Page 24 of The Silent Sister

Cassia spent the rest of the morning packing Michaíl’s case. He sat at the kitchen table sorting through his precious photographs, calling her over every now and then to show her a favourite that meant so much to him.

Cassia took the photo from him. ‘Cora was beautiful, but why wouldn’t she look at you? You were very handsome.’

And so it went on. Michaíl spread out his whole life in pictures, moments of milestones and important events captured through the eye of a camera.

The quality of the photographs was often poor, but to the old man, the memories meant so much.

The only photos of his childhood were formal, taken by a photographer.

One was of his parents and Michaíl with the sister who was now going to nurse her big brother to the end.

They were all dressed in dark clothes, the two children like mini adults, their faces serious and unsmiling.

But it was the photographs of his beloved Cora that brought him the most joy and caused him to be overcome with emotion.

‘We were never blessed with children. A reason for much sadness, but we had each other until...’ His voice broke. ‘Seven years ago.’

He placed the photographs into date order and gathered them into a neat pile.

Then he stood and shuffled over to the cabinet where a picture of him and Cora on their wedding day took pride of place.

How things turn full circle , thought Cassia.

A black-and-white image of a smiling young couple with their lives ahead of them would be a source of comfort to an old man looking back on his.

He handed it to Cassia. ‘Make sure this is packed in the case, parakaló, as well as the others that I’ve picked out. They’re all I need now.’

‘Of course, I will.’ She sensed Michaíl was on the verge of breaking down. ‘I’ll take them up now. You’ll just need to check I’ve got everything you want to take.’

As soon as she was away from Michaíl in the hallway leading to the bar, she broke down in tears.

It was heartbreaking to see her friend trying to put on such a brave face.

Not only would he be leaving the island of Kefalonia and its people for whom he’d fought so bravely as a partisan, but he’d be leaving behind his home of many years and endless memories.

Most poignant of all, he’d be leaving behind the place where his dear Cora was buried.

* * *

Later that evening, when Eléni was fast asleep upstairs, Cassia found the bar was busier than usual. Everyone was enquiring after Michaíl. How did they know he was ill?

He seemed to read her thoughts. ‘Because I told them.’

The old man appeared at the doorway and found a seat with his friends. He soon became animated at the prospect of being with them again and the reminiscences being shared. ‘Let’s get the ouzo flowing!’

Cassia recognised pain etched on his face, but was determined not to fuss. This was what he wanted. ‘Who’s for another drink?’ she asked, watching as the clear liquid changed to milky white as she added water to the first glass.

It didn’t seem long before Michaíl’s friends drifted away.

All bid him a safe journey to Patras. Whether they knew how serious his illness was or not, they all said they’d look forward to his return in the spring.

It’s something people do, isn’t it? Nobody states the obvious.

Nobody admitted it would be the last time they’d see him. .. ever.

When the bar was empty at last, Michaíl sank back into his chair.

‘ That’s another thing done. It was harder than I thought. I’m off to sleep now. The last in my own bed.’ He took a deep breath. ‘ Kalinychta, lovely Cassia.’

‘Kalinychta, Michaíl.’ The significance of her saying that for the last time caused her insides to churn with grief. She watched the hunched figure of her friend leave and go upstairs.

She busied herself by clearing away the glasses and was wiping down the tables when there was a knock at the door.

Who can this be at this time of night?

She slid back the bolt and opened the door a fraction.

‘Cassia, it’s me. Let me in.’

Her heart pounded as she recognised the voice. It couldn’t be, could it? Maybe Eléni was right after all when she’d seen the big ship in the bay.

She opened the door and looked at the person she’d wanted to see most in the world. ‘Tom! What are you doing here?’

‘I wrote to say I was coming today. Didn’t you get my letter?’

The letter was still in her pocket! Most of it had been left unread since the doctor had shocked her with Michaíl’s imminent departure the next day.

‘Come here.’ He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. ‘My time on the ship has ended early so we are free until we hear where the next posting is going to be. When I read about poor Michaíl, I came straight here to help you.’

Cassia didn’t know if he’d received her first letter where she agreed to marry him.

‘ Efcharistó. He’s going on the ferry in the morning. Leaving Kefalonia for Patras. I’ve been helping him pack. All he wants to take are his photos. It’s so sad.’

He took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. ‘It must be very difficult for him, but he’s enjoyed having you and Eléni living with him.’

‘That’s what he says. Can I get you something to eat or drink?

You must be tired after your long journey.

’ Cassia couldn’t believe Tom was back. But had he returned just as a friend to help her, or did he know she had agreed to marry him?

There was nothing in what he had said or done yet to suggest he was doing anything more than helping out a friend in a difficult situation.

‘A coffee would be good, thank you.’

Before she started to make the coffee, she dashed to her coat hanging in the hall to retrieve Tom’s letter.

Agapití Cassia,

Work here on HMS Daring , it is over. We are posted to other places at the end of the month. I do not hear from you so still you do not marry me. I am your friend. I hope one day you love me like a wife. I wait for ever.

February 1st

Your letter arrives with the sad news about Michaíl. I come to Kefalonia to help. I catch today’s ferry.

Yours,

Tom xx

Cassia’s hand shook. Tom had not received her first letter! As far as he knew, they were still just friends with no prospect of marriage.

She returned to the living room empty-handed.

‘I’ve just read your letter. You didn’t receive the one I sent a few days after you left!’

Tom looked puzzled. ‘No. Just a short letter telling me about Michaíl. That’s why I came back here.’

Cassia took a deep breath.

‘Do you still want to marry me, and take me and Eléni back to Wales?’

‘Of course, I do. You shouldn’t have to ask.’

‘Please ask me again, Tom.’

Tom’s face broke into a wide grin. ‘Really?’

‘Really.’

Tom got down on one knee and took her hand. ‘Cassia Makris, will you please do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

‘Yes, I will. I love you, Tom. In my first letter, I told you what a big mistake I’d made and if you still wanted to marry me, the answer was yes.’

His lips were suddenly on hers and they kissed for what seemed an eternity. Her insides somersaulted as familiar sensations coursed through her body.

‘Oh, I never thought I’d hear those words. You’ve made me the happiest man in Kefalonia.’

She kissed him once more. ‘I’d better go and get that coffee, I think.’

They laughed, and in spite of the sad situation that brought Tom back, Cassia hoped beyond hope she was doing the right thing.

Over coffee, they talked about their plans for the future. Cassia would contact Sophia in Athens to see if she and her daughter would be witnesses for their marriage.

‘It will be better that we have someone we know and Sophia knows both of us. She’s the one who told me you’d fallen in love with me all those months ago!’

‘At least we’ll have the marriage certificate to prove you will be Mrs Tom Beynon. I will try to get a letter sent from Katerina stating she will act on your behalf as the family contact in Wales.’

In such a short time, it all started to sound very real. They lay back in each other’s arms on the sofa and kissed. Feelings Cassia hadn’t experienced for a long time surfaced and she wanted nothing more than for them to make love there and then. But they stopped in time.

‘I’ll make a bed for you down here. It won’t do for Eléni or Michaíl to find us in bed together. It will be all the sweeter for waiting.’

Tom nodded, but he didn’t look convinced. Deep down she didn’t believe it either.

‘I’m meeting the doctor in the morning with instructions for what Michaíl needs on the journey. His ticket is here.’ She got up to get it from the shelf and showed it to Tom.

‘It’s happening that soon, then.’ He paused for a moment. ‘I think one of us should go with him. Just travelling that distance is going to be an ordeal when you’re not well, never mind the emotional toll of leaving your home for ever.’

Cassia hugged her husband-to-be. He was such a thoughtful man. ‘That’s such a good idea. I’ve been so worried about putting him on the ferry, all on his own. Maybe... No, it doesn’t matter.’

Eléni would be perfectly happy to stay with Tom. What she was doing was avoiding a situation she’d been dreading since the doctor had given her Michaíl’s ferry ticket.

‘I’ll go,’ said Tom. ‘I know it would be a hard trip for both of you and there’s Eléni to look after.

He does know me, but not as much as he knows you.

I think he’d find it very emotional to say goodbye to you in Patras.

Here will be bad enough, but at least I’ll be able to talk about you and Eléni on the journey.

I’ll reassure him I will look after you both. ’

‘Are you sure? You’ve just had such a long trip.’ They kissed again. ‘ Efcharistó. Eléni and I will be waiting for you when you get back.’