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“Roussanou is at a lower elevation than the other monasteries, making it more accessible,” Dia said as she led them through the building. “The monastery was founded by a hermit, and the main cathedral was built at the end of the 16th century. The decorations were completed thirty years later. Unfortunately the building sustained heavy damage during WWII and in the 1980’s was turned into a convent.” She gestured to a wall. “These beautiful wall paintings were done in 1560.”
“Pretty,” Nefeli said.
Rose observed that as wonderful as the children were about soaking up history, they were tiring of the activity. She was grateful this was their last stop on the tour. Rose was also ready for some down time. She hadn’t slept well the night before. Her nerves at meeting the children and Mr. P kept waking her.
With the tour concluded, they returned to the airstrip.
“Thank you for a wonderful morning,” Rose said to Dia.
“You’re welcome.”
Mr. P engaged Dia in conversation while Stavros guided the rest of them to the copter. “We’ll eat lunch in the helicopter on our way to Corfu. The luggage was sent ahead and will be at the hotel when we arrive,” he said.
Rose nodded. “Is the Papadakis lifestyle always this nomadic?” She helped Stavros strap the children in and handed them pita wraps and bottles of water. The children were hungry and kept quiet as they consumed their food.
Once settled in their own seats, Stavros said, “During the school year, the children remain at home, and Mr. P is there most of the time, though his business does require some travel. In summer, they travel quite a bit, though this summer’s schedule is the busiest. The children are a little older, and Mr. P felt they were ready to learn more about their homeland.”
“The children do seem to love history and seeing new places,” Rose said.
With Mr. P on board and the copter secured, they lifted into the air.
“How long is the flight?” Rose bit into her wrap and relished the crunch of tomatoes and lettuce.
“About an hour. By land and ferry, it would take us almost four hours.”
“I think Adonis would like the ferry.” She looked over at the little boy and saw he’d fallen asleep. His half-eaten wrap sat in his lap.
Rose reached over and took the wrap. She put a napkin around it and put the food in the cool pack under her seat. “He’s worn out. Does he usually nap?” In her experience, many children had given up naps by the age of four.
“Not regularly,” Stavros said. “But sometimes, if it’s been a busy morning and we’re traveling, he’ll pass out.”
“Will he sleep well tonight, or will the nap disrupt his schedule?”
Rose had been given little information on the children’s daily routine. With the heavy traveling schedule laid out during her stay, she could see why that had been omitted.
“He’ll sleep fine,” Stavros said.
With her food finished, Nefeli handed Stavros the trash and asked him, “May I draw, please?”
He nodded and handed her the tablet.
With a few quick taps, Nefeli opened an art app and commenced drawing with a stylus.
A peaceful quiet descended on the party, and Rose spent her time looking out the window as Greece flew under her feet. The children were dears, and while she knew there would be disagreeable moments, she determined to shower them with love.
CHAPTER FOUR
Corfu
Rose liked the hotel instantly. She thought they’d be staying in some posh super resort, but this one was farther from the activity of the port and felt more family friendly and intimate.
“The hotel grouped our rooms together,” Stavros explained as they walked up the stairs to the top floor. The children and Mr. P trailed a few steps behind.
As the modern-looking hotel was only three stories tall, Rose didn’t mind the climb, especially after all the stairs they’d hiked in Meteora.
“Your room adjoins the children’s. Mr. P and I have rooms flanking yours.”
“I’m sure we’ll be quite comfortable,” Rose said.