Page 60 of The Silent Sister

The next morning, Eugenia took them to a small beach a short way out of Fiscardo.

It was just along from the one overlooked by the smallholding where she’d once lived.

They followed a narrow stony path down through the trees to the sea which was, in Bronwen’s words, a deep turquoise.

The smell of the wild herbs growing over the path was strong as their legs brushed against them.

Cassia bent and picked one, rubbing the leaves between her fingers.

As they got closer to the beach, the hint of saltiness in the air deepened and they could hear the gentle waves breaking onto the tiny white pebbles.

Several families were already there, so they found an isolated spot near the edge of the cliff to spread out their towels.

Bronwen stripped down to her bikini and ran into the sea, before diving into the water and swimming away from the beach.

She turned round and shouted to them, ‘It’s like bathwater! You should have brought your bathers.’

Tom laughed. ‘I think you can tell she loves Greece, Eugenia. Thanks for bringing us here.’

‘I used to bring Maia here. And now we bring baby Eléni.’ Her face grew pensive. ‘I just wish they didn’t live so far away. I do miss them.’

Cassia patted her hand. Eléni had been away a mere few months and she’d found it hard enough. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for her sister.

The rest of the morning was spent looking around Fiscardo.

To Cassia, it seemed very little had changed, apart from Taverna Zervas where she’d once worked and lived with Eléni.

Poor Michaíl would turn in his grave if he saw its present dilapidated state.

There were more tavernas and restaurants now as tourism was bringing more visitors to the island.

They walked to the little market, which was just as she remembered it.

* * *

The table at Ta Elaiódentra was booked for seven o’clock. Eléni’s friend had rung Eugenia to ask if everyone could be seated upstairs by that time, then he and Eléni would arrive at seven fifteen. Cassia couldn’t wait to see her and wondered what she would make of the surprise.

‘This is beautiful,’ said Cassia, as they approached the restaurant. She turned and looked out to sea. ‘What a view!’

‘It will be even better from our table. Simos told me he’d booked one upstairs on the verandah.’ Eugenia led the way through the outside terrace.

‘It’s a bit posh,’ whispered Bronwen.

‘We’re with the party booked by Kyrios Georgatos. Efcharistó .’

‘Ah, yes. Follow me, parakaló . Some people have already arrived.’

Cassia’s stomach churned as they walked up the stairs. Perhaps they were late, and Eléni and her friend were already there. She looked at her watch. No, it was ten to seven.

The waiter took them onto the verandah. Sitting at the long table was a young couple and a middle-aged gentleman, who was engrossed in pointing out things to look at with a little girl. The young man stood to greet them.

‘You must be here for Eléni too.’ He held out a hand. ‘I’m Theo Koulouris, her cousin.’ Cassia caught her breath. Her head started to spin. No. Eugenia hadn’t mentioned anything about others being there. ‘And this is my wife, Irida.’

Tom was the first to shake his hand. ‘My wife, Cassia. Our daughter, Bronwen and my sister-in-law, Eugenia.’

The little girl joined them. Cassia nearly gasped and had to blink away tears. The same huge dark eyes. The same black curls. It was like turning the clock back twenty years.

‘And this is our daughter, Amara.’

Cassia knelt down and took the little girl’s hand. ’Kalispéra , Amara. You are beautiful, aren’t you?’

Amara held her head down and clung to her father’s legs. Her shyness reminded her of another little girl at a similar age.

‘You must be Kyriá Beynon.’ The older man had been waiting patiently to shake everyone’s hand. ‘Kostas Koulouris. It’s very good to meet you in person. You know who I am. You’ve met our beautiful Amara and I can tell from your reaction who she reminds you of.’

Cassia nodded as her eyes blurred with tears once more. ‘The spitting image.’

Theo looked at his watch. ‘I think we should all take our seats. They’ll be here soon. If we leave the two middle ones free, Eléni and Simos can talk with us all. Those were his instructions to me anyway.’

Cassia warmed to the young man. To him and the Koulouris family, everything seemed completely natural — a family meal together — but to her, it had much more significance.

Her stomach still churned. Her eyes were fixed on the top of the stairs in anticipation of Eléni’s arrival.

As always, she knew Tom sensed her turmoil. He squeezed her hand.

‘Here they are!’ Bronwen squealed. Pushing back her chair, she rushed to give her sister a bear hug.

Eléni’s mouth fell open. Her eyes were wide, as if she didn’t believe what she was seeing. ‘Bron! What on...’

Spotting everyone else, she rushed over and hugged her mother. ‘Mamá! Baba! What are you all doing here? I had no idea.’

Both mother and daughter had tears pouring down their cheeks.

‘Come here, cariad . Time for a big cwtch from your old baba, I think.’

Cassia watched as her daughter greeted everyone, kissing them on both cheeks the Greek way with such excitement. She knew she’d done the right thing by returning to Kefalonia.

‘I think I’d better introduce myself as your daughter has neglected to do so. Simos Georgatos.’ He beamed at them.

Cassia shook his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you, Simos. I understand from my sister this is all down to you. Efcharistó .’ Bronwen stood behind him with her eyes full of admiration for this handsome young Greek. She was clearly dying to be introduced. ‘And this is Bronwen, our other daughter.’

Surprisingly, Bron appeared tongue-tied and answered a simple, ‘Hiya.’

They all found their seats again. Eléni sat between Kostas and Bronwen, facing Simos who’d placed himself by Cassia and Theo.

The waiter took their orders and the conversation flowed.

Eléni sparkled. From the adoring looks her daughter gave Simos, Cassia knew straight away he was much more than a friend.

They were completely at ease with one another.

Cassia’s heart raced. It was clear to her Eléni had fallen in love, not only with a beautiful Greek man but with Kefalonia itself and, from the look of it, her birth family too.

Halfway through the main course, Cassia excused herself and went to the cloakroom.

Bronwen followed her. ‘Everything all right, Mamá?’

Cassia brushed away the tears. ‘Yes. You go back. I’ll follow you soon.’

‘He’s gorgeous, isn’t he? Eléni’s got a catch there. I wonder if he’s got some younger brothers.’ Cassia smiled at her younger daughter who was oblivious to why she’d had to leave the table. I hope not. I couldn’t lose another daughter.

Bronwen left Cassia to splash cold water on her eyes and return to the others soon afterwards. Everyone was deep in conversation and it was only Tom who looked in her direction and mouthed, ‘You okay?’

Cassia nodded. She relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the meal.

It felt good to be back doing what Greeks did best — eating and drinking together as a family.

Eléni’s birth family side by side with the one who had brought her up.

While the night went on and the wine flowed, the laughter and noise level rose.

Finishing the meal with her favourite baklavá and a strong coffee, followed by a mantola liqueur, Cassia regretted her earlier panic.

The restaurant slowly emptied with groups of people drifting away until their party was the only one left.

Lights twinkled along the edge of the wooden verandah and glowed below them in each of the oleander trees lining the pathway up to the restaurant.

Cassia thought how perfect the setting was and whatever the future held for Eléni and Simos, she knew she would never stay away from her beautiful island for as long again.

Simos had insisted on paying for everyone despite Tom’s offer to share the bill. ‘No. It’s not the Greek way. My treat for Eléni. Bringing her two families together has been my pleasure.’

Kostas took Cassia’s hand. ‘You may have helped my dear niece find us, but it’s this wonderful couple who we have to thank for looking after her.’

Cassia whispered, ‘ Efcharistó , Kostas.’ Apart from little Amara asleep in her father’s arms, there was hardly a dry eye among them.

They left after making arrangements to meet the next day for the thanksgiving service at a church in Argostoli. Eléni had managed to get the Sunday off work by swapping it with her usual shift on Monday. Simos was going to Old Farsa to have some private time remembering his family, too.

Eléni pulled her mother to one side, away from the others. She hugged Cassia. ‘ Efcharistó , Mamá. Thank you for coming to see me here. It means so much. I know how hard it must have been. I’m so, so sorry for all the hurt I caused when I found out.’

Cassia buried her head in Eléni’s chest. ‘I’m sorry, too. I’ve been far too protective of you. Tonight has been proof you had every right to find your family, Elenáki mou . It’s lovely to see you so happy.’

‘And I’m so pleased you’ve met Simos, too. Isn’t he wonderful?’

She knew then her daughter’s future was there in Kefalonia with the man she loved. Cassia thought of the love she’d had for Nikos and how she’d have followed him anywhere. And hadn’t she followed her gorgeous Tom to Wales? It was Eléni’s turn now.