Under a Greek Spell

by Simone Hubbard

  Mum and Dad look horrified. I quickly update them in-between sobs, with help from Stefanos.

  Bang on cue, the helicopter arrives, which completely halts the conversation because it’s absolutely deafening. When Stefanos said earlier that a helicopter was on its way, I pictured the sort of thing that you might see flying about anywhere. But this is a huge army helicopter, and it’s sending debris flying everywhere and making the trees bend and shake like there’s a hurricane. It hovers for a couple of minutes over the scrubland and then it comes to rest on the ground. Finally, the engine is switched off and the noise dies down.

  ‘As I was saying, they are taking them to Athens when they’ve cut them free from this godforsaken roof.’ As I speak, army personnel appear from the helicopter with stretchers and equipment.

  ‘Athens?’ Dad exclaims.

  ‘Yes, I am afraid so,’ Stefanos confirms. ‘The hospital here is already full.’

  The guy we’ve spoken to before comes over to give us the latest information; Stefanos translates. ‘They are bringing Costas or Nikos out first. They will all have neck braces on as a precaution. Also, he says there is only room for two of us to go in the helicopter.’

  Mum offers without a moment’s hesitation. ‘I’ll go. My nursing skills may be useful.’

  ‘Okay, that sounds like a good idea. Who else?’

  Selena speaks up. ‘Maybe I could go?’

  Stefanos looks surprised. ‘I thought you did not like helicopters?’

  ‘No, but it is the least I can do. You can catch the ferry tomorrow and follow on. Then you will have your car.’

  ‘Is that okay with everyone else?’ Stefanos asks.

  We all nod in agreement. I just want someone to be with Helen, and Mum is the best person out of us three. Nikos is Selena’s fiancé, after all’s said and done, and she obviously knows Costas as well.

  The medical team are on their hands and knees, ready to crawl through the gap that’s been cut in the roof. The first stretcher is pushed through.

  The cutting noise has stopped so I shout out again to Helen. ‘Helen? Mum and Dad are here! Can you hear me?’

  ‘Yes, just about,’ comes the muffled reply.

  ‘Oh, thank goodness for that!’ Mum sobs as Dad puts his arms around her. ‘I’m here, sweetheart, with your dad. The medical team are coming to get you.’

  ‘Yes, they’re here now … putting a drip in my arm.’

  ‘Has Costas or Nikos woken up yet?’ Stefanos asks.

  ‘Costas has been talking … to me on and off … and they’re with Nikos now … he’s responding. They’re putting him on … a stretcher now.’

  There’s a huge sigh of relief from us all as we realise they’re all alive. The next worry now is how injured they are.

  A few minutes later, the medical team carefully push out Nikos. He’s rigged up to a drip, covered in dust and there are a few bits of debris on him, along with some visible cuts. Selena and Stefanos rush over to him. She’s crying. It looks like Nikos is conscious again; he’s speaking as they take him over to the helicopter with Selena trying her best to keep up.

  ‘What did he say?’ I ask, wishing I could understand Greek.

  ‘He say thank God someone came, he thought he was going to die. He hopes Costas and Helen are okay.’ Stefanos looks pretty shaken up, and Mum and I burst into tears.

  A second stretcher is now being pushed through the gap with some more equipment. We suspect that Costas will be next. Dad comforts Mum, and Stefanos comforts me.

  ‘Everything will be fine, trust me,’ he says.

  ‘But we don’t know that,’ I answer in-between sobs.

  ‘Stefanos is right, sweetheart, we have to be positive,’ Mum says.

  ‘Yes, I know, Mum, it’s just such a shock. She shouldn’t even be here. Sorry, Stefanos, I didn’t mean that. Costas and Nikos don’t deserve this either. It just seems so unfair – why did it have to be any of them?’

  ‘Look, another stretcher is coming out.’ Stefanos points to the opening.

  The stretcher is finally pushed through, and we all rush over to see who it is. It’s Helen. She’s got a cut on her head and blood is trickling down her face. Like Nikos, she’s covered in dust and debris.

  I try my best to be brave but I’m fighting back tears. ‘Helen, it’s Steph, we’re all here for you. Mum’s going with you in a helicopter. She’s always wanted to take a helicopter ride, haven’t you, Mum?’

  Mum chokes back her tears. ‘I wasn’t really thinking of a trip like this, though. I actually had somewhere like the Grand Canyon in mind. Anyway, plenty of time for that.’

  Dad then says his little bit while fighting back tears. ‘You’re going to be all right, Helen. I know you’re a tough cookie, and your mum will take care of you. Steph and I will see you in Athens.’

  ‘She is going to be all right, isn’t she?’ I ask one of the medics, who is adjusting a drip.

  He tries his best to reassure us. ‘The main thing is that she has been awake. We take all the injured to the hospital in Athens, where they will be examined properly. I believe one of you will come with Helen? Come to the helicopter when you are ready.’

  ‘Yes, it’s me, I’ll follow you now. Stephanie, I assume you’re waiting here with Stefanos for his brother. Me and your dad will go with Helen now and see you at the helicopter before it leaves.’

  ‘Okay, Mum. I don’t think they’ll be too long. See you in a few minutes.’

  Helen looks awful and she’s unconscious again. I just hope she can hear us, so she knows that she isn’t alone. Mum and Dad follow the medics carrying her stretcher.

  The rescue teams now get ready for the third stretcher, for Costas. As with Helen and Nikos, the team inside the rubble are on their hands and knees, coaxing the stretcher through the gap to the team outside.

  It’s finally pushed through and we see Costas. Like Helen and Nikos he’s looking rather battered and bruised and covered in dust. Stefanos goes over to him, takes his hand and talks to him in-between his sobs. I can tell that he and Costas have a special bond, like I do with Helen. His big brother, my big sister.

  We follow the medics carrying Costas to the helicopter. We’re greeted by a hive of activity, as more seriously injured people arrive in army vehicles and local ambulances. The local hospital just can’t cope with the demand so they’re using the helicopter to its full capacity.

  We follow Costas up the ramps at the back of the helicopter. It’s huge; there are loads of casualties on board already. Mum is in a blue plastic apron and she’s helping. She’s even given Dad a job, to keep him occupied.

  Costas is the last person they’re taking on this flight. The officer in charge confirms that there are no other casualties in the building. They’ve been given clearance to leave in ten minutes.

  I go over to Helen and take hold of her hand. Through my sobs, I tell her that I love her and that she must stay strong. I spot Selena with Nikos; she’s stroking his forehead. Stefanos is with Costas and he has tears streaming down his face. Costas does seem to be responding to him, which is a good sign. The crew tell us we need to leave. The engines start up, making a deafening noise.

  I give Mum a huge hug. Dad comes over to give her a hug too. ‘You’re so brave, Pam. I love you.’

  ‘I love you too, Michael Collins. It’s only Athens. We’ll be there in half an hour and I’m sure you’ll all catch me up by tomorrow. Now go, before they shut you in.’ Typical Mum, putting a brave face on the situation.

  We’re ushered down the ramps and away from the helicopter. The helicopter blades rotate above us, making our hair blow in our faces. The doors shut, and seconds later the ground crew give the signal to take off. As the helicopter lifts into the air, we all look up and watch through our tears as it noisily disappears. I feel numb.

  Over the noise, I can just about
hear Stefanos saying, ‘Come on, Stephanie, we need to get to Athens.’

  Chapter 26

  Helen

  I’ve been in and out of consciousness since the earthquake. I’m in the hospital in Athens with Mum at my bedside. She’s been running between Costas, Nikos and me, making sure we’re all okay. Apparently, Selena is with Nikos; hopefully that means they’ve made up. Mum’s told me that we’ve all escaped with minor cuts, bruises and concussion and that we’ve been really lucky.

  When I woke up under the roof of the hotel, I was surrounded by complete darkness. I was terrified. I’d no idea how long I’d been unconscious. I knew where I was and I could feel an arm over my chest but I’d no idea if it was Costas or Nikos. I started shaking him and whimpering, ‘Please wake up.’ There was something stopping my legs from moving, and I didn’t dare start struggling for fear that something else would collapse.

  Costas finally stirred. It was his arm that was draped over my chest. ‘Helen … are you … okay?’ he asked, struggling for breath. The dust irritated his throat and made him cough.

  ‘My legs … seem to be … trapped,’ was all I managed to tell him.

  ‘Mine too… You need … to stay awake.’

  ‘I know … but it’s so hard.’

  Costas tried to wake Nikos by saying his name, but his voice was too weak. I think we both soon drifted off to sleep again.

  I dreamt that I was in a massive whirlwind, trying to pull Costas towards me. I was screaming at the top of my voice for him to stay with me. Suddenly, the wind subsided and we dropped to the ground with a thud. Someone was shouting our names over and over again… I realised it wasn’t a dream. I tried to respond but they couldn’t hear me. Despite the effort I was putting in to speak, I was hardly making a sound.

  The shouting woke Costas up. He whispered, ‘You must stay awake, Helen… You must be strong… They have come to rescue us.’

  The shouting also made Nikos stir. That was a huge relief, to hear him responding. Costas reassured him that help had arrived. Then we felt the ground shaking beneath us and heard a deep loud rumbling noise, which I could feel vibrating through my chest.

  Costas whispered, ‘Cover your heads. This is aftershock.’

  We could hear glasses and bottles smashing as they fell off shelves. It was absolutely terrifying, but we seemed to be safe and cocooned under the roof. I drifted off again. Then I was woken by a dog barking and I could also hear someone shouting. I realised it was Stephanie; she was frantically shouting my name.

  I put as much effort as I could into saying ‘I’m here!’

  Luckily, she heard my feeble reply. I was so glad she was there, but I felt too weak and tired to listen to her. I started drifting off again. I dreamt I was at the dentist. I could hear the sound of a drill. I spiralled down a dark tunnel, going faster and faster. Then I came to an abrupt halt. My dream was broken into by some people talking nearby. Their voices were getting closer.

  I was so relieved when the medical team reached me. They started checking me out and put something in my arm. I was aware of a weight being lifted off my legs. Then I thought I could hear Mum, but I couldn’t work out how. She was on a boat with Dad… I was really confused and the effort of thinking was too much.

  My memory of the rescue is sketchy. I seemed to be in the helicopter one minute then at a hospital the next. I was being wheeled into the accident and emergency department. All I’ve wanted to do since is sleep.

  ‘Helen, Helen, can you hear me?’

  For goodness sake, of course I can hear you, I want to say, but I want to stay in my dream. I’m in a garden with Costas. It’s so beautiful and there’s so much vivid colour. I’m sure there are colours that I’ve never seen before. We’re holding hands and talking. It’s truly magical. We’re about to kiss… Again, I hear my name.

  ‘Helen, it’s Steph. Are you going to wake up?’

  Then I hear Mum. ‘She’s very sleepy, Stephanie. She’s opened her eyes briefly a couple of times for me and that’s been it.’

  I fight my tiredness and mumble, ‘I’m awake. I was dreaming that Costas was about to kiss me.’

  ‘I knew it! She just needs a prince to kiss her and wake her up. Thank goodness you’re okay, Helen. We’ve had a sleepless night worrying about you all. Anyway, I thought you and Costas didn’t see eye to eye?’

  ‘Um, maybe I was bit hasty… While we were trapped, he asked me … if I believed in love at first sight … and I need to tell him that I do.’ That’s all I manage to say before I drift off again, back to my dream about Costas.

  Chapter 27

  Stephanie

  The hospital in Athens discharged Helen, Costas and Nikos after a couple of days. They were all extremely lucky to have been standing under the apex of the roof when the earthquake hit. Amazingly, there were no serious injuries or deaths from the earthquake. Its epicentre was out at sea, which may have helped dissipate its force.

  Helen and I have taken up the offer of a room each at the Hotel Niko. This means Stefanos and I don’t need to sneak about. Costas has also been recuperating here, which has given Helen the opportunity to get to know him a bit more. We’ve given our parents our room at the Boutique Blue. Mum’s been enjoying Martin’s water aerobics with Carol and Sandra, while Dad’s been off golfing.

  Today is our last full day here. There’s going to be a party tonight here at the Hotel Niko for Nikolaos and Eliana’s golden wedding anniversary. Nikolaos and Eliana have been sent off for the day to be pampered at the Boutique Blue and the rest of us are mucking in. Mum’s been helping Xena in the kitchen with the food preparation. Giorgos has already delivered a wonderful cake that he’s made for his parents. It’s in the fridge, all covered up so we can’t see it.

  Costas and Helen are helping Stavros – or could that be hindering Stavros, judging by the number of times we’ve seen him shaking his head. Dad’s helping Stefanos and me to blow up balloons, put up bunting and lights and set up the tables. The place is a hive of activity and everything seems to be falling into place. Dad’s drifted off to the kitchen to see if he can help in there and Stefanos has gone to make us a well-deserved drink. It’s thirsty work, especially in this heat.

  I sit down and put my feet up in my favourite spot overlooking the beautiful bay to reflect on the last two extraordinary weeks. I didn’t come to Mykonos to find love, but I definitely have found it. Stefanos and I hit it off immediately. My heart has been soaring from that very first minute. We just get each other. Our occasional language misunderstandings always end with us creased up with laughter.

  I’m going home tomorrow, but Stefanos has made it clear that one way or another he wants us to stay together. The prospect of finding a job here is slim, though, especially as I don’t yet speak Greek. I can’t imagine Stefanos wanting to move from this idyllic place to the UK, but he has said he’ll do whatever it takes for us to be together, even if that means being cold for the rest of his life. He says fate has brought us together and will lead us on a journey. His quick thinking and ability to stay calm last week will be something I’ll always remember and be grateful for. I shudder to think what would have happened if we’d just assumed that someone would search the hotel without word from us.

  Costas and Helen have also hit it off. She looks really happy today, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. They already look like a couple who have been married for years. They’re so funny to watch, especially now, with Stavros trying to give them orders. It’s clear they each want to do it their own way. They could be the Greek version of Basil, Sybil and Manuel from Fawlty Towers.

  I confessed to Helen at the hospital – when she was able to stay awake for more than five minutes – about my text to James.

  She laughed. ‘Dumped by text? Hey, sign of the times. You answered it much better than I would have done.’

  ‘Good, I’m glad you approve of m
y to-the-point answer.’ I didn’t bother filling her in on the rest of the story.

  ‘Oh, definitely. I should have done it weeks ago. But you know what it’s like – you hang on thinking something is better than nothing when it really isn’t.’

  ‘I know…’

  Mum and Dad appeared then, leaving me to mull over my thoughts. I was beginning to think that even if Richard had agreed to have children, or had wanted them in the first place, it wouldn’t have worked out between us. My time with Stefanos has made me realise that Richard and I were missing that special something.

  Stefanos has reappeared with our drinks and my heart has just skipped a couple of beats. I’ll never tire of that feeling.

  ‘Sorry that took so long. Everyone wants a drink when I offer to make them.’

  ‘You’re just so good at it. Dare I ask what this one is called?’

  ‘It is called Love in the Afternoon, and I think we should go back to our room and enjoy the drinks before a little siesta.’

  I can see from the look on his face that he’s got no intention of having a siesta. ‘Oh, really Stefanos Christopoulos? And may I ask what you’re drinking?’

  ‘Bury Me Deep, Stephanie Valentine,’ he whispers in my ear, making me shudder. ‘A drink made exclusively with you in mind. Now, hurry up before anyone assigns us another job.’

  We get up and scamper across the courtyard, giggling like a couple of teenagers without a care in the world.

  Chapter 28

  Helen

  I went back to the Mykonos Gold yesterday. Thankfully, things had improved enough for it to retain its gold status, on the understanding that an action plan will be followed and reported on for the next two months. Michalis seemed a bit more receptive to my visit this time. I assume the realisation of things not meeting our company standard and him potentially losing his job played a major part.