Page 27 of The Silent Sister

That night they parted without kissing. Cassia lay in bed, knowing her fiancé was probably awake in the next room too. She remembered the earlier conversation that afternoon with Eugenia, when she’d admitted she had a stubborn streak. Now it seemed that Tom was the same.

Why was she wasting precious time that could be spent with the man she loved? She did love him. She crept out of her bed, taking care not to wake Eléni. Closing the door behind her, she crossed the landing. ‘Tom,’ she whispered. ‘Can I come in?’’

She heard footsteps on the floorboards behind the door.

When it opened, she was greeted by a smiling Tom who enveloped her in his arms. Her heartbeat raced as he led her to the wide bed, and they fell back onto the soft feather mattress, kissing each other with pent-up passion.

Their kisses became urgent, their tongues exploring.

Tom planted kisses along her neck and shoulder, but when he slipped down the strap of her nightgown, he stopped. ‘Is this what you want?’

She gave him her answer by pulling down both straps to reveal her breasts.

He resumed kissing the rest of her. She moaned as they caressed each other’s bodies.

When they finally made love, she knew this was not merely a release of sexual frustration between them, but real love.

She would marry Tom. If it meant following him to a land she didn’t know, where she would be the outsider, then so be it.

‘I’ve wanted to make love to you since the first time I saw you. I was so scared I’d lose you. But I think tonight you wanted me too.’ Tom looked at Cassia and smiled. ‘We’ll work it out. I promise.’

A single tear trickled down her cheek. She was overcome with emotion about how beautiful their lovemaking was. They lay in each other’s arms, just savouring their closeness.

He got out of bed and drew back the curtains. Moonlight bathed the room. ‘Before we go to sleep, let me look at you.’ He gazed down at her while his hands gently caressed her breasts. Surprisingly, she became shy. It was an intimate moment between them that was very special.

She raised her chin towards him for a goodnight kiss. ‘I do love you, Tom. Really love you.’

They fell asleep entwined with each other. Their first night together.

* * *

The next morning, Cassia felt as if a heavy load had been lifted from her heart.

A decision had finally been made. She would be sad to leave the taverna, but, after talking with Tom about it, he suggested they could contact Milos to see if he would like them to find a barman to run the taverna for him.

Before he could do that, they received bad news.

Dr Alexatos arrived with a message from Patras.

‘My friend who has been seeing Kyrios Pavlis in Patras just phoned to say he passed away last night. His sister and nephew were both with him. I am so sorry. It was good you accompanied him there, I think.’

They stood silently in shock and hastily thanked the doctor. As soon as he’d left, Cassia broke down in tears. ‘Poor Michaíl. To think when we were...’

‘Don’t . He doesn’t want you to be sad.’ Tom held her tightly. ‘He told me he has had a long life, and he wants you and Eléni to be happy.’

‘I know, but how can I not be sad? We must get a message to his sister to say how sorry we are. Maybe wait a while before telling Milos about our plans.’

‘I agree. But I can contact someone about the all-important booking of a marriage ceremony in Athens.’

Cassia hugged him back. Neither of them noticed a little person enter the room until Eléni pushed in between them.

‘Ma-má. Ba-ba.’

Cassia smiled, knowing she’d made the right choice.

She’d let her sister know. Although there was plenty of time yet, she ought to pay her mother a visit and introduce her to Eléni.

Once they left Kefalonia, Cassia knew they would not be coming back.

As long as she got to Eugenia before the news she was leaving to become Tom’s wife got out, she didn’t care who knew.

‘Come on, Elenáki mou. We’re going to see Theía Eugenia and Maia.’

The sun shone brightly and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was cold and fresh as they walked the coast road to Eugenia’s smallholding. Nearing the house, Cassia spotted a vehicle she didn’t recognise next to her sister’s old truck. The red car looked new with its chrome gleaming.

Eléni ran on in search of the cats and Maia.

Maia came running out from the house. All Cassia caught was, ‘Yiayiá,’ before her niece dragged Eléni with her as she went back inside.

Cassia’s heart thumped. Her mother! What’s she doing here so early in the day?

She entered through the back door to find Eugenia and their mother sitting at the kitchen table. ‘Cassia. This is a nice surprise.’

Their mother glowered. ‘Cassia. So this is my other granddaughter, then.’