Page 23 of The Silent Sister

Cassia didn’t see her sister for several weeks after their argument.

She knew Eugenia would be thinking about her and Eléni, as well as what it would mean to lose her sister.

But her words still hurt. Of course, Eléni was going to talk.

If Tom had still been with them, Cassia was certain she would be saying more words now.

She had to pin her hopes on a specialist doctor being able to speed along Eléni’s recovery.

Eugenia was still in contact with their mother so she wouldn’t be abandoning her.

They’d managed perfectly well when Cassia lived in Argostoli.

Although her mother and sister were not close, they still saw each other, and she’d heard Maia talking about Yiayiá to Eléni.

If things got tough before they got better, she knew her sister could turn to their mother for help.

Perhaps she had already done this and not told Cassia.

If she hadn’t, the reason would have been her pride — not wanting to admit her marriage to Georgios was a failure.

Cassia had written a second letter to Tom, telling him about poor Michaíl.

Now she knew about his condition, she’d noticed tell-tale signs of how poorly he’d become.

He found it difficult to eat. He’d asked her to attend to the few customers who came in to drink in the taverna when he was not up to standing for long periods.

‘The man is not so good, eh?’ said one old friend of his. ‘I told him to get some food down him. He’s wasting away. Tell him yamas from me.’

‘Not as easy with all these shortages,’ said another.

There was still no reply to either letter from Tom.

Cassia began to think she’d been too late accepting his proposal, and he had moved on.

How much longer he had in Malta, she didn’t know.

All he’d told her was he’d be getting another posting, but she didn’t know where or when.

She started planning what she could do to survive in Kefalonia when Michaíl moved to his sister’s and when she had no money coming in to live on.

She hadn’t ventured anywhere near the market after her argument with Eugenia.

She continued making her lace and embroidery in the hope that one day, visitors would return to the island to buy them as souvenirs or people would buy them for the bottom drawer of a bride-to-be.

But it wasn’t going to happen any day soon if the accounts of what was happening in the worst affected areas were to be believed.

It had now been six months since that fateful day in August.

Michaíl was sleeping in his chair when Cassia and Eléni wandered outside for a walk.

She locked the bar door so he wouldn’t be disturbed and put the key under the stone urn by the window.

There were so few people calling in for a drink in the daytime now, she knew they would not be losing much, if any, custom.

Word had got round that old Michaíl was failing.

Each evening she had to stave off enquiries about what was actually wrong with him.

The view over the harbour was as spectacular as ever. The sun reflecting on the aquamarine water never failed to lift her mood. It was here she’d waved goodbye to Tom. Had she also waved goodbye to a chance of a better life with him? Tom, why haven’t you written back?

‘Come on, Elenáki mou. Let’s see if Mamá can find any work.’

Eléni pulled her back to the edge of the harbour wall. She pointed out to sea. ‘Tom... Baba.’

I wish more than anything it could be Tom’s boat. ‘No, Tom’s in Malta.’

They walked along the street and stopped outside the post office.

The window where she’d seen Michaíl’s advert displayed a board of notices.

She remembered how adamant he’d been that he didn’t want anyone taking the room if they had a child, and how he’d changed his mind once he’d assumed the child in question belonged to Nikos.

To think how he adored Eléni now! She’d become the granddaughter he never had.

Tears burned along her eyelids when she thought how soon that relationship was going to be severed. Eléni would be heartbroken.

Most of the notices were about items for sale.

Islanders appeared to be selling everything they could to raise any amount of cash, no matter how small.

She looked down at the beautiful silver bangle on her wrist. In future, would times get so tough she’d even contemplate selling Tom’s gift to her?

Just as Cassia was about to leave, she spotted another notice.

Dr Hector Alexatos seeks help for his wife with two children, a girl aged four years of age and a baby (boy) of ten months. Terms and wages to be discussed. Contact 4, Koutavos Street, Fiscardo.

Cassia went inside the post office to ask about the advertised post. Before she could say anything, the woman behind the counter smiled and handed her a letter.

‘I hoped you’d be in,’ she said. ‘This came for you. It doesn’t have a Greek stamp. Must be from that British sailor of yours.’

Ignoring the inquisitiveness of the woman, Cassia took it from her, her heart pounding.

‘ Efcharistó. ’ So anxious to read what Tom had to say, she forgot all about asking about the doctor’s advert. ‘Come on, Eléni.’

Once outside, her hand shook as she opened the letter. Would Tom still want to marry her? What would he say about Michaíl’s news?

My dear Cassia,

Work here on HMS Daring is done. We will all be posted elsewhere at the end of the month. I have not heard from you so I have to assume...

‘No!’ Tears blurred Cassia’s eyes and prevented her from reading further.

She’d been too late. Eléni looked up at her expecting an explanation, but, not wanting to make a scene in the street, Cassia grabbed her hand and rushed back to the taverna where she could read the whole letter in the privacy of her room.

When they arrived, there was a car outside and the taverna door was ajar. Who could have let themselves in?

‘I wonder who’s calling on Michaíl?’ Cassia was sure she’d locked the door.

‘Tom.’

‘No, agápi mou . Tom’s not coming back.’ It was going to be hard convincing the little girl they would not be seeing him again.

She should never have told her that she and Tom were going to get married.

She looked back at the car and noticed a red cross on the windscreen.

Why would the doctor be calling on Michaíl?

He’d seemed fine when she and Eléni had left.

‘ Kaliméra ?’ she called. Eléni left to play with Kynigós in the kitchen as a distinguished-looking man emerged from the living room.

‘I’m Dr Alexatos. I told Kyrios Pavlis I would call on him today. Didn’t he tell you? You are the young woman who is looking after him, I take it.’

‘Cassia Makris. I have a room here in return for cooking and cleaning for Kyrios Pavlis, but we have become friends. Now I know how ill he is, yes, I suppose I am looking after him.’

The doctor’s face became very serious. ‘I’m afraid he is very ill. It is most urgent he gets to Patras. He says his sister will nurse him there. Are you able to help him organise it?’

Cassia was taken aback by the urgency of what the doctor had asked her. She knew Michaíl was getting worse, but how could she prepare him for the inevitable?

‘I will do my best, Dr Giatrós. Do you know if he will have a doctor in Patras who will be able to see him?’

The doctor took a letter from his pocket.

‘Kyrios Pavlis has just given me this. His sister has made all the arrangements. There is also a ferry ticket for him, and she will meet him on the other side. All I need you to do is to make sure he has all his personal belongings and to get him onto the ferry. I will call back tomorrow.’ He took Cassia’s hand.

‘He thinks of you as a daughter, Kyria Makris. He is going to find this very hard to do. Efcharistó. ’

As will I. For the second time that morning, emotion washed over Cassia. For different reasons. There was no point in regretting something that was her fault. She’d lost her chance of happiness with Tom. There was no going back. All she could do now was do the best for Michaíl.

After the doctor left, Cassia braced herself to join Michaíl.

The living-room door was open and she could see Eléni had joined him.

For a few moments, she stood at the doorway and watched them — two friends with over eighty years between them, but not one of those years mattered.

Michaíl was making Eléni laugh, and she mimed what she had to say back to him.

How the little girl was going to miss her surrogate pappoú.

‘Someone’s having fun.’ Cassia drew in a deep breath and she went to sit beside Michaíl. Eléni looked up at her and grinned.

‘He told you then?’ Michaíl’s eyes shone. ‘All I want is a bit of help collecting my things. I haven’t got much to take with me. Just my photographs. The rest can stay. They’re merely things . And I won’t be needing them for long, will I?’

Cassia squeezed his hand. ‘Oh, Michaíl.’

It was then his tears began to fall along with hers.

Even though Eléni did not understand why they were both upset, she hugged Michaíl and then Cassia.

Both of them remained silent with their thoughts for a few moments.

Cassia knew the best way to support her friend was to get everything he needed ready for his journey to Patras.