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'Good; we don't want any building there.'
'But we've a financier putting some of his thousands into the
Gallimores' cottage. You knew it was sold?'
'It was up for sale, yes.'
'Three garages, patio, the lot. A few more like him moving in and
bang goes our old-world charm for ever.'
'Happens everywhere,' put in Marika sadly, thinking of the lovely
sixteenth-century cottage being transformed into a gleaming white
villa. Her eyes wandered to the surrounding landscape. She saw it at
dawn in all its wild majesty, and again when the encroaching dusk
cast lengthy violet shadows, giving it a fairy-tale enchantment. She
saw the great massif silhouetted against a sunset sky, or under a
star-paved canopy when the twin peaks of the Phaedriades, bathed in
a mist of silver, stood guard over the sun-god's hallowed domain. No
one would ever build here. .. . 'They do not build in Paradise,' she
murmured, almost to herself.
'Is that how you think of it?' David scanned the scene appreciatively.
'You're right, too. This is a marvellous place. You're lucky, Rik,
having all this for nothing.'
'I suppose I am.' Something in her voice made him glance at her
curiously.
'Tell me about yourself. What has been happening to you?' He leant
back in order to watch her changing expression in profile. 'You're not
the same, Rik.'
Ignoring the last remark, she told him of her life here which was
really one of strict routine. She talked of Stephanos, of Pitsa and
Souphoula. She spoke little of Nickolas, and mentioned nothing
about their recent holiday.
'We will go and see Souphoula tomorrow. She does not get out much
- comes to see Father, of course, but has to wait until Nickolas can
fetch her.'
'Father?' Again that curious glance. 'Why do you call him that? I
heard you do so at lunch time.''He asked me to. He believes I shall
marry Nickolas, as you already know.'
'And Souphoula... ? I heard you call her Grandmother.'
She shrugged.
'Just drifted into it, but mostly we call her Souphoula.' She paused
reflectively. 'They're wonderful people, David. I love them all,
Father, and Grandmother and Pitsa. ...' Marika swallowed hard and a
faint sadness entered her eyes.
'Hmm ... the only one you don't seem to love is old Nick.' She
frowned at that, but made no comment. 'I certainly don't blame you
for that. He fits to perfection my idea of Hades himself.' He leant
forward, laughing. 'Watch he doesn't drag you into the abyss!' He
laughed more loudly and dropped a hand on to her knee.
Yes, people changed, she mused, rather sadly. A year ago David
would never have made such a personal gesture. She was about to
remove his hand when her attention became diverted. Nickolas,
emerging from the office, stopped in his tracks as if unable to believe
his eyes. For the merest second they rested on David's hand before
moving to Marika's flushed countenance. His lips tightened and he
went indoors.
'What's wrong with him?' David watched his retreating figure for a
moment. 'Anyone would think you're really engaged!'
Although trembling slightly, Marika had to smile.
Had they been really engaged Nickolas would not have walked off
like that!
Wiping his brow again, David announced his intention of changing,
and got up from the hammock.
'I'll bring your letters down first, then you can be reading them.'
'You can find your room all right, can't you? - and don't «se all the
space, David. You're sharing it with Kostos; hell be arriving in time
for dinner.'
As she read her mother's letter Marika's heartbeats quickened, and
when David came down again, clad only in shorts and sandals, she
asked him about her mother's activities.
'Oh, yes; new fitted carpets, new furniture  goodness knows what
they haven't got. Started buying just after you left. Caused quite a stir,
as you can imagine, with everyone wondering how she was doing it,
especially as Susan has thrown up her job again.'
'Susan out of work?' Marika blinked in puzzlement. 'Even with Susan
working they can't afford all these things.'
'Getting a car next week; been ordered some time.'
Marika shook her head; she wondered why she trembled so.
'I can't understand it Where has the money come from?'
'Stuff's all on the never-never,' he explained. 'Your mum eventually
told mine.' He hesitated. 'You said in one of your letters that Nick
increased your allowance.'
'That money was so that they could be more comfortable, not to
encourage them to become further in debt.'
Again a hesitation. He felt reluctant to discuss such personal matters
but her distress troubled him.
'Your mother confided in Mum that Mr. Loukas had paid off some
debts as part of the bargain. Well, it seems that she expects he'll do the
same again - at least, that's how Mum has sorted it out.'
'He won't, I know he won't - why should he?' Her heart actually
thumped now, almost painfully against her ribs. In some inexplicable
way she felt this would give Nickolas an added hold on her. Just how
it would affect her she did not know, but there must be some reason
for her sudden fears.
'I must write at once. These things must be sent back. Nickolas will
not pay any more money; it isn't fair to ask him.'
David knew he'd have had to produce the letter some time, but he felt
sorry he hadn't waited a while.
'Don't let it spoil our day, Rik. I'm sure everything " will be all right.
Your mother will probably be able to keep up the payments. Cheer
up. I wish I hadn't given you the letter.'
'Do you really think she'll be able to pay, David? I don't know how
much Nickolas sends. ...' Her eyes brightened. 'I'll write and tell her
she can't have the car. Do you imagine it will be all right, then?'
He did not, but the pleading couldn't be ignored. In any case, he had
no wish for the holiday to be spoiled by Marika's continued anxiety.
'I'm sure of it,' he replied, a lightness in his voice. 'Your mother was
probably not serious. You know how women talk, and brag a little. I
shouldn't expect she really means to ask for more money. Don't
worry, Rik, Carol's working, so they're probably quite comfortably
off.' [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]