Page 32 of The Silent Sister

ELéNI

The slam of the front door echoed in Eléni’s ears.

She couldn’t bear to be in the same house as her parents and sister anymore.

There was only one person she wanted to see.

She made for Gabriella’s house. The two of them had met when they’d shared, and sometimes overlapped, shifts at the Welsh craft shop opposite the large Victorian hotel that faced the main street running through Porth Gwyn.

Like Eléni, Gabriella thought of herself as an outsider, too.

Her father was also a local man, but her mother was Italian rather than Greek.

Steve Collins had been a British prisoner of war who’d been captured in Italy.

He’d fallen for her mother, married her when the war ended and brought his Italian bride back to Wales.

Gabriella had always felt different but, unlike Eléni, she visited her Italian family every year.

The girls had soon become friends and enjoyed spending time together.

Hot tears stung Eléni’s eyes as she broke into a run. Gabriella’s house was in the same avenue as her aunt and uncle’s house, and she hoped she wouldn’t see them as she passed.

She opened the gate and walked the short distance to the house. She hammered on the front door until her knuckles hurt, fearing no one was in.

Eventually, the door opened. Gabriella’s mouth gaped as Eléni burst into tears.

‘Eléni, it’s you. What on earth’s happened?’ It felt good when Gabriella hugged her and invited her in.

‘I’ve left home, Gabbie. I want nothing to do with them. Not after what they’ve done. They’ve been lying to me. Everyone else knows. I bet you do, too. Why didn’t you tell me?’ Eléni’s body was wracked with sobs.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, but slow down and tell me everything. We’ll go upstairs. My mum is in there.’ She pointed to the door at the back of the hallway. As she did so, Isabella Collins opened the door.

‘Who was at the...? Oh, it’s you, Eléni. Are you all right, mia cara ?’

‘She’s a bit upset, Mamma. I’m taking her upstairs and she’s going to tell me what’s happened.’

Gabriella and her mother exchanged glances. Nothing more was said.

Gabriella’s bedroom overlooked the swings and children’s playground opposite.

‘Here, you sit on the chair. Now what’s happened to make you like this? What have they done that’s so bad you want to leave home?’

Eléni took a deep breath and related to her friend everything she’d found out.

‘They stole me, Gabbie. Took me away and forged my papers, got me a fake passport. I don’t even know what my real name is.’

Gabriella’s expression was one of shock.

‘But if you were an orphan...’ She leaned over and patted Eléni’s arm.

‘I’m so sorry. What a terrible thing to have happened.

But you survived! Perhaps they thought what they were doing was for the best. You’ve had a happy childhood, haven’t you? Your mum and dad worship you.’

‘They keep saying I would have ended up in an orphanage and they were doing it to give me the best chance. But, Gabbie, why didn’t they tell me instead of letting me live a lie?

Everyone else knows.’ Eléni wiped her cheeks on her sleeve.

‘Anyway. I want to forget about them now. Do you think your mother will let me stay tonight and then I’ll find a room somewhere tomorrow?

Oh, tomorrow’s Sunday. Well, two nights then. ’

‘I’m sure she will say yes, but I know she’ll only agree if you let your parents know where you are.’

Eléni shook her head. ‘No, let them stew. I’m going to Kefalonia. With a one-way ticket. I don’t care what they say. I’m over twenty-one, don’t forget?’ She stood and paced the bedroom floor.

‘And acting like a ten-year-old. I’m surprised at you.’ Gabriella frowned.

Eléni knew if she didn’t have her friend’s support, life would be even harder.

‘Please, Gabbie. Let’s see what your mother says. And then let’s decide what we’re going to do tonight.’

Isabella Collins agreed to Eléni staying and did ask her if she’d let her parents know where she was. Eléni didn’t lie, but she evaded giving a straight answer.

‘What about the dance down at Rock Park? Come on,’ said Eléni. ‘It’ll be fun. I’ve been the silent sister, the quiet one, for too long. I want to be the rebel sister, the wild one.’

As she spoke the words she doubted whether she would ever be a rebel, but it was a good feeling to say it out loud. At least she was thinking about something else apart from her parents’ betrayal.

Gabriella didn’t need much persuading. She laughed. ‘I can’t wait to see that.’

‘Oh, no, I can’t.’ Eléni looked forlorn. ‘I’ve just got the clothes I’m wearing. I can’t go to a disco in these tatty jeans.’

She didn’t dare return home to change.

Gabriella opened her large pine wardrobe stuffed with clothes. ‘Take your pick.’

‘Wow. Are you sure?’

Eléni’s eyes widened. She’d been in Gabriella’s bedroom many times, but hadn’t seen inside her wardrobe before.

She was amazed by not just the number of outfits, but the array of colours.

Eléni had always dressed conservatively in blues and greys, the hemline of her skirts and dresses not venturing far above the knee.

But in front of her were fabrics of orange and lime green, patterned into swirled shapes, black-and-white op art and tie-dye.

Gabriella wore colours to work, but Eléni didn’t realise how adventurous a dresser her friend was.

Gabriella held up a purple-and-cerise maxi-dress split to the waist, to be worn over matching hotpants.

‘Here. Try this,’ she said. ‘We’re the same size, I think. You can wear these platforms with it.’

Eléni undressed and tried the outfit on. Would she have the courage to wear it? She admired herself in the full-length mirror on the inside of the wardrobe door.

‘I don’t know. It’s fab, but I don’t think it’s me. If it was just a maxi-dress, I’d love to wear it but... the split is a bit daring for me.’

‘Nonsense. Didn’t you tell me when you arrived about an hour ago you wanted to live a bit? I think we both need to spread our wings. You look fab. Even Handy Andy will notice you in that.’

‘Oh, not again.’ Eléni’s face reddened. Just because she’d once admitted to Gabriella she thought Andrew Smith was good-looking, her friend had never let her forget it. ‘All right then, but I may have to dance with my hands over the split so no one notices.’

They both laughed and for the first time since the shouting match with her mother and father, Eléni relaxed and enjoyed some girl time with her friend. ‘What are you going to wear? You’ve got plenty of choice.’

Gabriella held up a pair of white crimplene flares and an orange skinny-rib top. ‘What about this? I got them in Credenford last week. I haven’t worn them yet.’

Eléni nodded. ‘I love them.’

‘I told you I go every week on the bus once I get paid, didn’t I? There’s a great little boutique not far from the bus station. They’ve got all the latest Chelsea Girl stuff in there.’ Gabriella tried on the new clothes for Eléni to see.

‘Oh, Gabbie. Those flares fit you like a glove. They show all your curves off.’

‘Thanks. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, I say. I hope Handy Andy’s friend, Dave, is going to be there.’ Gabriella took off her outfit and laid it on the bed, ready for later. ‘Let’s work on our hair and make-up now, shall we? You can hang the dress up on the hanger on the side of the wardrobe.’

* * *

The girls heard strains of Slade’s ’Cum on Feel the Noize’ belting out into the night air before the lights of Rock Park Pavilion came into sight as they walked through the stone gates. Bill Baker’s Beats resident disc jockey was renowned for turning up the records to maximum volume.

Gabriella grabbed Eléni’s arm as they neared the single-storey building.

‘Look who’s here.’ She pointed at a red Mini with a cream-painted roof parked under a streetlamp a little way from the entrance doors. ‘Handy Andy couldn’t get any closer if he tried.’

‘He’s got a grey minivan, hasn’t he?’ Eléni’s heart raced.

The thought of watching him on the dance floor was something she couldn’t wait to see and view from afar.

That’s what she’d do. He’d most likely have a trail of girls following him around, anyway.

Apart from thinking he was so good-looking, she hadn’t even admitted it to herself — but she realised then she did fancy him.

Not that he’d give her a second look. She wasn’t streetwise enough for him. She wondered how old he was.

‘He must have changed it for this. He was driving round town in the red Mini yesterday. The chrome work gleamed in the bright sun and he kept revving when he was at the halt sign so everyone would look his way. I didn’t give him the satisfaction.

He’s so pompous. I don’t know what you see in him.

Now, his friend, Dave, is a different matter.

..’ Gabriella was still talking as they entered the pavilion. ‘I hope he’s here too.’

After paying, they went to the cloakroom where they were each given a raffle ticket with a number to reclaim their jackets at the end of the night.

‘Put it in your shoe... or your bra,’ said Gabriella, laughing. ‘So you don’t lose it.’