Page 16 of The Silent Sister

‘I think her smile tells you everything you need to know, Michaíl. Efcharistó a hundred times.’ Cassia hugged the old man, whose eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears.

‘You are so clever,’ said Tom. ‘Where did you learn to carve like that?’

‘My pappoú was a carpenter and I spent a lot of time with him. You go now and get a good spot on the quayside. I’ve got customers to serve.’

The light was fading fast as Cassia, Tom and Eléni made their way down to the harbour.

The sky had turned a deep apricot as the sun’s orb sank further into the horizon and the lights on the small boats in the harbour gave the place a magical feel.

Cassia had been right. There were fewer lights than in other years, but lots of fishermen had still made an effort, most likely because of the significance of the day.

Tom smiled at her, his hazel-green eyes crinkling at the edges.

‘This is wonderful. I’m glad I didn’t miss this.’

‘You should feel at home here on this day. Remember me telling you it’s to celebrate Saint Nikolaos.

He is the patron saint of Greece and the protector of seamen and sailors like you.

Today is the first day we start decorating our homes for Christoúgenna and soon you will see decorated boats in every home, not just with the children.

Michaíl will set one up and light a candle in the middle of it by the time we return home. ’

‘So this is a Tom Day after all.’

They walked to the spot in front of the ship chandler’s where Cassia had arranged to meet Eugenia and Maia.

They were both wrapped up warm for the crisp, clear evening and Maia held up her decorated boat with pride.

‘You’ve arrived at just the right time.’ Eugenia kissed her sister on each cheek and pointed to the harbour.

‘Look, the lights are coming on in the boats.’ The little girls watched in awe.

The sun had now completely set and the harbour was transformed into an array of twinkling lights from tiny lamps.

‘I think you can eat some of your sweets now.’

The two girls picked out one sweet at a time and compared what they had. Eléni’s face altered when she found something strange at the bottom of her boat. She brought out Michaíl’s drachma and held it up. Tom pretended to eat it, and everyone laughed.

‘It’s a very old tradition here on the island,’ said Eugenia. ‘Remember how we used to squabble about who would find the drachma each year. We didn’t realise if one of us had it one year, it would be the other one’s turn the next year. Why Mamá didn’t put a coin in each boat, I’ll never know.’

The girls resumed eating their sweets.

‘Would you like one, Mamá?’ asked Maia.

Eléni did the same. Cassia noticed it was Tom who got the first pick.

The crowd dispersed, so they walked back to Taverna Zervas, glad to leave the cold outside. Michaíl was playing the board game he loved and called over to them.

‘It was a good sight, eh? Did you like it?’

‘They did, efcharistó , Michaíl. And the sweets in the boats.’

He turned to his playing friends and pointed at Eléni as they all left the bar to sit in the kitchen. ‘You should see that one playing Tavlí . ’

‘Would you like a coffee to warm you before you go?’ asked Cassia.

‘No, thank you,’ said Eugenia. ‘I must get this one off to bed. We’ll see you soon.’

Cassia walked them to the door. They said their goodbyes, then Cassia turned to Eléni.

‘And you, agápi mou .’

Eléni nodded and hugged Tom. ‘To-o . . .’

Cassia gasped. ‘Did you try to say “Tom”? Good girl. I knew you could.’

Tom smiled at Eléni. He pointed at her, then himself, and clapped his hands.

‘I’d leave it for tonight,’ he whispered to Cassia as Eléni made her way to the door. ‘Let’s see if there’s any more tomorrow.’

Without thinking, she kissed him and went to get Eléni ready for bed. When she rejoined him, Tom had made two coffees.

‘I’m surprised you know how to make Greek coffee.’ She eyed the copper briki on the stove. ‘But I’m very pleased you do. Thank you.’ She sipped the strong, sweet liquid, cupping her hands around the tiny cup.

‘My brother is married to a Greek woman and the last time I was home, she showed me how. I thought I’d told you I had a Greek sister-in-law. Katerina. That’s how I know a bit of the language. They have two boys, Antonios, known as Tony, and Filippos, who we call Philip or Phil.’

There was a lot she didn’t know about the handsome man sitting next to her, and yet she seemed to have known him for ever. There was no doubt in her mind he would be the one who would get Eléni talking if anyone could. Eléni adored him.

‘I can’t believe she almost spoke your name. It wasn’t me imagining it, was it?’

‘No, it’s the first time I’ve heard her try to say anything.

It’s why I don’t think we should put pressure on her.

Maybe after doing things that she loves, like tonight, it will relax her and she’ll try more words.

“Mamá”, for instance.’ Tom took Cassia’s hand and brought it up to his lips.

A tingle surged through her. ‘You’d love that, wouldn’t you? ’

‘More than anything. I still can’t refer to myself as Mamá, though. Eugenia does all the time.’

‘Then you should, too. You’re all she’s got. You are her mamá now.’

They sat, still holding hands.

‘ Efcharistó for today. I have loved every minute of being back with you both. I’ve hated being away from you. And Eléni,’ he quickly added.

She’d missed him too, more than she dared to admit. There was no point in allowing herself to think of being more than a friend to him. In no time at all, he’d be back to Malta and it would be just her and Eléni again.

He took her hand to his lips again. ‘Cassia, I have to tell you something.’

Cassia’s heart raced, anticipating what he was going to say.

‘You must have guessed... I’ve fallen in love with you. You’re all I think about.’ He put his hand to her cheek and gently stroked it.

Cassia didn’t pull away. She didn’t say anything at first. Her insides flipped. She’d been in denial, not admitting what Sophia and Michaíl had seen. ‘I thought you were being a very dear friend. I bet you have a girl to love in every port. Isn’t it what they say about sailors?’

She realised she was being flippant and Tom waited to hear what she really thought.

‘I’m very touched. I think of you all the time too, but not in that way.

I do love you, but I am not in love with you.

Does that sound cruel to say?’ She hesitated, knowing her feelings for him had changed.

Perhaps she was falling in love with him after all, but, with Tom’s ship leaving soon, a future together was impossible.

‘I don’t want you to think the holding hands and kisses on cheeks can mean anything more.

I shouldn’t have kissed you on the lips earlier, even if it was brief.

I was just so thrilled by Eléni attempting to say your name.

I’m sorry if that prompted you to say this. ’

Tom placed her hand back on the table.

‘I’d hoped you’d feel the same. I’m glad you’ve been honest about your feelings, but your kiss had nothing to do with it.

I almost told you before I left back in September.

’ He paused and sucked in a deep breath.

‘The main thing is we stay as we are. Good friends. I’ll have to be happy with that.

And, hey, we’ll get our little girl talking whatever it takes. Friends?’

He raised his hand for her to clap.

‘Friends.’

He stood to go. They embraced and as her heart beat faster, Cassia wondered if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life.

No man could replace Nikos, her first love.

But he wouldn’t want her to be lonely. She was convinced Nikos would have liked Tom.

In many ways they were alike — kind, caring, loved children, and there was another thing binding the two men together. Each had been and was in love with her.

‘ Kalinychta, Cassia. I shall see you tomorrow. That little girl upstairs is going to give you the best Christmas present by starting to talk.’

They walked into the bar where Michaíl was clearing up and washing glasses. All the elderly drinkers had gone.

‘Will we see you tomorrow, Tom?’ He smiled at Cassia again. ‘This young lady has had a spring in her step and a sparkle in those lovely brown eyes since you arrived. Is there something you’re not telling me?’

Cassia blushed. ‘No, we just like each other’s company, don’t we, Tom? Just friends.’

Tom nodded in agreement, putting his arm around her shoulders.

He’d got the gist of what Michaíl had said.

‘We go through a lot in the earthquake, eh? We save Eléni. We do not forget it. Yes, we are just good friends.’ Cassia was close enough to hear him whisper under his breath in English, ‘More’s the pity. ’

‘ Kalinychta, Michaíl.’

Cassia walked Tom to the door and watched him walk away. The sky was an inky indigo and dotted with diamond-like stars. She looked heavenwards.

Nikos, what have I done? He’s a good man. Why can’t I love him the way I loved you?