths will not join up again until we meet back in Australia, I just want you to know that I would like to offer Zoe that job.”

  “Zoe Lambros! Zoe Lambros, has anyone seen Zoe Lambros?”

  Zoe cocked her head at the voice and scowled. “What…”

  Eva looked at Zoe and shrugged.

  Zoe went to the window and Eva promptly joined her. Eva didn’t see anything except a few passengers, and she was about to turn back to Mrs. Muldoon when Zoe’s voice made her stop.

  “No...”

  ”What’s wrong, love?”

  “Oh, my god...” Zoe ran to the cabin door. In her hurry to open the door she locked it. She screamed
in frustration as she twisted the door handle. When the door finally opened, her knee struck its side, tearing a gash in her knee.

  Followed closely by Eva, Zoe ran out in the corridor, which was crowded with people and their luggage.

  “Sweet Mary, Mother of God, now you all get up!” Zoe yelled as she pushed past people.

  “Zoe!” Eva yelled just as Zoe was flinging another door open to get to the other carriage. Zoe didn’t turn but disappeared through the door as Eva raced right after her.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Zoe flung the door open to the adjoining car and slammed head first into someone’s body. She looked up to yell at him to move aside when she was struck dumb.

  “Theo?” she asked, not quite believing her eyes.

  “ZoZo!”

  Theodore Lambros was a tall burly man with short dark red hair and deep-set green eyes. Green eyes that were crinkling in delight. He easily picked Zoe up in his thickset arms as she buried herself in her brother’s embrace.

  “Theo! You’re alive!”

  “I am.” Theo laughed before tenderly kissing Zoe on the cheek. “Promised you I would be back, didn’t I?”

  “Malarka,” Zoe swore, and struck his chest with her fist. The ineffectual punch caused Theo to laugh heartily.

  “Ow, Zo! You hit like a girl!” Theo cupped Zoe’s face and looked into her eyes. “Hello, koukla,” he said softly as tears rolled down his face. Theo’s affectionate baby doll nickname rendered Zoe speechless. She tried to talk, but the words just wouldn’t come forth. She gave up and sobbed against his chest.

  “You’re bleeding on me.” Theo pointed at Zoe’s bleeding knee.

  The door was flung open and Eva and Mrs. Muldoon raced out and then stopped dead still.

  “Zoe.” Eva came forward and put her hand on Zoe’s back. “You’re bleeding.”

  “Evy, this is Theo. Theo, this is Eva Haralambos.”

  “Yes, Father Haralambos’ daughter,” Theo said as he picked up and cradled Zoe in his arms. Eva held the door open and they went back to their cabin.

  Eva took a jug of water and a clean towel. She sat down on the floor with her legs tucked under and applied pressure to stop the bleeding on Zoe’s knee.