An eagle swooped

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Ra t in g:

Tags: Rom a nce - H a r l eq u i n



Tessa h a d l ov ed P a u l Dem et r i u s f r o m t h e st a r t , b u t f r om t he m o m ent she
i nt r od u ced h i m t o her b ea u t i f u l si st er Lu ci n d a h e h a d ha d ey es f or n o o ne el se.
A t l a st , u n a b le t o b ea r seei ng t h e t w o o f t h em t oget h er , Tessa ha d go ne a w a y .
N ow , t w o y ea r s la t er , she w a s ho m e a g a i n , exp ect i n g t o hea r t ha t t hey
w er e m a r r i ed - - o n ly t o lea r n t h a t t h ey h a d nev er i n f a ct m a r r i ed , t h a t a f t er a
t er r ib le a cci d ent i n w h ich Pa u l ha d b een b l i n d ed , L u ci n d a ha d w a lk ed o u t on
hi m a n d he w a s n ow l i v i n g t he l i f e o f a r ecl u se i n Cy p r u s. So Tessa t o ok her
co u r a g e i n b ot h h a n d s, w ent o u t t o Cy p r u s p r et end i ng t o b e Lu cin d a , b egged
Pa u l 's f o r gi v en ess - - a n d m a r r ied h i m .
W ou l d h er l ov e b e st r o ng enou g h t o st a nd t he st r a i n o f l i v i ng su ch a l i e?
A nd w ha t i f Pa u l ev er f ou n d ou t ?







CHAPTER. I

H OM E f r o m her w a n d er i ng s, b u t f or ho w l ong ? Tu r n i ng her ca r i nt o t he
d r iv e Tessa cov er ed t he la st f ew y a r d s o f h er j ou r ney f r o m Gr eece. The w hol e
f a m i l y or nea r l y t he w hol e f a r n i ly ca m e ou t t o w elco m e h er .
Tessa h u gged h er m ot her , a nd ' her t w o y o u ng b r ot h er s in t u r n. H er f a t her ,
t a l l a n d gr ey in g a n d w i t h a p er m a nent exp r essi on o f w i st f u l ness on h i s l i ned a nd
sa ll o w f a ce, w a s t he l a st t o t a k e her in h i s a r m s.
'H o m e f or go od ?' he a sk ed hop ef u l ly .
'Per ha p sOh, Mu m a nd D a d , i t 's so m a r v el l ou s t o see y ou .'
'A nd u s.' sa i d To m m y a n d Bi l ly t oget her ,
'A nd y ou , m y p et sI a l m o st sa id l it t l e p et s, b u t ho w y ou 'v e gr ow n!'
They ent er ed t he hou se; M r s. Bl a ne w en t i n t o' t he k i t chen t o m a k e t ea
a nd t he b oy s w en t o f f t o f i n i sh t hei r hom ew or k w h ich Tessa 's a r r i v a l h a d
i nt er r u p t ed . Sh e a n d h er f a t her sa t t her e f or a w hi l e, t a lk i ng a b o u t Tessa 's j ob
a nd her f r ien d s a b r oa d a nd t h e p la ces she ha d seen. A n d t hen, d u r i n g a lu l l , she
sa id hesi t a n t l y , 'Lu ci n d a ... she' s .. , t hey 'r e l i v i ng so m ew her e cl oser '
Bef or e h er f a t her h a d t i m e t o r ep ly M r s. Bl a ne a p p ea r ed w i t h t he t ea
t r a y . 'Yo u h a v e i t w i t h D a d , w h i le I g o a n d see t o y ou r b ed . I ha v en't m a d e it u p ,
b eca u se y ou d i d n't sa y t od a y . We exp ect ed y ou t o m or r ow .'
'I d i d n't m a k e' a s m a ny st op s a s I i n t en d ed t o.' She 'sm i l ed u p a t her
m ot h er . She w a s j u st t he sa m e, t h ou g ht Tessa ; h er h a i r , w h it e i n p l a ces b u t
a t t r a ct iv ely st y l ed . her so f t b r o w n ey es ... a nd of cou r se her v o ice. It w a s a l w a y s
t h e v oi ce o ne no t i ced a b ou t M r s. Bla n e. 'So m et h i ng w ent w r ong w i t h t h e v oca l
ch or d s.' t h e d oct or ha d once sa i d , l a u g h in g . ' A m u t a t i o n, b u t o f t he m ost
a t t r a ct i v e k i n d .' Cl ea r a n d l o w a nd sw eet , l i k e m u si c on t he st i l l ni g ht a i r . A n d
M r s. Bl a ne h a d p a ssed t ha t b ea u t i f u l v o i ce o n t o b ot h her d a u gh t er s, H er lo ok s
she ha d p a ssed o n t o Tessa o n l y . Lu ci nd a h a d her i nh er i t a nce f r om her
gr a nd m ot her , in her y ou t h a l ov ely y o u n g god d ess w i t h p a l e go l d ha i r a nd ey es
l ik e cor n f l o w er s new l y op ened .
'I' l l d o y ou r b ed .' M r s. Bl a ne r ep ea t ed . 'Yo u 'r e i n y ou r ow n r o om , w it h
Lu cin d a .'
'Lu ci n d a ?' Tessa 's f a ce p a l ed a nd a su d d en t r em b l i n g seized her . 'They 'r e
not m a r r i ed y et !'
H er p a r ent s shot a g l a nce a t ea ch ot her a n d t hen M r s. IBl a ne sa i d ha st i ly ,
'I' l l l ea v e y o u t o get y o u r t ea '
'Bu t , Mo t her ' her hu sb a n d b ega n i n u r g ent t ones.
'You 'r e m u ch b et t er a t exp l a i n in g t h a n I,' she i nt er r u p t ed , a nd a m o m ent
l a t er t h e d o or cl osed q u i et l y b eh in d h er .
'Fa t her , w h a t i s it ? Is L u ci n d a st i l l enga ged t o t o Pa u l?'
'She's en ga ged , b u t n ot t o Pa u l . Er a r e y o u g o in g t o p ou r t he t ea , Tessa ?'
M ech a n i ca l ly she p i ck ed u p t he t ea p ot . 'Tel l m e w ha t h a p p ened ? Wh er e's
Pa u l ?'
'M y g ir l i e.' h er f a t her si ghed , 'y ou 'v e b een a w a y t w o y ea r s. You t o l d u s,N o,
y ou a ct u a l l y f or b a d e u s t o sen d y ou a ny n ew s o f L u ci n d a a n d Pa u l'
'You k no w w hy t ha t w a s. I cou l d n't b ea r it .' She p u t t he 't ea p ot d ow n
a ga i n a nd p i ck ed u p t he cr ea m j u g. 'Lu ci n d a m a r r i ed ... Lu ci nd a exp ect i n g a
b a b y ... Pa u l a p r ou d f a t her .' Sh e shoo k h er hea d em p ha t i ca l ly .
'N o, I d i d n 't w a n t y ou a nd M u m t o w r it e t o m e a b ou t t ho se t hi ng s.'
'A nd so w e d i d a s y ou r eq u est ed , a n d nev er m ent i o ned eit her o f t hem .
You see, chi ld , t hey w er e ou t d r i v i ng t oget her a n d t her e w a s a d r ea d f u l
a cci d ent ' '
'A n a cci d en t I' H er ey es d i la t ed . 'H e' s h e's ... d ea d ?' 'N ot d ea d .' H e ga v e a
d eep si gh a n d lo ok ed a t her sea r ch i ng ly . ' You st i l l l ov e h i m ? Su r ely , m y Tessa ,
y ou 'v e g ot ov er it b y n ow ?'
'Tel l m e a b ou t t he a cci d ent she u r ged , t he t ea f or go t t en. 'If he isn't d ea d ,
t h en w hy a r en't t hey m a r r i ed ? H o w ca n ' she b e enga ged t o som eo n e el se?'
'H e's b l in d , Tessa .'
Sh e st a r ed , u na b l e t o t a k e it i n. P a u l , so p er f ect i n b od y , so p r ou d a n d sel f
p ossessed , w i t h t he su p er i or con f id ence o f som e Gr eek g od . Tessa shoo k h er hea d .
'N o, ... no, h e ca n't b e!'
'In cu r a b l y b l i nd , a s a r esu l t o f t h e a cci d en t .' M r . Bla n e", v o i ce shook .
'Lu ci n d a ga v e h im u p .'
Tessa h a l f r ose i n her cha i r a nd t hen sa t d o w n a g a i n.
Thi s w a sn't t r u e! L u ci n d a ha d ca r ed t o o m u ch. 'They w er e m a d ly i n lo v e'
Sh e b r ok e ~a s h er f a t h er sh ook hi s hea d .
'One si d ed , a s i t t u r ned ou t . W e w er e a l l a ng r y a n d d i sg u st ed w it h L u ci n d a
a t t he t i m e, b u t a f t er a w h i l e w e b eca m e r esi g ned t o h er a ct i on . A n d p er h a p s i t
w a s a sk i ng t oo m u ch t o exp ect h er t o b e b ou nd t o a b l i n d m a n f or t h e r est o f her
l i f e. She's su ch a b ea u t i f u l g ir l.'
Bea u t i f u l , y es, a nd Tessa her sel f so p l a i n . Tha t w a s w hy , a f t er he ha d m et
Lu cin d a , P a u l ha d ey es f or no one el se.
'Wh a t exa ct l y ha p p ened ?'
'It 's ju st a y ea r a go no w . The ca r ov er t u r n ed . Pa u l w a s d r iv i n g t oo f a st '
"Pa u l nev er d r ov e f a st ; he w a s a v er y ca r ef u l d r iv er !'
'Thi s t i m e he w a s a p p a r ent ly d r i v i n g t oo f a st .' H e' p a u sed a n d a f r ow n
cr ea sed h i s b r o w . 'L u ci n d a w ou l d n't sa y m u ch a t a l l . Bu t she d i d i nsi st h e w a s
d r iv i ng t oo f a st .'
Tessa t hou g ht a b ou t t h i s, Lu ci n d a w ou l d n' t l ie, a n d y et , , , Tessa r eca l l ed
t h e n i g ht sh e h a d m et Pa u l , t he n i gh t t ha t ha d cha ng ed her w hol e l i f e a n d
b r ou ght u nt ol d m i ser y in i t s w a k e, Pa u l h a d o f f er ed h er a l i f t ho m e, a nd she
ha d m ent a l ly not ed h i s ca r e on t he r oa d a nd t h e sa f e sp eed a t w h ich he d r ov e,
'The ca r ov er t u r ned , y ou sa y ? Lu cin d a w a sn't h u r t , a p p a r ent l y ?'
'She w a s f lu ng cl ea r , 'The ca r b u r st i n t o f l a m es a n d P a u l w a s b a d l y
b u r ned .'
'H is f a ce?'
'N o, st r a n gel y not hi ng b u t h i s h a n d s.' ' Bu t hi s si g ht ?'
'Shock , so t hey sa i d , It a p p ea r sa sev er e sho ck ca n ca u se b l i n d ness.'
'Shock ?' So m eho w Tessa f el t t her e w a s so m et h i ng w r ong, b u t a l t hou gh she
q u est ion ed her f a t her sh e l ea r ned no m or e, f or a s he ha d sa i d , L u cin d a w a s
r et i cent a b o u t t h e a cci d en t , b o t h a t t he t i m e a n d si nce, 'It 's d ef i ni t ely
p er m a nent ?' Bl i n d ness r esu lt i ng f r om shock co u l d o f t en b e cu r ed , '
'Pa u l 's a w ea lt hy m a n, a s y ou k now , a n d ev er y d oct or of a n y n ot e w a s
ca ll ed i n, H e ha d a p er i o d o f t r ea t m ent i n hosp i t a l , b u t i t p r ov ed f r u i t less, A l l t he
d oct or s w er e u n a n i m ou s i n t hei r v er d i ct s; t her e's no cu r e.'
'A nd so Lu ci n d a t hr ew h i m ov er ?' Tessa sa i d a l m ost t o h er sel f . H er f a t her 's
f a ce cl ou d ed , b u t he m a d e n o r ep l y , a n d Tessa w ent o n t o a sk w her e P a u l w a s
now . 'Does he st i ll h a v e h i s f l a t i n Lon d o n?'
'N o, he w en t a w a y so m ew her e t o l i v e on a Gr eek i sl a n d , I t h i nk .' H e
p ou r ed t h e t ea a n d p u t Tessa 's cu p i n f r on t of her ,
'A Gr eek i sl a n d ? W h i ch o ne?'
'I co u ld n't sa y .' H e gl a nced a nxi ou sl y a t her , 'For g et hi m , g i r l ie, Fi nd
y ou r sel f a n ice y ou ng m a n a nd set t le d o w n , A s t h i ng s h a v e t u r ned o u t Pa u l i s no t
f or ei t her o f y o u .'
Sh e l ook ed int o her cu p , a si gh esca p in g h er . 'Lu ci n d a 's now enga g ed
a ga i n, y ou sa y ?'
'To a v er y n ice b oy w el l , h e' s not a b oy exa ct ly , H e's a y ea r o ld er t ha n
Lu cin d a t w ent y sev en, H e a d o r es h er .'
Ev er y o ne a d or ed L u ci n d a , w it h her p a l e b ea u t y a nd t h a t a b i l i t y t o
a p p ea r so sw eet a n d u n sop h ist i ca t ed , 'They 'r e t o b e m a r r i ed soon?'
'In Ju ne.' H e shook h i s hea d a t her . 'You sh ou ld h a v e l et u s g i v e y ou t h e
new s, g i r l i e,' he sa id on a not e o f r ep r o of ,
'Yes, I shou l d , Bu t y ou see, I t hou g ht t hey 'd h a v e b een m a r r i ed lo n g a go.'
Sh e p a u sed , 'Th i s Gr eek i sl a n d , H a v e y ou n o i d ea a t a l l w h ich o ne it i s?'
'N ot t h e f a i nt est , It m i ght not ev en b e a Gr eek i sl a nd b u t it 's d ef in i t ely a n
i sl a nd .'
Sh e f r o w n ed , W hy t h i s u r ge t o k no w w her e Pa u l w a s?
W ha t ha d he d o ne t o her i n t h o se f ew b r i ef hou r s? A ha p p y , ca r ef r ee g i r l
she ha d b een u nt i l t h a t f a t ef u l ev en i ng w h en he ha d ent er ed i nt o h er l i f e,
'Is t her e no w a y o f f in d in g ou t a b ou t t h i s isl a nd ?'
'Tessa , m y l ov e, f o r get h im , You ' l l m a r r y a ni ce'
'Fa t her ,' she sa i d , a b r ea k i n her v oice, ' I'l l . nev er m a r r y ,'
'Thi s i sn't a v er y sensi b l e a t t it u d e.' he b ega n, w h en t he d oo r op en ed a nd in
w a l k ed Lu ci nd a , sa y i ng, 'Th a t ca r " .w ho se i s it ? Tessa , how good t o see y ou A nd
how b r ow n y ou a r e, Wh y , i t m a k es y o u l o ok q u it e a t t r a ct i v e ' Lo t s o f q u est i o ns,
ef f u si v e sm i les a nd m u ch ha nd w a v i n g a n d y et Lu ci nd a h a d nev er t a k en t h e
t r ou b l e t o w r it e ev en on e l et t er t o her i n t w o y ea r s.
Lu cin d a su d d enl y st o p p ed sp ea k i ng, a n d she a nd her f a t her g l a nced a t
one a n ot her . Bu t no m o r e w a s sa i d a b ou t Pa u l u nt i l t h e t w o g i r l s w er e i n t h ei r
b ed r oom Lu ci nd a get t i ng r ea d y f o r her d a t e w it h Ger a l d , a nd Tessa cha ng i ng i n
p r ep a r a t i on f o r a v i si t t o o ne o f P a u l 's f r i en d s. She ha d r u n g j oe ea r l ier a n d
m a d e t h e d a t e, f or h er p a r ent s ha d p r ev i ou sly a r r a ng ed t o a t t en d a co ncer t ,
'a nd t h e t w o b oy s w er e goi ng t o t he Scou t s.
'We'l l no t go.' her f a t her h a d sa i d , b u t Tessa w ou l d n ot h ea r o f t h ei r
ca ncel l i n g t he a r r a ngem ent s. It su it ed her t o h a v e t h e ev en i ng f r ee, f or she h a d
a n i r r ep r essi b l e d esi r e t o f i n d o u t w her e P a u l w a s l i v in g.
'I exp ect t hey t ol d y ou a ll a b ou t i t ' Lu ci nd a h a d p u t on h er d r ess a nd w a s
b u sy w it h her h a i r . 'They k ep t it f r o m y ou b eca u se y ou sa i d y ou d i d n't w a nt t o
hea r a ny t hi ng a b ou t Pa u l a n d m e.'
'It w o u ld ha v e hu r t t oo m u ch .' a d m i t t ed Tessa f r a nk ly . Sh e w a t ched her
si st er w i t h t he com b . 'The a cci d en t Fa t her d i d n't seem t o k now w h a t ha d
ha p p ened .'
'Beca u se I cou l d n't t el l t hem v er y m u ch. I w a s u nco nsci ou s.' A p a u se a n d
t h en, 'P a u l 's b l in d , Fa t her w ou ld t el l y ou t ha t '
Tessa f l i nched a t t he ca su a l m a nner i n w h i ch Lu ci n d a sp ok e o f P a u l 's
t r a gi c a f f l i ct i o n.
'H ow cou l d y ou t hr ow h i m ov er ' she Wh isp er ed hu sk i l y . .
'For hea v en's sa k e d on 't p r ea ch ! I h a d eno u gh o f t h a t f r om M u m a n d D a d .
You 'd a l l h a v e h a d m e m a r r y h i m , b u t I'd ha v e b een t h e o ne t o su f f er . Ju st
i m a g i n e sp en d i ng y ou r l i f e w i t h a m a n w ho ca n't see y ou ' She p a t t ed a st r a y
ha i r i nt o p l a ce a n d su r v ey ed h er sel f i n t he m ir r or , 'W ha t 's t h e u se o f l ook i ng l i k e
t h i s i f y ou ca n't b e seen ?'
Yes, so v er y b ea u t i f u l . .. , N o w ond er Pa u l ha d nev er sp a r ed a g l a nce f or
Tessa f r o m t he m o m ent sh e h a d int r o d u ced h i m t o her sist er .
M ov i ng a l ong sid e L u ci nd a , she f a ced her sel f i n t he m i r r or a n d t ook a
d i sp a ssio na t e a ssessm ent o f h er l ook s. H ig h cheek b ones, i t w a s t r u e, b u t
som ehow na t u r e ha d not f or m ed t he con t ou r s a t t r a ct iv ely . A m ou t h t h e sa m e
size a n d sha p e a s Lu ci n d a ' s, y et la ck i ng so m e i nd ef i na b l e t h i ng t ha t m a d e a l l t h e
d i f f er ence t o it s a p p ea r a nce. Bu t her ey es w er e w i d el y sp a ced a nd ho nest , w i t h a
t end er l i ght i n t heir sof t b r o w n d ep t hs n ev er seen i n t he ey es o f her sist er . A nd she
d i d ha v e l ov el y ha i r , Tessa o w ned t o h er sel f . The col ou r o f d eep est h oney , w it h
t i nt s o f cop p er a nd go l d , i t f el l i n h a l f w a v es on t o her shou l d er s. N o, no t exa ct l y
p l a i n, she d eci d ed , t o u chi ng her n ose a n d w on d er i ng w ha t d i f f er ence it w ou l d
m a k e t o h er a p p ea r a n ce w er e i t t o b e t u r n ed u p not q u i t e so m u ch. N o, not
p l a i n, b u t b y com p a r i so n t o Lu ci n d a ... It w a s no w o nd er t h e b oy s p a ssed Tessa
b y w hen her b ea u t i f u l si st er ha p p en ed t o b e a r ou n d .
'I st i l l d o n't u nd er st a nd ho w y o u cou l d g iv e h i m u p .' Tessa sp ok e a l m o st t o
her sel f . 'H e' s st i l l t h e sa m e m a n, ev en t hou g h h e's b l in d .'
Lu cin d a t u r ned a n gr i l y a n d Tessa st ep p ed b a ck , a w a y f r om ' t he m i r r or .
'I'd no i nt en t i o n o f b ei ng t ied t o a b l i n d m a n a l l m y l i f e, a n d t h a t 's a l l t her e
i s t o i t !' excl a i m ed L u ci n d a , h er co lou r r i si n g. 'Besi d es, t her e w er e h i s h a n d s..' She
b r ok e of f , shu d d er i ng, a n d Tessa sa id w i t h d i f f icu l t y ,
'Wer e t h ey b a d l y b u r n ed ?'
"Ter r i b ly oh, t hey m u st b e so hi d eou s I'v e n ev er seen t h em , b eca u se t hey
w er e b a nd a ged , b u t I ca n't b ea r t o t h i n k a b ou t t h em a n d ' I cou l d n ev er b ea r
hi m t o t ou ch m e!'
Tea r s w el l ed u p in Tessa 's ey es; su r r ep t it io u sl y sh e b r u shed t h em a w a y
b ef or e her si st er cou l d see.
'They 'r e t he sa m e ha nd s t h a t o n ce t ou ched y o u ,' sh e q u iet l y r em i n d ed her ,
a nd Lu ci n d a shu d d er ed a g a i n . ' H ow w a s i t t ha t h i s ha n d s w er e b u r ned , a nd no
ot her p a r t s o f hi s b od y ?' Tessa a sk ed , a n d no w a n a ng r y g l in t en t er ed Lu ci nd a ' s
ey es.
'I'v e t o l d y ou , I k no w n ot h i n g a b o u t i t !'
'Cou l d n't P a u l t el l y o u a ny t h in g ? You sa w hi m i n hosp it a l, I p r esu m e?' .
'I sa w hi m , y es, b u t he t o l d m e n ot h i ng .' .
'It a ll seem s m o st st r a nge,' Tessa m u r m u r ed t hou gh t f u l ly , a n d It f l a shed
a cr oss her m i n d t h a t L u ci n d a w a s l y i ng.
'St r a ng e? Wh y shou l d i t seem st r a ng e?' Su d d en l y a h a r sh l a u g h b r ok e. ' If
he b u r nt h i m sel f i t w a s h i s ow n f a u l t , a n d t ha t 's a l l I' m go ing t o sa y a b o u t it ! Oh,
f or p i t y 's sa k e d o n't l ook a t m e l ik e t ha t ! You 'd h a v e m a r r i ed h i m , w ou l d n't
y ou ? You w ou l d h a v e b een a l l her oi c a n d sa cr i f iced y ou r sel f ? Wel l , I w a sn't b ei ng
su ch a f oo l ' She la u g hed a g a i n a s a t h ou ght o ccu r r ed t o her . 'W h y d o n t y ou go
a nd o f f er y ou r sy m p a t hy ? H e m i gh t b e i n t er est ed i n y ou now ev en g l a d t o m a r r y
y ou , f o r I' m su r e n o o ne el se w i l l h a v e h i m .'
A l t ho u gh she f l i nched a t her si st er 's w o r d s Tessa m a n a ged t o sa y ca l m ly ,
.'A t t he en d ... w hen y ou t ol d hi m , w h a t d i d he sa y ?'
"Oh , Ju st a ct ed a s I exp ect ed h i m t o, t h a t i s, p r et end ed t o b e so
i ncr ed u l ou s, a s i f he cou l d n't t a k e i t i n b u t of cou r se i t w a s a l l a n a ct .'
'I d on 't t h i nk P a u l w ou l d f eel l ik e p u t t i n g on a n a ct a t a t i m e l i k e t h a t .'
'Ca n't see a ny t h i n g w r ong i n h im , ca n y ou ?' sneer ed Lu ci nd a w i t h t h e l i ght
of h u m o u r i n h er ey es. 'W el l,
p er ha p s t h i s w i l l conv i nce y ou o f h i s p om p osi t y . H e sa i d i f I ev er cha n ged
m y m i nd a n d a sk ed hi s f o r g i v en ess h e w o u ld t a k e m e b a ck . N o w , w h a t d o y ou
t h i n k o f t ha t f or sel f co ncei t '
'H e m u st l ov e y ou v er y m u ch, t o b e a b l e t o f or gi v e w ha t y ou 'v e d o ne t o
hi m ,' Tessa sa id , her ey es p en si v el y w a t ch i n g L u ci nd a a s she a p p l i ed t he l a st
t o u ch of m a k eu p t o her f a ce. L u ci n d a m er el y sh r u gg ed , a n d Tessa sw a l l ow ed a
t i gh t l i t t l e l u m p i n her t hr oa t .' To b e so d ea r l y l ov ed , a n d t o t oss t h a t lo v e so
ca r el essl y ' a si d e .... 'Ger a ld ,' she sa i d , ' w h a t ' s he l ik e?'
'Wo nd er f u l ! ' L u ci n d a ' s ey es g l o w ed . 'We'r e m a d l y i n l ov e!'
Feel i ng su d d enl y q u i t e sick , Tessa g la n ced a t t he cl ock . Yes, t h er e w a s t i m e
f or a b a t h . Sh e w a nt ed t o get
a w a y f r om Lu ci nd a , a n d a f ew m i nu t es l a t er sh e w a s ly in g i n t h e w a t er ,
her m i nd go i n g b a ck t o t h a t d a y w h en sh e h a d k now n she m u st lea v e h er ho m e,
go so m ew her e w her e she w ou l d no t see P a u l a nd Lu ci n d a t oget her . M o st
op p o r t u nel y t he p o st ha d com e r el ief t ea cher i n Ger m a ny . Fr om t her e she h a d
gon e t o Tu r k ey , t hen t he Leb a n on a nd f i n a l l y t o Gr eece. Thi s l a st w a s a p r iv a t e
p ost l a st i n g a m er e t hr ee m o nt h s. Th en t h e d esi r e t o r et u r n t o En gl a n d ... ev en
t h ou gh she k new t he f ir st si g ht o f P a u l w o u l d p r o b a b l y u nd er m i ne her
d et er m i n a t i on t o set t l e d o w n a g a in i n a com f or t a b le t ea ch i ng p o st i n her ow n
co u nt r y . Go i ng t o Gr eece h a d not b een a g ood id ea eit h er , f or i t w a s hi s cou nt r y ,
a l t h ou gh he ha d , u nt i l t he a ccid ent , l i v ed i n Eng l a nd f or a n u m her o f y ea r s".
Get t i ng ou t o f t he b a t h, Tessa w r a p p ed h er sel f i n a t o w el a nd w en t i nt o
t h e b ed r oom , h a v i n g hea r d Lu ci n d a g o d ow n so m e f i v e m i n u t es or so p r ev i ou sly .
The t w o d iv a n s w er e cov er ed w it h b ea u t i f u l l a ce q u il t s w h ich Tessa ha d sent ov er
j u st a f ew w eek s b ef or e co m i ng ho m e h er sel f . Th e ca r p et w a s t h i ck a nd t he
f u r n i t u r e g ood a nd h i g hl y p ol i shed . Th i s w a s t h e r oom she a n d Lu ci nd a h a d
sha r ed si nce t h ey w er e q u i t e sm a l l.
Sh e h a d d r op p ed t he t o w el w hen she sw i f t l y r et r i ev ed i t a nd w r a p p ed it
a r ou nd her a g a i n . Lu cin d a ha d com e" b a ck f or so m et h i n g
'Ca n I co r ne i n?' A m a n' s v o ice, a ccom p a n i ed b y a lo u d k nock .
'N o cer t a i n l y not ! '
'Oh, no w , w hy t he m od est p ose a l l a t o nce? I'm com i n g i n, m y lo v el y
Lu cin d a ! '
Ger a l d , Lu ci nd a 's f i a nce.
Tessa sp ed t o t he d r essi n g r oom a nd ent er ed , sl a m m i ng t he d o or b eh i nd
her a n d t u r n i ng t he k ey . W ha t ha d p r om p t ed t h i s a ct she cou l d not h a v e sa i d .
Sh e h a d m er el y t o i n f o r m h i m o f h i s m i st a k e a n d h e w o u ld i nst a n t l y go a w a y
a ga i n .The b ed r oo m d oo r op ened . A so f t w hi st le w a s a l l Tessa hea r d f or a
m o m ent , a n d t h en, 'W ha t p er f u m e! Co m e ou t o f t her e, a n d d on't b e so si l l y .'
'I' m d r essi ng.''
'So w h a t ?'
'M u m a nd D a d '
They 'v e gone ou t , o r I w ou l d n't ha v e com e u p . W ho's is t he ca r ou t si d e?'
'N ev er m i nd . Go a w a y .'
'Wh a t is t he m a t t er w i t h y o u ?' The d oor h a nd l e t u r ned ; Tessa 's ey es w er e
f ixed f a sci na t ed l y u p on it a s i f exp ect i n g t he lock t o b eco m e i nef f ect iv e. Sh e
ga t her ed t he t ow el m or e t i g ht ly a r ou nd h er , r ea l izin g she w a s t r em b l in g f r o m
hea d t o f oo t . 'M y lo v el y Lu ci nd a , y ou b a f f l e m e. So shy , a f t er a l l w e'v e b een t o
one a n ot her '
'I' m n ot y ou r lov el y L u ci nd a .' H er t r em b l i n g i ncr ea sed a s sh e a w a it ed h i s
r ep l y .
'Oh, so w e'r e t o ha v e a t i f f , a r e w e? A n d 't hen t he gr a nd r econcil i a t i o n.'
Tessa h ea v ed a d eep si g h b ef o r e sh e f i n a l l y sa i d ,
'I i m a g in e y ou m u st b e Ger a l d . I'm Tessa , , Lu cin d a 's si st er , a nd t h a t 's m y
ca r ou t si d e.'
Joe ca m e f o r her a t sev en o 'clo ck .
'You ha v en't cha n ged a b it ! ' w a s h is n ot v er y gr a t i f y i n g excl a m a t ion . 'Tel l
m e a l l a b ou t y ou r t r a v el s?' They w er e i n t h e ca r , p u r r i ng a lo ng t ow a r d s t he r oa d
hou se w her e t hey w er e' t o d i ne. ' I'd ha v e w r i t t en, b u t y ou nev er sent m e y ou r
a d d r ess, ev en t hou gh y o u p r om i sed .'
Sh e t a l k ed , a s he w a nt ed h er t o , b u t m a d e no co m m ent o n hi s l a st
r em a r k . A l l she ha d d esi r ed a t t ha t t i m e w a s t o cu t her sel f o f f f r o m ' ev er y one
w ho ha d k no w n Pa u l .
'You 'v e ha d a n exci t i ng t i m e.' he sa id , p u l l i ng u p on t he ca r p a r k o u t sid e
t h e hot el . 'I q u i t e env y y ou .'
They sa t i n t he l ou n g e, d r i n k in g sher r y a n d cha t t i n g, a n d i t w a s on ly w hen
t h ey ha d st a r t ed t h ei r d i n ner t h a t Tessa b r oa ched t h e Su b j ect u p p er m ost i n h er
m in d . 'Jo e, y o u 'r e Pa u l 's f r ien d . You k no w w ha t h a p p ened ?'
'So t h a t ' s w ha t y ou w a n t ed t o see m e f or ,' he ob ser v ed a f t er a sm a l l p a u se.
'A nd I f l a t t er ed m y sel f i t w a s m y
ent er t a i n i ng " com p a ny t h a t a t t r a ct ed y ou . St i l l i n l ov e w it h h i m ?'
'Does ev er y one k no w ?' she f a l t er ed .
'Wh en t he k i d " si st er ha s a cr u sh o n t he el d er si st er 's b l ok e ev er y o ne is
b ou nd t o k now . You d i d n 't h id e i t
v er y,w el l, Tessa ! .
"N o , I su p p o se not .' Ki d si st er ? She w a s a m er e t w o y ea r s y ou nger t ha n
Lu cin d a , b u t she l ook ed m u ch l ess t h a n her t w ent y f ou r y ea r s. 'It w a s f a r m or e
t h a n a cr u sh, Joe; she f i n ished so f t l y .
'Si l l y g i r l b u t si l l i er P a u l.' H i s l ip s su d d en l y t i g ht ened . N ev er ha d Tessa seen
t h e p la ci d Joe l ook i ng so a ng r y . 'I w a s h i s f r ien d , b u t he' s cu t h i m sel f o f f f r om
ev er y o ne her e.' '
'You k no w w her e h e's li v i n g? Fa t her sa y s h e's on a Gr eek i sla n d .'
'N o.' Jo e shoo k h is h ea d . ' Cy p r u s. H a s a ho u se t h er e, r i ght i n t h e m ou n t a i ns.
Li v es a s a r eclu se. H ea r d i t f r o m so m e p eo p l e w ho'v e j u st co m e h om e a f t er l iv i ng
t h er e f or a y ea r . H e's consid er ed od d .' Joe no t i ced sh e w a s not ea t i ng a n d a d d ed ,
'You r f i sh i s get t i ng col d .'
'Yes.' Sh e p a i d a t t ent ion t o it , her b r ow cr ea sed t hou g ht f u l ly . Cy p r u s. She
ha d v i sit ed it ; b u t n ev er sp en t m o r e t h a n a cou p l e o f n i ght s t her e. Bu t i t w a s so
b ea u t i f u l ... a nd P a u l cou l d not see it . N o t t he m o u nt a in s or t h e sea ; not t h e
l onel y st r et ch es o f u n sp o i l ed b ea ch or t h e a nci ent cit ies, lon g d eser t ed a n d
ov er gr ow n; n ot t h e chu r ches or t h e ca st l es, or t h e g r ov es o f or a ng es a n d f l o w er
co v er ed h il l si d es. H e cou l d not w i t n ess t he m a r v el l ou s su nset s, or t he eq u a l l y
w ond er f u l su nr i ses. A l l he w ou l d k n ow w o u ld he t h e w a r m b r eeze on h is f a ce, t he
song o f t h e b ir d s i n sp r in g a nd t he i ncessa n t ch ir p i n g o f t he ci ca d a s i n su m m er ,
a nd , sh ou l d he ev er co m e d o w n f r o m h i s m o u nt a in r et r ea t , he w ou l d hea r t h e
gen t l e l a p p i n g o f t h e w a v es on t h e shor e a nd t he r u st l e o f t he d r i ed u p
v eg et a t i on a s l iza r d s scu r r ied a w a y u n d er n ea t h , or ca m e f r om t her e t o f i nd a
p l a ce i n t he su n on a w a l l o r b ench o f a t r ee. ' Joe,t he a cci d ent w ha t exa ct l y
ha p p ened ?'
'You r sist er h a sn't t o l d y ou ?' H i s v oi ce w a s ha r d a nd gr im .
'She w a s u n consci ou s a n d d oesn't r em em b er a ny t hi ng .'
'She k no w s w ha t ha p p ened , nev er t h el ess b eca u se I t ol d her .'
'You ?' She l ook ed b ew il d er ed l y a t h i m , a n d he w ent o n t o sa y t h a t on
hea r i ng o f t he a ccid ent b e ha d gone st r a i g ht t o t h e ho sp i t a l . Fo r t he f ir st cou p l e
of d a y s P a u l ha d not b een a l l ow ed v i sit or s, b u t on t he t h ir d d a y Jo e h a d b een
a d m i t t ed , a l t hou gh on l y f or a f ew m i nu t es, f or no so o ner h a d h e ent er ed t he
w a r d t ha n P a u l b ega n r a m b l i ng. The nu r se w a s p r om p t l y on t he sp ot a nd Joe
u sher ed ou t .
'Bu t y o u hea r d so m et h i ng?"
'You r ea ll y w a nt t o k no w w h a t I hea r d ?' A nd w hen sh e n od d ed , ' It d o esn 't
p u t y ou r sist er in a v er y good l ig h t .'
'Tel l m e, Joe.' she i nsi st ed , f eel i ng her a p p et it e w a s f a st d eser t i n g her .
'They 'd ha d w or d s ov er so m e b l ok e she'd p la y ed a b ou t w i t h w h i l e P a u l
w a s a w a y o n b u si ness. H e t a ck l ed her w i t h i t w h i le t hey w er e ou t d r iv i ng ; sh e
w a s t ot a l l y u nr ep ent a nt , or d er i ng P a u l t o st op t he ca r , a nd o f co u r se he w ou l d n't
b ei ng or d er ed t o, a s y ou ca n v er y w el l i m a gi ne. In h er t em p er she w r en ched a t
t h e w h eel '
'Oh n o! ' Ther e w a s t er r or in Tessa 's ey es a n d her ha n d shook so m u ch t ha t
her w i ne sp i l l ed on t o t h e t a b l eclot h . Joe t ook t he g l a ss f r om h er , p la ced i t in
f r ont o f her a n d cont in u ed , a t er r ib le ha r sh ness i n hi s v o ice,
'The ca r h it a d r y st one w a l l, ov er t u r ned a nd b u r st i nt o f l a m es. Lu cin d a
w a s t hr o w n ov er t h e w a l l a n d a lt hou gh sh e ha d a f ew cu t s a nd b r u i ses, a n d w a s
u nconsci ou s f or a w h i l e, she esca p ed u n hu r t , a s y ou m ig h t sa y .' H i s m ou t h
t w i st ed a s h e a d d ed ir on i ca l l y , ' By som e m i r a cle Pa u l esca p ed ' t o o, b ei ng t hr ow n
ou t a t t he op p osi t e si d e t h a t i s, on t o t he g r a ss v er ge.' H e st o p p ed , a d d i n g t ha t
a t t ha t p oi nt t he nu r se m a d e h i m l ea v e, b u t l a t er he m et a m a n w ho , ha v i ng
w i t nessed t he a cci d ent , i m m ed i a t el y p u ll ed u p . 'H e a l so v i sit ed Pa u l i n hosp it a l ,
b ei ng t her e t h e sa m e t i m e a s l one ev en i n g . W e lef t t o get her a n d t a l k ed ov er a
d r in k i n t he l oca l. It a p p ea r s t ha t Pa u l b el i ev ed Lu ci nd a t o b e i n t he ca r , a n d
a ccor d in g t o t h i s w i t ness he l i t er a l ly f l u n g h i m sel f a t t h e b l a zin g v eh i cl e a nd
cl a w ed l ik e a m a d m a n a t t h e d oor , ca l l i n g Lu ci nd a 's n a m e ov er a nd ov er a ga i n .
Thi s m a n t r ied t o d r a g Pa u l a w a y , b u t y ou k n ow h i s st r engt h . It w a s p r ob a b l y
d ou b led , f or he w a s l ik e a m a n d em ent ed a t t h e i d ea o f hi s lov ed one b ei n g
b u r ned a l iv e. A no t her ca r st op p ed a n d it t ook t w o m en t o get Pa u l a w a y . Th i s
m a n sa i d h i s h a n d s w er e l it er a l l y on f i r e, b u t h e p er si st ed i n h i s a t t em p t s t o get
i nt o t he ca r .'
Tessa 's f a ce w a s a s w h i t e a s t he t a b leclo t h. 'L u ci nd a w a s u nhu r t ... he d i d i t
a l l f or not h i n g.'
Sh e l ook ed a cr oss a t her co m p a n i o n, t he t ea r s g l i st en i n g on her l a shes. ' H is
si gh t ? H o w d id he com e t o lo se t h a t ? Fa t h er sa i d it w a s shock .'
'So i t w a s sho ck a t t h e id ea o f Lu ci n d a 's b ein g b u r ned t o d ea t h, f or
ob v iou sl y h e w a sn't b l i nd w hen he w a s f i r st f lu n g ou t o f t h e ca r .'
'A nd Lu ci n d a t hr ew h i m ov er .' she W h isp er ed i n a hor r o r st r i ck en v oice. '
'Lu ci n d a t hr ew h i m ov er .'
'Does ev er y one k no w ?'
'I d on 't t h i nk so . You see, no one w a s k i l l ed , so t her e w a sn 't a b i g in q u ir y .
N o, L u ci nd a got o f f v er y l ig ht l y a nd no w , she's a ll nice a n d cosi ly en ga ged , w h i l e
Pa u l ' H e sh r u gg ed . 'W e h a v en't ev en go t h i s a d d r ess. I t h ou g ht o f go i n g t o
Cy p r u s so m e t i m e, f o r a hol i d a y , a nd f in d i ng h i m , b u t I r a t her t h i nk he'd r esent i t .
If he'd w a nt ed t o k eep i n t ou ch t her e w a s not hi ng t o p r ev ent h i m f r om d o in g so.'
'H is h a nd s, Joe. Th ey 'r e p r et t y b a d , I u nd er st a n d ?'
'I w ou l d n't l ik e t o sa y a b o u t t h a t . W hen I l a st sa w h i m t hey w er e
b a n d a ged , b u t he' d ha d sev er a l sk in gr a f t s, a n d y ou k n ow ho w cl ev er su r ger y i s
t o d a y . Ishou l d a ssu m e he ha s ha d som e p r et t y go od w o r k d one on t hose h a n d s.
W ha t ev er m o ney cou l d d o w o u ld b e d o ne, a s y ou v er y w ell k no w .'
Sh ip p i ng w a s Pa u l's b u si ness. A n d a s Joe sa id , w h a t ev er m o ney co u ld d o
w ou l d b e d one.
'Do y ou t h i nk Pa u l st i l l l ov es Lu ci nd a ?' she a sk ed , r eca l l i n g w h a t her sist er
ha d sa i d a b o u t h i s o f f er t o t a k e h er b a ck .
'Tha t 's a not h er t h i n g I w ou l d n't l i k e t o p a ss a v er d i ct o n . W e h a v e t o
r em em b er t h a t P a u l i s a Gr eek , a n d i t 's a k no w n f a ct t ha t t hese Ea st er n m en
l ov e d eep ly or sha l l o w ly . Ther e's no i n b et w een w it h t hem . I sho u l d sa y t ha t
ni net y p er cent t r ea t t hei r w o m en a s p o ssessi ons. b u t ' he b r ok e o f f , w a gg i n g a
f or ef i nger , ' i f y ou d o get o ne t o l ov e d eep l y , t hen i t 's f or ev er .'
For ev er .... Wou l d Pa u l lov e L u ci nd a f o r ev er ? A gr ea t t r em b l i n g sigh
b r ok e i nv o l u nt a r i l y f r o m Tessa 's l i p s a nd Jo e f r ow ned d a r k l y a t her .'For get h i m ,'
he a d v i sed , echo i n g h er f a t her 's w o r d s.
'Wh a t ha p p en s i f y ou ca n't , Joe?'
'You 'r e j u st o ne b i g f ool . W i t h a l l m y hea r t I w i sh I'd nev er i nt r od u ced y ou
t o h i m .'
'So d o I,' she b eg a n t o w h i sp er , b u t w i t hd r ew t h e st a t em en t , a l t hou g h she
co u ld no t h a v e sa id w hy .
So w el l she r eca l led t h a t n i ght . Joe ha d t h r ow n a p a r t y a n d P a u l w a s
t h er e. The m o m ent she set ey es o n h i m her w ho le l i f e cha nged .
'Tessa , m eet P a v l os Dem et r i u s. H e's Gr eek a nd d i sgu st i n gl y r i ch. Shi p s, y ou
k no w ,' Joe h a d a d d ed b r i ef ly , a n d l ef t t hem . Tessa sca r cely hea r d a w or d a s she
p u t h er sm a l l h a n d i n h i s. H e l ook ed d o w n a t her f r o m on h i gh, h is m ou t h cu r v ed
i n a m u sem ent a t her exp r essio n; he w a s p r ob a b l y q u i t e u n a w a r e i t r ef l ect ed her
a w e a t f i n d i n g h er sel f i n so m a g n i f i cent a p r esen ce. D a r k sk i n ned , w i t h j et b l a ck
ha i r w a v i n g b a ck f r o m a lo w f or ehea d . Br ow n ey es, col d , p er cep t i v e, a nd
l a ck i ng a ny v i sib l e si g n o f p lea su r e a t t h e m eet i n g.
'Sha l l w e sit d o w n ?' H e g l a nced a r o u nd . ' W ha t a sq u eeze'
'Yes, i t i s.' The p r osa ic r ep l y ca m e f r o m q u i v er i ng l i p s a n d h er h ea r t w a s
a ct i ng in t he st r a n g est w a y . Cou l d sh e. a t t w ent y t w o, b e sent i nt o t h i s school g i r l
f lu t t er a t t h e sm i l e o f t h i s m a g n i f i cen t Gr eek go d ? They t a l k ed , d a nced a n d
d r a nk t og et h er , a n d on lea v i ng her he ha d sa i d go od n ig ht a nd a d d ed w i t h ou t a
t r a ce o f i n t er est
i n h i s v oi ce,
'Per ha p s w e' l l m eet a g a in so m e t i m e.' A n d h e sl id i nt o h i s ca r a n d d r o v e
a w a y f r om her f r on t d oor .
Their n ext m eet i ng t ook p l a ce a t a concer t . P a u l w a s o n h i s o w n a nd so
w a s Tessa . H e sm i led a t her a n d su ggest ed t hey si t t oget her .
'Tha t w ou l d b e n i ce, M r Dem et r iu s.'
'Ther e's no need f or t he f o r m a l it y . M y f r i en d s ca l l m e P a u l.' .
H er hea r t h a d t u r ned a som er sa u l t a t t h a t . W a s sh e h is f r i en d , t h en ?
A ga i n he g a v e her a l i f t h o m e a n d L u ci n d a w a s j u st ent er i n g t he d r i v e a s
t h ey r ea ched i t . It w a s a clea r m o on l it n ig h t . L u ci n d a ha d l ook ed u p a t Pa u l, her
ey es' w i d e, her b ea u t i f u l l ip s p a r t ed i nv i t i n gl y ....
So en d ed a ny hop es Tessa m ig ht h a v e cher ished . A nd a s P a u l b eca m e a
f r eq u ent v i sit or t o t he hou se her l i f e b eca m e m or e a n d m o r e d i f f i cu l t , f or Tessa
d i d not a l w a y s su cceed i n h id i ng her f eel i n gs a n d m a n y w er e t h e t i m es w h en it
b l u sh, or a t r em or i n h er v o ice, w ou l d g i v e her a w a y . A t f ir st Pa u l seem ed not t o
not i ce, b u t w hen a t l engt h he d i d d o so hi s b r ow w ou l d l i f t a nd a f a i nt l y
co nt em p t u ou s cu r v e w o u l d t ou ch h i s m ou t h. H er su p r em e h u r t h a d com e w h en,
a t a n ot her p a r t y o f Joe's, Tessa ha d com e u p b eh i n d t hem , w i t h t h e i nt ent io n o f
j o i n in g t hem , w hen Pa u l's v o ice ha d r ea ched h er . 'Th a t t i r eso m e si st er o f
Lu cin d a 's. W ha t ' s w r ong w i t h her ? Does sh e t hr ow her sel f a t ev er y m a n she's
i nt r od u ced t o?'
'Wh a t d o y ou m ea n?'
'She i r r it a t es m e exceed i ng l y u si ng her ey es i n t h a t w a y . A nd t hey 'r e t he
onl y t h ing s sh e ca n u se,' he a d d ed co nt em p t u ou sl y , ' f o r she ha s not h in g else t o
r ecom m en d her .'
'She ha sn't her si st er 's b ea u t y ,' Jo e r el u ct a n t ly a gr eed . 'Bu t sh e' s a sm a sh i ng
gi r l w hen y ou get t o k now her .'
Pa u l shr u gged h is b r oa d shou l d er s, w h i l e Tessa st ood b ehi n d t hem , f r ozen
t o t he sp ot . ' Bea u t y 's so o f t en o n l y
sk i n d eep , y o u k now , P a u l .' .
'So i t is sa i d ,' he ow ned i n a b or ed v o ice. A nd t hen, b r i g ht en i ng, 'Ther e's
Lu cin d a . Excu se m e, Jo e.'
'Ju st a ' m i nu t e ... P a u l, a r e y ou go ing t o m a r r y Lu ci nd a ?'
'If she'l l ha v e m e. Bu t j u st i m a g i ne ha v i ng a si st er i nl a w w ho's f or ev er
m a k i n g ey es a t y ou . The d a m ned g i r l
m u st h a v e no p r i d e ' ,
The f o l lo w i n g w eek t he eng a gem ent w a s a n nou nced ... a n d t hen i t w a s
t h a t Tessa k n ew she m u st g et a w a y . P a u l w ou l d not b e su b j ect ed t o t h e
a nn oy a nce o f ha v i ng a si st er i n l a w a r ou n d w ho w a s f or ev er m a k i ng ey es a t h i m .
'Wa k e u p , a nd ea t ,' Joe a d m o ni shed . 'Wh er e a r e y ou ?' .
Sh e f or ced a la u gh . , 'A l o ng w a y a w a y .'
'On a n i sla n d i n t he M ed i t er r a nea n , f or in st a nce?' a n d w hen she m a d e no
r esp o nse, 'Thr o w i f r i gh t a w a y , Tessa , ' f o r t her e's no t hi ng y ou ca n 'd o a b o u t i t .
M a k e a com p l et ely new st a r t .'
A new st a r t . W a sn't t ha t her i nt ent io n o n a ccep t i ng t h a t f i r st p ost a b r oa d ?
Sh e h a d f el t cer t a in sh e w ou l d b e com p l et el y cu r ed . Bu t no; a nd sh e ha d w r it t en
hom e sa y i ng she w a s t a k i n g a not her p o st w h i ch h a d b ecom e v a ca nt , a nd
a no t her 'Wh en he lef t , Jo e d id n 't h e o f f er y ou h i s a d d r ess?;
'H e j u st d i sa p p ea r ed . Ca m e ou t o f hosp it a l o n t he M o nd a y a f t er noo n a nd
w hen I ca l led a t h is f l a t i n t he ev en in g i t w a s closed u p . It 's m y b el i ef t h a t he'd
i nst r u ct ed h i s m a n t o get r i d o f ev er y t h i n g w h i l e h e w a s in ho sp i t a l , f or ot her w i se
I ca n't see h ow h e g ot a w a y so q u i ck ly .'
'You d o k now f o r su r e, t hou g h, t h a t he's i n Cy p r u s'
'I' m p r et t y su r e t h is r eclu se p eop le t a lk a b o u t i s Pa u l .' H e shoo k h i s hea d ,
a nd l ea nt b a ck a s t he w a it er a p p ea r ed t o t a k e h i s em p t y p la t e. 'L i f e' s so
d a m n a b l y u n f a i r ' he exp l od ed , ob v i ou sl y not ca r i n g w ha t he sa id . 'Th a t L u cin d a
shou l d a t t r a ct h i m a nd not y ou .'
Bu t L u ci n d a a l w a y s d i d get t h e b est o f ev er y t h in g a nd a l so get a w a y
w i t h ev er y t hi ng . A t scho ol Tessa h a d o f t en b een b l a m ed f o r her m isd em ea nou r s,
f or ev en a s a ch i l d Lu ci n d a h a d b een cl ev er l y eq u i p p ed w i t h t h e m ea n s t o
ext r ica t e her sel f f r om a ny t r ou b le, l ea v i ng so m eo ne el se t o t a k e t h e b la m e, a nd
t h a t so m eo ne w a s i nv a r ia b ly her si st er .
'You 'r e m y w hi p p in g b oy ,' Lu ci n d a h a d on ce l a u gh ed w h en, h a v i n g b een
w r o ngl y b la m ed f or som et h i n g Lu cin d a h a d d one, Tessa w a s m a d e "t o st a y i n
schoo l a n d w r i t e l i nes.
A f t er d i n n er t h ey w ent f or a d r i v e. Joe d r ew in a t a f a r m g a t ew a y a nd
t h ey sa t t a l k i n g f or h ou r s.
Bu t h er f a t h er w a s st i l l u p w h en Tessa a r r iv ed h o m e a n d t h ey cha t t ed
t o get her b y t he d y i ng f i r e, 'You 'l l st a y ho m e?' her f a t her sa id , lo ok i ng a nxi ou sl y
a t her . H e sen sed her r est l essn ess a nd i n d ecisi on a nd w ent on en cou r a gi ng l y ,
'Ther e a r e so m e good p ost s g o in g, Tessa a n d y ou r m ot h er a n d I d o w a nt y ou
w i t h u s.'
Sh e l ook ed a t h i m , her f a ce cl ou d i ng . Bu t t her e w a s no p o i nt in
p r ev a r ica t i ng. Bet t er t el l h i m a l l , so t ha t h e co u ld , b ecom e r esig n ed .
'I ca n't st a y , Fa t h er . I t hou g ht I cou l d ,' she a d d ed ha st i ly . ' Bu t She p a u sed ,
a nd ga zed i n t o t h e f i r e, a v oi d i ng her f a t h er 's q u est io n in g ey es. 'Pa u l 's l i v i ng in
Cy p r u s a n d I'm go i ng t her e.'
H e lea nt b a ck i n hi s ch a ir , su r p r i si ng her b y t he w a y he a ccep t ed t h i s. .
'I ha d a n i d ea y ou m ea nt t o f i n d ou t w her e he l iv ed . Gi r l i e, w ha t ca n y ou
d o?'
'I ha v en't t he l ea st i d ea ,' she con f essed w i t h a si g h . ' I ju st w a nt t o go t h er e,
a nd t o ' f i n d ou t w her e h e i s, d i scov er sor net hi ng a b ou t h i m .'
'Wh a t good w i l l it d o y ou ?' he q u er ied a n xi ou sly . 'It 's o n ly g oi n g t o m a k e
t h i n gs w or se. Tessa , I w i sh w i t h a l l m y hea r t y o u 'd nev er m et t h i s m a n!'
'Jo e sa i d he w i shed he' d nev er in t r od u ced u s,' she m u r m u r ed , her g a ze st i l l
f ixed o n t he d y i ng co a l s. 'Bu t
he d i d i nt r o d u ce u s a nd so I m u st f i n d Pa u l .' .
'Bu t , d a r l i n g, h e d oesn't lov e y ou .'
N o, b u t he lo v ed Lu cin d a , a nd w a s w i l l i n g t o t a k e her b a ck or ha d b een
w i l l i n g t o t a k e h er b a ck . P er ha p s h e h a d cha ng ed h is m i n d . Per h a p s h e no
l ong er lo v ed her ....
'I m u st g o.' She t u r ned h er hea d a n d t h ei r ey es m et . 'Th i s is o u r secr et . I
d on 't w a n t Mo t her t o k now , b eca u se sh e'l l o n l y w or r y . I' l l t el l h er I'm t ea chi ng i n
Cy p r u s she w on't b e a t a l l su r p r i sed a t m y goi n g a w a y a ga i n .' She sm i led a t h i m ,
her l i p s so f t , a n d t r em b l i n g w i t h t he em ot i on t ha t f i l l ed her . She h a d sa i d she
ha d n 't t h e l ea st not io n w ha t she co u ld d o . Bu t t he i d ea t ha t ha d f or m ed i n her
m in d w a s n ow a l l env el op i n g; it p ossessed her w h o l e b ein g. ' I' l l w r i t e t o y ou b ot h
her e, o f cou r se, b u t I' l l a l so w r i t e t o y ou a t t h e o f f ice, a n d t el l y o u a l l t ha t 's
ha p p en i n g.' '
'I t h in k y ou 'r e v er y f o ol i sh, m y g ir l ie' H e shook h i s hea d sa d l y . 'Bu t y ou
a nd I h a v e a l w a y s u nd er st oo d o ne a not h er , a nd I k no w j u st ho w y ou f eel. I a l so
k no w t ha t y ou m u st go a n d see t h i s m a n . I ca n't i m a g i ne w ha t y ou ha v e i n
m in d .' b u t i t 's ob v io u s y ou 'r e h op i n g f or so m e cha n ge i n h i m , hop i ng he m i ght
w a nt y ou .' H e Si ghed d eep ly b ef or e a d d i n g, 'W ha t ev er t he ou t com e, I o n l y hop e
a nd p r a y y ou w on't b e hu r t a ny m or e t h a n y ou , h a v e b een a lr ea d y .'
Tha t w a s i m p ossib l e, she t hou gh t , a n d sa i d , 'I w on't b e, Fa t her . A nd , , ,
p l ea se d on't w or r y a b ou t m e; p r o m i se.'
'Gir l ie, y ou 'r e m y d a u g ht er . I ca n't p r om i se a t h i ng l i k e t h a t .' . .
'You 'l l k eep m y secr et ?' sh e a sk ed p r esent l y , a nd he nod d ed h i s hea d .
'You r secr et 's q u it e sa f e w it h m e, Tessa . Bu t y o u m u st w r i t e.'
'I' l l w r i t e.' sh e p r om i sed , sm i li ng . They t a lk ed f or a l it t l e w h i le l on ger a nd
t h en, k issi ng ea ch ot her good n i g ht , t hey w ent u p st a ir s t o get h er a n d p a r t ed on
t h e la n d in g.



CHAPTER II

TH E i sl a nd ca m e i nt o v i ew , ea r l y in t he m o r ni ng w hen a go l d en su nr i se set
on f ir e t he ea st er n sk y a nd r ef l ect ed it sel f i n t h e ca l m b l u e w a t er s of t he
M ed i t er r a nea n .
'Tha t i s Ky p r os.' A m em b er o f t h e cr ew , w a sh i n g t he d eck , p a u sed i n h i s
w or k a n d p o in t ed t o t he m i st y si l hou et t e t ha t w a s t he i sl a nd o f Cy p r u s. Th e m a n
w a s shor t a n d sw a r t hy , w i t h t hi ck b l a ck h a ir a nd d a r k ened t eet h,a t y p ica l
Gr eek , w i t h t h e i n ev i t a b l e h a p p y sm i l e a n d f r i end l y d isp o si t i on .
'It seem s q u it e cl ose, b u t w e sha n't d ock u n t i l l u nch t i m e.'
'Lu nch t i m e?' In b r o k en En gl i sh t h e m a n sp ok e, a nd h i s b r o w p u ck er ed i n a
f r ow n, Tessa p u shed u p her sleev e a nd i n d i ca t ed one o'cl ock on her w a t ch, Th e
b r oa d sm i le i nst a nt ly r ea p p ea r ed a n d t he m a n nod d ed v i gor ou sly , 'We get t o
Ky p r os a t t hees t i m e, a s y ou sa y .' A p a u se, a n d t hen t he q u est ion w h i ch Tessa
k new w ou l d com e. It a l w a y s d id , t o a w o m a n t r a v el l i ng a l one i n t he Ea st . 'Yo u
b y y o u r sel f ?'
Sh e n od d ed , t r y i ng t o h i d e h er sm i l e. ' I'm a lo ne, y es.'
'You go t o Ky p r os t o f r iend s?'
'I ha v e a f r i en d t h er e.'
The m a n's f a ce f el l sl i g ht ly . 'If y ou w a n t t o see t h e i sl a n d I h a f l ea v e a n d
co u ld t a k e y ou a r ou nd .'
'It 's k i nd o f y ou , b u t a s I'v e sa i d , I ha v e a f r i en d t her e.'
'In Fa m a g u st a y ou r f r i en d l i f ?'
"N o , not i n Fa m a gu st a .'
.'W her e d oes y ou r f r i en d l i f , t hen?'
'In a t i ny v i l l a g e i n t h e m ou nt a i ns. Loo k , t h e su n' s cl ea r i ng t he m i st ,' she
a d d ed i n or d er t o cha nge t he su b j ect . Yo u ca n see t he isla nd q u it e p l a in ly now .'
"Thees end , i t i s Pa p h o s, A p hr od it e u sed t o l i f t her e.' H e t u r ned f r om t he
co nt em p l a t ion o f t he i sl a nd a nd l ook ed a t her . 'You k now o f A p hr od i t e?' H e
p r onou n ced It in t he Gr eek w a y o f A p hr o d it y , a n d Tessa d id t he sa m e.
'Yes, I k n ow o f A p hr o d it e. She ca m e ou t o f t he sea a t P a p hos.'
'Tha t 's r i g ht . She t he god d ess o f lo v e. Yo u r f r i end , she i s a t Pa p ho s, m a y b e?'
'M y f r i en d d o esn 't l i v e a t P a p h os.' She cou l d sa y ' t h a t w it h t r u t h, f or she
w a s q u i t e su r e P a u l w ou l d not ha v e hi s ho m e a ny w her e nea r t h e b i r t hp l a ce o f
t h e go d d ess of lov e. '
They b ot h t u r ned a s m o r e d eck h a nd s a p p ea r ed .
W it h i n m i n u t es t h e d eck w a s f lo od ed a nd Tessa m ov ed a w a y , r ou n d t o
t h e ot her si d e o f t he sh ip , w h er e sh e sa w a y ou n g m a n she h a d m et on b o a r d i n g
t h e sh i p a t P i r a eu s t w o d a y s p r ev iou sl y . Th ey ha d sp ok en a n d t h en b een
t o get her p r a ct ica l ly t h e w h o l e t i m e. She h a d t o ld h i m h er na m e w a s Lu cin d a , f or
a l t h ou gh a t t h is st a ge her p l a n s w er e v a g u e, she d ecid ed t o b e Lu ci nd a t o
a ny one she m i gh t m eet i n Cy p r u s.
'I d i d n't exp ect y ou t o b e u p so ea r l y ,' sh e sm i l ed on Jo in i g h i m a t t he r a i l .
'H a v e y ou seen t h e su nr ise?'
'I w a s j u st t oo l a t e. I d i d n't go r ou nd a ny w a y , b eca u se t he d eck h a n d s w er e
w or k in g . They d on't seem t o m i n d If t hey d r ench y ou w it h t ho se hoses.'
W hi ch w a s not t r u e, f o r Tessa ' s exp er ience of sh i p s w a s t ha t t he p a sseng er s
w er e a lw a y s sho w n ev er y p o ssib le co n si d er a t i on . .
'I m u st g iv e y ou m y a d d r ess i n L im a sso.' M a r t i n t oo a sm a l l b o ok f r om h i s
p ock et a n d t or e o u t a p a ge. On i t he w r ot e h i s a d d r ess a nd h a nd ed i t t o Tessa .
'M y p hone nu m her 's t h er e, so d o n 't f or get t o g iv e m e a r i ng . I k no w t h e i sl a nd
p r et t y w el l a n d w ou l d w i l l i ng l y t a k e y ou a r ou nd .'
'Tha n k s, M a r t i n, I'l l k eep t ha t i n m i nd .' Sh o u l d she not f i nd P a u l, or shou l d
she f a l t er in t h i s h a l f f o r m ed p l a n o f her s, she m i ght b e g l a d o f so m eo ne t o t a k e
her a r ou nd i f she d ecid ed t o st a y a w h i l e on t he Isl a nd , t ha t w a s.
The sh i p d ock ed a t n oon a nd Tessa b o ok ed i n a t a sm a l l hot el i n L i m a sso .
It w a s k ep t b y a n Eng l ish cou p l e, a n d Tessa co u l d no t b el iev e her go od
f or t u ne w hen, a f t er ca su a l l y m ent io n in g Pa u l's n a m e" she sa w 't h em l ook sw i f t l y
a t on e a not her a nd t hen b a ck a t h er .
'Pa u l Dem et r i u s?' Ma r y l y n a sk ed t he q u est io n, b u t b ef o r e Tessa cou l d r ep l y
her hu sb a nd sp o k e, ' H e's a f r iend o f y ou r s?'
'I k no w h i m . I'd l ik e t o v isi t h i m . You k now w h er e he l i v es?'
'N ot exa ct l y , b u t h i s hom e' s a w a y i n t he m ou nt a i n s som ew her e a b ov e
Bel l a p a i s.' A sm a l l p a u se a nd t h en, f r o m Cl iv e, 'H e' s b l i nd , I b el i ev e ha d a b a d
a cci d ent i n a ca r w hen i n Eng l a nd , t ha t w a s.'
'Yes.' They w er e i n t he lou nge; Cl i v e ha d b r ou ght r ef r eshm ent s a nd Tessa
f el l si l ent a s she t o ok a d r i nk o f her i ced l em on . ' Do y ou k no w a ny t h in g a b ou t
hi m ?' she p r esent l y a sk ed , l ook i ng u p .
They b ot h shook t hei r hea d s. 'H e' s so m et h i ng o f a m y st er y ,' sa id M a r y ly n.
'H e d oesn't m i x a t a l l . H a s a m a nser v a n t w ho d oes f or h i m , a nd t ha t ' s a b o u t a l l
w e k now . You m et h i m in Eng la n d ?'
'I k new h i m i n Eng l a nd , y es.'
Li m a sso l W a s on t he sou t h o f t he i sl a n d , Bel l a p a i s o n t he nor t h. Shou l d she
w a i t u nt i l t o m or r ow , She h a d b ook ed i n a t t he hot el a nd u np a ck ed a f ew o f h er
t h i n gs. N o , sh e cou l d not w a i t , a n d a f t er r ep a ck ing her su i t ca se she p a i d f o r t h e
b ed she h a d nev er u sed a n d t ook a t a xi t o N i co si a . ...,
Fr om t h i s a t t r a ct i v e ci t y , l y i n g i n t h e cent r e o f t h e gr ea t M essa o r i a P l a i n,
she t oo k a n ot h er t a xi t o Ly r en ia
a nd t hen a t a xi t o Bel l a p a i s, w h er e she b o ok ed i n a t a sm a l l ho t el r oom b y
t w o Gr eek Cy p r io t s, M a r o u la a nd
Sp i r os. . .
'You com e f r om En g l a n d ' M a r o u l a t ook Tessa 's su i t ca se a nd ca r r i ed it u p
t o h er r o om . 'M y son he a t u n i v er si t y i n En gl a nd .'
'Wh er e?' a sk ed Tessa , show in g p o l i t e i nt er est . It w a s I su r p r i si ng ho w m a n y
p eo p le she ha d m et i n h er t r a v el s w ho ha d so ns i n u n i v er si t i es i n En gl a n d .
'Lond on, o f cou r se.'
'Of cou r se.' To t hese p eop le L on d on w a s En g la n d .
'H e d o v er y w el l .' A b r oa d sm i l e a p p ea r ed on Ma r ou l a ' s b r ow n f a ce. ' H e
w r i t e t o m e t hi s d a y a n d sa y h e eng a ged .'
'To a n Eng l i sh g i r l '
'Yes, t h a t ' s r igh t . Th is r oom , i t get a l l t he su n a nd t he m ou n t a i ns a r e t her e
f or y ou t o see, a n d t he sea a t t he ot her si d e. Co m e o u t on t o t he b a l cony .'
'Those hou ses ... .' Tessa 's ey es t r a v el l ed slo w l y ov er t he v a st l i m est o ne r i d ge
of t he Ky r en i a Ra n ge. A w a y i n t h e d ist a n ce w a s a v er y la r ge hou se. It w ou l d not
b e t h a t , sh e t hou gh t , o u t a sk ed a b ou t i t s ow ner .
'Tha t o n e it b elo ng t o L a d y Sh in e.'
"Ther e a r e m a ny Eng l i sh i n Bel l a p a is?'
'Oh, m a d a m m a n y En gl i sh . Th ey h a v e t he new hou ses. Ver y exp en si v e.
You b u y a hou se'
'N o.' I ' d on't w a nt t o b u y a hou se. Th a t on e' She p o i nt ed a w a y t o w her e
a w h i t e v i l l a nest l ed on a led geo f t he m ou nt a in si d e. 'En g l i sh p eop le l i v e t her e ?'
'Yes. M r Sher i d a n . Yo u l ook f or a n En g l i sh m a n ?'
'N o, I'm w a nt i ng t o f i nd a M r Pa v los Dem et r iu s. Do y ou k n ow h i m Do es he
l iv e a r ou n d h er e?'
M a r o u la 's b r ow f u r r o w ed , a nd sh e sl o w l y sho ok h er hea d . 'Sp i r oshe k now
ev er y t hi ng. H e i n soo n; go n e t o
Ky r eni a sho p p i ng .'
'I' l l see h i m l a t er , t hen. Tha nk y ou , M r s M el i ssa s.'
'Ca l l m e M a r ou l a . I l i k e t h i s.'
'Ver y w el l , M a r ou l a .'
'You r na m e?' .
'Bl a ne, M i ss Bl a ne.'
'You r f i r st na m e, m a d a m ?'
'Lu ci n d a .'
'M a d a m Lu ci nd a , I ca l l y o u .' She sm i l ed . ' M a d a m L u ci nd a , y ou a r e
w el co m e t o Bel l a p a i s.'
'Tha n k y ou v er y m u ch, M a r o u la .'
'You l i k e m y En gl i sh?'
'It 's v er y good .' Tessa w ent b a ck i nt o t he b ed r oom a nd M a r ou la f ol l o w ed .
'M a r ou l a nev er b een t o school .'
'N ev er ?'
'Few y ea r s schoo l i n Bel l a p a i sno go od . I n ev er g o t o t he gy m n a si u m . Bu t
I l ea r n f r om b o ok s, sl ow l y , slo w l y . N o t q u i ck l y , m a d a m , 'b u t sl ow l y , slo w l y . L it t l e
ea ch d a y , a n d i t i s goo d . I show y ou b ook ?'
'Wh en I com e d o w n, M a r ou l a . Yes, I'd l i k e t o see y ou r b ook .'
'Ver y g ood b ook . I l ea r n sl o w ly , sl ow l y . Ri g ht !'
'Ri ght .' .
W a s M a r o u la t y p i ca l o f t he Cy p r i ot s Tessa w ond er ed . Sh e w a s, cer t a i n l y a
f r i end l y , h a p p y p er so n . Sp i r es her h u sb a n d w a s a t f i r st m or el r eser v ed t ha n
M a r o u la ha d b een, ser v i n g t he d i nner w i t h a r a t her st o l id exp r essi o n o n hi s d a r k
f a ce a n d sa y i n g, ea ch t i m e he r em ov ed a p l a t e, 'M a d a m , i t w a s good ?'
'Ver y g ood , t ha nk y o u .'
A la r ge g l a ss o f w i ne w a s b r o u ght ; ey ein g i t , f u l l t o t he b r im a s i t w a s, Tessa
w ond er ed ho w she w ou l d a v oi d d r i n k i n g i t w i t ho u t o f f en d in g Sp ir os. She l ook ed
r o u nd . Sev er a l p l a nt s i n p ot s b u t t he w i ne m igh t k i ll t hem !
'You not d r i nk y ou r w i ne?' a nd b ef or e she co u ld r ep l y , 'Dr i nk i t . It i s good !'
i n a m ost p er em p t or y t on e.
'I d on 't u su a l l y d r i nk w in e,' Tessa b eg a n . ' A nd i n a n y ca se, i t 's t o o m u ch f or
m e. Co u ld y o u t a k e ha l f o f i t a w a y ?'
H e lo ok ed a m a zed . W her e w a s M a r ou l a ? Tessa w o n d er ed d esp er a t el y .
'You d r i nk , m a d a m , it i s g ood , v er y go od . Dr ink !' She si p p ed i t ; p er ha p s i t
w a s go od t o so m e p a l a t es, b u t not t o her s.
'I' l l t a k e it t o m y r oom ,' sh e sa i d w h en, h er d i nner f i n ish ed , Sp i r es lo ok ed a t
her w i ne g l a ss a nd t h en r est ed h i s st er n ey es u p o n h er .
'You not l i k e?'
'N o,' sh e sa i d a p o l oget ica l ly . ' I sca r cel y ev er d r i nk w i ne.'
'Sca r cely ? Wha t i s t ha t w or d ?' he a sk ed , d i v er t ed .
'It m ea n s ha r d l y .' '
H e sh ook hi s hea d . 'I lea r n f r om b ook . Th i s w or d ?' Ev ent u a l l y Tessa w a s
a b l e t o m a k e h i m u nd er st a n d . A n d w hen she ha d f i ni sh ed t he b a r r i er w a s
b r ok en d ow n a n d he w a s l i k e h i s w i f e, a l l sm i l es.
M a r o u la ca m e i nt o t he d i n i ng r oom a nd sa t d o w n a t t he t a b l e. 'M a d a m
Lu cin d a , she w a nt s f i n d her f r i end . H is n a m e'
Sh e l ook ed a t Tessa , w ho r ep ea t ed i t f or Sp i r o 's b enef i t .
'Yes ... Pa v l os Dem et r i u s. H eW h a t d o y o u sa y ? H e not l ook ?'
'H e's b l in d .'
'Tha t 's r i g ht .' H i s b r ow f u r r ow ed i n t ho u gh t .' 'H e l i v e so m ew her e r i g ht u p i n
t h e m ou nt a i ns v er y f a r u p . H e no t l i k e p eo p le v er y st r a n ge m a n .' Sp i r os g l a nced
sw i f t l y a t her . 'Fr i en d o f y ou r s?'
'H e's a sor t o f f r i end , y es.'
'Tom or r ow I t a k e y ou . Ok a y ?'
'Tha t w i l l b e f i ne. Tha nk y o u v er y m u ch .'
Ther e w a s no sleep f or Tessa t h a t ni g ht , a n d a t f o u r o'cl ock she w a s ou t o n
t h e b a l cony , cl a d on l y i n h er n ig ht d r ess a n d a t h i n neg l i gee, f or a lt hou g h i t w a s
onl y A p r i l , t he w ea t h er w a s hot . Th is w a s u nu su a l , ev en f or Cy p r u s she w a s l a t er
t o l ea r n f r om M a r ou l a , ' It u su a l l y r a i n, b u t not t h is y ea r .'
Sp i r es ha d a n ol d b onesha k er o f a v a n; t h i s he u sed f o r ev er y t hin g f r om
m ov i ng a r o u nd h i s f i el d s t o t a k i ng sk i ns t o N icosi a , f or b y t r a d e h e w a s a b u t ch er .
'You com f or t a b l e?' he in q u i r ed i m p er t u r b a b ly a s t h e v a n b u m p ed a l on g t he
r o a d .
Tessa sa i d y es, she w a s m ost co m f or t a b l e. She ha d ea r li er su ggest ed she
p a y h i m f or som e ' p et r ol , a n d h a d i nst a n t l y cl o sed u p , f o r h i s exp r essi on w a s
eno u gh .
'Pet r ol ! You no t b u y p et r ol ; I t a k e y o u f or no t hi ng .'
'You 'r e v er y k i nd , Sp i r es.'
'N o k i nd ! I l ik e t a k e y ou f or 'not h i ng !'
Sh e sa i d n o m or e a n d t hey ha d m o v ed o f f f r om t he hot el, w it h Ma r ou l a ,
b r ig ht a nd sp ot l ess in a p r i nt ed cot t o n d r ess, st a nd i ng o n t he f or ecou r t w a v i ng t o
t h em u n t i l, t u r n i ng a b en d i n t he na r r ow m ou nt a i n r o a d , t hey b eca m e l ost t o
si gh t .
'I t h in k t h i s i s it . Bu t i t m ig ht not b e.'
'Thi s.'' Lo ok i ng a l l r ou n d Tessa sa w not h i n g b u t m ou nt a i ns on her l ef t a n d
t h e sea o n her r i g ht , w it h in b et w een l em o n a nd o l iv e g r ov es a nd f iel d s a b la ze
w i t h cr i m so n p op p i es m i ng l in g w i t h t he d a zzl i n g y el l ow o f m a sses a n d m a sses o f
sm a l l chr y sa n t h em u m s, t he l ov ely cr ow n d a i ses t ha t gr ow so a b u nd a nt l y o n t he
i sl a nd .
'N ot her e y et I m ea n t h i s hou se t h a t I sp ea k of .'
'I see. W e a r e no t t h er e y et ?'
'N ot t h er e, no. It a l ong w a y u p in t he m ou nt a i n .'
The r oa d b eca m e ev en na r r ow er u nt i l f i n a l l y i t w a s a m er e ca r t , t r a ck of
b a r e b r ow n ea r t h , b a k ed h a r d a nd st r ew n w i t h sm a l l b ou l d er s. Then she sa w t h e
hou se. Wh i t e a nd lo w , w i t h a p a no r a m i c v i ew o f m ou nt a i n a nd sea .... Em ot i on
f i l l ed her ; sh e sw a l lo w ed , Ov er a nd o v er a g a i n , b u t t h e t i g ht ness i n her t hr oa t
r em a ined . Th ey d r ew cl oser a nd a t l a st Sp i r os p u l led i nt o t he d nv e w h i ch i t sel f
w a s si m i la r t o t h e r oa d , ha v i ng nev er b een f i n i shed a p p a r en t l y . Bu t o f cou r se, i f
Pa u l nev er w ent ou t , no ca r w a s r eq u i r ed .
'You go a n d see i f t h i s i s y ou r f r i end a n d I sha l l w a i t .'
Sh e st o od t her e lo ok i n g a t t h e h ou se. N o si gn o f l i f e. Tu r m ng , sh e g la n ced
d ow n t he m ou nt a i nsi d e
'H ow l ong w i l l it t a k e m e t o w a l k ?'
'Ba ck t o m y hot el ?' H e l ook ed a m a zed . ' I w a i t , M a d a m Lu ci nd a , f or i t
t a k e y ou nea r l y h a l f hou r t o w a lk b a ck .'
'H a l f a n hou r ? Is t ha t a l l ? I' l l w a l k , t h en, Sp ir os. Do n't w a i t a n d t h a nk y ou
v er y m u ch f o r b r i ng i ng m e.'
'N ot t h a nk m el You su r e y ou w a l k ?'
'Su r e, t ha nk y ou , Sp i r o s.' .
'Ok a y .' H e a ccep t ed h er d eci si on cheer f u l l y a n d she w a t ched a s t he v a n
d i sa p p ea r ed d o w n t he ea r t h en t r a ck i n a clou d o f r ed b r ow n d u st .
A nd t h en she t u r n ed , a n d l ook ed a t t he h o u se a ga in . So w h i t e t h a t it
a p p ea r ed d a zzl i ng a ga i n st a b a ck g r ou n d o f gr een f or est t r ees o n t he
m ou nt a i nsi d e. The w i n d o w s, la r ge a nd a l l l ea d i ng ou t o n t o b a l con i es, w er e a t
p r esent cl o sed , a nd t he gr een a nd y ell o w shu t t er s cl osed a l so. Bu t t her e w er e
f low er s ev er y w her e.' r oses, ca r na t io ns a nd hi b i scu s sw eet p ea s p er f u m ed f l o w er s.
A nd l em on b lo ssom , W a s ev er t her e a m or e w o nd er f u l p er f u m e? a n d i t w a s
a l w a y s p r esent , f o r t he l em on s cr op p ed a l l t he y ea r r o u nd . So o n t he one t r ee
w ou l d b e lem o n s r i g ht f r o m t i ny gr een t o r i ch y el l ow ish gr een, a n d a t t he sa m e
t i m e, b losso m i ng .
For a l ong w h i l e she st ood t her e, a n d d u r i n g t hose m o m ent s o f u ncer t a i n t y
she m a n y t i m es ha l f t u r ned , a s i f t o go a w a y f r om her e, t o a b a n d on her p l a n.
Bu t ev ent u a l ly she m a n a ged t o w a l k t o t he f r ont d oo r , a nd t o her a st o ni sh m ent
her ha nd w a s q u i t e st ea d y w hen a t l a st sh e p r essed t h e b el l .
N o sou n d , excep t a n echo o f t he b el l t hr ou gh t h e h ou se. Besi d e h er on t h e
st ep s w er e g l or iou s f l o w er s i n p o t sa l l p er f u m ed . She p r essed t he b el l a ga i n a n d
t h e d oor w a s i n st a n t l y op ened . The m a n m u st h a v e b een t her e a l l t he t i m e. H e
w a s sm a l l a nd sw a r t hy , w it h a n u nsm i l i ng f a ce a n d a lo w f r ow ni ng b r ow . H i s
su d d en op en in g o f t he d o or ha d m a d e her st a r t a nd her v o ice q u i v er ed
ner v ou sl y a s sh e sa i d , 'M r .Pa v l os Dem et r i u s d o es he l iv e h er e?'
The m a n l ook ed her u p a nd d ow n cu r iou sl y .. 'H e d oes, m a d a m ,' h e
a nsw er ed i n p er f ect Eng l i sh . 'Bu t w ha t i s i t y ou w a nt ? Mr . Pa v los, he d o es not
ha v e v i si t or s.'
'I t h in k he'l l see - - - a l low m e t o see h i m .'
'You r na m e, m a d a m ?'
'M y n a m e i s m y na m e i s L u ci n d a .... ;
'M a d a m Lu ci nd a ? I w i l l t el l h i m .' H e op en ed t he d oo r w i d er . 'If y ou w i l l
st ep i n si d e?'
Sh e d i d so , r a i sin g a t r em b l i n g h a nd t o her l i p s. Wh a t h a d sh e d o ne? Th e
l ock cl i ck ed a n d she a ct u a l l y ju m p ed a t t he sou nd . A s t he m a n m ov ed a w a y
she st a r ed f a sci n a t ed ly a t t h e d oor . So m eh ow , t he si ght . o f t h a t clo sed , d oor g a v e
her a f eel i ng o f i m p end i n g d oom .
Pu t t i ng a f i r m check o n h er f ea r s, a n d d et er m i ned ly m a k i ng a n ef f or t t o
ga i n con t r ol o f h er f l u t t er i ng ner v es, Tessa l ook ed a r ou nd . It w a s v er y d a r k , f or
her e a l so t h e shu t t er s w er e u p a ga i nst t he w i n d o w s, b u t t hr ou g h t hem f i l t er ed
eno u gh l i gh t t o sh ow her t h e f u r n i sh i n gs o f t he ha l l . They w er e v er y sp a r se; j u st a
f ew cha i r s a n d a t a b l e. O n t h i s st oo d a hu g e v a se o f r oses, f i l li ng t he a ir w i t h t hei r
p er f u m e,
Foo t st ep s .... H er t r em b l i n g b eg a n a g a i n, f or t hese f oo t st ep s d id no t b el ong
t o t he m a n w h o h a d l et h er i nt o t he hou se. Sl o w l y , r el u ct a nt ly , sh e t u r n ed .
Pa u l . ...
Fr a m ed in t h e w i d e d oo r w a y he st ood t a l l a n d lea n a nd v er y d a r k . H e
w or e g r ey l i nen sl a ck s a nd a n op en neck ed sh i r t o f g lea m i ng w h i t e, t he sleev es
r o ll ed u p a b ov e h is elb ow s. Tessa lo ok ed a t h i s ey es a nd ca u ght her b r ea t h. Ju st
t h e sa m e. Exp r essi on l ess, o f cou r se ... b u t h ow od d i t w a s t h a t t hey cou l d a p p ea r
j u st t he sa m e, w it h t heir d a r k ness a n d d ep t h st r a n gel y a t v a r i a nce w i t h t h e g l a ze
t h a t now cov er ed t hem . l t seem ed i m p ossi b l e t ha t he cou l d not see. H er ga ze
sh i f t ed t o h i s ha n d s. One w a s a t h is si d e, t h e ot her hel d a st ick . M u ch o f t he sk i n
w a s d i scol ou r ed a nd Tessa t h ou g ht t ha t , w er e h i s sk i n w h it e, t h i s d i sco lo u r a t i on
w ou l d b e h i gh l y p r ono u nced . Bei ng na t u r a l l y d a r k , t h e b r ow n o f t h e d a m a ged
sk i n b l end ed , so t h a t t her e w a s not h i n g ev en u nsi g ht l y a b ou t h i s ha n d s, m u ch l ess
w er e t hey r ep u l si v e, a s L u ci n d a ha d i m p l i ed . N ev er t hel ess, it cou l d b e seen a t a
gl a nce t h a t h e h a d su f f er ed sev er e b u r n s a nd Tessa su sp ect ed t he ev i d en ce
w ou l d r em a i n f or t he r est o f h i s l i f e.
'Lu ci n d a .... '
Tha t b el ov ed v o ice!
'Pa u l , I'v e com e,a s y ou sa id I cou l d , t o a sk t o a sk ' Im p ossi b le! God , w ha t
shou l d she d o! Su ch a d ecep t io n w a s b ey o nd her , a n d h er i n st i nct w a s t o t u r n
a nd f lee. Bu t t ha t w ou l d b e t o o cr u el . 'Pa u l, I' m so sor r y , b u t I'm not '
'Sor r y .. ?' H i s v oi ce w a s q u i et , i n cr ed u l ou s ... a n d y et , w a t ch i n g hi s f a ce,
Tessa exp er i enced a n od d f eel i ng o f d a ng er . Wa s i t i m a g i na t i on, or ha d h i s v oi ce
b een ed g ed w i t h b i t t er n ess? H e sp ok e a g a i n, a n d i nst a n t l y t he i m p r essi o n w a s
d i sp ell ed . 'You 'v e com e b a ck t o m e?' A gr ea t si gh l ef t h i s l i p s, co m i ng so i t
seem ed t o Tessa , r i gh t f r om t he v er y h ea r t o f h i m . ' You 'v e com e b a ck t o a sk To
a sk w h a t , L u ci nd a ? Yo u d i d n't f in ish w h a t y ou w er e sa y i ng .'
Tessa cou l d n ei t her m ov e nor sp ea k , f or t h er e w a s a n u nr ea l i t y a b ou t t h e
sit u a t i o n w h i ch l ef t her w on d er i ng i f she w ou l d so on a w a k e f r om t h i s f a n t a st i c
d r ea m t o f i nd her sel f i n b ed , her p i l lo w d a m p , a s ha d h a p p en ed on so m a ny
occa sio ns d u r ing t he p a st t w o y ea r s.
'Wh y h a v e y ou co m e, L u cin d a ?'
'To a sk y o u r p a r d on. You sa i d y ou ' d f or g i v e m e.''
'I d i d sa y t ha t .' The m er est t r a ce o f a h esi t a t i on . 'A nd I m ea n t it .'
'You 'r e st i l l w i l l in g t o f or gi v e m e t o t a k e m e b a ck ?' Da zed b y t he w a y t he
w or d s now f el l w i t h ou t d i f f i cu l t y f r o m her l i p s, Tessa w a s a ga i n st r u ck b y t he
u nr ea l i t y of t he si t u a t i o n. It w a s a s i f so m eon e else w er e sp ea k i ng, or r a t her a s i f
som eo ne w er e p u t t in g t h e w or d s i nt o h er m ou t h .
'I' m w i l l i ng t o f or g iv e y ou , Lu ci nd a .' The v oice, a s st r ong a n d f i r m a s ev er ,
b u t g iv i ng t he i m p r essi on t ha t h e t oo w a s d a zed b y t hese ha p p eni ng s, ' I'v e
w a nt ed y ou t o com e b a ck t o m e ha v e ev en w i l led i t a t t i m esb u t I nev er r ea l ly
t h ou ght y ou w ou l d .' Uner r i ng l y he p u t h i s st i ck on a cha i r nea r b y , a nd t hen held
ou t h is h a nd s. 'My d ea r a nd b ea u t i f u l Lu ci nd a ! Let m e ho l d y ou i n m y a r m s.'
Tessa g a v e h i m her h a nd s, a nd he p u l l ed h er gent l y t o h i m . For t he f i r st
t i m e she t hr i l led t o h i s em b r a ce, r esp ond ed ea ger ly t o h is k i sses. W ha t d i d
a ny t h i n g m a t t er now ? Exu l t a t io n r ep l a ced ev er y o t her em ot i o n. She cou l d ca r r y
ou t t he d ecep t io n H a p p iness w a s h er s; a n d oh , how ha p p y she w ou l d m a k e
Pa u l ! H i s a f f l ict i on w a s t her e f or l i f e, b u t w i t h her l ov e she w ou l d sm oot h h is w a y ;
she w ou l d ' ca r e f o r h i m a n d t end h i m . H er ey es w o u ld he h i s. '
Bu t t ea r s lea p t t o t h em now , f or n ev er i n h er w i l d est i m a g i n i ng s h a d she
t h ou ght t o f i n d ha p p i ness su ch a s t h i s. A n d Pa u l, t ou ch i n g her f ea t u r es w it h
t end er g ent le f i ng er s, d i scov er ed t h ese t ea r s a n d sa id , 'Rem o r se, Lu ci n d a ?' a nd
she lea nt a w a y . Wha t w a s t h i s i n d ef i n a b l e t h i n g w h i ch b r o u g ht a st r a nge
d i sq u i et t o m a r h er m o m ent o f su p r em e j oy ? A s b ef o r e, it w a s in h i s v oi ce, a nd
som et hi ng m a d e her sa y , i n p l ea d i ng, f r ig ht en ed t on es, 'Yo u h a v e f o r gi v en m e,
Pa u l ? You ... st i l l l ov e m e?'
'I'v e f or g iv en y ou , m y d ea r est l ov e.' H i s l ip s f ou n d her s a nd h e t end er l y
k i ssed a w a y her f ea r s. 'W e' l l ha v e a w on d er f u l l i f e t o get her , Lu ci nd a . Ev er y t hi n g
i n t he p a st m u st b e f or got t en .'
'You 'r e so good O h, P a u l, how ca n y ou f o r g iv e so ea si l y ?' O nl y n o w d i d i t
st r ik e her how sw i f t ly he h a d d i sm i ssed t he t er r i b l e i nj u r y d one t o h i m b y
Lu cin d a , l ov i ng l y t a k i ng her b a ck w i t ho u t ev en o n e w o r d o f b l a m e or r ep r oa ch.
H ow he m u st l ov e her .
'If I d o n't f or g iv e, m y d a r l i n g, ho w ca n w e b e h a p p y ?' H is f i ng er s t r a v el l ed
ov er her f a ce, ca r essi n g her chi n a n d her ch eek s a n d h er m ou t h. She h eld her
b r ea t h . Bl in d p eop l e h a d a m ost sensi t i v e t ou ch ... w ou l d h e d i scov er how
d i f f er ent w er e her f ea t u r es f r om t hose l ov ely b o ne st r u ct u r es a nd cont o u r s t ha t
m a d e Lu cin d a w ha t she w a s? Bu t p r esent l y sh e r el a xed ; Pa u l w a s sm i l i ng a s h i s
f in g er s t ou ched her h a ir t h en ca r essed her ch eek . 'Yo u r t ea r s, m y sw eet , w ha t a r e
t h ey f o r ?' .
'I' m so ha p p y ,' she m u r m u r ed , p r essi n g cl ose a nd ho l d i n g hi m lo v i n g l y .
'You 'v e b een v er y u n h a p p y ?'
'Li f e h a s hel d n o m ea n i ng f or m e si nce I si n ce I w ent a w a y f r om y ou .'
'You cou l d h a v e com e soon er , y ou k now . It 's ov er a y ea r .' .
A t en se m om ent . Tessa ' s hea r t b ea t s q u ick ened u nco m f or t a b l y .. ' I ' d id n 't
t h i n k y ou 'd w a n t m e.'
'A f r a i d I d id n 't m ea n w ha t I h a d sa i d ? Bu t I d i d , m y lo v e. I w a nt ed y o u t o
co m e t o m or e t h a n a n y t hi n g i n t h e w o r l d I w a nt ed y ou t o b e m y w i f e.
Tessa clo sed her ey es. H o w cou l d Lu ci nd a ca st a w a y so gr ea t a lo v e? '
'I ca r e f o r y ou d ea r l y , Pa u l ' She hesit a t ed , ha v i n g d i f f i cu l t y i n f r a m i n g h er
next w or d s. ' I sw ea r , no m a t t er w h a t ha s h a p p ened , t ha t I'v e a l w a y s l ov ed y o u .
A nd I'l l sp end m y l i f e t r y in g t o m a k e u p f o r t he p a i n y ou 'v e su f f er ed .'
'I b el i ev e t ha t , Lu ci nd a . A n d I k no w y ou m u st lov e m e, t o co m e her e,
w i l l i n g l y t a k i n g o n a b l i nd m a n f or a hu sb a n d . Yes,' he m u r m u r ed so f t l y , so so f t ly
t h a t Tessa a l m ost lost t h e w o r d s. 'Yes, y ou r lov e f or m e
m u st b e v er y g r ea t .'
H e hel d her clo se, a nd a l l t he w h i l e h er con f i d ence gr ew . H e a d or ed h er ,
l a v i sh i ng on her h is t en d er k i sses a n d w or d s o f en d ea r m ent . Tessa w a s so
su b l i m el y ha p p y sh e cou l d ha v e st a y ed t h er e i n h i s a r m s f o r ev er . It d i d not seem
t o m a t t er t ha t a l l t hi s w a s r ea l ly f or Lu cin d a . O n m a k i n g h er d ecisio n she ha d
k no w n w ha t ev er sh e r eceiv ed f r om Pa u l w ou l d b e seco nd h a nd , b u t she d i d not
ca r e. She w a s w i t h h i m ; h e w a s her s t o cher ish a n d lov e a n d t o ser v e. Tessa
'w a nt ed n ot h i n g m or e t h a n t h is.
A s neit her d esi r ed t o w a st e a ny m o r e t i m e, t hey w er e t o b e m a r r ied on t he
Tu esd a y , l ess t ha n a w eek a f t er Tessa m a d e her f ir st a p p ea r a nce a t t he l ov el y
v i l la on t h e m ou nt a i nsi d e. The d a y s p r eced i ng t hei r m a r r ia g e w er e a r ev el a t i on
t o Tessa . Bef or e m eet i ng P a u l she ha d , l ik e ev er y ot her g ir l o f h er a ge, i m a g i ned
her sel f in l ov e, t r y in g t o f o r m a m ent a l p i ct u r e of t he ch a n ge w h i ch t h e a d v ent o f
a lo v er w ou l d b r i ng t o h er l i f e. Bu t t h i s w a s en cha n t m ent b ey ond her w i l d est
hop es a nd d r ea m s; she f el t su r e t ha t hea v en It sel f co u l d ho l d no gr ea t er b l i ss.
A l r ea d y she w a sseei n g f or h i m , a s t hey w a l k ed t o get h er i n t he ga r d ens or t oo k t o
t h e la n e b ey ond .
'Thi s i s good , Lu ci nd a , t o com e o u t .' It w a s A p r il a nd t he a i r sm el l ed f r esh ly
of r a i n. ' I'v e r a r ely b een ou t m u ch si nce com i n g t o Cy p r u s, Ta k i s i s not m u ch o f a
Gu i d e, I' m a f r a i d , so I'v e cont ent ed m y sel f w i t h si t t i ng i n t h e ga r d en.'
'Ther e's a gr a ssy b a nk her e, P a u l , b y a t i n y sp r i ng . Sha l l w e r est
a w h i l e?'She ha d b r ou g h t t heir l i g ht w eig ht m a ck i nt osh es, f or o n st a r t i n g ou t t her e
ha d b een cl ou d s, a n d t h ese she p u t d o w n on t he b a nk , one on t o p o f t he ot her . .
"The sp r i ng sou n d s ni ce. Is t her e m u ch w a t er com i n g f r om i t ?'
'N ot m u ch .' Tessa sa t d ow n b esi d e h i m a n d he t ook h er h a nd in h i s. ' It 's
co m i ng ou t o f t he m ou n t a i n si d e, a l l sp a r k l i n g i n t h e su n sh i ne, a n d q u i v er i n g l ik e
a si l v er r ib b on m o v ed b y t he b r eeze. A n d t he f l ow er s, P a u l, t h ey 'r e m a g ni f i cent . I
ha d no i d ea so m a ny w i ld f low er s gr ew her e.'
'The i sl a nd i s v er y r i ch i n f l ow er s.' A b sent l y he m ov ed h i s f in g er s ov er t he
b a ck o f h er h a nd . 'W ha t a r e t hese y ou ca n see?'
'I d on 't k now t he n a m es b u t t he slo p es a b o v e u s a r e cov er ed w it h p i nk
a nd w h i t e f lo w er sW a i t , I' l l g et y ou o ne.'
Sh e h a n d ed i t t o h i m , w a t ched h i s a l m o st t end er exa m i na t i o n o f i t s p et a ls
b ef or e he sa i d ,'Cy cl a m en, y ou 'l l see d r i f t s o f t hese o n t he m ou nt a i nsi d e nea r
Ka nt a r a Ca st l e. Per h a p s w e sh a l l go som e t i m e t hou gh I exp ect t hese f l ow er s w i l l
b e ov er b y t hen .'
'We'l l go next y ea r .' she sa i d ha p p i l y . Ther e w ou ld b e m a ny y ea r s f or t h em ,
w i t h a l l t h e t i m e i n t he w or ld i n w h ich t o exp l or e t he i sl a nd .
'Wh a t ot h er f lo w er s ca n y ou see'
Ther e w er e p op p i es i n p r of u sio n , gr ow in g i n t he f i eld s b el ow , a nd w i t h
t h em t he b r i l l i a nt chr y sa t hem u m s t h a t sp l a shed t hei r go l d b en ea t h t he m i st ed
gr een o f t he ol iv e t r ees. On t he si d e o f t he r o u gh u nev en la n e gr ew m a sses o f
d a i nt y p u r p l e b i nd w eed a nd t he d eep er , m or e b l u ish p u r p le a nchu sa .
'The co lou r s b l en d so w ell ,' she sa i d , o n d escr i b i n g t o h i m w ha t she cou ld
see. 'Bu t n a t u r e a l w a y s d oes
t h i n gs r i ght , d o esn't i t ?'
'Yes, Lu cind a , n a t u r e a l w a y s d oes t h i ngs r i gh t .
Sh e g l a n ced a t h i m , a l l a t t en t i on, b u t not hi n g w a s r ev ea l ed i n t h e f i r m l ine
of h is m ou t h t ha t cou l d in a ny w a y st r en gt hen t he i d ea she h a d g a i n ed t h a t h i s
v oi ce h eld a t o u ch o f cy n i ci sm . Yet it w a s a l m ost a s i f he ha d a d d ed ,
'It i s o n ly m a n w ho m a k es m i st a k es.' A n d w i t h t h a t he cou l d ha v e m ea nt
w om a n ....
'Pa u l ,' she sa i d u r gen t l y , ' I l ov e y ou v er y m u ch .'
'A nd I l ov e y ou , Lu ci n d a .' H e t u r n ed a nd r u b b ed h i s f a ce a g a i nst h er s; a l l
her w o r l d b eca m e r o sy a nd t he id ea o f h i s b ei ng cy n ica l w a s d i sp el led a s, r a i si ng
her ha nd , h e t ou ched i t w it h h is l i p s.
'Tel l m e so m e m or e, m y d a r l i ng .. Ca n y ou see t he sea ?'
'Yes, f a r d ow n b el ow u s. It 's a b ea u t i f u l t u r q u o i se cl ose t o t h e sh or e, b u t
t h en it sha d es t o a d a r k b lu e, w it h h er e a n d t her e a l i g ht er co lo u r w h ich I
i m a g i n e i s ca u sed b y t he r ef l ect i o n o f t h e cl ou d s i n t h e w a t er .'
'Ther e a r e clou d s ov er t he sea ?'
'They 'r e onl y sl end er w isp s o f cl ou d , a n d t h e b r i ll i a nt b l u e o f t he sk y i s f a r
m or e ev i d ent . Then f a r t her o u t st i l l i n t he sea , I m ea n t he b l u e b ecom es v i o l et
t i nt ed a sor t o f i nd igo , a n d t h en y ou get t he l ine w her e t h e sk y a n d sea m eet .
You ha v e n o i m p r essio n o f v a st w id t h, a n d cou l d a l m ost i m a g i ne i t ' w er e p o ssib l e
t o t hr o w a st o ne f r o m t he shor e t o t he h or i zon .'
'The sea a p p ea r s a s a na r r ow st r i p ?'
'In a w a y , y es a n d y et Ther e's a sh ip , a b ea u t if u l w h it e sh i p , Pa u l, a n d
t h i s o f cou r se g iv es y ou t he t r u e p er sp ect i v e a nd y ou r ea l ize ju st how v a st t h e sea
i s, f or t he sh ip a p p ea r s a s a m er e m a t ch b o x t o y ' She b r ok e o f f a s so m et h i ng
m ov ed b y t he st o ne a t Pa u l 's f eet . ' Oh , l oo k , t her e's a l i za r d !ju st a b o u t n i ne
i nches l on g '. Isn't i t b ea u t i f u l ly st r ea m l i n ed ? A n d t h a t g or g eou s col ou r o f g r een
w i t h su ch b ea u t i f u l m a r k i ngs, em er a l d a n d b r ow n W a t ch ... it 's cock i ng it s hea d
on one si d e t o t a k e a go od l oo k a t u s! Ther e, on t ha t st one b y y ou r f oot ca n y ou
see ... .'' H er v o ice b eca m e a w h i sp er a n d h er ha n d i n hi s q u i v er ed . 'P a u l , I- - '
'Yes, d a r l i n g, I ca n see i t . It 's go n e o n t h a t st one t o get t h e hea t .'
Sh e l ook ed a t h i m u ncer t a i nl y , b u t h e w a s sm i l i ng, ' It ' s st i l l w a t chi n g u s,' she
w h i sp er ed . Th ey sa t v er y st i ll , b u t p r esent l y t he l i za r d d a r t ed a w a y a nd t hey
b eg a n t o t a l k a ga i n . A f t er a w h i l e a not her a p p ea r ed a nd Tessa t o l d h i m a b o u t
i t . Di f f er ent f r o m t h e o t her i n a p p ea r a n ce, it w a s n ot nea r l y so a t t r a ct i v e ..
l ook i ng i n f a ct r a t her l ik e so m e p r eh ist o r i c m o n st er i n m i n i a t u r e. It w a s a t r ee
l iza r d , Pa u l i n f or m ed her . 'The f ir st w a s a g eck o ,' he w ent o n. 'They l ik e w a l l s or
hot st ones, b u t o f t en t hey com e i nt o t he h o u se.'
'They com e i n t h e h ou se?' A l t hou gh she o w ned t o t hei r a t t r a ct i v eness Tessa
ga v e a l i t t l e sh u d d er a t t he i d ea o f f i nd i ng one i n her b ed r oom .
'They 'r e v er y good t o h a v e in t he hou se; t h ey ea t a ll t he i n sect s.'
'The geck o, P a u l, he's b a ck H u sh, h er e's a not her !' ,
'I w a sn't m a k in g a so u nd ,' he r et u r ned w i t h a h i nt o f hu m ou r , a n d Tessa
l a u ghed .
'It 's I w ho a m d o i n g a l l t he t a l k i ng, isn't it ? H a v e y ou ha d su f f i ci ency o f m y
ch a t t er ?'
'You r v o ice i s l i k e m u si c, L u ci nd a . A n d a p a r t f r o m t h a t , y ou d escr i b e t h in g s
so b ea u t i f u l ly . You k now , d a r l i n g, I n ev er n ot i ced t h i s b ef or e.' H e p a u sed a n d
t h en a d d ed st r a n gel y , 'I w o nd er w hy ?'
Fea r t ou ched her hea r t .
'Bu t t her e w er en 't su ch i nt er est i ng t h ing s t o d escr i b e,' she ha st i l y r em in d ed
hi m , a nd t o her r el i ef he no d d ed hi s a gr eem ent .
'The su n' s b eg i n n i ng t o g o d o w n, m y lov e. Do y ou w a nt t o m o v e?'
'If y ou d o .' W ha t d i d it m a t t er w h er e she w a s so l ong a s she ha d Pa u l
b esi d e her ? 'Yo u 'r e not cold ?'
'N o, d ea r , I' m cer t a in ly no t col d . N ev er t hel ess, I t h i nk w e' l l m a k e f or hom e.
A cu p o f t ea w ou l d b e v er y w el com e.'
They r ose; Tessa p ick ed u p t he m a ck in t osh es, b u t Pa u l no w k new sh e h a d
t h em a n d h e t ook t hem f r om her . Then sh e hel d h i s ha n d a n d t oget her t hey
m a d e t h eir w a y a lon g t h e st ony t r a ck t ha t ser v ed a s a r oa d . It ha d b een cu t ou t
of t he m ou nt a i n si d e a nd t h er e w a s a sheer d r op t o Tessa 's lef t . W a lk i n g w a s sa f e,
she d eci d ed , b u t she f elt i t w ou l d b e q u i t e t er r if y i ng t o d r iv e a ca r ov er t hi s r o a d .
A nd y et she ha d seen o ne o r t w o ca r s, f or f a r t her a lo ng, t hou gh u n seen f r o m
Pa u l 's v i l l a , w a s t he ho u se of a r et i r ed Eng l ish b u sinessm a n . Pa u l ha d t o l d her t h i s
w hen she i n q u i r ed a b ou t t he ca r she h a d seen p a ssi ng .
'Fr i en d s v i si t h i m , so y o u 'l l see ot her ca r s,' h e ha d sa id .
'You d o n't h a v e h i m ca l l on y o u ?' she ha d a sk ed hesi t a nt l y .
'I ha v e n o v isit or s.' Th e f i r st sha r p not e She ha d hea r d si nce com in g , a nd
Tessa i nt end ed t o a v oi d a r ep et it i on . Ba si ca l ly Pa u l w a s st r o ng, w i t h a v i gor ou s
p er so na l it y a n d a n a ir o f a r r oga n ce a nd sel f - p ossessi on t ha t set h i m h i gh a b ov e
t h e or d i na r y r u n o f m en she h a d k now n . Bu t h i s b l in d ness m a d e hi m w ea k . To
b e d ep end en t on a not h er , t o ha v e a ssi st a nce w it h a l m ost ev er y l it t l e t a sk
a t t em p t ed .... In p r i v a t e, y es, f or t her e w a s no a lt er na t i v e, b u t Tessa cou l d w el l
u nd er st a n d w hy he a d m i t t ed no ou t si d er s t o h i s ho m e.
'You 'r e r ig ht a b ou t t h a t t ea , Pa u l . I' m f eel i ng q u i t e t h ir st y .'
'H a v e w e f a r t o go?'
'A b ou t h a l f a m i le st i l l . W e' l l b e hom e b ef o r e t he su n go es d o w n .'
'We ca n ha v e t ea o n t he v er a n d a h a n d y ou ca n d escr ib e t he su n set t o m e.'
Ta k is h a d t he t ea l a i d i n t he ha l l, a nd t he f r on t d oor w a s t hr o w n w i d e
op en, so t hey h a d t hei r t ea t her e, g o in g o u t on t o t he v er a nd a h a f t er w a r d s.'
'It 's si nk i ng,' she sa i d . st a n d i ng cl ose t o hi m a nd sl i p p i ng her a r m t hr ou gh
hi s. 'It 's a gr ea t f i er y b a l ly o u ca n q u i t e ea si l y i m a g i n e t he f l a m es h u nd r ed s o f
m i l es h ig h com i ng f r om it . A n d t he sk y ... It s cr i m so n a nd go l d a nd a m b er . A nd ,
t h e st r ea k s o f cl ou d a r e a b l a ze .... H ow q u i ck l y it goes; y ou ca n w a t ch i t m ov i ng .'
'. . A n d y et i t ' s r ea l l y w e w h o a r e m ov i ng .
'I f i nd i t d i f f icu l t t o i m a g i ne t ha t .' She p a u sed a s t he su n t ou ch ed t he r i m o f
t h e ea r t h . ' Pa r t o f i t ha s g one no w , Pa u l, so q u i ck l y i t h a s m ov ed . N o w t her e's
onl y ha l f ... .' W i t h i n m in u t es t he r em a i n in g cu r v e ha d su nk b el ow t he ho r i zon ,
l ea v i ng i t s t r a i l o f f i r e b eh i n d i t . 'Tha t 's t he l a st , u nt i l t om or r ow . Oh , b u t P a u l, t he
sk y ! Th er e's v io let in i t now , a n d v iv i d or a n ge Ri g ht a cr o ss i t i s, t h i s st r et ch o f
co lou r '.'
H e gent l y t ook her a r m f r o m h i s, so t ha t h e co u ld d r a w h er i nt o h i s
em b r a ce. W i t h a si gh o f sw eet cont en t m ent she lea nt her hea d a ga i n st hi s
shou l d er . For a l o ng w h i le t hey st ood t her e, ou t i n t h e so f t ev eni n g a ir , w it h a l l
a r ou nd t h em t h e p er f u m es o f f l o w er s m i n g l i ng w it h t he m or e h ea d y scent o f t he
l em on b lo ssom . A f a i nt b r eeze b lo w i ng d o w n f r om t he f r et t ed h ei gh t s o f t he
Ky r eni a Ra nge r u st led t he l ea v es o f t h e o l i v e a nd ca r ob t r ees; f r o m f a r b el ow
d r i f t ed t he m elo d io u s echo o f t h e cr i ck et s a n d o cca si on a l l y t he f r et f u l , p r ot est i n g
b r a y of a d o nk ey . Tessa f el t P a u l 's ha nd t o u ch in g her ha i r , a nd m ea su r in g i t s
l en gt h .
'You 'v e l et You r ha i r gr ow ,' h e com m ent ed . 'It ' s m u ch lo nger t ha n b ef or e. '
'The f a sh i on s cha n ge, Pa u l .'
'Yes, I su p p ose t hey d o.' A f a i nt sm i l e t ou ch ed h i s l i p s, a n d t hi s t i m e t her e
w a s no m i st a k i n g t he b i t t er n ess it held . ' It 's od d , b u t t he f a sh io n s w i l l a l w a y s b e a s
I k n ew t hem a y ea r a go . '
'N o d a r l i ng,' sh e t ol d hi m h a st i ly . ' I sh a l l d escr i b e t h em t o y ou .'
'Of cou r se y ou w i l l .' H e b ent a n d k i ssed her l i p s, a nd a f t er a l it t l e w h i l e t h ey
w ent i nsi d e. ' Rea d t o m e, m y l ov e,' h e r eq u est ed a s h e h ea r d her sna p on t he
l ig ht . Ju st f o r a shor t t i m e, a n d t hen I'l l g o t o b ed .'
'So ea r ly ?' Sh e lo ok ed a t h i m i n d i sm a y . Ev er y m o m ent a w a y f r om h i m
w a s w a st ed .
'You d o n't w a nt m e t o go ?' .
'If y ou 'r e t ir ed ... ',
'Rea d t o m e,' he sa i d a g a i n , a nd so engr o ssed d i d t hey b ot h b eco m e i n t he
b oo k t ha t i t w a s n i ne o'cl ock b ef or e Tessa excl a i m ed , ' Pa u l , d o y ou k no w w ha t
t i m e it i s?'
'N o, d a r l in g .' Bu t he h a d on a w a t ch o f b r a i l le a n d h is f i nger s w er e l i ght l y
r u nni ng ov er i t . ' Good gr a ci ou s, ho w it f l ies."
'Wo u ld y o u l i k e so m e su p p er ?'
'N ot m u ch, d ea r . Tel l Ta k is t o b r i n g m e a l i t t le w i ne, a n d a b i scu i t , t ha t 's
a l l .'
'It 's a b ea u t i f u l n i ght ,' sh e sa i d a s sh e ca m e b a ck f r om t he k i t chen . 'A s w e
m issed t ea on t h e v er a nd a h, sh a l l w e ha v e su p p er t her e ?'
'Tha t 's a g ood su g gest i on, L u ci nd a .'
They sa t o u t si d e, w i t h t he d a r k si l hou et t e of t he m ou nt a i ns b eh i nd , a nd
t h e in d ist i nct sw eep o f t he sea a w a y i n t h e f a r d i st a nce b el ow . Pa l m s st ir r ed i n
t h e so f t b a l m y a ir , l ook i ng l i k e gi ga n t i c sp i d er s a s t hei r f r ond s sw a y ed a ga i n st t he
m oon l i t v a u l t o f t h e sk y .
'The m oon's d i f f er ent h er e,' sa i d Tessa , ca r ef u l not t o r ev ea l t ha t sh e ha d
seen m a ny enor m ou s m oons d u r i ng her t r a v el s in t he Ea st . ' In Eng l a nd it 's m u ch
sm a l l er .'
'Ther e's a sp eci a l q u a l i t y t o i t h er e, so I'm t ol d .'
'Yes, i t 's l ik e a gr ea t d i sc o f b l u e ice a s i f it 's t he su n, b u t f r ozen . The l i g ht i ng
ef f ect of t he sk y s d i f f er ent t oo . Ther e's a sor t of sa p p h i r e g l o w , w hi ch a d d s t o
t h e i m p r essi on o f col d ness.' .
'H ow w el l y ou d escr i b e i t , L u ci nd a . I ca n see It a l l q u it e p l a in ly . It 's ...
d i st u r b i ng , r a t her , b eca u se t her e so m et hi n g p osit i v e a b ou t i t .' .
Sh e st a r ed a t hi m i n d i sb el i ef . Th a t w a s h er Im p r essi o n, H ow , w i t h ou t
w or d s, ha d she m a na g ed t o con v ey t h is t o Pa u l ?
H e d i d n ot a f t er a l l g o t o b ed ea r ly , f o r t h ey sa t ou t sid e u n t i l n ea r l y
m id n ig ht . A n d w hen a t la st t h ey w ent i nt o t he hou se, a n d lef t ea ch ot h er b y h i s
b ed r o om d o or , P a u l t ook her gent l y i n h i s a r m s a nd sa i d , 'Ju st a f ew hou r s, m y
d a r l i n g, a nd t h en y ou ' l l b e m in e.' H e k issed her w it h in f i ni t e t end er ness, y et w it h
a h i nt o f f er v ou r t ha t exci t ed her .
'Tha t 's a l l I w a nt , P a u l ... t o b e y ou r s.'
Sl eep el u d ed h er a nd a t t w o i n t he m or n i n g she w a s si t t i ng u p i n b ed ,
w r i t i ng t o h er f a t h er .
'I f eel I'v e b een t r a nsp or t ed i n t o hea v en,' she f i na l l y w r ot e. ' I' m so h a p p y
t h a t I'm f r ig h t en ed .'



CHAPTER III

TH E r ep ly ca m e t en d a y s la t er .'
I w ou l d m ost st r ong l y h a v e a d v i sed y o u t o r et u r n ho m e a t o nce, w r ot e her
f a t her a f t er exp r essin g h i s a m a zem ent a t t he new s she ha d so ca l m l y i m p a r t ed
t o h i m , b u t b y t he t i m e t h i s r ea ch es y ou t h e m o m ent ou s st ep w i ll h a v e b een
t a k en a n d ev en so, m y a d v i ce w ou l d not h a v e b een h eed ed , f o r I k now y ou
w ou l d d o a s y ou r hea r t d i ct a t es, r ega r d l ess o f t he conseq u ences. W el l , m y g i r l i e,
t h i s i s w ha t y ou h a v e w a nt ed si nce t h e d a y y o u m et Pa u l, a nd I o nl y hop e a n d
p r a y t ha t f r om no w o n y ou w i l l k now com p l et e f u l f i l m en t of y ou r hea r t 's d esi r e. I
m u st sa y t h a t Pa u l 's q u i ck f o r gi v en ess o f t h e w r ong d one t o h i m , a nd h i s r ea d y
a ccep t a nce o f y ou ( o r I su p p ose I sho u ld sa y Lu ci n d a ) , a s h i s w i f e st a gger s m e. A s
y ou k n ow , I l i v ed f or a w hi l e in Gr eece w h en I w a s a y ou t h , a n d I ha d u n t i l now
b el i ev ed i n m y a b i l it y t o r ea d t he cha r a ct er of t he a v er a ge Gr eek . W i t h P a u l I
a l w a y s su sp ect ed t he p r esence o f so m e i nh er ent st r ea k o f p r i m i t i v e cr u el t y
b en ea t h t h a t v en eer o f West er n cu lt u r e h e h a d a cq u i r ed t hr o u gh l i v i ng so l o ng
i n ou r co u nt r y . I cou l d m o r e ea si ly ha v e seen hi s a s t he m er ci less a v en ger ,
d ev isi n g so m e f i end i sh p lo t t o p u ni sh L u ci n d a . H o w ev er , f r o m y ou r g l ow i n g
a ccou nt of t h e w a y h e r eceiv ed y ou t h i s i s not so, a nd y ou r f u t u r e seem s t o b e
ensu r ed . W r i t e a ga i n soon, m y d a r l in g a n d b e h a p p y a l w a y s. Rem em b er m e t o
Pa u l .
Rev enge ... p u ni sh m en t ? Tess h a d t o sm i l e, f or not h in g cou l d b e f a r t her
f r om her hu sb a n d s m i n d . They ha d b een m a r r i ed f or ov er a w eek ; n o b r i d e h a d
ev er b een m or e glo w i ng , no b r i d eg r oom m or e t en d er , no ho ney m oon m or e
p er f ect . . .
They ha d b een g a y , a b a n d o ned , ea ch gi v i ng gen er ou sly , su p p ly i ng t he
need s o f t he ot her . For Tessa , w h a t h a d go ne b ef or e, t he d esp a ir a nd t he
hea r t a che, t he ev er p r esent k no w l ed g e t h a t P a u l l ov ed her si st er , a l l t hi s ha d
d i sso l v ed a s sw i f t l y a s a d r ea m on t he a w a k eni ng , a n d sh e a ccep t ed w ha t w a s
of f er ed , ca ged , y et g r a t ef u l l y , a n d w i t h a b sol u t e t r u st a nd conf i d ence i n h er
hu sb a n d 's l ov e. For h is p a r t he w a s In t u r n t ea si ng a nd gr a v e, st er n a n d
i n d u l gent , b u t ev er t he t end er gent l e l ov er , d et er m i ned t o r a i se her h ig h i nt o t he
r ea l m s o f r a p t u r e, t o p r esent t o her a v i si o n o f d el i g ht s i n st o r e,
Rev enge .... H er f a t her ha d su ch od d i d ea s a t t i m es. A n ew b ea u t y ha d
co m e t o Tessa d u r i n g , t h i s i d y l l ic p er i od , a b ea u t y b o r n o f f u l f i l m ent o f d esi r e,
a nd t he su r e k now l ed ge o f b ei ng cher i shed b y t he one sh e lov ed . Tr u e, in t he od d
m o m ent o f r ef lect ion she w ou l d f a ce t he f a ct t h a t a l l t h i s w a s i nt end ed f or
Lu cin d a , b u t t o her su r p r i se she ha d no d i f f icu l t y i n ca st in g i t a si d e a nd
co nt i nu i ng her g a m e o f su b l i m e p r et ence.
'Sw eet hea r t , w her e sha l l w e go t o d a y ?' Pa u l w ou ld a sk o v er b r ea k f a st ,
w h i ch w a s u su a l ly l a i d o u t on t he v er a n d a h, v er y ea r l y in t he m or ni ng, f or t h e
su n w a s u p a t f i v e t h ir t y a n d w i t hi n a m a t t er of m i n u t es ev er y t hi ng w a s go l d en .
They w o u l d h a v e a d i scu ssi on a nd , t h e d eci si on m a d e, P a u l w ou l d r i n g f or a t a xi
w h i ch w ou l d b e u p f r o m Ky r eni a i n j u st ov er ha l f a n h ou r . .
On t he d a y she r ecei v ed her f a t her 's let t er Tessa w a s a f ew m i nu t es l a t e f or
b r ea k f a st . P a u l ca m e t o seek her , f i nd in g her i n t he si t t i ng r oom .
'A r e y o u t her e, d a r l in g ?' H i s v o ice t hr i l l ed h er , a s she k new it a lw a y s w o u ld .
Sh e t w ist ed r ou nd a nd her ey es w er e so f t w i t h a d or a t io n. Pa u l w a s t a p p in g t h e
l eg s o f a cha i r w it h h i s st ick .
'Yes, I'm her e. I w a s j u st com i ng . You w a n t som et h i n g '
'On ly m y b ea u t i f u l w i f e.' H e sa t d ow n on t he ch a ir , sm i l i n g a n d f a ci ng her
d i r ect i on .
'I'v e j u st h a d a l et t er f r om Fa t her ,' sh e sa i d w i t hou t st op p ing t o t hi nk .
'Ta k i s b r ou ght i t u p l a st ni g ht , b u t w e'd g o ne t o b ed , so h e g a v e it t o m e t h i s
m or n ing .' Bel la p a i s d id not h a v e a p ost m a n, a n d a l l l et t er s ' w er e l ef t a t t he ca f e
b y t he A b b ey a nd h a d t o b e p ick ed u p f r om t her e. 'Fa t her w i sh es t o b e
r em em b er ed t o y ou .'
'Tha t 's n i ce o f h i m . A r e y ou g o i n g t o r ea d t he l et t er t o m e?'
The q u est io n she ha d f ea r ed .
'Yes ... .' H er ey es f li ck er ed ov er t h e p a ge. She i n v ent ed m u ch, b u t r ea d
t h e end .
'You r f u t u r e seem s t o b e en su r ed .' he echo ed so f t l y .
'Ou r f u t u r e, d ea r est .' She m o v ed t o st a n d b esi d e h i s cha ir . H e sou ght her
ha n d a n d p u t it t o hi s cheek . ' It ' s goi ng t o b e a w o nd er f u l f u t u r e, Pa u l .' H e
r em a ined o d d l y si lent a n d sh e w ent o n, a n ea ger n ot e en t er i n g h er v oi ce, 'Wh a t
w ou l d y ou l ik e t o' d o t od a y W e cou l d go f or a sw im i f y ou t h i nk i t 's w a r m
eno u gh or p er h a p s y ou 'd l ik e t o d o t ha t shop p in g y ou w er e sp ea k i n g a b ou t ?'
'Yes, I w ou l d . W e' l l get Ky p r o s t o d r iv e u s t o N i cosia .'
They t ook t he new r oa d t hr o u gh a p a ss i n t h e ext r em e w est er n t i p o f t h e
Ky r eni a m o u nt a in s. Tessa t a l k ed a s t h ey w ent a l o n g, d escr ib in g t he cha n ge o f
scener y f r o m t he sem i r u g ged f o ot hi l ls t o t he l ow a nd u n d u l a t in g p l a i n, g o ld en
w i t h r i p e co r n a nd b or d er ed w i t h a b r i l l ia nce o f col ou r a s t he w i l d f l ow er s
b l oo m ed , a ll a lo n g t he sid es o f t he r oa d .
In N i co si a t hey shop p ed i n Led r a St r eet , t o ok a n Eng l i sh l u nch a t a sm a l l
hot el a n d t hen , a f t er a w a l k in t h e o ld p a r t of t he ci t y , w her e Tessa d escr ib ed t he
hon ey col ou r ed m u d h ou ses, w i t h t hei r p i ct u r esq u e cou r t y a r d s sha d ed b y
cy p r esses a n d p a l m s, t hey w en t b a ck t o w her e Ky p r os w a i t ed w i t h t h e t a xi a nd
he d r ov e t h em ho m e b y t h e sa m e r o u t e a s t hey ca m e.
'Ti r ed , d a r l i n g' Pa u l 's a nxi ou s v o ice a w ok e Tessa f r om her r ev er ie. It w a s
l a t er t h e sa m e a f t er no on a nd t hey w er e o u t i n t h e g a r d en, sit t i n g i n d eck cha i r s,
a nd t he on l y sou n d s w er e t he d i st a nt echo o f sheep b el l s a nd a n occa sio n a l d r one
of a n i n sect . Fr o m t h e t er r a ced g a r d en ca m e t he scent o f r oses; t h i s m i n g l ed
i nt o xi ca t i ng l y w i t h t he p er f u m e f r om t he ol ea nd er b u sh es w h i ch f or m ed a t h i ck
hed ge b et w een t he gr ou n d s o f t he v il l a p r op er a nd t h e l em o n gr ov es b ey on d .
These b el on g ed t o P a u l , a s d i d t he o l i v e gr ov es a n d t he sev er a l cor nf iel d s o n t he
f la t t er , m or e p r od u ct i v e l a nd f a r b el o w ,
'N o, j u st cont ent a n d v er y ha p p y .' .
'Ver y h a p p y .' H e m u sed o n t hi s. 'Tel l m e, L u cind a .' d o y ou t h i nk y o u 'v e
r ea ched t he p i na cl e o f h a p p i ness?
A st r a ng e q u est i on, she t h ou g ht , b u t cou l d not ha v e exp l a i ned w hy .
'Thi s m u st b e t h e p i n na cle,' she a nsw er ed sof t l y , loo k in g d ow n a t her
slen d er b r ow n l egs a nd t h ink i ng f or a second of Lu ci n d a 's f a i r a n d d el ica t e sk i n .
'Su r el y i t 's n ot p ossi b l e t o r i se h ig h er t ha n t hi s, Pa u l ?'
Rea ch i n g ou t he ga v e t he si l ent o r d er f or h er t o t a k e 'ho l d o f hi s ha nd .
'N o h i g her ... so y ou ha v e i nd eed r ea ched t he su p r em e hei g ht s?' H e
seem ed f a r a w a y a l l a t once, a nd h i s h ea d t u r ned t o t he r ock y p ea k on w hi ch
w a s b u i l t t h e a nci ent ca st le o f St . H il a r io n .
Fol l ow in g t h e d i r ect i on i n w h i ch h i s h ea d w a s t u r ned , Tessa sa w a
m ov em en t a m er e f l a sh a s i f so m et hi n g
ha d d a r t ed b eh i nd t he m ou nt a i n . Ea g l es soa r ed a nd t u r ned a b ov e t hese
p ea k s, she k new , a n d f o r som e q u i t e i nexp l i ca b le r ea son she f ou nd her sel f
end ea v ou r i ng t o r eca l l t he w or d s o f a p oem she h a d on ce r ea d , l o ng a go, w hen
she w a s a t school , Sh e cou l d r em em b er o n l y t he en d .'' ... a nd a l l i s st i l l , sa v e w hen
t h e t a l oned ea g le sw oop s a n d g a t her s t o It s d oo m t he gent l e p r ey .'
A sh i v er p a ssed t h r ou g h h er w hol e b o d y a nd , sl i p p i n g her b a n d o u t o f
Pa u l 's, she r ose f r om her ch a i r . ' It 's co ld , Pa u l , d r ea d f u l l y co l d '
'Col d ?' he echo ed d isb el i ev i ng l y . 'You 'r e col d ?'
Sh e st o od t her e, l oo k i n g d o w n a t h i m , b ew i l d er ed , a nd q u it e u na b l e t o
a ccou nt f or t h e f ea r t h a t en gu l f ed her .
'I .. .'' Ev en b r ea t h in g seem ed d i f f i cu l t . 'I ju st f elt - f el t ch i l l y . I' l l go a n d p u t
som et hi ng on .'
'Bu t , d a r l i n g.'' he sa i d u r gent ly , 'i s a ny t h i n g w r ong? Yo u ca n t , p ossib ly
b ecol d . W hy , I w a s j u st a b ou t t o st r ip o f f ! H e w or e sl a ck s a nd a sho r t sleev ed
sh ir t ; Tessa on t h e o t her h a n d w or e o n ly sh or t s a n d a v er y b r ief su n t op . Bu t u nt i l
t h i s m o m en t she ha d f el t q u i t e w a r m - t o w a r m i n f a ct , f or t he t em p er a t u r e w a s
i n t he ei ght ies."
'I' m w a r m er no w ; it 's gone w ha t ev er i t w a s.'
Pa u l ha d r i sen a nd i nst i nct i v el y she m ov ed t ow a r d s h i m . Sen si ng her
nea r ness, he t o ok her i n h is a r m s.
'M y d a r l i n g, w ha t i s i t ?' H e b ent h i s d a r k h ea d a n d k issed her l i p s. 'You
d on 't a p p ea r t o b e col d , m y lo v e.' H i s h a n d s sl id ca r essi ng ly f r om her so f t b r ow n
shou l d er s t o t he slen d er cu r v e of her w a i st . 'You f eel b ea u t i f u l a nd w a r m .'
'I' m a ll r i ght no w ,' she q u i v er ed , snu g g l i ng t o h im , a s i f t o seek h i s
p r ot ect i on f r o m ... she k new not w ha t . ' So m et i m es y ou sh iv er , d on't y ou ? f or
a p p a r ent l y n o r ea son a t a l l .'
'Som et i m es, d a r l i ng ,' he a gr eed , a n d h el d her v er y d ose. 'You 'r e su r e y ou 'r e
f eel i n g b et t er no w ?'
Sh e m u r m u r ed 'y es,' a nd p u t her cheek t o hi s. H o w co ncer ned he w a s f or
her ! Cou l d a ny one ev er ha v e a m or e l ov i n g hu sb a nd ?
A f t er a l it t l e w h i le he r el ea sed her a nd w ent i n d o or s t o cha nge. She
w a t ched h i m w i t h h i s st i ck , ca r ef u l l y g u i d i n g h i m sel f , t ou ch in g t he f a m i l i a r
ob j ect s, t h e t r u nk of t h e f i g t r ee t h a t g a v e t hem sh a d e, t h e t a l l p a l m a n d t h en
t h e a l m on d t r ee. The l ow w a l l , a n d a f t er t ha t t h e scent o f t h e l o ng r ow o f
ol ea nd er s w o u ld a ct a s a gu i d e. Then t h e st ep s o f t he v er a n d a h a nd f in a l l y one
of t he co l u m n s su p p or t i ng i t s r oof , a nd a r o u nd w hi ch a v i n e t w i st ed it s w a y u p t o
t h e b a l cony a b o v e w her e i t cl u ng t o t he su p p or t s p r ov i d ed f or i t .
To b e b l i n d .,. Tessa cl osed h er ey es a n d t r i ed t o i m a g ine w ha t it m u st b e
l ik e. D a r k ness a l w a y s d a r k n ess f or t he r est of one's l i f e. She op en ed her ey es
sw i f t l y a nd f el t t he d a m p ness on her l a shes. Th e su n sh one on t he g a r d en, on t h e
f low er s a n d t r ees a n d on t h e m a gn i f i cent w h i t e, v i l la . Ev er y w her e t her e w a s l ig ht
... ,
Sh e sa t d ow n a ga i n, q u i t e w a r m no w , a n d w a t ched t he d oor f or Pa u l t o
co m e ou t . H e a p p ea r ed , a nd her hea r t w a s f i l led w i t h co m p a ssio n a s, o nce
a ga i n, he ca r ef u l l y g u i d ed h i m sel f w i t h h i s st i ck .
If on l y t he a cci d ent h a d nev er ha p p en ed ... i f on l y L u cin d a h a d n ot
t o u ched t ha t w heel . If ... Th en she, Tessa , w ou l d n ot b e her e; she w ou l d nev er
ha v e k no w n t he b l i ss o f t he l a st t w o w eek s f or hea v en h a d b een her s f r om t he
v er y m om ent o f h er a r r i v a l , a l m o st , a s Pa u l i n h i s i n f i ni t e g ener osi t y h a d b een
sw i f t t o f or giv e, a n d t o f or get t h e w r on g d one t o h i m . Yes, i t w a s on l y b eca u se
Pa u l w a s b l i nd t ha t he w a s her s ....
La t er t hey w a l k ed a l on g t he l a ne, i n t he coo l o f t he ev en ing , t a k in g
a d v a nt a g e o f t h a t encha nt in g , b u t a l l t oo f l eet i n g, ho u r b et w een su nd ow n a n d
t h e f a l l o f n ig ht . The cl ea r cr y st a l l i ne q u a l i t y of t h e a ir P a u l co u ld a p p r ecia t e f or
hi m sel f t h e g l o w r ef l ect ed i n t he d ep t h o f t he sk y w a s so m et h i n g t ha t h a d t o b e
d escr ib ed t o h i m .
'It 's m a g ica l !' she excl a i m ed , a nd i nst i nct iv ely t hey b ot h st op p ed . 'W i t h t h e
hor i zon on f i r e a nd a gr ea t a r c of t he sk y t i nt ed w i t h or a nge a nd b r onze. A n d
t h e l i t t le w h i t e clo u d s a r e ed g ed a l l r ou nd w it h cr i m so n, w hi l e t he t h in n er , w i sp y
cl ou d s lo ok li k e st r ea k s o f t r a n slu cent go l d b u t o h, t hey 'r e cha ng i ng t o v io l et
now , t hou gh t her e's st i l l a sheen o f b r o nze on t he hor i zo n . ... It ' s m a g ica l ,' she
b r ea t hed a g a i n, a n d a s Pa u l m a d e no co m m ent . she a sk ed a nxi ou sly , 'Ca n y ou
i m a g i n e i t , d a r l i ng?'
'I ca n see i t ,' he a n sw er ed in a f a i nt ly a w ed a n d b ew i ld er ed t on e. 'H o w
d i d I m i ss t h is w on d er f u l a b i l i t y y ou ha v e? I nev er r ea l ized it exi st ed .'
Tessa 's p u l se f l u t t er ed . 'A b i l it y ?'
'To d escr ib e t h i ngs so p er f ect l y . A s I sa i d , I ca n see t he su nset .' A f r ow n
a p p ea r ed b et w een h i s ey es; h e seem ed m o st p u zzl ed a s he op ened h i s m ou t h t o
sp ea k a ga i n.
Bu t su d d en ly t he hu sh w a s b r ok en, a n d Tessa excl a i m ed , ea ger ly gr a sp in g
t h e op p or t u ni t y o f cha ng i n g t he su b j ect ,'Li st en, P a u l , t h e sheep b ell s! '
Fr om a f a r , ech oin g a cr o ss t he v a st m ou nt a i n st i l l n ess, f lo a t ed t he t i nk l i ng
m u si c o f t he sh eep b el l s, clea r a nd sw eet o n t h e .. .t w i l i g ht a i r .
'Wo nd er f u l .' H i s st r on g f i nger s t i ght ened t h ei r ho l d on her ha n d . 'Ther e a r e
f ew sou n d s m o r e p l ea si ng t ha n t h o se l it t l e b el l s. Do y o u k no w , Lu cin d a , t h a t
sou nd m igh t b e com i n g t o u s f r om a v er y gr ea t d ist a n ce, b eca u se o f t he
excep t io na l cla r i t y o f t he a i r i n t hese m ou n t a i n s,'
They st ood li st en i ng f or a lo ng w h i l e, t hen t u r ned a nd m a d e f or ho m e.
'Wh er e sh a l l w e go t od a y , Pa u l ?' They w er e ha v i n g b r ea k f a st ; i t w a s t he
d a y a f t er t heir v i sit t o N icosi a a n d Tessa a sk ed t h e q u est i on hesit a nt ly ,
w ond er i ng i f Pa u l w ou l d p r ef er t o ha v e a d a y a t h o m e.
'Som ew her e not t oo f a r a w a y ; Co m e, Lu ci nd a , y ou m a k e a su g gest i on f or
a cha n ge,'
'Wel l ... i f y ou d o n't w a nt t o go f a r , p er h a p s a sw i m ?'
'A sp l end i d id ea . W h a t a b o u t t he b ea ch t o t he w est o f Ky r en i a ? 'We'Il f i n d
a sa u d y cov e a n d h a v e it a l l t o ou r sel v es .. '
Tessa a g r eed , sa y i ng she w ou l d t elep ho ne f or a t a xi . 'Ky p r os w i l l b e her e i n
ha l f a n ho u r ,' she in f or m ed Pa u l on r et u r ni ng t o t he r oom . H e no d d ed a n d sa id
t h ou ght f u l l y , 'W e m u st ha v e a ca r , Lu ci nd a . It 's a g oo d t h i ng y ou
ca n d r i v e.' .
'A ca r ?' Sh e h a d d r i v en o n som e r ou gh r oa d s, b u t so m ehow sh e f el t t h e
r esp o nsi b i l i t y o f h a v i ng Pa u l w i t h h er , on t hi s na r r o w t r a ck cu t i n t he
m ou nt a i nsi d e, w i t h i t s sheer d r op on one si d e, w ou l d m a k e her ext r em el y
ner v ou s. 'The r oa d ' s no t v er y g ood , P a u l.'
'Ot her ca r s u se i t .' H e m a d e a sw i f t i m p a t i en t g est u r e a s i f w a v i n g a w a y
her p r ot est a s ch il d i sh . 'Yo u ' ll get u sed t o i t .' Th er e w a s a cu r t ed g e t o hi s v o i ce,
she t hou ght , a t i ny l i ne a p p ea r i ng b et w een h er ey es. Bu t she soon d i sm i ssed t he
i d ea , chi d i n g h er sel f f or ' i m a gi ni ng t h in gs.
'Yes, I exp ect y ou 'r e r ig ht . It 'l l b e m u ch m o r e econom i ca l t o ha v e ou r o w n
ca r , f or t hese t a xi f a r es m u st
b e m ou nt i n g u p shock i n g ly . I d o n't ' k n ow ho w m u ch w e ow e t o Ky p r os
a l r ea d y .'
'Don't t r ou b l e y ou r lov el y h ea d a b ou t i t . One o n l y h a s t o w a l k w hen o ne
ha sn't t h e m on ey t o p a y .'
They d r ov e d ow n f r o m t h e m ou nt a i n u nd er a b r i ll i a nt su n, w i t h t he si d es
of t he r o a d a r io t o f co lou r a nd t he sk y l i ne now a nd t hen f r i n ged w i t h p a l m s.
H i gh in t he hea v ens, a b ov e t he r ock y cr a gs, a n ea g l e t u r ned , t hen g li d ed l ik e a
sha d ow i n t he sk y .
'Wh a t ca n y o u see?' a sk ed Pa u l i n gen t l e, t end er t ones.
'We'r e com i ng t o Bel l a p a i s no w .'
'A h y es, t h a t m a g n i f i cen t Got h ic r u i n . Tel l m e a b ou t it .'
'It 's b r o w n sa n d st on e v er y W ea t her ed , b u t t he a r ches st a n d i ng ou t a g a i n st
t h e b lu e sk y a r e so b ea u t if u l . A n d i n t h e g a r d en s a r e t he t a ll est , st r a i g ht est
cy p r ess t r ees y ou ev er sa w .'
'You w a nt t o st o p ?' Ky p r o s sl ow ed d ow n a s he w a i t ed f or Pa u l 's a n sw er .
'For a m o m ent or t w o, p er ha p s.' .
Ky p r os d r ew on t o t h e f r ont o f t he ca f e. A s u su a l m en w er e sit t i n g a b ou t a t
t h e t a b l es, p l a y i n g t r ik t r a k , w it h t he l o ser b u y i ng t h e d r i nk s, w h i ch w a s
i nv a r i a b ly Tu r k i sh cof f ee ser v ed i n m inu t e cu p s a n d a ccom p a n i ed b y a g la ss of
i ced w a t er . Ju st a cr oss, t he A b b ey g r ou n d s w er e a b l a ze o f col ou r , a n d b en ea t h
i t s a n ci ent w a l l s t he f a m ou s 'Tr ee o f Id leness' g a v e w el com e sh a d e f or b ot h t he
l oca l s a n d t he f ew t ou r i st s w ho w er e v i si t i n g t h i s q u a i nt w h it ew a sh ed v i l l a ge.
The t h i r t eent h cent u r y chu r ch w a s now u sed b y t he v i l l a g er s, ha v i ng b een
a d a p t ed f or t h e Gr eek r it e, a n d Pa u l sa id t h ey w ou l d a t t end t he ser v ice o n
Ea st er Da y . 'You w o n't u nd er st a n d i t , b u t y o u 'll f i nd , i t i nt er est i n g. P a r t o f t he
ser v i ce i s cond u ct ed ou t si d e t he chu r ch, w i t h t he co ngr ega t i on ho ld i ng l ig h t ed
ca nd l es.'. .
'Bu t su p p ose it r a i n s?' she sa i d o n a q u est i o ni ng not e.
'It d oesn't .' Pa u l g a v e a l i t t l e l a u g h a n d Tessa ca u g ht her b r ea t h. H ow
a t t r a ct iv e h e w a s! W ou l d sh e a l w a y s b e so t hr i l l ed b y h i s la u g h or hi s sm i l e? 'The
onl y t h ing y ou h a v e t o w or r y a b o u t i s k eep i n g y ou r ca n d l e a l i g ht .'
The r oa d f a r t h er d o w n w a s l i n ed w it h ca r o b t r ees, a nd b enea t h w a s a sea
of cr i m son a n d go l d a s w a v es o f d el i ca t e p op p y hea d s sp l a sh ed t hei r p r of u si o n o f
co lou r a m on g a m u lt i t u d e o f l ess d el i ca t e b u t eq u a l l y b ea u t i f u l
ch r y sa nt hem u m s.
'It 's t he ha r m ony o f col ou r t h a t t a k es y o u r b r ea t h a w a y ,' Tessa sa i d , a f t er
d escr ib in g i t a l l t o h er hu sb a n d . 'O h, P a u l , t he la m b s t hey 'r e so t i ny , a nd
seek in g f or t hei r m o t her 's m i l k a l l t he t im e! A n d t h e go a t s ... t hey 'r e w i t h t h e
sa m e shep h er d , b u t k eep sep a r a t e f r o m t h e sheep . I w on d er w hy ?' .
'Pr ob a b l y consid er t h em sel v es a cu t a b ov e t he sheep ,' ca m e t he t ea si ng
r ep l y f r o m Pa u l , a n d Tessa la u g hed . They slo w ed d o w n t o p a ss a p ea sa n t on a
d on k ey , p r oceed in g a t a l ei su r el y p a ce a n d Tessa w a s r em i nd ed of Ma r ou l a ' s
i n j u nct io n, slow l y , sl o w ly .
'They m a k e su ch a co m i ca l p ict u r e, w h en v i ew ed f r o m b eh i n d b eca u se o f
t h e sha p e o f t h e d o nk ey , t he m a n a nd t h e t w o gr ea t p a nn i er s. w h ich a l w a y s
seem t o b e f i l led w i t h t w i g s a n d b r u sh w oo d .' The sea sp a r k l ed d o w n b el ow t hem
a nd Tessa h ea v ed a gr ea t sig h o f cont ent m ent . 'It ' s w on d er f u l , Pa u l , . ,'
H e p a u sed b ef or e r esp on d i ng a nd sh e t u r n ed her h ea d t o l ook a t h i m .
Cou l d i t b e i m a g i na t io n, or w a s t her e a f l eet in g cu r v e o f t r iu m p h o n h i s l ip s? H i s
w or d s how ev er , hel d a ll t he f a m i l ia r t en d er n ess a s he ech oed so f t ly ,
'You 'r e r ig ht , m y b ea u t i f u l w i f e it ' s w ond er f u l .' Tessa cont in u ed t o l ook a t
hi m , b u t he w a s sm i l i n g a n d t ha t i nd ef i na b l e so m et h i ng w hi ch ha d p r od u ced a
m o m ent o f st r a ng e u nea si ness d isa p p ea r ed a s sw i f t l y a s i t h a d co m e. She
r ea ched f or h i s h a nd , f el t it s t end er ca r ess, a nd her hea r t w a s f i l led t o t he b r i m
w i t h con t ent m ent a nd w a r m t h .
A f t er cha n gi ng i n one o f t he b a t t er ed b ea ch h u t s on t he cl i f f s t hey ha d a
l a zy hou r o n t he ho t sa n d b ef or e go i n g in t o t h e w a t er .' P a u l m a d e no r eq u est ,
b u t Tessa k new he exp ect ed her t o r em a i n clo se b esi d e h i m . Th i s w a s t he seco nd
occa sio n o n w h i ch t h ey h a d gon e int o t he sea , a nd Tessa exp er i enced a sen se o f
ha p p i ness a n d g r a t i f i ca t ion t ha t w i t h her h el p he w a s a b le on ce a ga i n t o en joy
hi s sw i m m i n g , w h i ch sh e k n ew h e l ov ed b eca u se he a nd Lu cin d a h a d sp en t a
goo d d ea l o f t hei r t i m e i n t he p oo l nea r t h ei r ho m e.
'We'l l co m e o u t no w ,' he sa i d , a nd she m er el y ca r r ied o n a co nv er sa t i on a s
t h ey m a d e f or t he shor e.
Sh e p a ssed h i m a t ow el , w a t ch i n g h i m a s h e d r i ed h i s f a ce, t hen h i s a r m s
a nd l eg s, a n d l a st l y , h i s h a i r . It w a s jet b la ck , a nd n or m a l ly i t w a v ed a w a y f r o m
hi s f or ehea d . Bu t no w i t cu r led , f a l l i ng on t o h i s b r ow a n d m a k i ng h i m a p p ea r
a t t r a ct iv ely y o u n g a nd , so m eho w , m u ch m or e ca r ef r ee t ha n she ha d ev er seen
hi m . .
'It w a s m a r v el l ou s i n t h a t w a t er .' She l ook ed o u t t o t he in d ist i nct sm u d ge
of t he hor izon. 'Th er e's a t er r i f i c hea t h a ze ov er t he sea , a n d t h e co lou r i s
ch a ng i n g a l l t h e w hi l e. It ' s t u r q u oi se a n d i n d i go a nd p u r p l e a nd t ha t sor t o f
si l v er y w h it e I w a s t el l i ng y ou a b o u t . I su p p ose t he co lou r 's d i f f er ent t od a y
b eca u se t he sk y 's a m u ch d eep er b l u e t ha n u su a l .'
Pa u l la y b a ck o n t he sa nd , h i s h a n d s f o l d ed b eh i n d h i s hea d . So sli m , a n d
y et g iv in g t he i m p r essi on o f gr ea t m u scu l a r st r engt h; so b r ow n, b u t i t seem ed t o
b e t he r esu l t o f exp o su r e r a t her t h a n t he n a t u r a l colou r of h i s sk i n. A nd t hen
Tessa r ea l i zed w it h a sen se o f su r p r i se t h a t Pa u l h a d n ot b een n ea r l y so d a r k
w hen she ha d k now n h i m i n En g l a n d .
'I exp ect I sha l l soon b e b r ow n,' she r em a r k ed , sp ea k i n g h er t h ou ght s
a l ou d , a nd Pa u l t u r n ed h i s hea d i n h er d i r ect i on. 'I w a s ju st l ook i ng a t y o u ,' sh e
a d d ed t hen . ' You 'r e v er y d a r k , Pa u l .'
'Tha t 's t o b e exp ect ed ; I'v e l iv ed i n t h e g a r d en si nce' com i ng her e.' A sl i gh t
p a u se, 'Yo u w o n 't b r ow n, t hou gh, no t f or a l ong w h i leow in g t o t he na t u r a l co lou r
of y ou r sk i n . You ' l l ha v e t o t a k e ca r e, ot h er w i se' y o u 'l l f i n d y ou r sel f i n so m e
co nsi d er a b l e p a i n.'
'Yes y es; I m u st t a k e ca r e.' A l m ost m a d e a sl i p , she r ea l i zed w i t h a l i t t l e jer k
of f ea r .
'Wh a t a b ou t so m e lu nch?' Pa u l su g gest ed w hen
Tessa t ol d h i m it w a s a lr ea d y on e o 'clo ck . ' W ha t ev er y ou sa y .'
H er w or d s b r ou ght a st r a nge l it t l e sm i le t o h is li p s. ' H o w v er y ni ce a n d
ob l i g i ng y ou a l w a y s a r e, Lu ci n d a .
Com e, w e'l l g o t o t he M a r e M on t e.'
Thi s m ost excep t io n a l hot el w a s a t Ka r a v a s, a f ew m i l es f r om Ky r en i a .
St a nd i ng on a r ock y led ge a b ov e a b ea u t i f u l sa nd y b a y , it s v er a nd a h s lo ok ed
ei t h er o n t o t he sea o r t he m ou nt a i ns.
They sa t f a ci n g t h e sea ; d ow n b el o w a f ew t ou r ist s b a sk ed i n t h e su n, or
sw a m i n t he ca l m clea r w a t er . Tessa a nd Pa u l l u nched on k eb a b a n d sa l a d a nd
d r a nk t h e Cy p r u s w i ne w i t h i t ; t hen t h ey h a d f r esh st r a w b er r ies a nd cr ea m , a nd
f in i shed o f f w it h cheese a nd co f f ee.
Ky p r os h a d g one o f f t o see a f r i en d , a n d h a d not r et u r n ed w h en t he m ea l
w a s f in i shed .
'Sha l l w e go on t o t he b ea ch?' Tessa su g gest ed . 'It l ook s w on d er f u l d o w n
t h er e.'
The sa n d w a s d r y a n d hot ; t hey st r ol l ed ha nd i n ha nd a lo ng t he w a t er f r on t
u nt i l , f r o m a b ov e, w a s h ea r d t he v oi ce o f Ky p r os t el l i n g t hem he ha d r et u r n ed .
'A r e w e go i n g hom e no w ?' sh e a sk ed a s t h ey r ea ched t h e ca r .
'Do y ou w a nt t o g o so m ew h er e el se?' ' It 's q u i t e ea r l y ,' sh e b eg a n hesi t a nt l y .
'Per ha p s K y p r os ca n su ggest so m et h i ng , t h en. I d on't k now t h e i sla n d a n y
m or e t ha n y ou d o, m y l ov e, so I ca n't r ecom m en d o ne p l a ce m or e t ha n a no t her .'
'I t a k e y ou t o t he Sev en Sp r i ng s a t La p i t h o s?' The t a xi d r i v er l ook ed
i n q u i r i ng l y a t Tessa . 'You w i l l l i k e. A nd t her e i s a ca f e t h er e, w it h a v iew r i ght
d ow n t he m ou nt a i n t o t he sea .'
'Tha t sou nd s a l l r i ght .' P a u l g ot i nt o t h e ca r . 'Ta k e u s t o t h i s p l a ce, K y p r os.
I ga t her t her e's a new r oa d , cu t r i ght ou t o f t h e m ou nt a i nsid e.'
'Yes, t h a t ' s r igh t .'
The d r i v e w a s b r ea t ht a k i ng, r i ght f r om t h e m om ent t hey l ef t t he b ea ch
a nd t ook t he r oa d u p in t o t h e st r a gg l i ng v i l l a ge, p a r t s o f w h i ch ext end ed t o w el l
ov er ei ght hu n d r ed f eet a b ov e see lev el . The w i nd i ng na r r o w st r eet s w er e l i n ed
w i t h a ncien t , sa n d y colo u r ed h ou ses, shu t t er ed a g a i nst t h e su n . In ev er y ga r d en
t h er e gr ew lem o n t r ees, w h ose b l o sso m sp r a y ed t h e so f t w a r m a i r w it h it s hea d y
p er f u m e. O l i v e t r ees a n d w a l n u t s, p o m egr a na t es a n d a i m on d s a l l l lou r i shed i n
t h e f i el d s a n d ga r d en s. O n hi gher g r ou n d , a nd o f t en n est l i ng on a r o ck y l ed g e on
t h e h i l l si d e, t he l ov el y w h i t e v i l la s o f t he m or e w ea l t hy Cy p r i ot s a n d t he En g l i sh
set t l ~r s ' cont r a st ed v iv i d l y w it h t h e b a ck gr ou nd o f d a r k m ou nt a i n a n d p in e
cl a d sl op es. Thei r ga r d ens w er e a m a ss o f col ou r s g er a n iu m s a n d r oses, w h it e a nd
p i nk ol ea nd er s, h i b i scu s a nd b o u g a i nv i l l ea . A n d ev er y w her e t her e w er e f l ow er s
i n p ot son t h e v er a n d a hs a n d i n t he p o r ch es, on t he b a l coni es a b ov e, a n d ev en o n
t h e st ep s w h i ch o f t en l ed t o a t er r a ce on t h e r oof .
'H er e i s t he b ea u t i f u l w a t er w h i ch gi v es La p i t hos it s w h a t y o u sa y ?
p r osp er i t y .' St o p p i n g t he ca r , Ky p r os op en ed t he d oor f or Pa u l t o get ou t .
'Kep ha lov r y so, i t i s ca l l ed . See how it g u sh es ou t o f t h e r ock .'
See .... Tessa st ood b esi d e her hu sb a n d a n d a l i t t l e l u m p l od g ed i n her
t h r oa t .
The w a t er ca sca d i n g d ow n f r o m t h e v a st r eser v oi r w it h i n t he b r ecci a t ed
l i m est o n e m a ss w a s a n i ncr ed i b l y b ea u t i f u l si ght .
'It g li st en s l i k e si l v er i n t he su n' she sa id , f eel m g i na d eq u a t e, b u t t hen sh e
a d d ed m or e b r i ght ly , You ca n h ea r i t d oesn't i t sou n d w o n d er f u l ?'
'It sou n d s st r o ng . Th er e's a gr ea t v olu m e o f w a t er co m i ng d o w n ,
a p p a r ent l y .'
'Thi s su p p l ies a ll t he a r ea , a nd t h a t i s w hy La p it h a s i s gr eener t ha n m a ny
p l a ces. Fr om lon g t i m e a go . It m a k es La p i t hosr i ch.' . Ky p r os m a d e a
co m p r ehensi v e gest u r e a s he sp ok e.
Tessa t ook P a u l 's ha nd a nd a f t er a l i t t l e w hi l e t hey w ent a cr oss t o t he ca f e.
W it h t he t y p i ca l f r i en d li ness a n d ho sp i t a l i t y of t he Cy p r i ot s, t he p r op r i et o r hi m sel f
ca m e a n d cha t t ed w it h t hem , si t t in g d o w n a n d o r d er i ng a d r i nk w h i ch he ha d
w i t h t h em . A s Ky p r os a sser t ed , t he v i ew w a s m a r v el l ou s, t a k i n g i n t h e o l i v e
gr ov es a nd t he p a l m s a ga i n st t he sk y , t he m el lo w ed h ou ses, cl in g i n g t o t h e
hi l lsi d es, som e a p p ea r i n g so o l d a nd f a l l en i nt o a st a t e o f d isr ep a i r t ha t it seem ed
i m p ossi b le t h a t p eo p le occu p i ed t hem st i l l. The w h i t e a nd och r e ch u r ches w i t h
t h ei r d om ed r oo f s a n d p ict u r esq u e ca m p a n i l es, t h e cu r v in g shor el in e w i t h , i t s
r o ck y b a y s a n d na r r ow p en i nsu l a a n d t hen t he m a g n i f i cen t exp a n se o f t he b l u e
M ed i t er r a nea n, W i t h t he d i st a nt hor i zon a m i st y v i si on o f sea m eet i ng sk y b eh i nd
a g l a ssy ha ze o f q u i v er i ng hea t .
Thi s i s y o u r f i r st v i si t t o L a p i t hos?' t he ca f e p r op r i et or a sk ed , ey ei ng Pa u l ,
a nd t hen lo ok i ng a t Tessa . St a r i n g a n d t h o r ou ghl y exa m i n i n g w o u ld b e a m o r e
f it t i n g d escr ip t i o n o f h i s g a ze, a n d Tessa w on d er ed ju st w h a t h e w a s t h i nk i ng . For
t h e 'st r a nge Gr eek ' w h o l i v ed on t h e m ou nt a i n si d e a b ov e Bel l a p a i s w a s k no w n
f or m i l es a r ou nd . A r eclu se ... w ho h a d su d d en ly b egu n t o go a b o u t ... w i t h h i s
new w i f e. Lit t l e d i d Tessa k no w it , b u t she ha d b een 't he ob j ect o f m u ch
d i scu ssi on, f or t he a v er a ge Cy p r i ot d i d l i k e t o k no w w ha t w en t on, n ot on l y i n hi s
i m m ed i a t e su r r ou nd i n gs, b u t f or a r a d iu s of sev er a l m i l es! A n d a n y st r a nger
a p p ea r i n g i n a v i l la g e w o u ld i m m ed ia t el y b e i nv est i ga t ed , q u est ion u p on
q u est ion b ei ng a sk ed u nt i l , b y so m e q u i t e i ncom p r eh en sib l e m ea n s, her w h o le
ca se h i st or y w ou l d b e p u b l i c k now l ed ge. A f t er t h a t , she w a s a st r a nger no m or e,
b u t w a s a ccep t ed a n d sm i l ed u p o n b y ev er y m a n, w o m a n a n d ch i l d i n t he
v i l la g e.
'Yes, i t 's ou r f i r st v i si t ,' Pa u l sa i d p l ea sa nt l y . 'Yo u h a v e a v er y ext ensi v e
r u in ed ci t y her ea b o u t s, I b el i ev e?' 'La m b ou sa t h a t 's w ha t i t 's ca l l ed t od a y , "b u t
i t 's a ct u a l l y t he a ncient ci t y o f L a p i t ho s. It 's o n t he sea shor e, n ot i n t he m ou nt a i n s
,a s i s t he t ow n t od a y .'
'One ca n v i si t t hese r u i ns?'
'They a r e f r ee f o r a ny o n e t o v i si t , y es. Bu t t her e's v er y l i t t l e t o see
ev er y t hi ng w a s d est r oy ed i n a n ea r t hq u a k e a n d no w t h e b u i l d i ng s a r e gr ow n
ov er w it h v eget a t ion , You ca n see so m e o f t hem , o f cou r se, a nd i t i s sa i d t her e
a r e m a n y t r ea su r es u n d er n ea t h, b u t exca v a t i ons h a v e not y et b een u n d er t a k en
b y a ny o ne.'
'Wh er e i s t h is p l a ce?'
'A b ou t a m i l e a n d ha l f t h is w a y ' H e p oi n t ed t ow a r d s Ky r en i a . ' On t he
sea sh or e, a s I sa i d .'
They st op p ed t h er e o n t h e w a y hom e, a n d t o her d el i g ht Tessa f ou n d t he
ha n d l e o f a l a r ge a m p hor a a n d p a r t o f t h e r i m o f a not her , sm a l l er one.
'Feel it , Pa u l no, t h i s one, t he h a n d l e. Ca n y o u m a k e ou t t he d ecor a t i on ?
It 's v er y f a i nt . A r en't I l u ck y ?'
'Ther e a r e m a ny , v er y m a n y o f t h ese.' Ky p r o s d ef l a t ed h er b y h i s
i n f o r m a t i on a n d Pa u l la u g hed a s i f sensi n g her d i sa p p o in t m ent . 'You f i n d t h em
a l l t he t i m e. The p eop l e w h o l i v e her e d on' t w a nt t hem . They nev er p ick t hese
u p .'
'Wel l , i t seem s y ou ha d b et t er t hr ow t hem d ow n a ga i n,' Pa u l a d v i sed w i t h
som e a m u sem ent . 'They 'r e not m u seu m p i eces a f t er a l l .'
'I' m k eep i ng t h em , a l l t he sa m e. Ju st t h i nk , t hey w er e m a d e ov er t w o
t h ou sa nd y ea r s a go. Yes, o f cou r se I sh a l l k eep t hem .'
Ky p r os w a s sm i l i ng in a r a t her su p er i or sor t of w a y a s, she su p p osed , h e
sm i l ed w h en t h e ho r d es o f t o u r i st s w ent a b ou t l ik e t h i s, p ick i n g u p t hese
p ot sh er d s w h ich, no w she ca m e t o r ea l i ze a f t er sca n n i ng t h e g r ou n d m or e cl o sely ,
w er e l y i ng a b o u t in t hei r hu nd r ed s.
'You 'r e no t goi ng t o cl u t t er u p o u r p or ch or v er a nd a h w it h t ho se t h ing s, I
hop e.'
'Cl u t t er ?' Sh e p u t t hem i n h er p ock et a n d t ook hol d o f h i s ha n d , f or t he
gr ou nd ha d b eco m e r ou g h a nd st ony , a n d b esi d es, Ky p r os h a d ju st w hi sp er ed t o
her t ha t t her e w er e sna k es a b ou t her e. 'H o w ca n I cl u t t er u p a la r ge p or ch l ik e
t h a t w it h t w o sm a l l p i eces of p o t t er y ?' H er ey es w er e a l er t a n d her d esi r e n ow
w a s t o g et a w a y f r om t h i s d ea d , d eser t ed ci t y o f t he p a st .
'Per ha p s no t w i t h t w o, b u t i f y ou 'r e so f o n d o f t hese o l d b i t s o f p ot t er y I
ha v e a f ir m conv i ct io n t ha t y o u w on 't b e sa t i sf i ed w i t h t w o . Cy p r u s i s ju st
ov er f lo w i ng w i t h t h is sor t o f t h in g . You f i n d t hem ev er y w her e, so I' m t ol d .'
Pr esent l y t hey w er e a t t he ca r , a n d no ot h er st o p w a s m a d e u n t i l t h ey
r ea ched h o m e. It w a s l a t e a f t er noo n; t he sk y ha d d a r k en ed ea r l y a nd t h er e
a p p ea r ed t o b e a t hr ea t o f r a i n.
'I' l l r ea d t o y ou , t h en,' Tessa o f f er ed W hen Pa u l sa i d it w a s t oo ch i l l y t o si t
ou t si d e. 'W h a t w o u l d y o u l i k e?' 'You ca n r ea d m e t h e Eng l ish new sp a p er f or a
st a r t ,' he sa i d , set t li ng d o w n i n a cha i r . 'Lu cin d a , w ou l d y ou f et ch m e a g l a ss o f
w a t er ?'
'Of cou r se.' She w ent o f f t o t he k i t chen . Ta k i s ha d go ne d o w n t o t h e v i l l a ge
t o see h i s a g ed m ot her a n d t o t a k e her som e v eg et a b les w h ich Pa u l i nsi st ed sh e
ha v e t w o or t h r ee t i m es a w eek . ' I' l l p u t i t i n t he u su a l p l a ce,' she t ol d Pa u l w h en
she r et u r n ed w i t h t he gl a ss. W hen ev er h e h a d a d r i n k i t w a s p l a ced on t he r i gh t
ha n d cor n er of t he sm a l l t a b le a n y t a b l e w h i ch h a p p ened t o b e n ea r . Bu t a s she
w ent t o p u t i t d o w n P a u l r ea ched ou t a h a nd f or i t . The g l a ss w a s t i lt ed a nd t h e
w a t er sp i l led o n t o h i s cl ot h es. .
'You cl u m sy g i r l !' he sna p p ed . ' Get m e a t o w el .' Tessa co u ld not m ov e, a n d
she j u st st a r ed a t h i m , u t t er i ncr ed u l i t y i n h er l ov el y ey es. N ev er b ef or e ha d he
r ea ched f or t he g l a ss l i k e t h a t . A l w a y s h e h a d w a it ed u nt i l h e cou l d b e su r e t ha t
w hoev er w a s p u t t i ng i t d o w n f o r h i m ha d m ov ed a w a y . A n d nev er b ef or e h a d
he sp ok en o n e sha r p w o r d t o her ... N ev er ? H er ey es f l ick er ed a s sh e r eca l l ed t h a t
f leet i n g i m p r essi o n t h a t , w hen h e sp ok e t o her a b o u t t h e ca r , h i s v oi ce h a d a n
ed g e t o it . 'W her e a r e y ou ? H a v e y ou b r o u ght t he t o w el ?'
'N no I' l l f et ch i t r i ght a w a y .' Sh e w ent o u t a nd w a s b a ck w i t h in seco n d s.
'Let m e d o it ,' sh e o f f er ed , b u t he t oo k t he t ow el f r om h er . 'It 's o n y ou r co a t ,
Pa u l '
'Don't f u ss L u ci n d a . I ca n m a n a ge.' H i s v o i ce w a s q u i et now a nd t h e h int o f
a ng er ha d go n e.. 'I d i d get a l on g q u i t e w el l b ef or e y ou ca m e, y ou k now .
Sh e r ea d t o h i m , a n d t hen m a d e t he su p p er . H e sp ok e w it h t he o l d
t end er ness a n d l a t er , m u ch l a t er , a s sh e l a y a w a k e, h i s a r m t i g ht ened l ov i ng l y
a r ou nd her .
'Wh a t is it , m y d ea r est ?'
'N ot h in g , Pa u l ,' 'sh e q u i v er ed . 'Ju st Ju st ho l d m e t i ght . H o ld m e t i g ht ...
a l w a y s.'




CHAPTER IV

A DOZEN p a ir s o f d a r k ey es r a k ed Tessa 's sl i m f ig u r e, f r om her sha p el y
b r onzed l eg s t o her f a ce. Sh e w a s u sed t o t hi s b y no w a n d m er ely sent a sm i le i n
t h e d ir ect i on o f t he m en sp r a w l i ng ou t si d e t he ca f e, j u st id l i n g t h eir t i m e i n t he
t r u e Cy p r i ot f a sh i on . She ha d w a l k ed d ow n f r om t he hou se, t o col l ect a ny let t er s
w h i ch m igh t b e w a it i ng a t t he ca f e.
'On t he shel f , M a d a m Lu cin d a .' The p r op r i et or ga v e her a b r o a d sm i l e a nd
i n d i ca t ed t he b o x, h i g h o n a shel f , w her e t he l et t er s f or t h e f or ei gn r esid ent s w er e
k ep t . The let t er s f or t h e lo ca l s w er e l y i ng sca t t er ed a b ou t on t he sh op cou nt er .
'N one t o d a y .' A hea v i ness i n her t one, a n d Tessa f r ow ned '. W hy t h i s d eep
sense o f d i sa p p o i n t m ent ? Let t er s f r om h o m e w er e i m p or t a nt , a nd w elco m e, b u t
t h ey w er en't her l i f e. H er w ho l e w o r l d a nd b ei n g w er e cent r ed on her h u sb a nd ...
w hy , t hen, shou l d she ha v e su d d en l y b eco m e a v i d f or t he si gh t o f a let t er f r om
Eng la n d ?
Em er g i n g f r o m t h e ca f e she m et Chr ist o s, a sp r i ght l y o ld m a n f r o m t h e
v i l la g e w ho , h a v i ng on ce sp o k en t o her in excel l ent Eng l i sh, now seized ev er y
op p o r t u ni t y o f conv er si ng w i t h her .
'A y good m or n i ng t o y ou , M a d a m Lu ci d a . A r e y o u g o m g t o y ou r ho m e?'
'I t h ou ght I'd ca l l on M a r o u l a a n d Sp ir os o n m y w a y u p .'
'M r . Sp ir os h a s gone t o Ky r en ia . I a m g oi n g y ou r w a y , so w e sh a l l w a lk
t o get her .' .
'Wh er e d i d y ou l ea r n t o sp ea k En g l i sh?' sh e a sk ed cu r i ou sly a s t hey l ef t t he
A b b ey b eh i nd a n d t oo k t o t he n a r r o w l a n e t h a t ser v ed a s t he m a i n
t h or o u ghf a r e o f t he v i l l a g e. .
'Wel l now , I w a s i n t h e p ol i ce f or ce, m a n y y ea r s a go, a nd t he
su p er int end ent sa i d t h a t a ny o f u s w ho f a i l ed t o l ea r n En g l i sh w o u ld b e t hr ow n
ou t .' H e t u r ned t o her a n d la u ghed , 'So Ch r i st os w a s w i se, a n d d i d a s he w a s
t o ld .'
'Wa s it ea sy ?' Ch r i st os w a s so f l u ent , u sin g l ong , a nd u ncom m o n w or d s, t h a t
Tessa h a d t o a sk t he q u est i on .
'N o. I f ou nd i t v er y ha r d a t f i r st . Bu t i f y ou a r e t hr ea t ened w it h p ov er t y
y ou w i n ov er com e m a ny d i f f icu l t i es. Co m e t o t h i s si d e, M a d a m Lu ci n d a , t he b u s
a p p r oa ches.'
The r oa d w a s na r r ow , t he ho u ses o f t en j u t t in g o u t , a nd Tessa a l w a y s
m a r v el l ed a t t he w a y t he 9US a n d t he t o u r i st " co a ches f r om Ky r en i a m a na ged
t o n egot ia t e t he b en d s. Bu t t hey d i d , m ost su ccessf u l l y , a n d a t q u it e a
r ea so na b l e sp eed .
'Do y ou w or k no w , Chr i st os?'
'I' m a f a r m er ; a nd I h a v e m a ny lem o n g r ov es.'
'The l em on s m a k e a lo t o f m oney ?'
H e nod d ed . Th e l em on s m a d e m u ch m o n ey .
'Thi s i s m y h ou se,' sa i d Chr i st o s, st op p ing b y a hon ey col ou r ed m u d b r i ck
b u i l d i n g . It w a s t a l l a nd n a r r ow , w i t h shu t t er s cr a ck ed a n d f a d ed b y t he su n. 'So,
M a d a m Lu ci nd a , I w i l l b i d y ou goo d m or n i n gk a l i m er a .'' The inev i t a b l e cheer y
sm i l e a p p ea r ed on h i s d a r k , 'good h u m ou r ed f a ce, a n d h e r a i sed a h a n d i n
sa lu t e a s sh e lef t h i m , t o cont in u e h er w a y p a st t h e a n ci ent ho u ses, b u i l t i n
hi gg l ed y p i gg l ed y f a sh io n, w i t h lo t s o f st ep s a nd v er a nd a hs, w it h w ea t her ed
shu t t er s a nd p l a st er o f t en cr a ck ed a n d p eel in g o f f t he w a ll s. Bu t ev er y w h er e
t h er e w er e f l o w er s; t hey w er e so m et i m es i n a t t r a ct iv e ea r t hen w a r e p ot s, b ou ght
f r om t he p ot t er i n a n ot her v i l l a ge, b u t m o r e o f t en t h a n no t t hey w er e i n o ld
r u st y ca ns, p a i nt t in s, b u ck et s a nd ev en p l a st ic w a sh i n g u p b o w ls. Th ese w ou l d b e
p l a ced a n y w her e o n t h e v er a nd a h s a nd st ep s, or i n t h e p or ch. Th e g a r d en s,
b l a zi n g w it h col ou r f r o m t h e h ib i scu s a n d b ou ga i nv i l lea a n d m a ny ot her
sem it r op i ca l p l a nt s, w ou l d i nv a r i a b l y h ou se ev er y k i nd o f ju n k f r o m p a r t s o f
a ncient ca r s, d i si nt egr a t i n g f r o m t h e r u st , t o ol d p r a m s a n d b i cy cl es. Scr a t chi n g
a b o u t a m o ng t h i s m i scel l a ny o f hoa r d ed t r ea su r e w ou l d b e t he h ens a nd t u r k ey s;
t et her ed close b y w ou l d b e t he goa t s, sea r chin g t he w i l d er ness f or f o od , w h i l e a t
t h e sa m e t i m e k eep i ng a n ey e on t hei r sn o w w h i t e k i d s. H er e a nd t her e,
b r ea k i n g i n t o t h i s a t m o sp her e o f Ea st er n l et ha r gy , w o u ld b e a sh i n i ng w h i t e v i l l a ,
sp r u ce a nd t en d ed w it h ca r e. The ga r d en w ou l d b e w el l k ep t , a n d t he t r ees
p r u ned .' .. b u t t he p o t p l a nt s w ou l d st i l l b e gr ow i ng i n t he r u st y ca n s.
'M a d a m Lu ci nd a ' M a r ou l a , a l l sm i l es, ca m e f r om t he sid e o f t he ho t el, her
a r m s f u l l o f a r t ichok es w h ich she ha d j u st cu t f r om t he f iel d a t t he b a ck . 'M a d a m
, L u ci n d a , y ou b een f or a w a lk i n Bel l a p a is v i l l a ge?'
'I w ent t o t he ca f e f or t h e l et t er s.'
'M a ny let t er s y ou get ?' She p u t d o w n t h e a r t ichok es on t h e st ep , t hen
st r a ig ht en ed u p , her b r o w n ey es sp a r k l i n g, a s t hey a lw a y s d i d .
'N o, M a r ou l a , t h er e w er e no let t er s t o d a y .'
'Tod a y ,' sa i d M a r ou la , r a i si ng a f i nger , ' I g et 'one l et t er f r om m y son . H e
w a nt m oney . O h, a l w a y s y ou n eed m u ch m on ey in Lon d on. Cy p r u s, M a d a m
Lu cin d a , i t i s chea p , no?'
'Som e t h i n g s a r e chea p , M a r ou l a , b u t m a n y t h i n gs h er e a r e m u ch m o r e
exp ensiv e t ha n i n Eng l a nd .'
'N o!' Em p h a t ica l l y she sho ok h er hea d . ' Cy p r u s i s v er y chea p '
Ig nor in g t h a t , Tessa sa t d o w n on a d eck cha i r a nd st a r ed p ensi v el y u p t o
t h e r a gg ed hei ght s a b ov e. 'Ther e's cl ou d o n t h e m ou nt a i ns t od a y .'
'Yes, m u ch cl ou d , M a d a m Lu ci nd a . Tod a y w ea t her no go od .'
'Ra i n i s need ed , t ho u g h. W i l l it r a i n, d o y o u t h i nk ?'
'N o. Th is y ea r not m u ch r a i n. M a d a m L u ci nd a , w h a t y o u l i k e t o d r ink ? A
l it t l e w i n e?'
A s a ' l i t t l e' w i ne m ea nt a la r ge 't u m b l er , f u l l t o t h e b r i m , Tessa p o l i t el y
r ef u sed , sa y i ng sh e w ou l d h a v e a n or a nge d r i nk .
'I ha v e o ne w it h y ou ,' sa id M a r ou l a a f ew m o m ent s l a t er w h en she
a p p ea r ed w i t h t he d r i nk s. 'Cheer s, m a d a m . To l o ng a n d ha p p y l i f e.' Th ey d r a nk
a u d M a r o u l a cont i nu ed , i n a m u ch m or e ser io u s t o ne. 'You v er y l u ck y . En gl i sh
gi r l not t o h a v e hou se. Cy p r i ot g i r l m u st h a v e hou se.'
Tessa f r o w n ed . 'You m ea n, t he g i r l st i l l h a s t o b r in g a d ow r y ?'
'Yes, m a d a m ! Gi r l m u st h a v e ho u se.' ,
'Oh n o, t h is ca n't b e t r u e no w . Do n't t he y o u ng m en ev er f a l l i n l ov e?'
Em p ha t ica l ly M a r ou l a shook her hea d . 'Gi r l m u st h a v e hou se.' she sa i d
a ga i n .
'You ... d i d y ou ha v e t o g i v e Sp i r o s a h ou se?'
'N o g iv e, m a d a m . Gi r l j u st ha s h ou se. I o w n ho u se i n v i l l a ge a nd so Sp ir os
m a r r y m e. I sel l hou se la t er a n d w e b u y t h i s hot el .'
'Bu t y o u 'r e so h a p p y '
'Sp i r es a n d m e? Yes, v er y ha p p y .'
'H e w o u ld ha v e m a r r i ed y ou , ev en i f y o u h a d n't a hou se? Yes, M a r o u l a ,
su r el y he w ou l d .'
'Sp i r o s? N o, m a d a m . M a r ou l a h a v e no ho u se, Sp i r os m a r r y ot her g ir l .'
Tessa si p p ed her d r i nk , u n con sci ou sly sha k i ng her h ea d .
'It 's so d i f f i cu l t t o b eli ev e.' she sa i d , b u t r eca l l i n g a r em a r k M a r t i n h a d
m a d e a b ou t t he l i f e o f t he a v er a ge
Cy p r i ot .
They m a r r y , a nd t h e t y p i ca l v i l l a ge w ed d i ng 's a lw a y s co nd u ct ed w it h a
gr ea t d ea l o f f u ss a n d l i ght h ea r t ed r i t u a l, b u t a f t er on e y ea r t he m a n w i l l b e
f ou nd i n t he ca f es a n d h is w i f e w i l l b e con f i ned t o t he ho m e. It 's on ly t he
w ea l t h ier , m or e en l igh t en ed Cy p r i ot s w ho t a k e t hei r w i v es a n d f a m i l i es a r ou n d
w i t h t h em .'
'One m a n, M a d a m L u ci n d a , w h o l i v e i n a v i l la g e l o ng w a y o f f he ha v e
sev en d a u g ht er s. N ot one m a r r y , f or m a n ca n't a f f or d t o b u y hou ses. A l l
d a u g ht er s no m a r r y j u st m i nd t he hens a n d goa t s.'
Tessa p u t her g l a ss on t h e t r a y a n d st o od u p .
'I m u st g o, M a r ou l a . I'l l ca ll in a ga in t om o r r ow i f I g o d o w n t o t h e v i l l a g e.'
'M r . Pa v lo s ... ? H e v er y w el l?' ' Ver y w el l , t h a nk y ou , M a r ou l a .'
H e w a s i n t h e ga r d en, st r et ched "f u l l l en gt h on a n a i r b ed , h i s ha nd s f o l d ed
b eh in d h i m , su p p or t i n g h i s hea d . Tessa ha l t ed a l i t t l e w a y o f f , a b r ood i ng
exp r essi on in her ey es. Fo r t he f ir st t i m e sh e sa w h i m a s a l l Gr eek , w it h t he
a r r og a nce a n d r u t h l essn ess o f h i s hea t hen f or eb ea r s, t ho se d a u nt less w a r r i or s w ho
ha d ha d no r esp ect f or l i f e. Dea t h t hey a ccep t ed p h i loso p h i ca l ly a n d l ook ed t o
a f u t u r e o f ' b l i ss a m o ng t he p a g a n god s o n t he w i l d hei ght s o f M ou n t Ol y m p u s.
A s her f a t her h a d sa i d , Pa u l h a d a cq u ir ed a v eneer o f W est er n cu l t u r e, h a v i ng
l iv ed so l on g i n En g l a nd ... b u t w h a t o f h i s i nher ent t r a i t s? H i s li d s ca m e d ow n,
a nd a ha nd w a s b r ou gh t t o sha d e hi s ey es a l m ost a s i f t he gl a r e o f t he su n w er e
t o o m u ch f or t hem .
H e w a s d eep i n t ho u ght ; su d d enl y h i s exp r essi on ch a n ged a nd she f el t t he
d i st u r b a nce of f l u t t er i ng ner v es. W h a t w e'r e t hose t h ou ght s t h a t ca u sed a
d i st or t i on o f h i s ha n d so m e f ea t u r es a nd t w ist ed h is f i r m m ou t h i n t o a cr u el a n d
a l m ost d i a b o l i ca l l i ne? W i t h ha st e she sp o k e a nd a t end er sm i le t r a n sf or m ed hi s
f ea t u r es o nce a g a i n .
'Ther e a r en't a ny l et t er s, Pa u l .'
'For m y sel f , I w a sn't exp ect i ng a ny . Di sa p p oi nt ed , d ea r est ?'
Sh e sa t d ow n o n t he r u g w hi ch l a y f o l d ed b y h i s a i r b ed .
'It 's n i ce t o hea r f r o m h om e.'
'H o m e?' H e h a l f t u r ned t o w a r d s her , h is b r ow s r a ised sl i ght ly .
'Eng l a nd .' she co r r ect ed , sm i l i ng. 'Th i s i s ho m e.'
'For a l w a y s?' he q u er ied st r a ngely , a nd sh e g a v e a l i t t le st a r t ..
'Bu t o f cou r se. W ha t a n od d t hi ng t o sa y , P a u l'
'You 'd ... nev er l ea v e m e?' H e seem ed t ensed , sh e t hou gh t , a nd h a st ened
t o r ea ssu r e h i m .
'I l ov e y ou , Pa u l I d o n't t h i n k y ou r ea l i ze j u st h o w m u ch . H ow cou l d I ev er
l ea v e y o u ?' Sh e shoo k h er hea d i n a g est u r e o f b ew i l d er m ent .' 'I d on't k no w ho w
su ch a n i d ea cou l d ent er y ou r hea d .'
'Sor r y, m y sw eet .' H e h el d o u t a h a nd ; ea g er ly sh e cl a sp ed it , r a isi n g it t o
her cheek . ' I k no w y o u 'd n ev er l ea v e m e,' he a d d ed o n a t end er not e.
'You 'r e m y l i f e.' sh e W hi sp er ed . ' I w a nt n ot hi ng m or e t ha n t o b e w i t h y ou
her e, f or ev er a nd ev er .
For a m om ent h e r em a i ned si l ent , 'h is f i n g er s m ov i ng gent l y a cr oss t he
b a ck o f h er h a nd .' . ' D i d y ou ca l l a n d see M a r ou l a ?' he a sk ed a t l engt h, cha n gi ng
t h e su b j ect .
'Yes. Sh e w a s t el l i ng m e a b ou t t he d ow r y a g i r l her e ha s t o b r i ng, a n d sa i d
I w a s l u ck y .'
A sm i le o f a m u sem ent cu r v ed h i s l i p s a t t h a t . ' Bu t sh e k now s y o u 'r e not a
Cy p r i ot .'
'Per ha p s she t h i nk s I m a r r ied on e.'
'M ost u n l i k el y . In a ny ca se, a Cy p r i ot m a r r y i ng a n En g l i sh g i r l w ou l d n ot
exp ect a ho u se.'
'Beca u se o f cou r se he'd b e m a r r y i ng f or lo v e.' H e let t ha t p a ss a n d a f t er a
w h i le she sa i d , 'M a r ou l a 's Eng l i sh i s i m p r ov i ng ev er y d a y . She r ea l ly w or k s ha r d
on i t .'
'Wh o t ea ches her ?'
'She t ea ch es her sel f , f r om b ook s.' Tessa g a v e a l i t t l e l a u gh . 'Slo w l y , sl ow l y ; i s
her m ot t o . Qu i ck l y , she sa y s, is n o g ood . Sl o w l y , sl o w l y i s m u ch b et t er ;' i t goes
r i gh t i n,'
'Sl ow ly , slo w l y .... .' A n u n f a t ho m a b le i n f lect i on i n h is v oi ce a nd Tessa
l ook ed sw i f t l y a t h i m . H e t u r ned hi s hea d a n d r ep ea t ed i n so f t a n d ev en t on es,
'Sl ow ly ... sl ow l y ... a n d i t go es r i ght in ... .'
The ca r a r r i v ed t h e f o l lo w i ng d a y . Tessa h a d a n i nt er n a t i on a l d r i v i ng
l icence, b u t a l i e h a d b een n ecessa r y w h en, a f t er or d er i n g t he ca r , Pa u l h a d
b r oa ch ed t he su b j ect o f a l i cen ce.
'I got on e b ef or e I ca m e,' sh e t o l d h i m , g oi n g a l i t t l e p a l e, ' I t hou g ht I m
r n ig ht n eed i t .'
A st r a ng e si lence f ol l ow ed , a nd t h en Pa u l sa id , 'You w er e v er y su r e y ou 'd
b e st a y i ng, L u ci n d a .'
'N o o h n o! I d i d n't t a k e i t f or g r a n t ed y ou w ou l d f o r g i v e m e, Pa u l . Pl ea se
d on 't t hi nk t ha t .'
N o m o r e h a d b een sa i d , a l t h ou g h, f or a t i m e, Tessa h a d f elt u nea sy a b ou t
t h e w a y Pa u l ha d a ccep t ed her exp l a na t i on . For t o her ea r s t her e w a s a su b t le
i m p l ica t i o n i n h i s w or d s, b u t a s i t w a s n ot hi ng she cou l d d ef in e she d i sm i ssed it
f r om her t hou gh t s.
'We'l l go f or a r u n i n it ,' Pa u l sa i d a shor t w h i le a f t er t he ca r w a s d el i v er ed .
'Ju st i nt o Ky r en i a , a n d p er h a p s a l o ng t he f r ont .'
H a v i ng m a na ged t o get t he f eel o f t he ca r w i t h ou t m u ch t r ou b l e Tessa
b eg a n t o en j oy t h e d r i v e d o w n i nt o Ky r en i a . N o w a nd t h en, o n r ou nd i ng a b en d ,
t h e snow ca p p ed p ea k s o f t he m o u nt a i ns of A si a M i n or w ou l d com e int o v i ew
a cr oss t h e b lu e sw eep o f t he M ed i t er r a n ea n. Tessa t a l k ed t o P a u l, d escr i b i ng
ev er y t hi ng, b u t a p a r t f r om a r a t her p er f u nct or y com m ent o n h er d r i v i ng, m a d e
a t t he b egi nn i ng o f t h e j ou r n ey , h e w a s st r a ng el y si len t .
On r ea ch i n g t he t ow n Tessa d r ov e d ow n st eep a nd w i n d i n g a l l ey w a y s a n d
a t l a st r ea ched t he t i ny hor sesh oe sha p ed ha r b ou r . She st op p ed t he ca r a n d t o l d
Pa u l w h er e t hey w er e.
'Sha l l w e ha v e som e r ef r esh m en t s her e?' sh e a sk ed ea ger l y . 'The ch a ir s a nd
t a b l es a r e a l l o u t on t he f r o nt , a nd t her e a r e l ot s o f l ov el y y a cht s a n d l i t t l e f i sh i ng
b oa t s b ob b i n g a b ou t .'
Pa u l a gr eed t o her su g g est io n a nd t hey sa t on t he q u a y sid e, d r in k i n g
u nd er t h e sha d o w o f t h e gr ea t Cr u sa d er ca st l e w hi ch d om i na t ed t h e ea st er n en d
of t he ha r b ou r .
'Ca n y ou sm el l t he sea , P a u l " H e nod d ed .
'Tel l m e a b ou t t he b o a t s, Lu ci n d a .'
'The f ish i ng b oa t s a r e b r i g ht l y p a i nt ed a nd l oo k v er y ga y . The y a cht s a r e
ga y , t o o, a nd t hei r sa i l s a r e r ef lect ed i n t h e w a t er a n d t hey m a k e su ch f u n ny
sha p es ... .' Sh e t a i led o f f , f o r P a u l d i d not a p p ea r t o b e i nt er est ed , i n sp it e o f h i s
ha v i ng r eq u est ed a d escr i p t io n o f t he b o a t s i n t h e h a r b ou r . ' Do y ou w a nt t o go
now ?' sh e a d d ed a n xio u sl y .
'Yes, I t hi n k so.' H e r ea ched f or h i s st i ck , w hich he ha d p la ced on t h e cha i r
next t o h i m , a nd st ood u p . Dozen s o f d a r k sk i n ned Cy p r i ot s w er e l ou n g i n g a b ou t
a t t he t a b les a n d t h ey a l l st a r ed a t Pa u l a s m ov i ng a w a y f r om h i s cha i r , he hel d
ou t a ha nd f or Tessa t o gr a sp . A l i t t l e l u m p r ose i n her t hr o a t a t h i s hel p l essness
a nd she w on d er ed i f he w a s a w a r e o f t he i nt er est he ca u sed . If so , t h en he m u st
b e u nb ea r a b ly hu m i l ia t ed a nd d i st r essed . A nd su d d en l y sh e w a nt ed t o t a k e hi m
a w a y r igh t a w a y f r o m st a r i n g cu r i ou s ey es, a w a y f r om p eop l e.
'Da r l i ng, w e' l l go f or a d r i v e a l ong t h e coa st , a nd st op a t t he l ov ely l it t l e
co v e w her e w e sw a m .'
'Yes, Lu cind a , t ha t i s a n excell en t id ea .' H e p a u sed a n d she sa w a f r ow n
a p p ea r on h i s b r ow . 'We' l l go t o t he sh op s f ir st . I w a n t t o b u y som e d a r k g l a sses.'
Sh e a l m o st st op p ed i n su r p r i se. M a ny b l i n d p eop l e w or e d a r k g la sses, she
k new , b u t som ehow sh e h a d n ev er exp ect ed Pa u l t o d o so .
They f ou n d a shop a n d he m a d e h i s p u r cha se, p u t t i n g t he g l a sses i n h i s
p ock et . Bu t on r ea ch in g t he cov e a nd g et t i n g ou t o f t he ca r h e i m m ed i a t el y p u t
t h em on . D i d h i s ey es h u r t h i m ? she w o nd er ed a n xi ou sl y , r em em b er i n g t he w a y
he h a d seem ed t o sh a d e t hem a g a in st t hesu n w h i l e sh e h a d st ood w a t chi n g h i m
y est er d a y . Sh e w a n t ed t o a sk h i m a b ou t it , b u t she r ef r a i ned . H i s a f f l i ct i on w a s
som et hi ng nev er m ent io n ed b et w een t hem .
The f o l lo w i n g Su n d a y n i ght t hey w ent d o w n i nt o t he v i l l a ge t o a t t end t h e
Ea st er ser v i ce i n Bel l a p a i s A b b ey . The sq u a r e w a s t hr on ged w it h p eop l e, b ot h
l oca l s a n d t ou r i st s b r ou g ht u p f r o m Ky r en i a b y coa ch. Fr om t he ca f e ca m e t he
st r a in s o f b ou zou k i m u si c, a n d g a t her ed r ou nd t h e h u g e b on f ir e w er e d o zen s o f
ga y y ou n g p eop le. Cha i r s w er e i nst a nt ly p r od u ced f or Pa u l a nd Tessa a n d t h ey
j o i ned t h e l a u gh in g cir cl e r ou n d t he f i r e.
'The f la m es a r e v er y hi gh .' she t ol d Pa u l . ' A nd t hey 'r e l i g ht i ng u p t he r u in s
a nd g i v i ng t hem a lo v el y w a r m g low . The a r ches st a nd ou t so cl ea r l y ' 'M u st y ou
shou t , Lu ci nd a ?' h e i nt er r u p t ed cu r t l y . 'Th er e's n o n eed t o l et t he w o r l d k now I
ca n't see.'
'I' m sor r y ... so sor r y ,' f a lt er ed Tessa a f t er a n a st o u n d ed l it t l e si l ence. ' I d i d n't
r ea l ize I w a s sp ea k i ng l ou d l y .' H er v o ice h a d b een b a r el y a b ov e a w h i sp er , she
k new t ha t , b eca u se f r om t he f ir st she ha d sp ok en so f t l y , so a s t o a v o i d ca u si ng
her hu sb a nd em b a r r a ssm en t . H e m a d e n o r esp on se a nd she a d d ed hesi t a n t l y ,
'It l oo k s so b ea u t i f u l, Pa u l , t h a t I w a nt ed t o t el l y ou a b ou t i t .'
'I' m n ot com p l et el y w i t h ou t i m a g in a t i o n. I ca n f eel t he f i r e, so ob v i ou sly I
k no w i t ' s l ig ht i ng u p t he sq u a r e.'
Tessa f el l sil ent a f t er t h a t , b u t in a l it t l e w h i l e Pa u l t ook her ha n d , a s i f he
sensed t he d eep h u r t h e h a d ca u sed her .
'Som et h i ng seem s t o b e ha p p en i n g,' she w hi sp er ed , b r i g ht en i ng so m ew ha t
a t h i s a ct i on. 'The coa ch d r i v er s a r e t a l k in g t o t he p o l i cem a n a n d w a v i ng t h ei r
a r m s a b ou t , a s i f i n p r ot est .'
'I t h in k y ou 'r e r i gh t , so m et h in g i s h a p p en i n g. The m u si c's st op p ed , a nd
ev er y o ne's gon e q u i et .'
A f t er t he sm a l l l u l l t h e cla m o u r b r o k e ou t a ga i n, b u t t h is t i m e t her e w a s
no g a i et y a b ou t i t . The m a n si t t i n g n ext t o Pa u l m a d e so m e r em a r k i n Gr eek ;
Pa u l nod d ed a n d t he t w o m en b ega n t o conv er se.
'The ser v i ce d oes no t b eg i n u nt i l t w o o'cl ock ,' Pa u l i n f or m ed h er , t u r ni n g h i s
hea d .
'Tw o in t he m o r ni ng ! Bu t y ou sa i d s ev er y one sa id i t st a r t s a t h a l f p a st
el ev en .'
'The Bi sho p h a sn't g i v en h is consent f or i t t o st a r t a t el ev en t h i r t y . H e sa y s i t
m u st n't st a r t u nt i l t w o .'
So m eo n e a t t h e si d e o f Tessa hea r d t h is a n d sa i d i n En g li sh . ' It a lw a y s st a r t s
a t ha l f p a st elev en . It ' s n ev er st a r t ed a t t w o i n t he m o r n i n g.'
'I' m n ot w a i t i ng a l l t ha t t i m e,' so m eo ne el se sa i d a ng r i ly . ' We'v e com e o n
t h e coa ch, b u t I' m cer t a i n ly go ing t o i nsi st on b ei ng t a k en b a ck .'
Ev er y o ne b ega n t o p r ot est , b u t a s t h er e w a s n o p r i est a b ou t i t w a s
na t u r a ll y in ef f ect i v e. The coa ches soon d r ov e a w a y w i t h t h eir d i sa p p o i nt ed
p a ssenger s, t he ca f e l i gh t s w er e t u r ned ou t a n d a ho se w a s p l a y ed o n t he f i r e.
Pa u l w a s l i st en in g t o t he m a n a t h i s si d e, w ho a p p ea r ed t o b e w el l
i n f o r m ed a s t o w h a t w a s h a p p en in g.
'The y ou t hs o f t he v i l l a ge' h a v e d i scon nect ed t he el ect r i ci t y i n t he chu r ch,'
he t o ld Tessa w i t h a h i nt o f a m u sem ent i n hi s v oi ce, 'a nd t hey 'v e st u f f ed u p t he
k ey hol e w i t h w a x, so w hen t he p r iest d oes a r r i v e he isn't go i ng t o get i n .'
'Ther e'l l b e no on e h er e a ny w a y ,' sa i d a y ok e f r om b eh i nd .
'Wi l l t h e p r i est t u r n u p a t t w o o'cl ock ?' a sk ed Tessa .
'I exp ect so .'
'Wh a t a sha m e! It i sn't h i s f a u l t t h i s m i su n d er st a nd i ng' s o ccu r r ed .'
'It ' ll b e in a l l t he p a p er s next w eek ,' d ecl a r ed a h a n d so m e y ou ng Gr eek
w i t h ext r em e sa t i sf a ct i o n. 'Th i s h a s nev er h a p p ened a t Bel l a p a i s b ef or e.'
'We'd b et t er m o v e.' Pa u l st ood u p , f or t he m a n p la y i ng t he hose w a s now
r o u nd a t t h ei r si d e a n d a f i ne sp r a y o f w a t er w a s r a i n i n g d ow n on t he f ew
onlo ok er s w ho w er e l ef t . ' Com e, d a r l i ng, w e'l l go so m ew her e else.'
Tessa concl u d ed t ha t t hey w ou l d go ho m e, b u t Pa u l w a s d et er m i n ed t o
a t t en d chu r ch a n d she d r ov e t o a not her v i l la g e a f ew m i les f r om Ky r en i a ,
'H a v e y ou m y ca n d l e, Lu ci nd a ?' Pa u l a sk ed a s t h ey w er e a b o u t t o en t er
t h e chu r ch. She ha d b r ou g ht t w o lon g sl en d er ca nd l es a nd she ha n d ed o ne t o
hi m .
'Wh en y ou ent er y o u p u t y ou r m o ney d o w n a nd p ick u p a ca n d l e,' he t o ld
her . 'Th i s y o u l i g ht no t t h e on e y ou ha v e. Bu t y ou 'l l see w ha t ev er y one el se d o es.'
It w a s so st r a nge, ent er i ng t he Gr eek chu r ch f or t he f ir st t i m e, a nd Tessa
w a s u n com f o r t a b ly a w a r e o f t he st a r es o f b ot h m en a nd w o m en , f or t hey cou l d
see she w a s n ot a Gr eek .
'You l i gh t it h er e,' she w h i sp er ed , w hen she ha d u nob t r u si v el y gu i d ed h i m
t o t he ci r cle o f l i ght ed ca n d l es f r om w h i ch he m u st l i ght h i s o w n . H e m o v ed h i s
f in g er s u p o ne o f t h e ca nd l es u nt i l t hey a l m o st r ea ch ed t he w i ck a n d t h en hel d
ou t t he ca n d le i n h i s ha nd . On r u nn i ng h i s f in g er s u p i t he r ea l ized it h a d g one
p a st t h e f l a m e. H e t r ied sev er a l t i m es, a nd t he sa m e t h i ng ha p p en ed . Tessa
l ook ed r ou nd ; m a ny ey es w er e on P a u l a n d she t u r ned a g a i n t o w a t ch h i m i n a n
a go ny o f u ncer t a i nt y . For so m et h i n g w a r n ed h er not t o t a k e ho l d o f h i s ha n d ,
b ef or e a l l t hese p eop le, a n d gu i d e h i s ca n d le t o t he l ig h t . Inst i nct i v el y sh e k n ew
he w ou l d b e f u r i ou sl y a n gr y i f she d i d . Bu t t o st a n d t her e a n d w it n ess t h i s hea r t
r end i ng p er f or m a nce w a s m or e t h a n she cou l d b ea r , a nd w i t h t h e t ea r s a ct u a l l y
r u nni ng d o w n her cheek s she p u l l ed o ne o f t he ca n d les f r o m t he sa n d i n w h i ch it
st ood a n d w hen n ext Pa u l m a d e a n a t t em p t sh e l i ght ed hi s ca nd l e f o r h i m .
'You 'v e d on e i t no w , d a r l i ng,' she w h i sp er ed , r et u r n in g t he o ne sh e ha d
t a k en ou t . ' Sha l l I st i ck i t i n' t he sa n d f or y o u ?'
A sm a l l hesi t a t ion , a nd t hen he ga v e i t t o her .
'Ju st sho w m e w her e t o go h er e, som ew her e w i l l d o . A nd t hen l ea v e m e.' .
'Lea v e y ou ?' she l ook ed a t hi m , st u p ef ied . 'I ca n 't l ea v e y ou .' A f t er g u id in g
hi m t o a p l a ce i n t h e r ow she st oo d q u i et l y b esi d e h i m , l i st en i ng i n a m a zem ent t o
t h e b a b b l e o f v oi ces a r o u n d her . Ev er y on e seem ed t o b e conv er sin g w i t h hi s or
her nei g hb ou r , a n d v oices w er e b y no m ea ns k ep t lo w .
'I sa id l ea v e m e!' Th e w or d s w er e a ct u a l ly hi ssed ou t a n d Tessa f el l b a ck ,
u na b le t o b el i ev e h er ea r s. 'Pa u l, I ca n 't '
'Get t o t he ot her en d o f t he ch u r ch Ca n't y ou see y ou sh ou l d n't b e her e'
Va gu ely she g l a nced a r ou n d . A l l t h e w o m en w er e a t one en d o f t he
ch u r ch a nd t he m en a t t h e ot her .
Ev er y o ne w a s st a r i n g a t her , st a n d i n g t her e w it h t he m en, b u t ev en
t h ou gh t he co l ou r r u sh ed t o her f a ce a n d she b eca m e h ot w it h " em b a r r a ssm ent
she st il l k n ew a m o m ent o f u ncer t a int y . H ow co u l d she lea v e h i m ? Bu t a t hi s
a ng r y i n q u i r y a s t o w h et h er sh e w er e st i l l t her e sh e m ov ed q u iet l y a w a y t o t h e
ot her en d o f t he chu r ch a nd occu p i ed t he sp a ce b et w een t w o a g ed b la ck cl a d
w om en.
N ev er ha d sh e b een so u t t er l y m i ser a b l e a nd em b a r r a ssed . She cou ld
u nd er st a n d P a u l's' f eel in g s a t her r ef u sa l t o m ov e f r o m hi s si d e, b u t he sh ou l d
ha v e k no w n it w a s ow i ng t o her a nxiet y a b ou t h i m t ha t she h a d n't not iced w ha t
w ent o n.
Tea r s f i l l ed her ey es a g a in , b u t a f t er a l i t t l e w hi l e she t r i ed not t o b e h u r t .
It w a s m u ch, m u ch w or se f or Pa u l, she t ho u gh t , r ea d y t o excu se h i s a ng er .
For a l ong t i m e sh e k ep t h er hea d a v er t ed , so g r ea t w a s her con f u si o n a t
w ha t h a d o ccu r r ed , b u t a t l a st sh e m a na g ed t o l ook u p , a n d t o her r el i ef
d i scov er ed sh e w a s no lo n ger t he ob j ect o f in t er est . W hen w ou l d t h e ser v i ce
b eg in? she w on d er ed , w a t chi ng t he d oo r . The p eop l e st i l l ca m e p la ci n g t hei r
of f er i ng s o n t h e t r a y , p ick in g u p t hei r ca n d les, l i ght i ng t hem a n d st ick in g t hem in
t h e sa n d . They w ou ld t h en w a lk ov er t o k i ss t he i con s f ou r t een o f t hem Tessa
co u nt ed . Fi na l l y t he i con i n t he cent r e o f t h e chu r ch w ou l d b e k issed w i t h f a r
m or e r ev er ence t ha n t hose on t he w a l lo r so i t seem ed t o Tessa , Sm a l l chi l d r en
w er e p ick ed u p b y t heir m ot h er s a nd hel d so t ha t t h ey cou l d k i ss t he icons.
For h a l f a n hou r or m or e t h i s w en t o n, t hen a t l a st t he ser v ice b eg a n, w it h
t h e p r i est a p p ea r i n g a n d m u ch cha n t i ng t a k i ng p l a ce a m on g t h e m en.
Ev ent u a l l y a l l t h e el ect r i c l i g ht s w er e ext i n gu i shed , lea v i n g o n l y t he
i l l u m i na t i on p r ov i d ed b y t he ca nd l es. Ev er y on e l i t t h e ca n d l e t h ey h a d b r ou ght
w i t h t h em a nd t he cong r eg a t i on su r ged t o w a r d s t he d oo r , Tessa m a d e a sw i f t
m ov e t o r ea ch h er hu sb a nd ' s sid e t hen r ea l ized t ha t t he m en w er e p r eced i ng t he
w om en.
W ha t shou l d she d o? A d r ea d f u l p a n ic sei zed h er , a n d w i t ho u t ca r i ng w h a t
a ny one t h ou g ht she l ef t t he w om en a n d j oin ed t he m en. Bu t Pa u l h a d g one,
a nd she sea r ch ed a b ou t , b ecom in g f r a nt i c a s t he m o m en t s p a ssed . H er ca n d l e
b l ew ou t a nd a m a n l i ght ed it f r o m h i s.
'M y h u sb a nd ,' sh e cr i ed , lo ok i ng hel p lessly a t h i m .
H e p o i nt ed a cr o ss t he op en sp a ce t o w h er e so m e o f t h e m en h a d go n e. 'Oh
... t h a n k y ou !' She sp ed a w a y , p u sh i ng t hr o u gh w hen necessa r y u nt i l she d r ew
cl ose. Then sh e st o p p ed , n ot d a r i n g t o let Pa u l k n ow sh e w a s t h er e. H er ca n d l e
ha d go ne ou t a ga i n a n d she li ght ed it f r o m a no t h er . Th e cha nt i n g w a s u t t er ly l ost
on her ; she f elt she w ou l d n ev er a t t end a chu r ch ser v ice a ga i n a s l o ng a s she
l iv ed .
The congr ega t io n w a s go i n g in si d e a ga i n . Qu i t e u n a b l e t o t a k e a n y m or e,
she t ou ched her hu sb a nd ' s sl eev e.
'Pa u l , I f eel i l l .' Ca n w e d o y ou m i n d i f w e go h o m e?'
'You 'r e no t w el l? W ha t i s i t ?'
'I' m j ju st f eel in g ... .' To her d ism a y sh e st a r t ed t o cr y . ' I j u st w a n t t ot o go h
hom e.'
'Ver y w el l ." H is a n sw er su r p r i sed h er , b u t i m m ed ia t el y o n hea r i n g i t she
t o ok hi s ha n d a n d w i t h i n a cou p l e o f m in u t es t hey w ent i n t he ca r . .
'Wh a t is it , d a r l i n g?' he a sk ed a nxio u sl y a s Tessa d r ov e slo w l y a l ong t h e
co a st r oa d t o w a r d s Ky r en ia . 'A r e y ou a l l r i gh t d r i v i ng, I m ea n ?'
'Yes, I'm a l l r i g ht no w .'
They d r ov e o n i n si l ence a f t er t h a t , t hr ou gh t h e w a r m n i g h t a ir w i t h t he
d a r k sea on t hei r lef t a n d t he j a g ged ou t l i ne o f t he Ky r en i a m o u nt a ins on t heir
r i gh t .
'Pa u l ' Tessa t u r ned t o h i m i m m ed i a t ely t hey en t er ed t he ho u se. ' I' m sor r y
f or w ha t ha p p ened . You see, I d id n 't k no w I h a d t o b e a t t he ot h er end .'
'Of cou r se y ou d id n't , d a r l ing .' H e p u t h i s a r m s a r ou nd her a nd she l a i d her
f a ce a g a i nst h i s coa t . ' I w a s t oo i m p a t i ent . I shou l d h a v e u nd er st oo d .' Tend er ly
he r a ised h er f a ce a n d k issed h er . 'Fo r get a l l a b ou t i t , L u ci n d a . It i sn't in t he lea st
i m p or t a nt .'
N ot i m p or t a nt ? H o w l i t t l e he k new ev er y sha r p w or d a nd t her e h a d b een
sev er a l occa sio ns r ecen t l y w h en he ha d u sed sha r p w o r d s t o her w a s l i k e a n ed g e
of col d st eel i n her hea r t . Cou l d one l ov e t o o m u ch? W a s it w i se t o l a y o nesel f
op en l i k e t h i s? To b e so v u l ner a b l e t o p a i n ? Sh e w a s t r em b l i ng i n h is a r m s a n d he
m u r m u r ed soo t hi ng l y , a sk i ng w ha t w a s w r ong.
'I ca n't b ea r i t w hen y ou 'r e a ngr y , Pa u l It h u r t s so d r ea d f u l ly .'
H i s ha nd s ca r essed her , 'b u t t her e w a s so m et hi ng i n h i s t o u ch, so m et h i n g
q u i t e i nt a n g i b l e ... a n d Tessa h a d t he ext r a or d i n a r y u r g e t o sl i p f r o m h i s ho l d .
'It h u r t s d r ea d f u l l y ... ? You m u st l ov e m e v er y m u ch, Lu cin d a .'
'You k no w I d o.'
'So d eep a l ov e now ... a nd y et ' A b r u p t l y h e p u ll ed h i m sel f u p . Wh a t h a d
he b een a b ou t t o sa y ? W a s h e r em em b er i ng ho w he ha d b een j i l t ed ? a nd
w ond er i ng ho w a ny on e a ct i ng so ca l lo u sl y t hen cou l d b e so l ov i ng now ? Bu t he
d i d not k no w t ha t t h e g ir l w ho ha d j i l t ed h i m a nd t he g i r l w ho m h e h a d m a r r i ed
w er e t w o v er y d i f f er en t p eop l e. 'Lu ci n d a d a r l i ng, y ou int r i gu e m e.'
H er hea r t m i ssed a b ea t , f o r h i s b r o w w a s f u r r ow ed i n p er p l exit y .
'I d on 't k now w ha t y ou m ea n?'
'So gr ea t a cha n geBu t no , I m u st n't b r i n g u p t h e p a st . Th er e's n ot h i ng t o
b e g a i ned b y t ha t .'
Sh e st a r ed u p a t h i m , b ew i ld er m ent cl ou d i n g her ey es.' H i s su b t l e r ef er ence
t o t he p a st ha d b een d el i b er a t e, sh e f el t co nv i nced o f t ha t ... a n d t hen he h a d
i m m ed i a t el y sa i d t hey m u st n't b r i n g i t u p .
'Pa u l ,' she w h i sp er ed d esp er a t el y , 'd on 't l et a n y t h i n g sp oi l t h i s lo v el y t h i ng .
Don't cha ng eDa r l i ng, I b eg o f y ou , p l ea se d on't ch a n ge,'
'M y L u ci nd a , o f cou r se I w on't cha n ge.Dea r est , t her e a r e t ea r s o n y ou r
f a ce. Why d o y ou w eep , m y lo v e?' H is f i n g er t ou ched her cheek a n d f l i ck ed a w a y
a t ea r . 'Co m e, y ou t a k e ev er y t h ing ' f a r t o o ser iou sl y .' H i s f i n ger no w t ou ched h er
m ou t h, a n d f el t it s q u i v er i ng . 'A sm i le,' he com m a nd ed st er nl y . ' A sm i l e on t h ose
l ov el y l ip s, a n d a g l ow i n t h ose ey es. Q u ick l y w a nt t o k now t h ey a r e t her e'
H er l i p s p a r t ed t h en, b u t h er l ov ely ey es r em a i n ed sh a d o w ed . So m e
ch a nge ... so m e cha n ge so sl i ght a n d v a g u e t ha t i t w a s a l m o st i m p er cep t ib l e, w a s
t a k in g p la ce i n t hei r m a r r i a g e.
The b ea ch a t Va r osh a , on e o f t he m ost b ea u t i f u l on t he i sl a nd , w a s a l m o st
d eser t ed , f o r it w a s o nl y sev en o'cl ock in t h e m or ni ng w h en Tessa a n d P a u l w ent
ou t f or t hei r sw i m . They ha d sp en t t w o i d y l l i c d a y s a t t h e
Ki ng Geor ge hot el, occu p y i ng t h eir t i m e sw i m m i n g, si gh t seei ng or j u st
l a zi ng a b ou t .
'The sa n d s r ea l ly a r e go l d en,' Tessa sa i d a s t h ey lef t t he d a zzl i n g b l u e w a t er
a nd sa t d ow n on t h e t ow el w h ich Tessa sp r ea d ou t f or t hem . ' H er e's a not her
t o w el , Pa u l .' .
'Tha n k y ou , Lu ci n d a .' H e b ega n t o d r y h i m sel f , a n d a s Tessa w a t ched she
not i ced t h a t he hel d t he t ow el t o hi s f a ce l on gcr t ha n seem ed necessa r y . It
co v er ed h is ey es, a nd he seem ed t o b e p r essi n g h i s f i nger s a g a i n st t hem , a s i f t h ey
w er e g iv i ng h i m p a i n.
A f t er b r ea k f a st t h ey v i si t ed t he o l d cit y f or t he secon d t i m e. O n t h e f i r st
occa sio n t h ey h a d l ef t t h e ca r a t t he hot el a nd t a k en a t a xi, a st hen t h ey w ou l d
ha v e a gu i d e. Th i s t i m e Tessa d r ov e, ent er i ng t h e cit y b y t he La nd Ga t e.
'We'r e cr ossi n g t he b r id g e o v er t he m o a t n ow .' she sa i d , h er hea r t a s l i ght
a s t he sk y a nd t he a i r a r ou n d her . 'O n y ou r si d e, d a r l i n g, is t he r a v el in , a nd i t ha s
a b ea u t i f u l Go t h i c a r ch a nd t h er e a r e t he d u n g eons w h ich t he t a xi d r iv er t o ld u s
a b o u t . Sh a l l I st op f or co f f ee w hen I see a n ice p a v em ent ca f e.'
'Yes, Lu cind a , w e m u st h a v e cof f ee.'
They sa t i n t he sq u a r e, a n d Tessa t a l k ed a b ou t t he a r chi t ect u r e o f t he
ca t hed r a l a nd t he Ven et i a n Pa l a ce. A nd t hen h er m in d w a nd er ed t o t he st or y
t o ld b y t he t a xi d r i v er a b ou t t he b r a v er y o f t h e Venet ia n w a r r i or Br a ga d i no,
w ho w a s ca p t a i n o f Fa m a g u st a d u r i n g a n i n e m o nt h si ege b y t he Tu r k s.
'It m a k es m e shu d d er ,' sh e sa id a f t er r ep ea t i ng w h a t t h ey h a d a l r ea d y
b een t ol d . ' Im a g i ne I b ei n g f l a y ed a l i v e '
'I d on 't ca r e t o i m a g i ne i t ,' he r et u r ned w i t h em p ha sis, b u t t hen h e a d d ed ,
on a st r a n gel y d i scor d a nt n ot e, ' I su p p ose t her e a r e t or t u r es eq u a l l y h i d eou s. It ' s
a m a zi n g w h a t t he m i n d o f m a n ca n t h i nk u p .'
H er ey es f lu t t er ed , t o h i s f a ce; it h a d b eco m e ha r d a nd set , b u t ev en a s she
w a t ched a n ev en gr ea t er cha nge t ook p l a ce a s h is m ou t h t w i st ed i n t o a n u g l y ,
a l m ost sa d i st ic cu r v e. H e m ig h t ha v e b een t h i nk i n g u p so m e i n f er n a l f o r m o f
t o r t u r e hi m sel f , sh e t hou g ht , a t i ny shu d d er p a ssi n g t hr ou gh her ,
'Sha l l w e go now ?' she ha st i ly a sk ed , a n d a t h i s sm i le she w a s env el op ed
once a ga i n i n w a r m t h.
'I l ea v e i t a l l t o m y ch a u f f eu r ,' he sa i d a m om en t la t er w hen she a sk ed
w her e h e w ou l d l i k e t o go .
'We sha l l go t o Ot hel lo 's To w er , t hen, w her e t he i nno cent Desd em on a w a s
so f ou l l y a nd u nj u st ly d o ne t o d ea t h .' Th er e w a s a h i nt o f b a nt er i n her t on e;
i g nor in g i t Pa u l m u r m u r ed , a s i f t he w or d s w er e not f or h i s w i f e's ea r s a t a l l ,
'In nocent .... W her e, I w o n d er , d oes one f i n d a n i nnocent w o m a n?' A l a u g h,
sca r cel y a u d i b l e, l ef t h i s l i p s. ' A ny p u n i sh m en t t h a t com es t o a w o m a n i s u su a l l y
w el l d eser v ed .'
H i s w or d s w i p ed t h e sm i le f r om her l i p s a n d t h e j oy f r om her hea r t . W ha t
w a s t h i s su b t l e i nsi n u a t i on? So m eho w Tessa f el t she her sel f w a s in v ol v ed . These
t w o hea v en l y d a y s a n d now t h i s od d a nd i nexp l i ca b l e cha n g e.
A l l i nt er est a n d ent hu sia sm h a d b een d r a i ned f r o m her a nd she t a lk ed
l ist l essl y , p a ssi ng com m ent on t h e Tow er a nd , t h e w a l l s a n d t h e chu r ches, r a t h er
t h a n d escr i b i ng t h em .
'Per ha p s y o u w ou l d l ik e t o go b a ck t o t he hot el ' sh e su gg est ed , a n xi ou s t o
cu t sho r t t he t ou r , f or P a u l ha d not sp ok en t o her si nce t hey l ef t t h e sq u a r e.
'A g ood su g gest i on. W e' l l sp en d t he a f t er n oo n on t he b ea ch .'
They cha n g ed i m m ed i a t ely o n r ea ch in g t h e hot el , a nd a f t er t a k i ng d r i nk s
i n t he Ter r a ce Ba r t h ey w ent ou t on t o t h e sa nd s.
'M y su ng l a sses, L u ci nd a ,' he sa i d a s he sa t d ow n i n a d eck cha i r . 'I'v e
f or go t t en t hem . Wou l d y ou m i n d f et chi ng t h em f or m e'
Sh e r ose a t o nce a n d w en t t o d o h i s b i d d i n g, h er m in d i n a t u r m o i l . W h a t
w a s w r ong w it h hi s ey es t ha t h e k ep t exp er i en ci ng t h i s d i sco m f or t .
On ha nd i n g t h e gl a sses t o h i m sh e op en ed her m ou t h t o m a k e a t ent a t i v e
i n q u i r y , b u t cha nged her m i n d . For she su d d en l y exp er i enced a sen sa t i on o f
d a n g er . So m e in st i nct w a r n ed her t h a t she w a s nea r in g t he ed g e o f a p r ecip i ce,
a nd t ha t a ny m ent io n o f t he p a st or a ny t hi n g p er t a i ni n g t o it cou l d t a k e her
v er y cl ose t o t he p o i nt o f d i sa st er .
La t er , w hen t h ey w ent i n t o cha n ge f o r t ea , Pa u l ca u ght Tessa t o h i m a n d
a sk ed i f she w er e en j oy i ng t h e h o l i d a y .
'It 's p er f ect .' A f ew ho u r s a g o she co u ld ha v e b r ea t h ed t hose w or d s w it h
t r u t h, b u t n o w ... 'Wha t a b ou t y ou , P a u l, A r e y ou enj oy in g i t ?'
'Wh a t m or e co u l d a m a n w a nt t ha n a b ea u t i f u l a nd l ov i n g w i f e, t he su n
a b o v e a n d t he w a r m ca l m sea t o sw i m i n?'
So m eh o w h i s, w or d s w er e ev a si v e; Tessa f el t her hea r t b ea t s q u ick en a s a
t i n g e o f f ea r sw ep t t hr ou gh her b od y .
'You d i d n't a n sw er m y q u est i on .'
'I'v e en jo y ed it .' H is ha nd s exp l or ed h er sho u l d er s a nd her b a ck , sl ow ly ,
p ossessiv el y , 'Wh a t is t he colo u r o f y o u r b i k i n i? Th i s isn't t he o n e y ou u su a l l y
w ea r .'
'Thi s i s p i nk a nd b la ck .'
'A nd v er y b r i ef Bu t y ou a l w a y s d i d w ea r b r ief sw i m m i n g t hi ng s, d i d n't
y ou , Lu cind a ?' On e h a n d ca m e r ou nd t o a ssess t h e si ze o f her su n t op . ' N ot h i n g
m u ch a t a l l .' A p a u se a nd t hen, 'H ow q u i ck l y y ou r hea r t b ea t s!' Th e col ou r
r u shed t o her f a ce, a n d a s i f a w a r e o f it P a u l t ou ched h er ch eek , 'Bl u shi n g ' A
l a u gh echoed i n t he r o om . 'W hy , Lu ci nd a , t h i s i s so m et h i ng el se I' m l ea r n i ng
a b o u t y ou . For so m ehow I d i d n't t h i nk y o u 'd b e shy esp eci a l ly a s y ou 'v e b een
m a r r i ed f or o v er t hr ee w eek s.' Tessa w a s m u t e. N ot o n l y w a s P a u l m ock i ng her ,
b u t t her e ha d ent er ed i nt o h i s t on es a h in t o f co nt em p t . 'You ha v en't t o l d m e
w hy y ou r hea r t is b ea t i ng so f a st . Exci t em ent ?' he q u er i ed w it h a t ou ch o f
hu m ou r . 'Or cou ld i t b e ... f ea r ?' N o hu m ou r now a s he w a i t ed w i t h f a i nt
exp ect a t io n f or h er r ep ly ,
'Pa u l ,' she t r em b l ed , 'I d o n't u nd er st a n d y ou i n t h is m oo d , W ha t a r e y ou
t h i n k i n g?'
'A h, m y t ho u ght s. Those, L u cin d a , I ca n k eep secr et .
A l l m y a ct i on s a r e k n ow n t o y ou b eca u se I need y ou r h el p b u t m y
t h ou ght s? They a r e m y ow n .' A n d w i t hou t a l l ow in g h er t i m e t o t hi nk u p so m e
co m m ent he p u l l ed h er t o h i m a n d k i ssed her gent ly on t he l i p s, She r esp ond ed ,
a nd y et a t er r i b l e a che t u gged a t her hea r t .
D i n ner t ha t ev en i n g w a s a g a y a f f a i r , f or som e En gl i sh p eop l e w h o h a d
ch a t t ed on sev er a l occa si ons w i t h Pa u l a n d Tessa , a n d w ho w er e r et u r n i ng t o
Eng la n d t he f o l l ow i n g d a y , su ggest ed t hey m a k e a f ou r so m e, Pa u l a gr eed a nd
t h e w a it er ga v e t hem a l a r ger t a b l e.
The m ea l ov er , t hey a l l w ent i nt o t he b a r , Pa u l w a s i n a m ost a t t r a ct i v e
m ood a n d Tessa 's sp i r i t s r ose a ga i n. H e l oo k ed so b r on zed a n d ha nd so m e, a n d
she f el t so p r ou d t o b e h is w i f e. H e sp ok e t o her en d ea r i ng l y a nd i t w a s ea sy t o
see t h a t t he ot her cou p l e w er e i m p r essed b y t he a d or a t i on he a p p ea r ed t o b e
b est o w i ng on h is y ou n g w i f e.
Ev ent u a l l y t he p a r t y b r ok e u p a n d t he En gl i sh cou p le w en t u p t o t heir
r o om .
'Let 's t a k e a b r ea t h o f f r esh a i r ?' su ggest ed Pa u l, a n d t hey w ent ou t i nt o
t h e st r eet .
N o soo ner h a d t hey st ep p ed ou t si d e t h a n . Tessa w a s ent hu si a st ica l ly
ha i l ed , a n d she t u r ned i n su r p r i se, w ond er i ng w ho i t cou l d b e.
'M a r t in ! ' she excla i m ed . ' H ow n i ce t o see y ou ! '
'A nd y ou .' H e g l a nced a t Pa u l , a n d t hen h e not iced t ha t Tessa w a s ho l d i ng
hi s ha n d . ' I p r om i sed t o t a k e y ou a r o u nd , r em em b er , b u t .. ."
'M a r t in, m eet P a u l , m y h u sb a n d . Pa u l , t h i s i s M a r t i n. I t h i nk I m ent io ned
m eet in g h im on t he b oa t com i n g ov er ,'
Pa u l hel d o u t h i s ha n d , a st i f f a nd h a l f r el u ct a nt m ov em ent , b u t h is v oi ce
hel d a p lea sa n t not e a s he p a ssed a m o m ent or t w o i n con v er sa t io n w i t h t h e
y ou ng m a n .
'Wel l , I su p p o se I m u st go,' sa id M a r t i n a t l engt h . ' You 'v e cer t a in l y su r p r ised
m e b y i nt r o d u ci n g m e t o y ou r h u sb a nd . I n ev er d r ea m ed y o u 'd co m e o v er her e
t o g et m a r r ied .' H e l a u g hed , sa i d good n i g ht , a n d l ef t t hem , g oi n g o v er t o a ca r
he h a d p a r k ed j u st a cr o ss t he r o a d .
Pa u l 's w hol e m a n ner cha nged w hen, a l i t t l e w h i l e la t er , t hey w er e i n t heir
r o om .
'So y ou 'd a r r a ng ed f or h i m t o t a k e y ou a b ou t , ha d y o u ?' H i s v o ice w a s l i k e
co ld st eel a nd h i s j a w w a s set a n d ha r sh .
'N o,' sh e a n sw er ed ha st i l y . 'Tha t w a s ju st hi s w a y o f sp ea k i ng . You see, i f i f
y ou ha d n't w a nt ed m e '
'You in t en d ed conso l i n g y ou r sel f w i t h so m eone el se?'
'You f r i g ht en m e,' she w h i sp er ed co nv u l si v el y . 'P a u l, w ha t 's h a p p en i n g t o
ou r m a r r i a ge?' She w ent t o h i m , a nd p u t h er ha n d s a ga i n st hi s chest . 'You
p r om ised .y ou w o u ld n't cha n ge.'
'A l l p eop l e cha nge.'
'Bu t ' Bew i l d er ed ly she st a r ed a t hi m , a s i f she w ou l d r ea d h i s t hou g ht s.
'We'v e b een m a r r ied l ess t h a n a m ont h, a n d I lov e y ou so'
'Lov e! Yes, y ou l ov e m e,' he a g r eed exu l t a nt l y . 'You ' l l a l w a y s l ov e m e.
Com e, sho w m e how m u ch' H e sw ep t her i nt o h is a r m s a nd k i ssed her r ou gh ly ,
w i t hou t r esp ect . 'Sh o w m e how m u ch, m y w or shi p f u l Lu cin d a m y b ea u t i f u l w i f e
w ho m I ca n not see. '



CHAPTER V

SL OW LY, sl o w ly .... The w or d s k ep t r ep ea t i n g t hem sel v es ov er a n d ov er
a ga i n i n Tessa ' s m in d . Bu t w hy ? 'D a r l i n g, w ha t a r e y ou d o i ng ?' H er h u sb a n d 's so f t
a nd t en d er v oi ce ca m e t o her a n d sh e g la n ced ov er t he b a l co ny r a i l t o t he f lo w er
st r ew n g a r d en d ow n b el o w .. P a u l w a s si t t i n g i n a w i d e ca ne cha ir ; t h e r a d i o
st ood on a m a t ch in g t a b l e cl o se b y . It w a s t u r ned d o w n so low t h a t Tessa co u ld
sca r cel y hea r t he l iv ely b o u zou k i m u sic t ha t w a s b ein g b r oa d ca st . Sh e d i d not
a nsw er a t o nce a nd i t w a s t h e f i r st t i m e, sh e r ea l i zed w i t h a l i t t l e sen se o f shock ,
t h a t sh e ha d not h a st ened ea ger l y t o g i v e hi m her r esp on se. In st ea d , she
r et u r ned her g a ze t o t he cl ea r w i d e v i ew o f t h e sea . Ind i go a n d t u r q u o i se, w i t h
t h e cha nn el s o f g l a ss m ea n d er i ng, a s i f r ef l ect i ng cu r r ent s b enea t h t he su r f a ce.
Fa r t her ou t t he si l v er sheen w a s ev en m or e p r onou n ced , w i d en i n g a w a y t ow a r d s
t h e l i ne w her e' t he exp a nse o f sea d r op p ed ov er t h e h or i zo n.
H er p en si v e ga ze ca m e b a ck t o t he m a n b el o w , a nd once a ga i n she sa w
hi m a s a l l Gr eek . Fi er ce a nd b r a v e- b r a v e he cer t a i nl y w a s w h en, ha v i n g esca p ed
u nsca t hed f r o m t h a t i n f er no, he ha d t r ied t o b ea t t h e f l a m es i n a n a t t em p t t o
r escu e hi s b el ov ed . St r ong , t o o, w i t h a n em ot i ona l d ep t h t o hi s ch a r a ct er w hi ch
she k new she ha d n ot y et encou nt er ed . W ha t w a s t h i s m a n sh e h a d
m a r r i ed ?t h i s m a n t o w ho m sh e ha d g iv en h er hea r t o n f i r st ga zi ng i nt o h i s
ey es? Th e f a ct t ha t he w a s not t he m a n sh e ha d b el i ev ed hi m t o b e she no w
b i t t er ly a ccep t ed . H i s v o ice r ea ched her a ga i n, st i l l p a t i ent , l ov i ng, gent le. 'W ha t
w a s he t r y i n g t o d o t o her ? Th i s ca t a n d m ou se g a m e, t h i s r a i sin g h er t o t he
hei gh t s a nd b r i n g i n g her d o w n t o t he d ep t hs. Ea ch t i m e t h e hei ght s w er e not
q u i t e so lo f t y , a nd ea ch l i m e t he d ep t h s w er e j u st a l it t l e d eep er . W her e w ou l d it
end ?
'I' m co m i n g, Pa u l .' W hit e st ep s l ed f r o m t h e b a l co ny t o t h e g a r d en, st ep s
b or d er ed w it h f l ow er s gr o w i ng i n p ot sg er a ni u m s a n d l i l ies, r oses a nd t he lo v el y
cu lt i v a t ed ci p r u s b u shes. 'Do y o u w a nt so m et h i ng?'
'You , m y sw eet ,' h e sa i d , a n d h er l i p s t r em b l ed co nv u l si v el y .
'I w on d er ?'
'M y l ov e? Wh a t is t h i s?' H e ext en d ed a ha n d i m p er a t iv ely . ' Co m e her e.'
Sh e o b ey ed a n d he p u l l ed h er o n t o h i s k n ee. 'My b ea u t i f u l L u cin d a , ea ch d a y I
l ea r n so m et h i n g n ew a b ou t y ou . I'v e j u st d i sco v er ed I'v e a t em p er a m ent a l w i f e."
Sh e l ea n t a g a i nst h i m , p u t her cheek t o h is. H er l i d s f l u t t er ed d o w n, a s i f
shu t t i ng ou t t h e p a in o f t ea r s p r essi ng ha r d a ga in st t he b a ck s o f her ey es.
'I' m n ot t em p er a m ent a l , Pa u l ju st t er r ib l y a f r a i d .'
'A f r a i d ?' H i s b r ow s l i f t ed a f r a ct i on, b u t ot h er w i se he r em a i n ed u n m ov ed
b y t he p lea d i ng, t r em b l i ng t ones. 'W ha t i s t h er e f or y o u t o b e a f r a i d o f ?'
Sh e shoo k h er hea d d u m b l y . H e w a s n ot i n t he r i ght m ood t o l i st en t o her
f ea r s.
'Don't heed i t ,' she sa i d a f t er a w h i l e, t r y i n g t o b r i n g a b r i ght er not e t o her
v oi ce. ' I' m a l it t l e t i r ed t od a y ; I su p p ose it m u st b e t h e hea t .'
'I t h in k p er ha p s y ou a r e n ot t o o w el l , m y l o v e, f or y o u h a v en't b een
y ou r sel f f or sev er a l d a y s n ow .'
Sh e sa t u p st r a ig h t , sca n n in g h i s d a r k f ea t u r es.
Su r el y h e k new t h e ca u se o f t hi s ch a nge i n her ? Su r ely he w a s a w a r e o f
t h e cha ng e w h ich h a d t a k en p l a ce i n
hi s o w n b eh a v i ou r t o w a r d s h er ? A n d y et h e d i d seem on t he su r f a ce t o b e
t o t a l l y ob l i v i ou s o f ha v i n g d on e a ny t h i n g t o ca u se her p a i n .
Sh e p r essed clo ser t o h i m a n d h i s a r m s t ig h t ened lo v i n gl y .
'We w o n 't cha nge, Pa u l . Pr om ise m e w e w on't ch a n ge.'
'Da r l i ng, w ha t is t he m a t t er ? A r en 't y o u h a p p y ?'
'La st w eek a t Fa m a gu st a , y ou w er e so a n g r y a b ou t M a r t i n, a n d t her e w a s
no n eed t o b e, a n d a n d si nce t hen y ou 'v e b een sor t o f col d .'
A p r ot est i ng l i t t l e la u gh esca p ed h i m , 'A m I co l d now ?'
'N o, b u t '
'I a d m i t I 'w a s j ea l ou s o f t ha t f el lo w , w hoev er he w a s, Bu t I soon got o v er
i t , n o w d i d n't I' H e sp ok e so ot hi n g l y , a s i f t o a f r a ct i ou s ch i ld . 'A n d w e d i d h a v e a
w ond er f u l m a k i ng u p su r el y y ou ' l l a gr ee a b ou t t ha t ?'
Yes, she a gr eed . A f t er t h i s a n gr y ou t b u r st h e h a d h el d h er so t end er l y , a n d
l a t er , a s a l w a y s, h e ha d t r a n sp or t ed her t o t he hei gh t s. Bu t o n t h e ho m ew a r d
j ou r ney , a cou p l e o f d a y s l a t er , w hen she h a d b een f or ced t o m a k e a n
em er gency st op ow i ng t o a chi l d 's r u nn i ng in t o t h e r oa d , he ha d t r ea t ed her t o
t h e m ost a n g r y t i r a d e, m a k i n g h er f a r m o r e ner v ou s t ha n she a l r ea d y w a s, a nd
b r in g i n g h er h u r t l in g d ow n o nce m or e t o t he d ep t hs.
'Pu l l y ou r sel f t oget her ! W e'r e no t goi ng t o d r iv e a l l t he w a y ho m e a t a
sp eed o f f i v e m i l es a n hou r , I h op e!'
'I' m a ll sha k in g , Pa u l . You d d on't r ea l ize. I m m i ssed t he chi l d b b y i nch es.'
'Wel l , y o u d id m i ss h i m , so w ha t a l l t h e f u ss i s a b ou t I d o n't k now . If y ou 'r e
a s n er v o u s a d r i v er a s t h i s y ou 'd b et t er g i v e i t u p !'
A s a r esu l t o f h is sh a r p m a n ner , Tessa m a d e t he m ost f a t a l m i st a k e
p ossi b l e.
'You d i d n't see w ha t ha p p en ed . Th e l i t t l e b oy r a n f r o m b eh i n d a ca r t !'
A n a w f u l si l ence. Tessa 's f oot shoo k o n t he a ccel er a t o r .
'You 'r e q u it e r i g ht , Lu ci nd a , I d i d n't see w h a t ha p p en ed .' N o m or e t ha n
t h a t , b u t t h ose w or d s, a n d t he i n f lect i on i n h is v oi ce a s he sa i d t hem , l ef t t he m ost
p r of o u nd i m p r essi on on Tessa . .
H a d h e m a d e a d el i b er a t e a t t em p t t o w o u nd ? Bu t i f so, t h en i t w ou l d
seem t h a t he h a d st o p p ed l ov i ng her . A l l t he w a y hom e she su f f er ed a go n ies
f r om t he l a sh o f t hose w or d s. A n d t ha t n i g ht P a u l ha d gon e t o h i s ow n r oo m , t o
t h e r oom he ha d u sed b ef or e she b eca m e hi s w i f e.
Bu t t he f o l l ow i ng d a y he ha d b een f u l l of r em or se, a nd so t en d er a n d
l ov i ng w a s hi s m a n ner t ha t h er ha p p i ness w a s r est or ed a nd sh e w a s soo n
r esp o nd i ng t o hi s k i sses, f r eel y g i v i ng a l l h er l ov e.
'A s f o r m y b ein g co l d r ea l l y , Lu cin d a , I'm b egi nn i ng t o t h i nk y ou ha v e a
r a t her v i v id i m a g i n a t i on .' 'You d o n 't a d m i t t o b ei n g col d ?' ,
'M ost cer t a i n l y n ot .'
'Tel l m e, Pa u l, a r e y o u a s ha p p y a s y ou w er e a t t he b eg i n ni ng ?'
'Wh a t d o y ou m ea n b y "a t t he b eg in ni n g "?' A not her r ef er ence t o t h e p a st .
H ow su b t l e h e w a s!
'Du r i ng t h ose f ir st t w o or t h r ee w eek s o f o u r m a r r ia g e?'
H e ga v e a l it t l e shr u g . .
'A h o ney m oo n d o esn 't l a st a l l y ou r l i f e, m y d ea r .' 'It u su a l ly l a st s m or e t ha n
a m o nt h .' H e g a v e her a l it t l e sha k e.
'Tha t i m a gi na t ion o f y ou r s a g a i n I W e'r e j u st a s ha p p y a s w e w er e a t f i r st ,
onl y w e'v e set t led d o w n t ow el l, t o r o u t i ne. N o w st op b ei ng si l l y a nd f et ch t he
new sp a p er . I w a nt not h i n g m or e t ha n t o si t b a ck i n m y cha i r a nd l i st en t o t ha t
v er y b ea u t i f u l v oi ce o f y ou r s.'
Tessa d i d a s she w a s t o l d , b u t t h er e w a s a p er m a nent a che i n her hea r t
now . It w a s n o u se p r et en d i ng, so m et hi ng ha d ha p p en ed t o t h eir m a r r i a ge. She
no l onger nu r sed w it h d esp er a t i on t he i d ea t ha t her hu sb a nd 's i ncon si st ency
r esu l t ed f r om h i s a f f l i ct i on . She ha d k n o w n l i t t le o f hi s na t u r e w hen sh e m a r r i ed
hi m , b u t no w sh e h a d lea r ned t h a t h e w a s a m a n o f m ood s, m ood s w h ich v a r i ed
f r om sl ig ht i m p a t i ence t o v io lent a nger , f r o m nea r i nd i f f er ence t o st r o ng a nd
d eep em o t i on s o f lov e ... or w h a t a p p ea r ed t o b e l ov e. For t he f i r st t i m e, a s sh e
sa t t her e r ea d i n g t o h i m a n d y et not her sel f a b sor b i ng w h a t she r ea d , Tessa
a sk ed her sel f i f he r ea l l y lo v ed h er or Lu ci nd a , a s sh e w a s su p p osed t o b e. She
r ea d on, h er l ov el y v oi ce m or e m u sica l t h a n ev er i n t h e clea r a i r coi n i ng so f t l'
d ow n f r om t he m ou nt a i ns. A n d a l l t he t im e her t hou g ht s w er e el sew h er e. She
w ent o v er her l i f e d u r i n g t h ese p a st w eek s, sa w , t he ch a n ge in P a u l a s so m et h i ng
a l m ost i m p er cep t ib l e a t f i r st , ca u si ng her sl i g ht u nea sin ess b u t cer t a i nl y not
p a i n. Gr a d u a l l y , i n a m a nner v a gu e a nd a l m o st i n d ef i n a b l e, t he m et a m or p hosi s
ha d t a k en p l a ce. Sl ow ly , sl ow l y . P a u l h a d u sed t ho se w or d s, sh e r eca l l ed ,
a nd i n t he m ost o d d sor t o f t o ne. A n i d ea ca m e t o her , a n id ea t ha t ca u sed her
ey es t o w i d en a n d h er m i nd t o r eca p t u r e w ha t her f a t h er h a d w r i t t en w hen he
l ea r ned o f her i n t ent i on t o i m p er sona t e h er si st er a nd m a r r y Pa u l.
A n i n her ent st r ea k o f cr u el t y , her f a t her h a d m ent i o ned , goi ng on t o sa y
t h a t h e co u l d m or e ea si l y see Pa u l a s t h e m er ci l ess a v eng er , d ev i si n g so m e
f ien d ish p l ot t o p u n ish Lu ci nd a ,
Tessa st o p p ed r ea d i n g, f or t er r or f i l led h er . On d eci d i n g t o m a r r y Pa u l she
ha d ho p ed t o su p p l a nt t h e l ov e h e h a d f o r h er si st er , b u t a t t he sa m e t i m e she
w ou l d r et u r n t o h i m a l l t h a t w a s in her hea r t t o g i v e. Su p p o si n g ... j u st su p p osin g
hi s l ov e f or Lu cin d a w er e d ea d , ha d b een k i l l ed b y her ca l l ou s b eha v i ou r , Then
Pa u l cou l d ha v e m a r r i ed f or r ev enge. The new sp a p er f l u t t er ed i n t he b r eeze; i t
f el l f r om Tessa 's, t r em b l i ng f i nger s a n d o ne l a r ge sh eet w a s w h i p p ed a w a y t o b e
ca u ght i n t he t hor n s o f a g i a nt ca ct u s gr o w i n g o n t h e ot her si d e o f t h e
co u r t y a r d . Sh e w a s o n l y v a gu el y a w a r e o f w h a t w a s h a p p en i ng, f or h er ey es a n d
her m i nd w er e o ccu p ied w i t h her hu sb a nd . If p u n ishm ent w er e h i s a i m , a n d t h i s
slo w a nd co ncen t r a t ed t or t u r e w er e h i s w a y ... t hen i nt o w ha t b l a ck a b yss w o u l d
she u lt i m a t el y b e hu r l ed ?
Pa u l l i f t ed hi s hea d i nt er r oga t in g l y . 'Ti r ed , sw eet h ea r t ? Or i s i t t h ir st y
w or k ? I t h in k w e'l l ha v e a cof f ee b r ea k .'
Sh e h esi t a t ed ; sho u ld she a cq u a in t h i m w it h her su sp i cio n s? Bu t n o su i t a b l e
w or d s ca m e t o her a n d ' she m er ely sa i d sh e w ou l d go in t o t he hou se a n d
p r ep a r e t he co f f ee. P a u l w a s l ea ni ng r ig h t b a ck i n t he ch a ir w h en she r et u r ned
t o t he ga r d en w it h t h e t r a y . H i shea d w a s o n h i s chest a s i f he w er e d eep in
t h ou ght .
Pu t t i ng t he t r a y on t he t a b le, she st r a i ght ened u p . H e seem ed u na w a r e o f
her p r esence a nd she sp ok e t o h im so f t l y , t el l ing h i m h is cof f ee w a s t her e, a n d
t h a t sh e ha d sw eet ened i t f or h i m .
A q u i ck f r ow n d a r k ened h i s b r ow . ' I d i d n't w a nt su ga r ! '
Sh e sw a l lo w ed ha r d .
'You a l w a y s ha v e su g a r '
'I d o not ! In a ny ca se, I cou l d get i t m y sel f ! M u st y ou i nsi st on ca r r y i ng m e
a b o u t a s i f I w er e a b a b y ?'
W hi t e t o t h e l i p s, Tessa o f f er ed t o m a k e h i m so m e f r esh co f f ee; he sa id
not hi ng, b u t h i s m o u t h w a s t ig ht a nd h a r d . Sh e w ent in t o t h e h ou se a nd
p r ep a r ed m o r e cof f ee f or h im .
'It 's her e, P a u l . o n t he co r ner of t h e t a b l e.'
H i s m o u t h w a s st i l l com p r essed a n d a s h e r ea ched ou t , f eel i ng f or t he cu p ,
she sa w t ha t h i s f i ng er s w er e sl ig ht l y st i f f , a s t hou gh he w er e a f f ect ed b y so m e
i n ner t ensi on . A t t h e si d e of h i s t hr o a t a m u scl e p u l sa t ed , a d d i n g st r en gt h t o t h e
i m p r essi on o f h is b ein g g r i p p ed b y so m e st r ong em ot io n .
'Wh er e a r e y ou ?' he a sk ed , p u t t in g t h e cu p t o h is l i p s.
'H er e, b y t h e t a b l e.' ,'H a v e y ou y ou r cof f ee?'
'I ha v e i t , y es.' Ta k i ng her cu p a n d sa u cer f r o m t h e t r a y , she sa t d o w n . Bu t
t h e cof f ee chok ed her , f or h er t hr oa t w a s b lo ck ed b y f ea r . .
'Wh y a r en 't y ou ' n ea r m e?' P a u l r ep l a ced t he cu p on i t s sa u cer a nd
ext en d ed , a h a n d i n t he f a m i l i a r gest u r e t ha t h a d a l w a y s b r ou ght f r o m Tessa a n
ea g er r esp o nse. She g a v e h i m her h a nd n ow , b u t t her e w a s a l i st l essness a b ou t
her t ha t w a s i nst a nt l y com m u n i ca t ed t o h i m . ' I' m sor r y , d a r l i ng . W a s I sha r p w i t h
y ou ?'
H er f a ce w a s st i l l d r a in ed o f col ou r . 'It d oesn't m a t t er , P a u l .'
'You 'r e no t ha p p y , m y l ov e. Co m e a nd k i ss m e a nd sa y I' m f or g iv en .'
Gent l y she w i t h d r ew her ha n d . H er v o ice w a s q u i et y et f i r m a s sh e sa i d ,
'A r e y o u cont ent , Pa u l ?'
'On t op o f t h e w or l d ! Don 't I p ossess t he m ost a d o r i ng w i f e a m a n cou l d
ha v e?'
Sh e f or got her r ol e, n o l on g er i d ent i f i ed her sel f w i t h Lu ci nd a . Sh e w a s
Tessa , a n d Pa u l w a s t he hu sb a n d w ho m sh e lov ed . ' I ca r e v er y d eep ly f or y o u ,'
she sa i d si m p ly . ' I w a nt t o m a k e u p f or ev er y t hi ng . W hen I m a r r i ed y ou , It w a s
b eca u se I lo v ed y ou ha d a l w a y s l ov ed y ou , si n ce t h e d a y w e m et . I ho p ed w e'd
b e h a p p y t oget her f or a l w a y s.'
'You w a nt ed t o m a k e u p f or ev er y t hi ng.' H e sp ok e t o h i m sel f , consi d er i ng
her st a t em en t . A nd t hen he a d d ed , a s i f r ea ch in g a d eci si o n, 'Bu t y ou a r e
m a k i n g u p f or ev er y t hi ng , Lu cin d a . You r l ov e t hi s l ov e y ou sa y y ou 'v e ha d f or
m e r i g ht f r om t he b eg in ni ng, i t i s a l l I need . I w a n t y ou t o l ov e m e f or ev er ; I w a nt
t o k n ow t ha t y o u 'l l n ev er cha ng e.'
Sh e st a r ed a t hi m , b ew i l d er ed a n d a f r a i d .
'I d on 't u n d er st a nd y ou , Pa u l . It w a s so w o nd er f u lb u t now Da r l i n g,.
w ha t 's h a p p en i ng ? I'v e j u st h a d t he m o st d r ea d f u l i d ea a nd a n d I' m so u n ha p p y .'
Sh e p a u sed a m o m ent , b u t a s h e m a d e n o com m ent sh e a d d ed , 'I' m not
ch a ng i n g b u t y o u a r e.'
'Wh a t i d ea i s t hi s, Lu ci n d a ?' he a sk ed , ig n o r i ng her f i na l r em a r k . 'You 'r e
b ecom i n g f a nci f u l , m y d ea r .'
N o a n sw er . She sensed a r et u r n o f t he t a u t ness sh e h a d not i ced a f ew
m o m ent s ea r l i er . H e r ep ea t ed h is q u est i on , i n t on es o f f ir m i n si st ency . Ther e cou l d
b e no ev a si on a nd sh e b eca m e so t en sed h er sel f t ha t sh e sca r cel y k new w h a t she
sa id .
'It 's so ha r d t o exp l a i n. When Fa t her w r ot e he m ent io n ed ' Sh e st op p ed ,
t r em b l i n g, b u t Pa u l u r ged so f t ly ,
'Yes, Lu cind a , y ou r f a t h er m en t i oned ... ?' Feel i n g f or t he t a b l e, he p u t
d ow n h i s cu p a n d sa u cer . 'Yo u r ea d a l l y o u r f a t her 's let t er s t o m e, d on't y o u ?'
Pl a y i ng w it h her a ga i n, b u t t h is t i m e i n a d i f f er ent w a y . Sh e d eci d ed t o r ev ea l
her su sp i ci o ns,
'In t he f i r st l et t er h e w r ot e Fa t her exp r essed su r p r i se t ha t y ou 'd so q u ick l y
f or g i v en m e,'
Pa u l t u r ned h i s hea d i n her d i r ect ion , b u t i t w a s a n et er n it y b ef or e he
sp ok e.
'Wh a t el se d i d y ou r f a t h er sa y ?'
'H e f el t t hou ght y ou w ou l d h a v e d esir ed r ev enge.' N o com m ent . Tessa w a s
d et er m i ned t o k now t he t r u t h. ' Do y ou w a nt r ev eng e, Pa u l ?'
'Wh a t exa ct l y a r e y ou a sk i n g m e, Lu ci n d a ?'
'I'v e b een w o nd er i n g a b ou t t he cha n ge i n y ou ,' H er hea r t t hr ob b ed
p a i n f u l l y , b u t she k ep t her v oi ce st ea d y a n d cont r ol l ed . ' A t f ir st y ou a p p ea r ed t o
l ov e m e, b u t gr a d u a l l y y ou ch a nged m a k i ng m e h a p p y , a n d t h en m i ser a b l e.'
Sh e p a u sed , f or a t r a nsf or m a t i on w a s t a k i n g p la ce i n h i s f ea t u r es. N ot a t r a ce o f
sof t ness l ef t .... 'Tha t i sn't t h e w a y t o t r ea t a w i f e ' '
'A r e y o u com p la i ni ng o f y ou r l i f e?' Ther e w a s a lo w v i b r a ncy t o h is v oi ce,
t h e f i r st r ea l i nd i ca t ion t ha t he w a s k eep i n g a r ei n o n som e p ow er f u l em ot ion .
"Su r ely y ou 'r e not b ecom i ng d i ssa t i sf i ed a lr ea d y ? W e'v e b een m a r r i ed o n ly a f ew
w eek s.'
'Tha t 's w h a t I'v e b een t r y i n g t o sa y ,' sh e p er sev er ed , r ef er r i ng on l y t o h i s
l a st r em a r k . ' In so shor t a t i m e w e'v e y ou 'v e cha n ged , I d id n't exp ect '
'Exp ect ' The m a sk w a s o f f , t h e t en si on r el ea sed .
H i s d a r k f a ce cont o r t ed ; he w a s l i k e so m e sa v a gep r i m i t i v e, m er ci l ess.
'Wh a t d i d y ou exp ect ? t o f i n d a n a d or in g l ov er , ea ger a n d w i l l i ng t o t a k e y ou
b a ck , hu m b l y gr a t ef u l f or w ha t y ou h a d t o of f er ?' H e p a u sed , b l a ck ha t r ed
p or t r a y ed i n t he t w i st o f h i s l ip s. 'W ha t a n op i n i on y ou h a v e o f y ou r sel f I m ea nt
t o d ela y t he f i na l b lo w f or so m e con sid er a b l e t i m e, b u t a s y ou 'v e chosen t o b r i ng
t h e m a t t er i n t o t he o p en her e's t he t r u t h; I m a r r i ed y ou f or t he sa l e p u r p ose of
r ev eng e. So y o u ca n send y ou r f a t h er m y congr a t u l a t i o ns. I a l w a y s d i d r esp ect h i s
p ow er s o f p er cep t ion ."
Tessa h a d k now n it , y et t he shock m a d e h er a l m ost p hy si ca l ly i l l. 'Yo u '
nev er l ov ed m e ... ?' She t w ist ed h er ha nd co nv u l si v ely . 'Fr om t he f ir st m o m en t it
w a s p r et ence" She r eca l l ed t he ho p e i n her hea r t a t h i s r ea d y f or g i v eness, t he
st r engt h o f h er d et er m i na t i on t o m a k e h i m ha p p y , t he d ep t h o f her g r a t it u d e
t h a t h er l i f e w ou l d b e sp ent b y t h e si d e o f t he m a n she lo v ed .
'Lov e? I'v e nev er l ov ed y o u si nce t h e d a y y ou t h r ew m e ov er ! O h, y es, I
k no w w ha t y ou 'r e go i n g t o sa y I p r om i sed t o f or g i v e y ou , sa i d t ha t y ou cou l d
co m e b a ck t o m e i f ev er y o u w i sh ed , b u t i f y ou w er en 't so sm u g, so u t t er ly
b l oa t ed w i t h y ou r ow n sel f est eem y ou 'd h a v e gu essed a t once m y i nt ent i o n w a s
t o p a y y ou b a ck .' H i s l ip cu r l ed w it h cont em p t . 'Ju st t o t h i n k o f y ou r v a ni t y
sick en s m e. You ha d t he a u d a ci t y t o com e her e, ca l m l y exp r essi n g cont r i t i on a nd
exp ect in g i n st a n t f or g i v eness.' H e t u r ned ' hi s hea d a w a y i n a gest u r e o f d i sgu st .
'Wh a t so r t of a w o m a n a r e y ou t o t a k e m y f or g i v eness f or gr a nt ed - t o exp ect i t
a s y ou r d u e? N o t a si g n o f su r p r ise w hen I t ook y ou b a ck w i t h ou t on e w or d o f
r ecr im i na t i on or b l a m eI r ep ea t , y ou r v a n it y si ck en s m e; a nd I n ow w o nd er how
I cou l d ev er ha v e giv en y ou a second g l a n ce '
Tessa sa t t her e, t r em b l i n g f r o m hea d t o f o ot , en d u r in g a l l t h a t w a s m ea nt
f or Lu cin d a , a nd p ow er l ess t o v i n d i ca t e her sel f . She sp ok e a t l a st , w hen a l o ng
si l ence h a d r ei g ned , a n d her v oi ce hel d a d esp er a t e p l ea .
'Pa u l , h a v en't I g i v en y o u a ny t h i ng ? We'v e b een so h a p p y '
'You 'v e, b een ha p p y , b a sk i n g i n y ou r ow n su b l i m e concei t . A s t o w ha t
y ou 'v e g iv en m e .. .' H i s v oi ce d r op p ed t o a l ow sna r l a nd on h i s t a u t f a ce a
gr ey ness w a s cr eep i ng u n d er t he t a n o f t h e sk i n . ' Da r k n ess f or l i f e, t h a t ' s w h a t
y ou 'v e g iv en m e N ot h i ng m or e, L u ci n d a , r em em b er t ha t ! You 'v e g i v en m e
not hi ng m o r e a nd nev er ca n'
'N o, oh no , d o n't sa y su ch t hi ng s' she cr ied i n a ngu i sh, h er ha nd s ext en d ed
b ef or e h is u n seei n g ga ze, 'I h a v e g i v en y o u so m et h in g m or e! I ca n g i v e y ou so
m u ch ' P a u l.' she w h i sp er ed on a lo w d esp a i r i ng sob , 'w on't y o u l et m e t r y ?' Bu t
hop e h a d d ied , a n d Tessa f el t her h ea r t w a s d ea d t o o, sa v a gely t or n t o shr ed s b y
t h e t a l on s o f her hu sb a n d 's h a t e. 'Wha t w h a t w ou l d y ou h a v e m e d o?' N o
em ot io n i n her .' v o i ce no w ; she w a s f r o zen w it h d r ea d t ha t t h i s w a s t h e f i na l
scene i n P a u l 's a ct , t ha t a lt hou g h t he cu r t a i n f a ll h a d com e so oner t h a n he
i nt end ed , he w ou l d sen d her f r om h i m , ou t of h i s l i f e f or ev er .
H e lea nt p a ck i n h i s ch a ir h i s h a n d s clen ched i n h i s la p , h i s f ea t u r es so
t r a nsf i gu r ed b y ' t he d ep t h o f h i s ' ha t e t ha t he seem ed a t ot a l l y d i f f er en t b ei n g
f r om t he m a n she l ov ed .
'You m u st d o a s y ou r hea r t d i ct a t es, Lu ci n d a .' he a nsw er ed so f t ly , a n d i nt o
t h e v eno m t her e i nt r u d ed a hi nt o f t r i u m p h. ' You y o u r sel f w i l l choose t he p a t h
y ou d esi r e t o f ol l o w .'
'Do a s y ou r hea r t d ict a t es ... .' her f a t h er 's w or d s r ep ea t ed . '
'You w i l l l et m e st a y ?'
The t r i u m p h w a s m a n i f est ed i n t h e cu r l o f hi s l ip s., 'You k now w h a t t o
exp ect ?'
Tr em b li ng ha n d s w er e r a i sed t o Tessa 's f a ce; she p r essed her f i ng er s t o h er
ey es, a s i f t o r el i ev e t he w ei ght o f t ea r s, t ea r s t ha t st r o v e f o r r el ea se a g a i nst a
b a r r i er of f r ozen d esp a i r , ' I k no w w h a t t o exp ect .' Th e w o r d s w er e sca r cel y
a u d i b l e a n d Pa u l j er k ed hi s hea d i n a n en d ea v ou r t o ca t ch t hem . 'I k now w h a t
t o exp ect ,' she r ep ea t ed , a l i t t l e lou d er , a n d a sneer t o u ched h i s m ou t h .
'Wh a t a p it y , L u ci nd a , y ou d i d n't r ea l i ze t h e st r en g t h o f y ou r l ov e a t t he
t i m e o f t he a cci d ent . You f i r m l y b eli ev ed t hen y ou cou l d d o w i t hou t m e, d id n 't
y ou ? A nd loo k w her e y ou r m i st a k e ha s led y ou . Yo u r li f e's f i n i sh ed , Lu ci nd a , f or I
m ea n t o d r a g y ou d ow n t o t he v er y d ep t h s o f ho p el essness a n d m i ser y ,'
Tessa d r op p ed h er ha nd s. Ig no r i n g h i s r em or seless t hr ea t sh e sa i d t hr ou gh
w h i t en ed l i p s, 'You lo v ed m e ... t h en?'
'I' l l not d eny t h a t , b eca u se y ou k n o w I d id ,' H e p a u sed i n r ef l ect ion , a nd h i s
f ist s clenched a nd u nclenched conv u l siv el y . ' I w or sh i p p ed y ou , Lu ci nd a ; he
a d d ed i n sl ow d el ib er a t e t o n es. 'I' m t el l i ng y ou t h i s t o il l u st r a t e t h e enor m i t y o f
y ou r lo ss. Fr o m m eet i n g y ou I nev er w a nt ed t o lo ok a t a not her g ir l. Tha t 's w h a t
y ou 'v e l ost a n d I m i ght j u st r em i nd y ou o f i t now a nd t hen; he a d d ed w i t h a l m o st
ev i l sa t i sf a ct i on. 'I m i g ht o n o cca si ons a l l ow y ou t o k now a m o m en t 's ha p p i ness ...
j u st f or t he p l ea su r e o f t or t u r in g y ou .'
The l a st w or d s r eg i st er ed w it h Tessa , b u t i t w a s not t hose t ha t m a d e her
cr y, t ha t r el ea sed t h e t ea r s a nd sen t t hem f low i ng d ow n her p a l l i d cheek s. H e
ha d w or sh i p p ed L u ci n d a a n d ha d f r eel y a d m i t t ed i t . Fr om m eet in g h er he ha d
nev er w a nt ed t o l ook a t a no t her g ir l . ... So b s shook Tessa 's b od y . Wh i l e sh e h er sel f
ha d b een seek in g f or a m er e g l a nce, cher ishi ng t he occa si ona l g r u d gi ng sm i l e
Pa u l m i g ht d eig n t o b est o w u p o n h er , he h a d b een w or sh i p p i ng her si st er , l ov i ng
her w i t h a l l t he i nt en si t y a n d p a ssio n w h i ch on ly t hose o f t h e Ea st ca n exp er i ence.
Lu cin d a h a d t a k en a l l h i s l ov e ... a n d she, Tessa , w a s r eceiv i ng a l l h i s h a t e.
A t er r i b l e b it t er ness f lo od ed
ov er her a s, ha v in g f ou n d a ha n d k er chi ef , sh e b eg a n t o d r y h er ey es.' Bu t
sob s st i ll sho ok her a n d a sm i le o f sa t isf a ct i on t ou ch ed t he cl ea r f i ne ou t l i ne o f h er
hu sb a nd ' s m o u t h .
'Tea r s w i l l a v a i l y ou not h i ng, m y b ea u t i f u l Lu ci n d a , b u t cont i nu e y ou r
w eep i ng , f o r it a f f or d s m e ext r em e p lea su r e t o k no w t h a t y ou su f f er ' H e b r ok e
of f a nd w hen he sp ok e a ga i n Tessa a ct u a l l y f l i nched u n d er t he ha r shness o f hi s
t o ne. 'Th is i s no t h i n g t o w h a t y ou w i l l su f f er b ef or e I'v e f in i shed w it h y ou .You r
l ov e i s m y w ea p on, a n d b y Go d , I'l l exp l oi t it t o t he f u l l ! I' l l m a k e y ou w r i t he; I'l l
hea r y ou cr y ou t f or m er cy , a n d o n ly t hen w i l l y ou k no w t he r ea l d ep t h o f m y
ha t r ed f or y o u '
A nd i t w a s not l on g b ef or e Tessa d i d ' cr y ou t f or m er cy ; w i t h i n a f o r t n ig ht
Pa u l ha d t he sa t i sf a ct i on o f hea r i ng her sa y , her v oi ce h u sk y w i t h u nsh ed t ea r s,
'Don't d on't d o t h i s t o m e. Pa u l , y ou 'r e cr u ci f y i ng m e!'
A h a r sh l a u gh b r o k e .f r om h i s li p s b ef or e h e sa i d , t r iu m p h ed g ing h i s t o nes,
'Su f f er , Lu ci n d a , I li k e t o k n ow o f t h i s t or t u r e y o u 'r e goi ng t h r ou g h.' H e
st op p ed a nd h i s f a ce b eca m e a n ev i l m a sk . ' Cr u ci f y ! You t a l k o f b ei n g cr u ci f ied ?
W ha t t or t u r e d i d y ou . su b j ect m e t o? A r e y ou su f f er i ng a s m u ch a s I d id a t t ha t
t i m e?'
H er a r m s st r et ched ou t ent r ea t i n g l y , b u t t h en sh e d r op p ed t h em t o her
si d es, a w a r e o f t h e f u t i l i t y o f t he gest u r e.
'I su p p ose one ca n 't com p a r e m ent a l a n d p h y si ca l t o r t u r e, Pa u l . A ll I k no w
i s t h a t I ca n 't g o o n .'
H er w or d s h a d t he ef f ect o f b r i n g in g h im u p r i ght o n h is cha i r , a nd it
seem ed t o Tessa t ha t a w h i t en ess t ou ched t h e v ei ns a b ou t h i s t em p l es.
'You 'd lea v e m e?'
Sh e h esi t a t ed . Wer e sh e Lu ci nd a , she cou l d l ea v e h i m i f sh e d esi r ed t o d o
so. Bu t sh e w a s Tessa , a n d h a d m a r r i ed h i m u n d er f a l se 'p r et ences. W ha t r ig ht
ha d sh e t o co m p l a i n? or t o p u t f o r w a r d t h e t h r ea t o f d eser t i ng h i m ? W ha t sh e
ha d r ecei v ed she ha d a sk ed f o r . Pa u l w a s not t o b l a m e i n a ny w a y w h a t soev er
f or t h e a gon i es she su f f er ed a t h is h a nd s.
'I sha l l nev er lea v e y ou .' she w h i sp er ed , a n d sh e a d d ed , a su d d en p h y si ca l
p a i n t w i st in g h er hea r t , 'So m e d a y , P a u l ... so m e d a y ... p er h a p s a lo ng w h i l e
hen ce, y ou 'l l f o r gi v e m e, a n d w e m i g ht f i n d h a p p i ness t og et her .'
W a s i t im a g i n a t io n, she w on d er ed b r ea t h l essl y , or ha d a f l i ck er of em ot ion
cr ossed hi s f a ce? Bu t he sa i d i nexor a b ly ,
'We'l l nev er f in d h a p p i ness t og et h er , f or I' l l nev er f or gi v e y ou , Lu ci nd a .
N ev er a s l ong a s I l i v e.'
They ha d co m e ou t on t o t he t er r a ce a f t er t ea .. A w elcom e b r eeze b l ew
d ow n f r om t he M ou nt a i ns a nd i n t he co ol si l ence t hey h a d sa t f or a w h i le b ef or e
Pa u l sa i d so m et h i ng t o w r i n g t h a t cr y o f a ngu ish f r o m t he v er y d ep t h s o f h i s
w i f e's sou l . For d u r i n g t h e p a st t w o w eek s she ha d not on ly seen hi m a s a l l Gr eek ,
b u t h a d k now n h i m a s a l l Gr eek . N o f a ca d e o f West er n cu lt u r e i n ev i d ence; n o
gen t l eness or w o r d s o f t en d er co ncer n. H e p l a ced Tessa i n t he p osit io n o f a
w om a n f r om t he Ea st . She w a s h i s p ossessi on ; sh e sa t isf i ed h i s d esi r es, w a i t ed
u p on h i m , ob ey ed hi s or d er s. Bu t ha d t hi s b een t he ext en t 'o f h i s ca l cu l a t ed
r ev eng e Tessa cou l d ha v e b o r ne i t st o i ca l l y , co m p ensa t ed i n so m e m ea su r e b y
b ei ng nea r t o h i m , a nd i n a p osi t i on t o m a k e h i s l ot ea sier . Bu t Pa u l h a d n o
i nt ent i on o f l i m i t i ng h i s p u n i sh m ent t o t r ea t i ng her w i t h i nd i f f er ence. O n t he
co nt r a r y , he seized ev er y op p or t u nit y f o r h u m i l i a t i n g h er , of r em i n d in g h er o f t h e
p a st , o f b r in g i ng u p t he su b j ect o f her b a seness. Ra r el y d i d h is v oi ce l ose i t s
ha r sh ness, sel d o m w a s h is em b r a ce ot her t ha n t he a r r oga n t hol d o f t h e p ossessor ,
nev er w a s h i s l ov em a k i n g t end er .
A nd a s t he d a y s d r a g g ed b y Tessa o f t en w i shed sh e ha d k ep t si lent , f or
hu r t f u l a s w a s t ha t sl o w t or t u r e, i t w a s p r ef er a b le t o t h i s. W h i l e t her e w a s
p r et ence t h er e w a s t end er ness, ev en t hou g h t hi s d i d com e r a t her i n t he f or m o f a
r a t i on. Bu t Tessa w ou l d b e t ha n k f u l f or ev en t h a t sm a l l m er cy now .
St i l l , P a u l 's p a r t i cu l a r m et hod o f r ev eng e w o u l d ha v e d ev el op ed
gr a d u a l l y , b y sm a l l a nd p a i n f u l d egr ees u n t i l, i nev i t a b l y , he' m u st ha v e d el i v er ed
hi s f i na l b l ow , r ev ea l i ng h is r ea son f or m a r r y i ng her . .
'N ev er a s lo ng a s I l iv e.' Pa u l 's w or d s h a d b een t u r n i ng ov er in her
su b con sciou s a n d now sh e d w el t on t hem , w ond er i ng i f it w er e a ny m or e p o ssib l e
f or h i m t o g o o n l i k e t h i s t h a n, i t w a s f or h er . H a d he b ecom e r esi g ned t o a
l i f et i m e o f w r et ched ness? W a s he cont ent t o t r a v er se a p a t h o f lo nel in ess, w i t ho u t
ev er a d iv er si o n? ' N ev er a s' l on g a s I l i v e ... .' H e m ea nt t ho se w or d s, she k n ew ,
b u t t i m e co u ld m el lo w h i m , a n d her lov in g ca r e cou l d o n e d a y t u r n h i m f r o m t hi s
ch osen w a y . Per h a p s she w ou l d ha v e t o w a i t u nt i l t hey w er e v er y ol d ... b u t
a l w a y s she cou ld hop e.
Sh e g l a n ced u p a t t h e sou n d o f a ca r co m i ng t h r ou g h t he a v enu e o f p a l m s
w h i ch l ined t he l on g new l y p a v ed d r iv e.
'It 's St ep h a no s,' she t o l d Pa u l . H e w a s t h e Pr esi d ent o f a neigh b ou r in g
t o w nshi p a nd Pa u l h a d k now n h i m b ef or e Tessa ca m e t o t he isla nd . H e h a d
b een P a u l' s o ne a n d o nl y v i si t or .
The ca r d r ew u p a n d St ep h a nos go t ou t , w a v i ng t o P a u l a n d Tessa
t h r ou gh t he t r ees. H e cr ossed a p a v ed g a r d en w h er e t he lov el y b end i ng b r a nches
of t he j a ca r a nd a t r ees sp r a y ed t he w h o l e a r ea w i t h a so f t p u r p le m i st . Fr om t he
hed ge a t t h e o t her si d e o f t he' cou r t y a r d ca m e t he h ea d y scent o f ho ney su ck l e
m in gl i ng w i t h t h e m or e d el ica t e p er f u m e of r oses, Tessa w a v ed b a ck a nd a t t he
sa m e t i m e Pa u l sp ok e, i n t he cu st o m a r y cu r t t ones h e i nv a r i a b l y u sed t o h er
now .
'Rem em b er , w e'r e d ev ot ed . Let m e d ow n a nd b y hea v en y ou 'l l su f f er !' .
'I sha n't l et y ou d ow n,' she r et u r ned q u i et l y . ' I ha v e n o m or e d esi r e t ha n
y ou t ha t p eop l e shou l d t hi nk w e'r e no t h a p p y .'
H e m er el y sneer ed a t t h a t , o f f er i n g no com m en t .
St ep ha n o s ca m e u p t h e st ep s t w o a t a t i m e a nd j o i n ed t hem on t he
t er r a ce.
'A v er y go od ' ev en i ng t o y o u , Pa u l os. M a d a m L u ci nd a , k a l i sp er a !'
'Ka l isp er a .' She sm i l ed a n d w a it ed f o r P a u l t o o f f er h i m a d r i n k . H e sa i d he
w ou l d d r i nk ou zo; Pa u l w a nt ed b r a nd y a n d Tessa w ent o f f t o t el l Ta k i s.
Ta k is a p p ea r ed w i t h in a f ew m i nu t es w it h t he d r i n k s a n d t h e t hr ee sa t
ch a t t in g, en j oy in g t he cool b r eeze a f t er a d a y o f b l ist er i ng hea t .
'Wel l , M a d a m Lu ci nd a , how a r e y o u l i k i ng ou r cl i m a t e? St i ll l oa t h t o shu t
ou t t he su n?' H u m o u r i n hi s v o ice a n d Tessa f o r ced a l a u g h . A t f i r st she ha d f l u ng
op en a l l t he shu t t er s, a v id f or t h e su n . St ep ha nos h a d p r op hesied a q u i ck ch a nge
i n t he p r oced u r e, b u t Tessa h a d v ig or ou sl y sh a k en her hea d . N ev er w ou l d she
b ecom e t i r ed o f t h e su n .
'You w er e r ig ht , Mr . St ep ha no s,' she o w ned a l it t l e d ep r eca t i ng l y .
'Som et i m es y ou ju st d on 't k now w ha t t o d o t o get cool .'
'A nd y ou cl ose t he shu t t er s, a s I sa id y ou w ou l d ?'
'I' m a f r a i d so, t hou g h i t gr iev es m e t o d o i t ' Sh e st o p p ed sh or t , f r ow n i ng .
Pa u l ha d a h a nd t o h i s hea d , sha d i ng h is ey es. Fo r t he p a st w eek he ha d
co m p la ined o f hea d a ches a nd she sa i d a n xi ou sly , 'Is y ou r hea d hu r t in g , P a u l ?'
'Ju st a l it t l e, L u ci n d a . Per ha p s y ou 'd f et ch m e m y g la sses; t hey 'l l b e i n t he
sit t i n g r o om , I t h ink .'
Sh e r ose a t o nce, a n d a s she p a ssed St ep h a nos sh e not iced t ha t he t oo w a s
f r ow n i ng i n so m e p u zzlem ent .
The su ng l a sses seem ed t o r el i ev e h i s d i scom f or t , f or t he r a t her d r a w n
exp r ession w h i ch ha d com e t o Pa u l 's f a ce d i sa p p ea r ed a nd he l a u g hed h ea r t i ly
a t on e o f St ep ha n os's j ok es.
'Ther e's go i n g t o b e a w ed d i n g i n ou r v i l l a g e.' St ep ha no s t ol d Tessa
p r esent l y . 'Per ha p s y ou 'd l i k e t o com e a nd see i t ?'
'I'd l ov e t o.' She lo ok ed a cr oss a t her h u sb a nd . ' Is i t a l l r i g ht , P a u l ? You 'd
l ik e t o see t t o go t o t h e v v i l la g e?' H er hea r t b ega n t o b ea t f a r t oo q u i ck l y . W hy
ha d n 't she t hou g ht b ef or e sp ea k i ng? It w a s no t o f t en sh e m a d e a sl i p l i k e t h is.
'You ca n go , Lu ci nd a . I d on 't t h ink I'd b e i nt er est ed i n t ha t k i n d o f
ent er t a i n m ent .'
'Then I w o n't go.' sh e sa i d f i r m l y . 'I'm not g oi ng w i t hou t y ou .'
A l i t t l e si len ce. It w a s t he f i r st t i m e Pa u l ha d su ggest ed she sh ou l d g o
a ny w h er e a l one, a n d he seem ed m ost su r p r i sed t ha t she ha d not j u m p ed a t t he
ch a nce o f a l i t t le f r eed o m .
'You w ou l d n't go w it hou t y ou r hu sb a n d ?' St ep h a no s ey ed h er cu r i ou sl y
b ef or e t r a nsf er r i ng h i s ga ze t o P a u l . 'Per su a d e her , Pa u l . I' l l p i ck her u p i f i t 's a l l
r i gh t w i t h y ou .'
'It 's q u i t e a l l r ig h t w it h m e. You m u st go , d a r li ng .' She st a r ed .' W a s t h i s
m er ely f or St ep h a nos' s b enef it ? The 'd a r l i n g' cer t a i nl y w a s b u t t h i s r el a xing o f h is
st r ing ent m a n ner w a s a s u nn ecessa r y a s It w a s u nexp ect ed . She hesit a t ed a s
b ot h m en w a i t ed f or h er d eci si o n b u t sh e h a d no r ea l w i sh t o go a ny w her e
w i t hou t Pa u l , St ep h a n o s h a d m a d e t h e su ggest ion , b el i ev i ng she w ou l d b e
i nt er est ed i n t he w ed d in g, b u t a l t hou g h i t w ou l d not b e goo d m a nn er s t o r ef u se,
Tessa shook her h ea d , sa y in g, ' It 's k i n d o f y ou , Mr . St ep h a nos, b u t i f P a u l w o n't go
t h en I' d r a t her n ot go ei t h er .'
'Pa u l t hen y o u m u st ,' u r ged St ep h a n os, 'f or y o u r w i f e r ea l l y w ou l d l i k e t o
go.' '
Pa u l 's hea d t u r ned sl ow ly . H e sa i d , a n o d d i n f l ect io n i n h i s v oi ce,
'Yes, St ep h a n os, it seem s I m u st go .'
'So y ou w on't w a nt m e t o p i ck y o u u p ?' ' N o t h a nk y ou a l l t h e sa m e. W e' l l
u se ou r o w n ca r ,' Wh en i s t h i s w ed d i n g?'
'N ot f or a not her f or t n i g ht . I'l l see y ou a ga i n b ef or e t hen .' .
'H a s t h e b r i d e a n ice new h ou se?' a sk ed Tess .
'A s a m a t t er o f f a ct , sh e ha sn 't . H er f ia nce ha s nei t her ' p a r en t s no r si st er s, so
he ow ns t he hou se i n w h i ch he l i v es. The b r id e i s excep t i o na l l y l u ck y .'
'It m u st b e a ... l ov e m a t ch, t hen?'
'I su p p ose it m u st b e,' St ep h a nos a nsw er ed , w i t h a t ou ch of a m u sem ent .
A nd he a d d ed , ' It seem s st r a n ge t o y ou t h e cu st om o f t he b r i d e h a v i ng t o b r ing a
hou se?'
'N a t u r a l ly i t d oes, f or i n Eng l a n d w e a lw a y s m a r r y f or l ov e .. .' H er v oi ce
t r a i led o f f i nt o a w hi sp er . Pa u l 's b r ow h a d l i f t ed sl i g ht l y , a gest u r e o f sa r d o n ic
a m u sem ent . H e w a s p l a i n ly r em i n d i ng h er t ha t t h eir m a r r i a g e w a s not b a sed
on l ov e, on m u t u a l l ov e, t ha t w a s.
'Ea ch cou nt r y ha s i t s o w n p a r t icu l a r cu st o m s,' St ep ha no s sa i d . 'Th is b r i ng i ng
of a ho u se, a n d f u r ni t u r e, is t r a d i t i o na l . A nd a t o n e t i m e t her e w a s a l so a h u ge
ch est w h ich h a d t o b e f i l led w i t h l in en, a l l ha n d w or k ed b y t he b r i d e's f em a le
r ela t i v es. Tod a y ' H e sh r u gg ed a n d sm il ed . 'Tod a y t he b r i d e b r i n g s so m e
m a ch i ne m a d e t h ing sa nd so cha n ge ev en t a k es p l a ce i n ou r a ncient cu st o m s.'
H e p a u sed a s a n i d ea occu r r ed t o h i m . 'W hy d o n't y ou a n d Pa u l p a y a v i sit t o
t h e m u seu m o n t h e h a r b ou r ? Ther e y ou w i l l see m a ny o f t hese o l d chest s, a nd
t h e l i nen t ha t w ent i nt o t hem .'
'I'd l ik e t h a t ,' she sa id ea ger l y . 'P a u l, y ou 'l l com e?' ' I m i g ht ,' h e r et u r ned
w i t hou t m u ch i n t er est . 'W e' l l see a b o u t i t som e t i m e w h en w e'r e d ow n o n t h e
ha r b o u r .'
The f o l lo w i n g d a y t hey w er e i n t h e g a r d en , Pa u l l i st en i n g t o t he r a d io,
w h i ch w a s t u r ned d o w n l ow , a nd Tessa w r i t i ng t o her f a t her .' She ha d j u st
f in i shed w hen Pa u l a sk ed h er w ha t she w a s d oi ng .
'I'v e w r it t en a l et t er t o Fa t her ,' she r ep l i ed w it hou t t h i nk i ng . '
'To y ou r f a t her on ly y o u r f a t her ?'
A q u i ck en i ng o f her p u l se. A sl ip on ce m or e. "t o m y m ot h er a s w el l , o f c
co u r se.' H e h a l f t u r ned a n d t o her a m a zem ent sh e sa w h im a p p ea r i n g t o st r a in
hi s ey es. 'C ca n y ou see?' she b l u r t ed ou t , n o p a u si n g t o con si d er her w or d s.
H i s l i p s t w i st ed i nt o a n u gly l i ne. 'W ha t sor t o f a q u est i on is t ha t ! You k no w
d a m ned
w el l I ca n't see'
Sh e b ega n t o q u a k e, a n d t he p en sl i p p ed f r om her f i n ger s on t o her l a p .
'I' m so so r r y , Pa u l . Yo u k n o w w ha t I m ea n, i t w a s t he w a y y ou O h, I' m so
sor r y '
'Wel l , f or Go d 's sa k e, d on't ha r p o n a b ou t i t '
Rea d m e t he l et t er '
'R r ea d i t t o y o u ?'
'Tha t 's w h a t I sa i d .'
Sh e sw a l lo w ed conv u l siv ely . Pa u l ' s m a n ner w a s o ne o f su sp i ci o n, a nd sh e
r em em b er ed h i s a sk i ng her r ecent ly i f she ha d i n f or m ed h er p a r ent s o f w ha t h e
w a s d o in g t o h er . She h a d sa i d no , w h i ch w a s t h e t r u t h, b u t not in g hi s exp r essio n
now sh e k new he w a s m o st cu r i ou s t o lea r n w ha t w a s i n t h e l et t er she h a d a t
p r esent w r i t t en, Ther e w a s no m ea n s o f ev a sio n u nl ess she w a nt ed t o f eel t he
l a sh of her hu sb a nd 's t on gu e f or f i v e m i nu t es or so, a nd t hen en d u r e h ou r s o f
si l ence w h il e h e b r o od ed ov er her r ef u sa l t o ob ey h i s com m a nd .
'Tv e b eg u n b y t el l i ng h i m a b ou t t he p l a ces w e'v e b een t o,' she f a lt er ed , a s
her ey es sca n ned t h e p a ge. She ha d nev er sa i d one w or d t o her f a t h er , a b ou t
w ha t w a s h a p p eni ng t o h er l i f e, o r she w o u l d not a l l ow h i m t o su f f er a nxiet y o n
her a cco u nt ". Bu t na t u r a l ly t her e w er e r ef er ences i n a l l her l et t er s her
i m p er son a t i on o f Lu ci n d a . 'Then I'v e gon e o n, t o sa y a l l i s w el l , a n d w e a r e v er y
ha p p y . It i s l i k e b ei ng o n hol id a y a l l t he t i m e, a n d I o n l y w i sh i t w er e p ossi b le f or
y ou a n d M ot her t o com e .. .' She t a i l ed o f f , her t r em b l i n g i n cr ea si ng a s she
r ea l ized w h a t sh e h a d sa i d .
'So t h e l et t er i s t o y ou r f a t her o nl y ?' h e m u r m u r ed , sl ow ly t u r n i ng h i s hea d
t o w a r d s h er i n y et a ga i n t h e sa m e m a n ner a s b ef or e. 'A n d w hy , Lu cin d a , ca n't
t h ey com e ov er ?'
Sh e f l ou nd er ed .
'I'v e r ea d it w r ong l y , Pa u l Oh d ea r , I r ea l l y m ea n t ha t t ha t .. .'
'Rea d i t w r ong ly ?' he echoed , a m a zed . 'Yo u ca n't r ea d y ou r ow n
ha n d w r i t i ng?'
A sha k y l i t t le l a u gh r ose t o her l ip s.
'I' m a d r ea d f u l w r it er , a nd w el l, y es, t o b e ho nest I a m h a v i n g d i f f i cu lt y i n
r ea d i ng m y ow n scr a w l ' Ter r i f i ed now , Tessa d r ew a q u iv er i ng ha n d t hr o u gh
her ha i r . L u ci nd a ' s ha n d w r i t i ng h a d a l w a y s b een a d m i r ed ' I u su a l ly w r i t e q u it e
w w ell , a s y y ou k now , b b u t I'v e t he p a d o n m y k nee a n d a nd I' m a f r a i d i t ' s j
j u st scr i b b le I' m d o i n g.' N ot h i ng cou l d ha v e sou nd ed l ess co nv i nci ng, a n d Tessa
w a s no t in t he l ea st su r p r i sed a t t he l on g si l ence t ha t f ol lo w ed h er f eeb l e ef f or t s
t o ext r i ca t e h er sel f f r o m t h i s ha za r d o u s p osit io n i nt o w h ich sh e h a d f a l l en .
'Rea d m e so m e m or e of t he l et t er ,' he r eq u est ed so f t ly , lea ni ng b a ck i n h is
ch a ir .
W it h t he d esp er a t i on b o r n o f sheer p a n i c Tessa p i ck ed ou t f r om t he let t er
b i t s w h i ch L u ci n d a her sel f cou l d h a v e w r i t t en, b u t w it h t he n ecessi t y o f sk i p p i ng
m u ch her sen t ences w er e d i sj o i nt ed ; i n a d d it i on t o t h i s h er a ccent s w er e cr a ck ed
a nd h i g h p i t ched , a n d a s sh e p a u sed t o l ook a cr oss a t her h u sb a n d she sa w t ha t a
hea v y f r ow n ha d set t l ed on h i s b r ow . It w a s a s i f her t one j a r r ed on h i m , u sed a s
he w a s t o t h e l ov el y m u si ca l q u a l it y o f her v oi ce.
'Tha t 's a l l ,' sh e sa i d a t l engt h. 'Excep t t he end , o f co u r se.'
'Rea d m e t ha t .'
Sh e b l i nk ed a t h i m . 'The en d ?'
'The end .'
'I'v e j u st sen t lo v e f r o m u s b ot h, a nd si gned m y na m e.' To her r el i ef h e sa i d
no m or e a b ou t t h e l et t er a nd sh e m a d e a m ent a l v ow nev er t o b e ca u g ht l i k e
t h a t a ga i n . She w ou l d w r it e her l et t er s i n p r i v a t e, a nd p o st t hem w i t h ou t ev en
m ent io n i n g t he m a t t er t o her hu sb a nd .


CHAPTER VI

IT w a s t w o d a y s si nce t he i ncid ent o f t h e l et t er , a nd Tessa f el t a b l e t o
b r ea t he a ga i n . Up t i l l now sh e h a d ca r r i ed a st r a ng e l i t t l e w ei ght o f f ea r , ha v in g
t h e i m p r essi o n t h a t her hu sb a n d w a s i m m er sed in so m e f or m o f con j ect u r e o v er
t h e m a t t er . Bu t a s he ha d sa id no m or e a b ou t i t sh e a t l a st co ncl u d ed t ha t her
a nxiet y w a s gr ou nd l ess.
'We'l l go i nt o Ky r en i a ,' h e sa i d a t b r ea k f a st . ' I ha v e som e sho p p i n g t o d o.'
'Sha l l I go f or t he p ost f i r st ?' she a sk ed . ' I d i d n't go l a st n i ght .'
'Ta k i s w i l l f et ch t h e l et t er s. H e' l l b e goi ng i n t o t h e v i l l a g e a ny w a y .'
They w er e i n Ky r en ia b y n i ne, ha v i ng a l r ea d y b een u p f o r m o r e t h a n t hr ee
hou r s, f o r t he su n sho ne b r i l l i a n t l y a n d it w a s ev en p ossib l e t o su n b a t he in t he
ga r d en a t sev en o 'clock i n t he m o r n i ng.
'Wh a t ha v e y o u t o get ?' Tessa a sk ed , p u t t i ng her h a nd in h i s a s t hey l ef t
t h e ca r .
'Ta k e m e t o t h e chem i st .' H is w or d s w er e cu r t , h is m a nn er a b r u p t . 'I m u st
get so m et h i ng f or t h i s hea d .'
'Does i t a che v er y b a d l y ?' Tea r s p i ck ed her ey es, a nd 'sh e f el t a su d d en
su r ge o f a n ger a ga i n st f a t e, or n a t u r e, o r som e neb u lo u s t h i ng t h a t a f f ect ed her
hu sb a nd i n t h is w a y . It w a s b a d enou g h t ha t h e m u st su f f er so t er r i b l e a n
a f f l i ct i on, b u t r ecen t l y he ha d b een su b j ect ed t o t h is a d d ed p a i n t h a t w a s now
r o b b i n g h i m ev en o f t h e p l ea su r e o f t he r a d i o, f or d u r i n g t he p a st w eek H e ha d
ei t h er t u r ned i t so l ow he cou l d sca r cel y h ea r i t , or sw i t ched i t o f f a lt oget her . La st
ev eni ng he ha d t u r ned i t o f f a n d t h en sa t f or m or e t ha n t w o hou r s w i t h hi s hea d
i n h i s h a n d s, nei t her m ov i ng nor sp ea k i ng , a nd Tessa ha d sa t t h er e t oo, n ot
d a r i n g t o b r ea k t he sil ence, f or w hen Pa u l w a s u n d er t he i n f lu ence o f t hese
hea d a ches h i s t em p er w a s u nb ea r a b l e, t o sa y t h e l ea st .'
'It i sn't a ch i ng a t p r esent . A r e w e i n t he m a i n st r eet ?'
'N ot y et . I p a r k ed o n t he f r ont , b y t h a t l it t l e ca f e w e w en t in t he ot h er
d a y .'
'Cou l d n't y ou ha v e p a r k ed nea r er ?' he sn a p p ed . 'The r o a d s a r e a l l u p ,' sh e
exp la i ned p a t i ent ly . 'Ther e's a gr ea t d ea l of one w a y t r a f f i c a n d ,' she a d d ed , not
w i t hou t a t r a ce o f a m u sem ent , t her e a r e m a ny g r ea t h o l es i n t he r o a d , a nd
not hi ng r ou nd t hem t o st op y ou r u n ni ng i n t o t h em .'
Sh e h ea r d no r ef l ect i o n o f her ow n a m u sem en t in h i s r em a r k on t h a t . ' If
t h e ho l es a r e b ig en ou gh t o r u n i nt o, t hen t hey 'r e b i g eno u g h f or y ou t o see a nd
a v o id . Fi n d so m ew h er e nea r er next t i m e.'
'Yes ... .' She g l a nced a r o u nd . ' I d o n't k no w i f y ou 'r e a l l ow ed t o p a r k o n t he
m a i n'
'Then f i n d o u t ! I' m not w a lk i ng a l l a r ou nd t h e t ow n m a k i n g a n exh i b i t i on
of m y sel f '
Sh e r eco i l ed f r om h is h a r shness, b u t sa i d i n so m e su r p r ise, 'W hy sh ou l d y ou
t h i n k y ou 'r e m a k i n g a n exhi b i t i o n
of y ou r sel f ?'
'H ol d in g o n t o y ou li k e t h i s '
A sm i le o f b it t er ness cu r v ed her l i p s. 'M a ny cou p l es a r e hol d i ng h a n d s,
Pa u l ,' she i nf o r m ed h i m gen t l y .
'Ev er y on e ca n see w hy y ou 'r e hol d i ng m i n e.'
'N o o ne i s t a k i ng t h e sl ig ht est not i ce o f u s.'
'Tha t 's w h a t y ou 'd t el l m e, b u t I' m not d ef i ci ent i n i nt ell i gence'
They ha d r ea ched t h e chem i st 's sho p . Tessa gu i d ed P a u l i n, her f a ce w h it e
a nd d r a w n . Th e chem i st l ook ed a t her a n d i n q u i r ed i f she w er e i l l.
'N o ... i t ' s m y hu sb a nd _'
'A l l r i g ht I d on't need y ou t o t el l t he ch em i st w ha t I w a nt !' ,
Sh e t ook her ha nd f r om h is, a n d st ood b a ck , l ea v ing h i m t o t a l k t o t h e
ch em ist , w h ich h e d i d i n Gr eek . Tessa w a t ched t he chem i st ' s exp r essi on; it w a s
i m p ossi b l e t o k no w w ha t w ent o n, b u t t h e co ncer n on h i s f a ce w a s ev i d ent . H e
w a s sha k i n g h i s hea d , t o o, a s i f p u zzl ed b y t he sy m p t o m s Pa u l ha d ob v iou sl y
d escr ib ed t o h i m . H o w ev er , t o Tessa 's gr ea t r el i ef he p r od u ced so m et h i ng a nd
a f t er p a y i ng f or it a n d b u y i ng o ne or t w o t oi l et necessit ies P a u l t u r ned a n d Tessa
w ent i nst a nt l y t o hi s sid e.
'Sha l l w e ha v e som e r ef r esh m en t a t t h e ca f e h er e?' she a sk ed a s sh e d r ov e
t h e ca r on t o t he h a r b ou r . 'Ther e a r e on ly a b o u t h a l f a d ozen p eop l e si t t in g a t
t h e t a b l es.'
Pa u l shr u gged a n d n od d ed h i s a gr eem en t . H e w a s no t i nt er est ed i n
w het her t hey st op p ed or not , b u t Tessa d eci d ed t o d o so a nd d r ew i n t o t h e si d e.
'The sea 's so ca l m t her e i sn't a si n gl e r i p p l e on i t ,' she t o l d h i m w h en t h ey
w er e sea t ed u n d er one o f t he sm a r t , m u l t i col ou r ed u m b el l a s w a it i n g f or t hei r
or d er t o b e b r ou g ht . 'A nd t he b oa t s t h er e a r e d ozens o f t hem , so clea n a n d
b r ig ht '
'A r e t her e p eop l e o n t h e b o a t s?'
Tessa 's l i p t r em b led a t t he q u est ion , f o r sh e k n ew w her e her hu sb a nd ' s
t h ou ght s l a y . A t h o m e i n En gla nd he h a d ow n ed a b ea u t i f u l b oa t , w h ich he
ha d on t he r i v er . Ev er y Su n d a y he a nd Lu cind a w ou l d go o f f in i t , b u t one w eek
end Pa u l h a d i nv i t ed t he w h o l e f a m i l y a n d Tessa a l w a y s r em em b er ed it w i t h a
m ixt u r e o f p lea su r e a n d p a i n, For a lt hou g h t he cr u i se o n t h e r i v er h a d b een
m em or a b le, Tessa ha d b een f or ced t o end u r e t he m iser y of w it nessi ng t he lov in g,
t end er w a y i n w h ich Pa u l t r ea t ed her si st er .
'Ther e a r en't a ny p eop le on t he b oa t s now ,' sh e sa i d . 'They 'r e a l l m oor ed .'
'They p r ob a b l y b el o ng t o Cy p r iot s w ho l iv e i n N icosi a ; t hey 'l l b e u p a t t he
w eek en d .' H e w a s d r i nk i n g Tu r k i sh co f f ee a nd w hen h i s cu p w a s em p t y Tessa
a sk ed i f he w a nt ed m or e. Pa u l sh ook h i s h ea d . H e seem ed b o r ed a nd l i st l ess
t i r ed o f l i f e, a l m ost . 'L et 's get b a ck ho m e.'
'Yes v er y w el l .' She em p t i ed her g la ss a n d go t u p f r o m t h e t a b l e. 'Oh, Pa u l ,
t h er e's t h a t m u seu m . W ou l d y ou l i k e t o g o i n now '
'N ot now .'
W a s he i l l sh e w o n d er ed . H e seem ed so v er y t i r ed .
H i s f a ce lo ok ed d a r k er t ha n ev er , f or a gr ey ness m in gled w i t h t he t a n .
'It w o u ld b e a cha n ge.' she p er sev er ed . 'A n d it 's b ou nd t o b e cool i nsi d e.'
'Ver y w el l ; j u st a s y ou l ik e.'
'A r e y o u su r e?' she b eg a n hesit a nt l y . 'I d o n' t w a nt '
'For hea v en's sa k e, Lu ci nd a , st op a r g u i n g a b ou t ev er y t hi ng w e d o ! If w e'r e
goi n g t o t he m u seu m , t hen l et 's go w i t hou t a n y m or e f u ss! '
N a t u r a l l y , Tessa ' no l o nger h a d a ny d esi r e t o go t o t he m u seu m , b u t a s she
d a r ed not sa y t hi s t o Pa u l she t oo k h is h a n d a nd t hey w ent a cr oss a n d u p t h e
st ep s, en t er i n g b y t he f r ont d oor , w h i ch w a s i n a st r eet b eh i n d t he ha r b ou r .
A n a ssi st a nt w a s t her e a n d he sm i l i ng l y w el com ed t h em , a sk i ng i f i t w er e
t h ei r f i r st v i si t t o t he m u seu m .
'Yes,' sa i d Pa u l . 'W e'v e b een r ecom m end ed t o co m e.'
The a ssi st a n t loo k ed p l ea sed a b ou t t h i s a n d b ega n a t o nce t o t el l t h em
som et hi ng o f t he m u seu m ' s h i st o r y . The b u i l d i n g h a d b een' t he p r op er t y of L a d y
Lock e, a nd her e she ha d hou sed m a ny t r ea su r es p er t a in in g t o t he l i f e o f t he
v i l la g e p eop l e a s i t w a s l i v ed a hu n d r ed or so y ea r s a go . She h a d p r esent ed t he
hou se a n d co nt ent s t o t he Cy p r i ot s a nd i m p r ov em ent s a nd a l t er a t io n s h a d b een
m a d e. A l so t her e w er e som e f i ne a d d i t i on s t o it s exh i b it s.
The a ssi st a n t t ook t hem r ou nd , a nd a s he exp l a i n ed ev er y t hin g t he
t i r ed ness l ef t Pa u l 's f a ce a nd he b eca m e o nce m o r e h i m sel f , i n t er est ed i n w h a t
w a s b ei ng sa i d , a nd of f er i ng so m e co m m ent s o f h i s o w n , so m et i m es i n Gr eek b u t
m or e o f t en in Eng l i sh .
Ther e w er e m a n y o f t he d o w r y chest s. A l l m u st b e ca r v ed , t he a ssi st a nt
sa id , a nd t h ey m u st b e f i l l ed w i t h t he f i nest l i n en . H e op ened o ne o f t hem .
'Ced a r w ood ,' he sm i l ed . 'Ca n y ou sm ell it ?'
'Yes, i n d eed . Lu ci nd a , w h a t i s t h e ca r v in g l i k e'
'Ther e a r e p a n el s a l l a l o ng t he f r o nt a l l d i f f er ent .' She w ent on t o exp l a i n i n
d et a i l a nd sa w t o h er sa t i sf a ct i on t h a t Pa u l w a s a ct u a ll y en j oy ing t he v i si t .
"Th i s b ea u t i f u l em b r oi d er ed li nen y ou see i n t he ca ses i s t y p i ca l o f w h a t
y ou w ou l d ha v e f ou n d i n t h e ch est s. Th i s i s a b ed sp r ea d ; t h ese a r e na p k i n s a n d
t h i s i s a t a b le - - - '
Tessa d escr i b e ev er y t hi ng a s t hey w ent a l o ng, w i t h t h e a ssi st a nt p u t t i ng i n
a w or d no w a nd t h en.
'Thi s i s t he m a r r i a ge b ed ,' h e t o l d t hem , st o p p i ng b y a b ea u t i f u l l y ca r v ed
w ood en b ed . It w a s f u l l y m a d e a nd cov et ed w i t h a n exq u i si t ely em b r oi d er ed
sp r ea d .
'It 's li k e a cot .' sh e i n f or m ed Pa u l . 'W i t h r a i l s r o u nd t hr ee si d es.' Tessa
l ook ed a t t he a ssi st a nt . 'Wer e t h ey a lw a y s l ik e t hi s?'
'It 's a t y p i ca l m a r r ia g e b ed , m a d a m . They ha d t o b e l i k e t hi s, a nd t hey
m u st b e t h i s p a r t i cu l a r heig ht .' Sh e f r ow ned in p u zzl em ent .
'Wh y w a s t he heigh t so i m p or t a nt ?'
The m a n sh r u gg ed a n d sp r ea d h i s ha n d s, b u t a not e o f gr a v it y ent er ed hi s
v oi ce. , ' It w a s t r a d i t i on a l . The cu st o m s w er e v er y i m p or t a nt , a nd a l w a y s
ca r ef u l ly f ol lo w ed .'
'The b ed sp r ea d ? Cou ld m y hu sb a n d a n d I t ou ch i t ?'
'Cer t a i n l y , m a d a m .'
'Pa u l ,j u st f eel . It ' s so so f t a nd so b ea u t i f u l l y w o r k ed . H er e, d a r l i ng , ca n y o u
i m a g i n e w h a t it ' l i k e?' She f l u shed , w o nd er in g h ow t he w or d ha d sl i p p ed o u t .
Pa u l st a r t ed i n su r p r i se, a n d a r a t her od d exp r essio n cr ossed h i s f a ce. Bu t h e
b et r a y ed no ot h er si gn o f em o t i on a s Tessa g ent l y b r ou ght h is h a nd t o t h e l ov ely
em b r oi d er y t ha t m u st h a v e t a k en m o nt hs a l ov i ng t o il t o execu t e.
'Yes, I ca n i m a gi ne i t . A s y ou sa y , it 's m ost b ea u t i f u l l y d on e.' H is h a nd
m ov ed l ig ht l y ov er t he b ed sp r ea d ; t hen h e t o ok t he m a t er i a l b et w een hi s f i n ger
t o f eel t he t ext u r e. ' Pu r e si l k , .. y es, it f eel s so so f t , y ou r em a r k .'
Ther e w er e d r esses w or n b y t he b r i d e, a l l em b r oi d er ed a n d m a d e ent ir el y
b y ha n d ; t h er e w a s t he sp eci a l cha i r , ca r v ed a nd d eco r a t ed w it h col ou r , on w h i ch
t h e b r i d e w ou l d si t w hen r ecei v i ng t he gu est s a n d t h e p r esent s. Tessa t o ld Pa u l
a b o u t t h e ca r v i ng , a n d sh e a d d ed w it h a t ou ch o f su r p r i se, 'O ne a l w a y s t h i n k s i t ' s
t h e m a n w ho's i m p or t a nt i n t h e Ea st , b u t t he b r i d e cer t a in ly ha s a l l t he g l or y a
t h e w ed d i ng .'
The a ssi st a n t sm i l ed .
'In Cy p r u s t her e i s, b a si ca l ly , a m a t r i a r chi a l societ y a l t h ou gh .' h e a d d ed
w i t h a la u gh, 't h e m a n i s, I' m a f r a i d , concei t ed en ou gh t o t h i n k h e's t he m a st er .
Bu t t he hou se in w h i ch he l i v es b el o n gs t o hi s w i f e. A nd a s t h e ch i ld r en a r e h er s
t o o, she is in f a ct i n a m ost p ow er f u l p osit i o n. If sh e d ies b ef or e hi m h e m u st not
r em a r r y .'
'N ot r em a r r y ?' Tessa t u r ned t o her hu sb a n d . 'I d i d n 't k now t h a t , Pa u l .'
'It 's not f or b i d d en b y la w .' he sa i d q u iet l y . ' Bu t i t i sn't t he "d o n e" t h in g. I
ha v e h ea r d o f w i d o w er s m a r r y i ng a ga i n a f t er a r ea son a b le p er i o d o f t i m e, b u t
t h ey w er e d a r k l y f r ow ned u p o n b y a l l t hei r f r i end s a n d n ei gh b ou r s.'
They w o u l d b e.' t he a ssi st a nt a gr eed . ' Usu a l l y , i f a m a n is w i d o w ed , he
r esi g ns h i m sel f t o b ei ng a l one f or t h e r est o f h i s l i f e.'
'A nd it 's t he sa m e w i t h t he w o m a n ?'
'Yes; i t 's t h e sa m e.'
'You d o n't a gr ee w i t h t h e cu st o m o f not r em a r r y i ng?' P a u l a sk ed w i t h a
t o u ch of sa r d on i c a m u sem ent w hen , la t er t ha t ev en i n g, t hey w er e si t t i ng on t he
v er a nd a h, i n t he d u sk , en jo y in g t he co ol b r eeze com in g u p f r om t he sea . 'You 'd
m a r r y a ga i n i f a ny t hi ng ha p p ened t o m e?' Ther e w a s a n od d q u a l i t y i n h is
v oi ce a n d Tessa w ent w h i t e, r ef l ect i n g o n h i s h ea d a ches a nd i m a g i n i ng t h e m ost
t er r if y i ng t h i ng s.
'Don't , P a u l . H u r t m e i n a ny ot her w a y y ou w i sh, b u t d o n't sa y t h i ng s l i k e
t h a t .' H er v oi ce sh ook , b u t he m er el y l a u g hed a n d cha ng ed t he su b j ect .
'You t r y so ha r d , d o n't y ou , L u ci n d a '? W h a t t r ou b l e y ou go t o w h en w e'r e
ou t , d escr i b in g ev er y t hi ng t o m e i n d et a i l . You ha v e su ch p a t i ence; I see
ev er y t hi ng t ho u gh t ho se l ov el y ey es o f y o u r s.'
'A r e y o u p l a y i ng w i t h m e a g a i n, Pa u l ?' sh e a sk ed gent l y .
H i s w ho l e m a n ner ch a nged . 'Why d o n't y ou get o u t !' he sna r l ed . 'You d i d
so o nce; he r em i nd ed her cr u el ly . Wh a t m a k es y o u st a y ?'
'I l ov e y ou ; sh e a nsw er ed si m p l y .
'A nd I ha t e y ou .' H i s f i st s clenched a n d u n cl enched ; p la i n l y he w a s
em ot io na l l y m ov ed . 'You 'r e a com p l et e en i g m a t o m e. Is y ou r l ov e so st r ong t ha t
y ou 'r e w i l l i ng t o end u r e t h is h el l f o r t h e r est o f y ou r l i f e?'
'Som e d a y y ou m i g ht co nsi d er I'v e b een p u n ished en ou g h.'
H e sh ook hi s hea d , 'Th is is y ou r f a t e, L u ci n d a . I'l l cr u sh y ou . A n d a l l t he
w h i le y ou cont i n u e t o hop e, I'l l t or t u r e y ou . I' l l r ed u ce y o u r hop e t o so m e
shr i v el l ed t h i ng t h a t w i l l w r it he w it h i n y ou b ef or e i t r ea ches t h e f i n a l d ea t h
t h r oes o f a go ny '
Ev er y d r op of b l ood d r a i ned f r om Tessa 's f a ce. Th i s m a n w a s no t t he P a u l
she ha d k now n i n Eng l a nd , N ot o n l y h a d h e shed t ha t v eneer o f w h ich her f a t her
ha d w r i t t en , b u t h e h a d d r i f t ed b a ck i n t i m e, b a ck t hr o u gh t he a g es t o w hen h i s
hea t hen f or eb ea r s h a d i n f l i ct ed t he m ost b a r b a r i c t or t u r es o n t hei r en em i es
b ef or e r elea si ng t h em i n a d ea t h t h a t w a s eq u a l l y p i t i l ess. Sh e l ook ed a t h i s
f a ce, d a r k a nd v enom ou s, a nd t w i st int o ev i l l i n es t h a t b eca m e m or e sa t a n i c
ev en w h i l e sh e w a t ched , f or t h e sw i f t ly ga t her in g d u sk p l a y ed st r a n ge t r i ck s w i t h
hi s f ea t u r es. H e w a s a f i end , a m er ci l ess a v eng er . A gr ea t b i t t er ness a d d ed t o her
m iser y Lu ci n d a ha d so o f t en m a d e a sca p egoa t o f her , a n d o nce a ga i n i t h a d
ha p p ened . Tr u e, her si st er ha d no d i r ect ha nd i n i t , b u t a l l t hi s w a s m ea n t f or her
a nd she ha d esca p ed . A s Joe ha d sa i d , she w a s n i ce a n d com f or t a b ly en g a ged ,
l ook i ng f o r w a r d t o a h a p p y f u t u r e w i t h t h e m a n she now l ov ed . Tessa w h i sp er ed
hea r t b r ok en ly t o h er sel f , 'Bu t I ent er ed i nt o t h i s of m y o w n a ccor d , so w h a t r i ght
ha v e I t o co m p l a i n? P a u l 's en j oy i ng h i s r ev eng e a n d I ca n 't r ea l l y b l a m e h i m , f or
Lu cin d a d eser v ed t o b e p u ni shed f or hu r t i ng h i m so.'
'Wh a t a r e y ou t h i nk i ng?' he d em a nd ed h a r shly , t u r n i ng a s i f t h r ou g h h is
si gh t l ess ey es he w ou l d r ea d her t hou g ht s f or hi m sel f .
'I ca n't t el l y o u ; she m u r m u r ed hu sk i l y , t hen a d d ed , ' Bu t i f y ou k new w ha t
w a s i n m y hea r t , Pa u l , y ou m i ght no t w a n t t o h u r t m e q u i t e so m u ch.'
'A r e y o u b egg i n g f or m er cy ?'
'It w o u ld n 't b e m u ch u se, w ou l d i t ?' she cou n t er ed , a nd he t u r ned a w a y .
H a d sh e t ou ched h i m ? Desp a i r f loo d ed ov er her . Wh y cont i n u e t o nu r t u r e hop e
w hen P a u l ha d on l y a m o m en t a go sw or n p it i lessl y t o d est r oy it ?
'You 'r e q u it e r i g ht , Lu ci nd a , i t w ou l d n't b e m u ch u se.'
'M a d a m Lu ci nd a ' M a r ou l a ca l l ed f r om t he f r on t d oor o f t he ho t el a s
Tessa p a ssed on her w a y d ow n t o t he v i l l a ge. Tessa w a v ed a nd cont i n u ed t o
w a l k o n . M a r ou l a ca l l ed a g a in a n d Tessa h esi t a t ed , st ep p i ng i nt o t h e si d e t o
a l l ow a f a m i l y o f p ea sa nt s t o p a ss. 'Ka l i m er a .'' Th e m a n show ed h i s d a r k t eet h i n
a sm i le a s h e g a v e Tessa t he gr eet i ng .
'Ka l i m em , she r esp on d ed , t hen sm i l ed a t h i s w i f e. She w a s r i d i ng a d onk ey ,
si d e sa d d l e a s Gr eek w o m en a l w a y s d id . Then ca m e t w o lov el y b r ow n ch i l d r en, a
b oy of a b ou t n i ne a n d a g i r l a l i t t le o l d er . Th e g ir l h a d a st i ck a n d w a s u sin g i t t o
k eep t he her d o f b r ow n, l o ngh a ir ed goa t s t o on e si d e o f t he r oa d . The d og r a n
a l on g o n t h e ou t si d e, b a r k i n g a t a m a n o n a b i cy cl e w h o w a s com in g u p t he h i l l ,
w ob b l i n g p r eca r iou sl y f r om si d e t o si d e. Ev er y one sm i l ed a t ea ch o t her a n d g a v e
a v er b a l gr eet i n g. M a r ou l a sp ok e i n Gr eek t o t he w o m a n a n d t h ey b ot h
l a u ghed . H o w ha r d t he lo t o f t h ese w o m en, 'Tessa t ho u ght f r ow n i ng ly , her ey es
f ixed o n t he p ea sa nt 's w i f e. A n d y et t h ey a lw a y s ha d a sm i le, a l w a y s w a v ed
ch eer f u l l y t o f r ien d s a n d st r a nger s a l i k e. Th e f a m i ly p a ssed o n, t a k i n g t hei r go a t s
i nt o t he h i ll s f a r t her a l on g , a nd Tessa t u r n ed t o M a r ou l a , ey ei ng her
q u est ion i ng ly .
'A g ent l em a n, Ma d a m Lu ci nd a in a d r i v e hi r e ca r h e co m e t o m y h ot el a n d
a sk i f I k now w h er e M r . Pa v l os Dem et r i u s l iv e. I 't el l hi m , b u t Sp i r os sa y h e see
hi m on t he ot h er si d e o f h i l l , so I t h i nk he n ot u n d er st a n d w h a t I sa y .'
'A g ent l em a n?' Tessa m ov ed i nt o t he d r iv e a s t he sha k y o l d b u s ca m e
r a t t li ng a l on g t h e n a r r ow r oa d , 'D i d he g i v e y ou h i s na m e?'
'I f or get t o a sk h i m . H e sa y h e com e f r om En g l a nd t o f i nd M r . Pa v l o s.'
'Fr o m Eng l a nd ?' Tessa ' s p u l se q u i ck ened . Wh o cou l d i t b e?
'Yes, M a d a m L u ci nd a . H e f a i r ha i r a nd t a l l , a nd sa y Mr . Pa v los w a s h i s
f r i end i n Eng l a nd . I sa y M r , Pa v l os m a r r ied t o M a d a m Lu ci nd a ' Sh e b r ok e o f f
a nd sm i l ed d el i g ht ed ly . ' H i s ey es, t hey op en j u st l i k e t hi s ... a n d he sa y i n v oi ce oh ,
so so ... .' H er b r ow p u ck er ed . 'W ha t y o u sa y , Ma d a m Lu ci n d a ?'
'Su r p r i sed ?' she su b m it t ed a b sen t l y , f or her hea r t r a ced now . Joe .... H e ha d
sa id he t hou g h t o f t a k in g h o l i d a y i n Cy p r u s, a n d t r y i ng t o f i nd Pa u l .
'Yes, su r p r ised . A n d t h en he a sk lo t s o f q u est i o n a b ou t y ou a n d Mr . P a v los,
a nd a f t er t ha t h e go o f f t o f i nd t h e h ou se, b u t h e g o w r ong w a y . You not see
hi m ?'
'N ow h ich w a y ?'
'H er e he i s, M a d a m Lu ci n d a I See, he i s b a ck t ha t 's h i s ca r com in g u p f r om
t h e v i l l a ge. H e m u st ha v e b een lo st , a nd com e t o a sk a ga i n .'
Tu r ni n g, Tessa st a r ed f a sci n a t ed ly a t t he ca r com i n g f r o m t h e d i r ect i o n o f
t h e sq u a r e, t hr ow i n g u p a cl ou d o f b r ow n d u st i n i t s w a k e. H er l eg s f elt l i k e jel l y
a nd she w a s a s w h i t e a s a sheet w h en p r esent l y Joe t u r ned i nt o t he d r iv e a n d g ot
ou t o f t he ca r . H i s ey es f l i ck er ed a s t hey l i g ht ed o n Tessa , b u t he ev i nced no ot her
si gn o f su r p r i se.
'Wel l , w el l , f a ncy m eet i n g y ou . H ow ' s m a r r i ed l i f e M a d a m L u ci n d a ?' Sh e
f lu shed a nd he a d d ed w i t h so m e a m u sem en t , 'You 'r e loo k i n g q u it e p r et t y .
Su n t a n b ecom es y ou .'
M a r o u la w a t ched , her cu r i ou s g l a nce m ov i ng f r o m o n e t o t he o t her .
'I Joe - w hy ha v e y ou co m e her e?'
'I t ook m y ho l i d a y s ea r l y . Ma d e u p m y m i n d o n i m p u l se a nd d ecid ed t o
co m e a n d f in d Pa u l.' A sm a l l p a u se a n d t h en, i n a n exp r essi on l ess t o ne, ' I a sk ed
y ou r d a d w h er e y ou w er e; he sa i d y ou 'd g on e b a ck t o Tu r k ey ... t o t ea ch.'
'Fa t her w ou l d n't m ea n t o t el l y ou l ies, b u t I a sk ed h i m not sa y a ny t hi ng t o
a ny one'
'M a d a m Lu ci nd a , a n d y ou r f r i en d w h a t ca n I o f f er y ou ?' Sp i r o s ha d
r et u r ned a nd Tessa g a v e a l i t t l e si gh o f r eli ef a t t he i nt er r u p t i on, N ev er h a d she
b een so gr ea t f u l f or t he hosp it a l it y o f t h e Cy p r i ot .'
'Jo e, w h a t w i l l y ou ha v e? Sha l l w e sit o u t h er e?'
'Tha t w ou l d b e n i ce.'
'I' l l h a v e o r a ng e, p l ea se, Sp i r os.' She l ook ed a t Joe. 'Tr y t h e Cy p r u s w i n e.
Sp i r os ha s ev er y t h in g ; he' l l b e on l y t o o p l ea sed i f y ou ha v e a g l a ss f r o m h im .'
'Tha n k s, I w i l l .' Joe sm i l ed a t Sp i r o s, w h o i nst a n t l y d i sa p p ea r ed i nt o t he
hot el , f o l l ow ed b y h i s w i f e. Im m ed i a t ely t h ey w er e sea t ed i n t he d eck cha i r s Jo e
t u r ned . t o Tessa . ' Gi r l , w ha t a ner v e! I w ou l d n't ha v e b el i ev ed . y o u 'd d a r e! I w a s
l it er a l l y st a gger ed w hen t ha t M a r ou l a , d i d she ca ll her sel f , t o l d m e a b o u t t hi s
M a d a m Lu ci nd a w ho w a s Pa u l 's w i f e. I k n ew it w a s y ou , o f cou r se i t cou l d n't b e
a ny one el se, b u t ho w i n hea v en's na m e a r e y ou get t i ng a w a y w i t h i t ? H e's
b ou nd t o f i nd ou t So m et i m e.'
'H e ha sn 't u p t i l l n ow .'
'Penh a p s not , b u t ' H e shoo k h is h ea d d a zed ly , ' I ca n 't t h i nk ho w y ou
m a na g ed t o d eceiv e h i m in t h e f i r st p l a ce.' h e sa i d w i t h m or e ca nd o u r t h a n t a ct ,
a nd a d ep r eca t i ng sm i le t ou ch ed t h e co r ner s o f Tessa ' s m ou t h.
Ba sica l ly ou r b o ne st r u ct u r e's t he sa m e, so he h a sn't not iced a ny d i f f er ence.
A nd m y l i t t le snu b nose ha s o b v io u sl y esca p ed h i m . Th e on ly su r f a ce f ea t u r e
Lu cin d a a n d I ha v e i n co m m on i s t he m ou t h . W e b ot h h a v e r a t her f u l l l i p s, so he
w ou l d n't not i ce a ny d i f f er ence t her e,' sh e sa id , a nd t he b i t t er ness i n her v oi ce
ca u sed Joe t o excl a i m , 'Tessa , y o u 'r e not h a p p y , a f t er a l l.' H e w a s f u l l of concer n,
a nd her f l u sh d eep en ed . Bef or e she cou l d sp ea k Sp i r es a p p ea r ed w i t h t he d r i nk s,
w h i ch he p l a ced on t he sm a l l t a b l e b esi d e Tessa .
'Som et h i ng t o ea t ?' h e i nq u ir ed o f Joe, w h o shook hi s hea d .
W hen Sp i r o s ha d gone Tessa b eg a n t o sp ea k a g a in, b u t a l m o st
i m m ed i a t el y sh e st op p ed . 'Excu se m e,' she sa id , a nd w ent i nt o t he ent r a nce ha l l
of t he hot el . M a r o u l a w a s sit t i ng i n a cha i r . She m er el y sm i led a t Tessa , a nd it
w a s q u i t e i m p ossi b l e t o t el l w h et her she h a d u nd er st ood w ha t sh e h a d ob v i ou sly
ov er hea r d .
'I d o not sp ea k t he Eng l i sh v er y w el l; Ma r ou l a h a d once sa i d , b u t a d d ed , 'I
k no w w ha t i t i s w hen I l i st en, t hou gh .'
'M a y w e go i nt o t he l ou nge, M a r ou la ?' Tessa a sk ed . 'It 's m u ch t o hot o u t
t h er e.'
'Yes, M a d a m L u ci nd a . You go w h er e y o u l i k e.'
A f ew m i nu t es l a t er t hey w er e i n p o ssessi o n o f t he l ou nge, a n d t h e d oor
w a s closed .
'Wh a t is a l l t h i s f or ?' Joe d em a n d ed . ' I'v e co m e her e t o g et so m e su n'
'M a r ou l a a l w a y s l ik es t o k n ow 'w ha t 's go i n g on . If she hea r s a ny t h i ng it ' l l
b e a l l ov er t h e v i l l a ge i n l ess t ha n a n h ou r ' s t i m e.'
H e m a d e no com m ent , r em a i ni ng t h ou g h t f u l l y si l ent f o r a sp a ce. 'Tel l
Uncle Joe a l l a b ou t i t ,' he in v it ed a t l a st , h a v i ng p a r t l y r ecov er ed f r o m t he
shock . 'I m u st a d m i t I g a v e a g ood d ea l o f t ho u ght t o y ou r q u est io ns a b ou t Pa u l ;
b u t a lt hou gh I ev ent u a l ly r ea ched t he con clu si o n t h a t y ou ' d t r y t o see h im , I
nev er d r ea m ed a ny t h i ng li k e m a r r ia ge w o u ld b e t he ou t com e.'
Tessa o b l i ged , t ell i ng h i m ev er y t hi n g, a n d a s she sp ok e her l ov ely ey es f i l l ed
w i t h t ea r s.
'You p oor l i t t le k i d ,' he excl a i m ed w hen sh e ha d f i n i sh ed her n a r r a t i v e.
'Wh y t he d ev il shou ld y ou t a k e t he r a p f or Lu ci nd a !' Tel l h i m t h e t r u t h, Tessa ,
a nd ch a nce i t .'
Bu t she sh ook her h ea d f i r m l y . ' H e w a s t o t a l ly i nd i f f er ent t o m e, Jo e i n f a ct ,
he d i sl i k ed m e, b eca u se h e t hou ght I w a s r u nn i ng a f t er h i m '
'Tessa , W h y shou l d he t h ink t ha t ?'
Tessa t ol d h i m w h a t sh e h a d o v er hea r d a t t he p a r t y , a nd Joe' s goo d
na t u r ed f a ce clo u d ed .
'You hea r d t h a t ? H ow d a m n a b l e!" H e g est u r ed h elp lessly . 'W ha t ' s t o b e
d on e, Tessa ?'
'N ot h in g ,' she a nsw er ed r esi gned l y . 'I j u st h a v e t o b ea r i t , Joe, a nd go on
hop in g f or a m i r a cl e.'
'In t he f or m o f ... w h a t ?' 'H e m ig ht r elent so m e d a y .'
'You 'v e j u st sa i d h e a sser t ed f i r m l y t h a t he w on't .'
Sh e shr u gged .
'H ow d o es P a u l k now w ha t h i s f eel in g s w i l l b e i n, sa y , t en y ea r s' t i m e?'
'Ten y ea r s! . he ej a cu l a t ed i n t ones o f ho r r or . 'Tessa , t ha t ' s a l i f et i m e.'
'N o, Joe.' Sh e ga v e h i m a sm i le, t h e sw eet a nd r a t her t r em u l ou s sm i l e she
of t en b est ow ed u p on her hu sb a nd , ev en t ho u gh he r em a i ned t ot a l l y u na w a r e o f
i t , ' I ca n w a it t en y ea r s, or ev en t w en t y ... a nd i n sp it e o f w ha t P a u l sa y s I d o n 't
b el i ev e he ca n ev er k i l l m y hop e.'
Joe p la ced h i s g l a ss on t he t a b l e, f or t h e w i ne a p p ea r ed t o b e ch ok i ng
hi m , H e sw a l lo w ed h a r d b ef or e he sp ok e.
'I d on 't k now h o w y ou m a n a ged t o b ecom e so d eep ly i nv ol v ed , Tessa , b u t
ha v i ng d o ne so how . ca n y ou go o n ca r i ng f or a m a n w ho t r ea t s y ou l ik e t hi s?
'H e i sn't t r ea t i ng m e l i k e t h is,' Tessa r em i n d ed h i m . ' It 's Lu ci n d a he's p u n i sh in g .'
'Lu ci n d a ,' he echo ed w it h a su r g e o f a n ger . 'Sh e's esca p ed ! Goes a b ou t
l a u gh i n g w i t hou t a ca r e i n t he w or ld ! H a n gi ng on t o t ha t i d io t 's a r m a nd g a zin g
u p i nt o h i s ey es l ik e so m e st u p i d scho o lg ir l w h i le y ou t a k e her p u n i sh m en t ! It ' s a l l
w r o ng, Tessa , a n d y ou cou l d n't b e a ny w or se o f f w er e y ou t o t ell P a u l t he t r u t h .'
'I' m n ot d oi ng t h a t ,' she sa i d w it h f i r m d eci sio n , a nd t h en, 'You 'r e com i n g
u p t o see Pa u l n ow ?'
'Of cou r se. W e' ll go u p t og et her in t he h ir ed ca r , t oget her .
Tessa exp l a i n ed a b ou t t he l et t er s b ei ng lef t a t t he ca f e a nd Jo e a gr eed t o
r u n h er t h er e f ir st . Th en Tessa sp ok e u r g en t l y , w a r n i ng h i m no t t o m a k e a sl ip .
'Pr om i se m e y ou ' l l b e v er y ca r ef u l,' she a d d ed , h er v oi ce ed g ed w i t h f ea r .
'You ca n r el y o n m e, Tessa . You r secr et 's sa f e ... f or a l l t i m e.'
The sm i l e w a s i n ev id ence a g a in .
'I exp ect P a u l' w il l w a nt t o d eceiv e y ou .'' sh e sa i d t hou g ht f u l ly a f t er a
w h i le. 'So w e' l l b e a ct in g a s i f w e'r e i n l ov e.. .' . H er v oi ce b r o k e a nd she w ep t .
So on, ho w ev er , sh e r ega ined cont r ol a nd l o ok ed a t h i m a p olo get i ca l l y a f t er
d r y i ng her ey es.
H e' exa m i n ed her f a ce a n d t o her a m a zem ent sa id w o nd er i ng l y ,
'You 'r e l ov ely , Tessa . You p ossess a f o r m o f b ea u t y L u ci n d a cou l d n ev er
ha v e i t seem s t o sh i ne f r om w i t h i nN o, d o n't in t er r u p t . H a s lov e d one t h i s t o
y ou ?' h e m u r m u r ed a l m ost t o h i m sel f . H er ha nd l a y r est i ng o n t h e a r m o f h er
ch a ir a nd , Rea ch i ng a cr oss, h e cov er ed i t w it h hi s. 'You 'r e i nv i ncib le, Tessa . H o ld
on t o y ou r hop e, b eca u se a l ov e l i k e y ou r s m u st conq u er i n t he end .'
For a f leet i n g m o m ent her ey es sho ne.
'You t h i nk he m ig ht f or gi v e m e, L u ci nd a , I m ea n ? Joe ... d o y o u r ea l l y
b el i ev e t he t i m e w i l l co m e, w h en he' l l st op ha t i ng m e, a n d a n d w e'l l b e ha p p y ?
'I' m su r e t he t i m e w i l l co m e w hen y ou ' ll b e ha p p y ,' h e r ep l i ed gr u f f ly , a nd
Tessa d i d not n ot i ce t h a t he ha d d el i b er a t ely i g nor ed her f i r st t w o q u est i on s.
Tessa 's f eel i ng s w er e m ixed a s sh e t ook Joe in t o t h e h ou se a n d ca l led t o her
hu sb a n d . Pa u l h a d cu t h i m sel f o f f f r om ev er y one i n Eng l a n d ; he ha d not l ef t a n
a d d r ess, so ob v i ou sl y he ha d no w i sh ev en t o cor r esp ond w i t h h i s f r i en d s. H ow ,
t h en, w ou l d he r ecei v e Joe?
On o b t a in i n g no r esp on se t o her ca l l she w ent in sea r ch o f hi m ; he w a s i n
hi s o l d r oo m , l y i ng d o w n . Th e sl a t t ed shu t t er s w er e clo sed , b u t t he w in d ow s w er e
op en, a l l o w ing t he a i r t o ent er .
'Pa u l ,' sh e w h i sp er ed , 'a r e y ou a sl eep ?'
'N o,' i r r i t a b l y . 'Wh a t d o y ou w a nt ?'
'We y ou 'v e a v isit or b u t , Pa u l, d oes y ou r h ea d a che?'
'A l i t t l e.' H e sa t u p , t hen sl i d o f f t he b ed . 'A v isi t or ?'
'Fr o m Eng l a nd ; i t ' s Jo e. H e's com e t o Cy p r u s esp ecia l l y t o f i nd y o u .' By t he
l ig ht esca p i n g f r o m t h e sh u t t er s she sa w h is su r p r i se b u t she a l so no t i ced .h i s
d r a w n exp r essi o n. 'The m ed i ci ne y o u b o u g ht f r om t he chem i st ,' she sa id
a nxio u sl y , i s i t not a ny good f or y ou r h ea d ?'
'It h el p s.' H e r ea ched f or hi s st i ck w h ich l a y on t he ch a i r w h er e he ha d
p l a ced i t . 'Joe's j u st a r r i v ed ? H ow d i d he f i n d m e?'
Tessa exp l a i n ed , w her eu p on Pa u l a sk ed i f Jo e h a d k now n o f t he m a r r i a ge.
Sh e h esi t a t ed . If she sa i d no , q u est i on s w o u ld f o l low , f or a s L u ci n d a a nd Joe ha d
a l w a y s b elo n ged t o t h e sa m e so ci a l set , Pa u l w ou l d con si d er i t m ost od d i f
Lu cin d a cou l d ha v e su d d en l y d i sa p p ea r ed a n d no q u est i o ns a sk ed .
'Yes,' Sh e f a lt er ed . 'Fa t her t o l d h i m .' H er h ea r t r a ced .. M or e d eceit .. , Joe
w ou l d ha v e t o b e so v er y ca r ef u l .
'H ow d i d he get u p h er e?' Pa u l w a nt ed t o k now , cha n g ing t he su b ject .
'D id he d r iv e?'
'Yes.' Sh e ha d a d esp er a t e u r ge t o t h r ow op en t he shu t t er s f or t he ha l f l i gh t
d ep r essed h er . 'H e's h i r ed a ca r . We w i l l p u t h i m u p ?' she a sk ed i n f a int l y a nxi ou s
t o nes. 'You a r e gl a d he' s h er e, Pa u l ?'
'I y es, I exp ect I a m g l a d .' H e t a p p ed t he f l oo r , m ov i ng h i s st i ck u nt i l he
f ou nd t h e w a r d r o b e, H e k new t h en w h er e t he d oo r w a s, 'Yes, i t w i l l b e a cha n ge
f or u s t o h a v e a v isi t or .' Tessa si gh ed w it h r el i ef , a t t he sa m e t i m e no isel essl y
op eni n g t he d oo r w i d e. 'I'v e no w i sh t ha t o u r q u a r r el i s m a d ep u b l i c,' he sa i d a s
he p a ssed h er .' ' Un d er st a n d ?"
'Yes, P a u l , I u nd er st a nd .'
H e st op p ed a n d h a l f t u r ned .
'It shou ld n 't b e d i f f i cu l t f or y ou t o b e t he l o v i ng w i f e,' he sa i d w i t h a hi nt ' o f
sa r d o n ic a m u sem ent .
'N ot d i f f icu l t a t a l l,' she r esp o n d ed i n q u i et gent le t ones. ' I m er ely h a v e t o
a ct na t u r a l l y .'
'H ow h a r d y ou t r y , he sneer ed . 'Wh a t r oo m i s Jo e i n?'
'The sm a l l , sit t i ng r oo m . I'v e t o ld Ta k is t o b r i ng so m e r ef r eshm ent s.'
Pa u l lef t her a n d f o r a m o m ent she r em a i ned b y t he d oo r i n hi s r oom , h i s
w or d s l ik e a k n i f e i n a n a l r ea d y o p en w ou nd . Bu t i t w a s a l l m ea nt f or Lu ci n d a ,
she t o l d h er sel f , a n d t h a t k now l ed ge g a v e her st r engt h .


CHAPTER VII

A N a m b er sk y , sp r a y ed w i t h r a i nb o w t i nt s a n d m o t t l ed w i t h p a l e
t r a nsl u cent gol d . Su n set i n a l l i t s g l or y . Tessa st ood on t he r oof t er r a ce a nd
w a t ched t he sw i f t ly m ov in g d i sc d r op b el ow t h e sea . A hu sh l a y ov er ev er y t hin g,
f or ev en t he b r eeze w a s si lent a s i t ca m e d ow n f r o m t he m ou nt a in s ca r r y i ng t he
b a l m y f r a gr a nce o f t he p i nes t o m i ng l e w i t h t he exot i c p er f u m es o f t h e g a r d en . A
m ov em en t b el ow ca u ght Tessa 's a t t en t i on ; Pa u l a m ong t h e f l ow er s, a b sor b i n g
t h ei r b ea u t y b y t ou ch a n d sm el l . A n d a s sh e w a t ch ed , w i t h a b r o od i ng p ensiv e
ga ze, she sa w h i m p i ck a r ose a n d p u t i t t o h i s f a ce .. Fo r a l o ng w hi l e h e st ood
t h er e, ob l i v i ou s o f h is w i f e's w a t ch f u l ey es, w i t h t h e r ose hel d so t ha t t he p er f u m e
f i l l ed h is no st r i l s. A n d t hen a t en d er sm i l e t r a nsf or m ed Tessa ' s f a ce a s Pa u l p u t
t h e shor t st em i n h i s m ou t h a n d cont in u ed h i s p er a m b u la t i on o f t h e g a r d en . A
t y p i ca l a ct i on o f t he Gr eek m a l e t o p i ck a f l ow er a n d hol d i t i n h is m ou t h. They
a l l l ov ed ev er y t hi n g w it h a p er f u m e, a n d Tessa t hou g ht t her e w a s so m et h in g
encha nt i n g l y n a iv e i n t h e v i si o n o f a la r ge m a scu l i n e f ig u r e ca r r y in g a f lo w er
a b o u t w it h h im in t h i s w a y , W it h Pa u l i t w a s so ou t o f cha r a ct er , so in com p a t i b l e
w i t h t h e cr u el a nd r u t hl ess st r ea k t ha t w a s essent ia l l y a p a r t o f h is m a k e u p .
'H e's a st r a n g e m a n, t ha t hu sb a nd of y ou r s.' The W h isp er a t her sid e
b r ou ght Tessa ' s hea d r ou nd a nd sh e sm i led . 'I i nt end ed j o in i ng h i m d o w n t her e,
b u t I sen sed he'd co n si d er i t a n i nt r u sio n .'
'H e o f t en w a lk s in t he g a r d en a t t h is t i m e,' she sa id i n so f t l y m u r m u r ed
t o nes. 'The f l ow er scent s seem st r o nger w h en t h e a i r i s cool a n d f r esh.'
'H e l i k es t o b e a lo ne li k e t h is?' Joe's ey es w er e on t h e m a n b el ow .
Sh e n od d ed ,
'I nev er i nt r u d e on h i s p r iv a cy , eit her . L i k e y ou , I f eel h e w ou l d n 't w elco m e
co m p a ny .' H er v o ice hel d a p ensi v e not e a nd a n in v ol u nt a r y si gh l ef t her l i p s. ,
'Don't b e t o o h u r t a b ou t t h a t , Tessa ,' he sa i d i n t on es o f com f or t . 'Ther e's
t h i s a lo n eness w i t h m a ny b l i nd p eop l e, Th ey w a nt t o get a w a y , com p let el y , f r om
ev er y ot her hu m a n , b ei ng .' Tessa m er el y n od d ed her a gr eem en t a n d Joe w en t
on, 'I h a v e t he m o st cu r i ou s sor t of f eel i ng a b ou t Pa u l , Tessa , a n d I d on't k no w
how t o exp l a in i t t o y o u .'
'A cu r i ou s f eel i n g?' H er ey es w er e o n h er h u sb a nd . H e st ood b y t he
ol ea nd er b u sh es, t a k i n g i n t h eir sw eet a n d hea d y p er f u m e. Yes, she t ho u ght , he
w a s sensit iv e t o secl u si on; it w a s i m p er a t i v e t ha t he ha v e t hese m o m ent s o f
a b so l u t e p ea ce a nd i so l a t io n .
'I ha v e t he co nv i ct i on t ha t he's f i g ht i ng so m et h i ng, t h a t gr ea t t u r m o i l r a ges
w i t hi n h i m .'
Sh e t u r n ed her hea d , m ov i ng i t t o o ne sid e i n a gest u r e of i nt er r o ga t i on.
'Wh a t a st r a ng e t h i n g t o sa y , Joe. Wh a t sor t of t u r m o i l ? A n d w h a t ca n h e b e
f ig h t i ng?'
A lon g h esi t a t i on, a n d t hen , ' H a v e y ou ev er t ho u ght , Tessa , t h a t he m i gh t
b e l osi n g h i s ha t r ed f or Lu ci nd a ? You r lov i ng ca r e, y ou r p a t i ence a n d t h e
ch a r m i ng w a y y ou ha v e w i t h hi m i t w ou l d b e m ost su r p r isi n g i f a l l t hi s d i d n't
ha v e so m e sor t o f ef f ect o n h i m .'
'N o, oh no, y o u 'r e q u i t e w r ong,' she b ega n , w hen Joe in t er r u p t ed her .
'Shou l d t h a t b e t h e ca se, a nd he w a s f a l l i n g i n l ov e w i t h Lu cin d a a ll ov er
a ga i n i t w ou l d a ccou nt f o r t he i m p r essi on I h a v e t ha t so m e i nner con f l i ct i s
t a k in g p la ce w i t h i n Pa u l. H e'd so d esp i se h i m sel f t h a t he'd n a t u r a l ly f i g ht a g a i nst
i t .'
Tessa shook her h ea d ,
'H e st i l l h a t es L u ci nd a .' sh e sa i d f l a t ly . 'Ther e's no d ou b t a t a l l a b ou t i t , Jo e,
It w i l l t a k e P a u l a l on g, lo ng w h i l e t o f or g i v e w ha t L u ci nd a d i d t o h i m .'
Joe shr u gged , b u t f r o w n l i nes d a r k en ed h is b r ow , 'Th er e a r e m o m ent s,
Tessa , w hen he's so w el l, l ov i ng t ow a r d s y o u .'
'M er ely t h is a ct w e'r e p u t t i n g o n f or y ou r 'b enef it ,' sh e t ol d h i m sa d ly .
'Som et i m es w hen w e'r e a l one he' s l ik e t ha t t oo, b u t it 's on l y t o l et m e h a v e a
t a st e o f w ha t I'v e m i ssed , H e sa i d he' d d o t hi s, j u st t o t or t u r e m e.' '
'It 'sf iend i sh.' Joe sa id , a s i f h e cou l d sca r cel y b el iev e P a u l ca p a b l e o f su ch
ca lcu la t ed cr u el t y . ' I k now Lu cin d a d eser v es it a l l , a n d I w ou l d n 't b la m e h i m f or
t h i s r ev enge b u t i t 's st i l l d i f f icu l t t o b el i ev e Pa u l ha s t h i s b a r b a r i c st r ea k i n h i m .'
'Seei ng h i m b a ck ho m e in En g la n d y ou w ou l d n't t hi nk i t , I a gr ee. I w ou ld
nev er ha v e b el i ev ed h i m ca p a b le o f su ch v iol en t p a ssi on s.' Sh e m u sed a g a in on
w ha t Joe ha d j u st sa i d a b ou t t he p ossi b i li t y of P a u l 's f a l l i ng i n lov e w i t h L u ci n d a
t h r ou gh t he t en d er ca r e a n d a t t ent i o n o f Tessa . Bu t sh e shook her hea d ,
r ea sser t ing t h a t P a u l 's h a t r ed f or Lu cin d a r em a i ned a s st r ong a s ev er .
'You sh ou l d k n ow , o f cou r se,' h e conced ed . 'A l l t he sa m e, I sense t h i s con f l ict
m ost st r ong ly . Bu t p er ha p s it 's so m et hi ng else I d on 't k now .' H e cha ng ed t he
su b j ect . ' On ly a n ot her w eek a n d t h en b a ck t o t he w ea r y g r i nd . I w i sh I cou l d st a y
l ong er , b u t p er ha p s I'l l m a na ge a not her v i sit a t Chr i st m a s.'
'I hop e so.' Th e a m b er sk y w a s m er gi ng in t o t he b l u e m i st o f t w i l i ght w h i ch
sp r i nk l ed t h e m ou n t a i nsi d es a n d gr a d u a l l y ca st t hem i nt o sh a d ow . Soon w ou l d
co m e t he si l ent w or ld o f m oon l i g ht a nd a sense o f p ea ce w ou l d ent er Tessa 's
hea r t . Ea ch ev eni ng sh e h a d t h i s b r ief i n t er lu d e o f r ep ose w hen a l l h er p a i n w a s
shed a nd a st r a n g e f eel i ng o f op t i m i sm en t er ed i nt o her . It w a s a s i f na t u r e i t sel f
w er e on her si d e, eq u i p p i ng her w i t h r enew ed st r engt h, en a b l in g' h er t o f a ce
a no t her d a y o f st r a in a nd hu r t .
'Wh a t a p osi t ion P a u l cho se;' Joe t u r ned a f u l l ci r cle t o t a k e i n t he v i ew s a l l
a r ou nd . 'It 's w on d er f u l '
'Wo nd er f u l ... a n d h e ca n't see i t ... .' Sa d l y sh e loo k ed d o w n a g a i n a nd
t h en her ey es d i l a t ed a n d h er w hol e b od y b eca m e r i g i d . 'Joe!' she g a sp ed . 'A a
sna k e' Th e u se r et u r ned i nst a nt l y t o h er l egs a n d she shot a w a y , m a k in g f or t he
st ep s w i t h a sp eed b or n o f f ea r . She st u m b l ed a nd w ou l d h a v e go ne hu r t l i n g
f r om t he r oof t o t he gr ou n d , b u t b y so m e m i r a cle she m a na ged t o g r a b t h e
ha n d r a i l j u st i n t i m e. Tw o a t a t i m e she t o ok t he st ep s ... t w o f li ght s ... w o u ld t hey
nev er end ? She d a r en't ca l l o u t t o Pa u l , f o r he w ou l d not k n ow w h a t t o d o a n d
he m ig ht b e a f r a i d , she t h ou ght .
The sca l y , d ea d l y t hi ng w a s so st i l l , w a t ch i n g, a nd t hen i t sl i t her ed a l ong
t h e gr ou n d , get t in g nea r er a nd nea r er t o Pa u l, w h o w a s st a n d i ng t her e, t he r ose
b et w een h is t eet h, t r a n q u i l l y en j oy i ng t h e t a n g o f clea r scent ed a i r i n h i s nost r i l s.
A t er r i b l e f ea r cl u t chi ng a t her hea r t , Tessa a t la st r ea m ed t he gr ou nd .
St ea l t h i l y sh e p i ck ed u p a l a r g e p iece of st on e f r o m t h e r ock er y a n d , cr eep i ng
cl ose so a s n ot t o m i ss her a i m , she hu r led i t w i t h a l l her st r en gt h a t t h e sna k e ju st
a s i t w a s a b ou t t o st r ik e. 'W ha t !' P a u l sw u ng r o u n d ; h i s st i ck ca u ght Tessa 's a nk l e
a nd a n i nv ol u nt a r y cr y l ef t her l ip s. 'W h a t a r e y ou d o i n g her e cr eep i ng a b ou t !'
Pa u l 's ha r sh v oi ce w a s l ost on her , f or t h e sna k ew a s co i l i ng a nd w r i t h i ng, ha v i ng
b een h it o nly o n i t s b od y . It st o p p ed a n d t o Tessa 's t er r i f ied i m a g i n a t i o n i t
a p p ea r ed t o b e loo k in g u p a t Pa u l w i t h a b la ck v eno m .
'It 's a l l r i ght , I'l l d ea l w i t h i t .' Joe' s v o i ce. Tessa a l m o st col la p sed w i t h r el i ef
a s, p i ck i n g u p t he p i ece o f r o ck , Joe w ent f or t he sn a k e's h ea d . She d i d n't w a i t t o
see, b u t t oo k h er hu sb a n d 's a r m a nd l ed h i m t o w a r d s t he hou se. H e d i d not r esi st
or p r ot est , or ev en u t t er a w or d . Once i n t he si t t i ng r oom h e g a v e t he r ose t o
Tessa , t el l i n g her t o p u t it in w a t er . A s she t ook i t f r o m hi m he f el t t h e t r em b l i n g
of h er h a n d , b u t st i l l m a d e no co m m ent o n w ha t h a d o ccu r r ed .
'The co u ch i s r i g ht b eh i n d y ou ,' she f a l t er ed . 'Ca n I get y ou a d r i nk ?'
The st r a nge si l ence t ha t ha d com e ov er h i m w a s b r o k en t h en.
'Yes ... b u t get y ou r sel f o ne t oo . H a v e a b r a n d y .'
Tessa b r ou gh t t he t r a y a n d sev er a l b ot t les. Joe ca m e i n a nd no d d ed . The
sna k e w a s d ea d .
'St i l l w r i t h i n g .' h e w h i sp er ed , 'b u t q u i t e ha r m l ess now .'
Tha nk Go d , Bu t t her e w er e ot her s; she w o u l d nev er a ga i n let Pa u l go i nt o
t h e g a r d en a lo ne.
'Per ha p s.' sa i d Pa u l q u i et ly f r o m t h e cou ch , 'so m eone w i ll t el l m e w ha t 's
b een h a p p en i ng ?'
Joe op en ed h is m ou t h, b u t Tessa u r gent ly shook her hea d .
'It w a s not h in g, d a r li ng . The sha d ow s I t ho u g ht sa w a sn a k e .. .' She t a i l ed
of f . Joe's b r ow w a s r a ised a s i f t o i n f or m her of t he f u t i l i t y o f ev a si o n. W ha t w ou l d
she i nv ent a s a su b st i t u t e f or t he t r u t h- he seem ed t o b e sa y i n g . ' It w a s a sn a k e,
Pa u l ,' she sa i d w it h a f f ect ed l i g ht ness. 'Bu t on l y a t i ny t h i n g. I'm a f r a i d I l o st m y
hea d ' She ga v e a r a t h er cr a ck ed l i t t le l a u gh . ' I d on't k n ow w ha t ca m e ov er
m e; I d on't u su a l l y p a n i c f or not h i ng.'
'For no t hi ng ... .' P a u l 's f a ce w a s a st u d y a s, t a k i ng t he g l a ss w h i ch Jo e
p l a ced t o h i s h a n d , he r a i sed i t t o h is l i p s. A v ei n i n h is t em p l e t hr ob b ed a n d
t h er e w a s ev en a m o v em ent a t t he sid e o f h is m ou t h, a s i f a m u scl e w er e r a p i d ly
t w i t ch i n g t her e. 'I hea r d y ou sa y y o u ' d d ea l w i t h t h i s sna k e, Jo e. H o w b i g w a s i t ?'
'N ot v er y '
'A b ou t t hr ee f eet lo ng .' i nt er r u p t ed Joe. 'A nd a na st y l ook i ng b r u t e i t w a s
t o o. Lu ci nd a h a d a l r ea d y h a d a go a t i t b ef or e I m a n a ged t o co m e d ow n f r om
t h e r oof . I m er el y f i n i shed i t o f f , so t o sp ea k .'
H or r i f i ed , Tessa st a r ed a ngr i l y a t Joe. H ow cou l d he l et her d ow n l i k e t hi s?
W ha t p ossi b l e good cou l d he d o b y t el l i n g Pa u l t he t r u t h? It w o u ld m a k e h i m
ner v ou s o f go i ng ou t t o t he ga r d en a l on e. A nd a l t ho u gh Tessa v ow ed t o b e
a l w a y s so m ew her e a t h a n d , sh e h a d m ea n t her hu sb a n d t o b el iev e he w a s
a l on e. It w a s cr u el t o d eny hi m t h e p lea su r e w hich t h i s hou r o f so l i t u d e a f f or d ed
hi m .
'Thr ee f eet .. .' Pa u l m u r m u r ed so f t ly , a nd t ook a not her d r i nk . ' A n d ,
Lu cin d a h a d a lr ea d y d ea lt w i t h i t , y ou sa y ?'
'N o, P a u l , I I j u st t hr ew a st one a t i t j u st t o' sca r e i t a w a y .'
'H ow clo se' w er e y o u w hen y ou t hr ew t he st on e?' h e a sk ed cu r i ou sl y .
'She w a s v er y cl ose, Pa u l . The sn a k e w a s a b ou t t o st r i k e a n d L u cin d a ha d
t o g et cl ose' so a s not t o m i ss h er a i m .' A f l eet i n g p a u se a nd t h en, i n so f t b u t
f a i n t l y a ccent ed t ones, ' I r eck o n i t w a s d a m n ed p lu ck y o f Lu ci nd a , b eca u se t h e
sna k e cou l d h a v e t u r ned it s a t t en t i on t o h er i n st ea d .'
Sh e f r o w n ed a nd t r ied t o ca t ch Jo e's ey e. Wh a t w a s he t r y i ng t o d o?
'It w o u ld n 't h a v e st r u ck a t a l l,' she a r gu ed l igh t l y . 'P a u l , d a r l in g ; ca n I r ef il l
y ou r gl a ss?'
'Yes, p l ea se.'
N o m o r e w a s sa id a b ou t t h e sna k e a n d l a t er t h ey a l l w ent f or a m ea l t o
one o f t he m a ny sea sid e r est a u r a nt s. Th ey ha d a t a b l e ou t si d e, u n d er a st a r
sp r i nk l ed sk y w h i ch r ef lect ed i t sel f i n t he v el v et sea b elow . On e or t w o p eo p le
w er e sw i m m i ng a n d Tessa t o ld P a u l a b ou t t h i s.
'They 'r e ha v i ng a m a r v el l ou s t i m e, Pa u l . We'v e nev er sw u m i n t h e d a r k ... '
Sh e t a i led o f f , b i t i ng her l i p . H ow cou l d sh e ha v e sp o k en li k e t h a t , w it hou t
t h i n k i n g? P a u l sm i l ed f o r Joe's b enef i t , she t h ou ght , w o nd er i ng w ha t ha r sh
co m m ent w o u ld ha v e b een f or t hcom i n g h a d t h ey b een a l one.
"We m u st d o i t , t h en, m y d ea r . Per ha p s w e'l l m a na g e i t b ef or e Joe l ea v es
u s?'
'I'd t h or ou gh l y en j oy t ha t ,' r et u r ned Joe en t h u si a st i ca l l y , w a t ch ing t he
sw i m m er s f a r d ow n b elow . 'Im a gi ne b ei n g a b l e t o sw i m i n t he sea a t n i n e o'cl ock
a t n i ght a t t h e b eg i n n i ng o f M a y !'
"It 's p o ssi b le t o sw i m a l l t h e y ea r r ou nd i n Cy p u s,' P a u l i n f or m ed h i m ,
a l t h ou gh he a d d ed , h i s sm i le d eep en i ng , 'The t o u r i st s sw i m a l l t he y ea r r ou nd ,
b u t I' m t o ld t he Cy p r iot s t h em sel v es w a it u nt i l i t 's w a r m er .'
'Yes, I su p p ose t hey ' ll f eel t h a t t he w a t er i s coo l a t t hi s t i m e o f t he y ea r ,'
p u t i n Tessa m u si n g ly . A s sh e h a d sa i d , t he sw i m m er s w er e t hor ou gh ly en joy i n g
t h em sel v es a n d sh e w ou ld h a v e l ov ed t o b e d ow n t her e w i t h t hem .
Their m ea l w a s b r ou ght a w hol e hu ge f i sh, b r ow n a nd cr i sp a nd f r esh l y
ca u ght . Fr i ed p ot a t oes a nd v eget a b l es w er e p l a ced a r ou n d i t a n d t he u su a l
sa la d s w er e b r ou g h t in on ot her d i shes. W i t h t he w hol e lo a f , t he b u t t er a nd w ine,
t h e t a b l e w a s l oa d ed . Bou zou k i m u sic, p l a y ed b y a b a nd o f f ou r l a u g h i n g
m u si ci a n s, echoed t hr o u gh t he h i l lsi d es a n d ou t a cr oss t he sea . Th er e w a s a
d i sp l a y o f f ol k d a nci ng a nd t hen so m e o f t he d i ner s j o i n ed i n , It w a s a scene o f
ga i et y a nd a b a n d o n so t y p ica l o f t he Ea st , cond u ct ed u n d er a t r el l i sed r oo f o f
v i nes w i t h t h e d a r k si lho u et t e o f p i ne cl ot h ed m ou nt a i ns on one sid e a nd t he
p l a ci d w a t er s o f t h e M ed it er r a nea n o n t h e ot her . Tessa ha d on on l y a sl eev el ess
d r ess. P a u l w a s i m m a cu la t e i n a l ig ht gr ey l i nen su it . Peop le st a r ed a t hi m , t h en
co m m ent ed t o ea ch ot h er . Th i s a l w a y s ha p p ened a n d i nv a r ia b ly t en d ed t o p u t a
d a m p er o n Tessa 's p l ea su r e a t com in g o u t l i k e t hi s.
'Wh y d on 't y ou a n d Joe d a nce?' P a u l su g g est ed w h en, t h e m ea l ov er , t he
t a b l e h a d b een cl ea r ed o f a l l b u t w i ne a n d nu t s. 'Ta k e her , Joe;'
So m et h i ng i n h i s v o ice a nd h is m a n ner ca u sed b o t h Joe a n d Tessa t o l ook
sw i f t l y a t h i m . Ther e seem ed t o ha v e co m e ov er hi m so m e sl igh t cha n ge w h ich a s
y et w a s a l m o st i n d ef i n a b l e, b u t i n a d d i t io n t her e w a s so m e en i g m a t i ca l q u a l i t y
a b o u t h i m t h a t r em i nd ed Tessa o f t he r a t h er od d sor t o f i n t er est he ha d t a k en i n
t h e let t er she h a d w r it t en t o her f a t h er , h i s com m ent s a b ou t w h i ch ha d ca u sed
her so m e t r ep i d a t ion f or t w o d a y s, b ef or e, r ea l i zi ng h i s i nt er est h a d w a ned , Tessa
co u ld o n ce m o r e b r ea t he f r eel y .
'A g ood id ea .' Joe st ood u p . ' Co m e o n, L u ci nd a , a n d sho w m e w h a t t o d o .'
'I d on 't k now m y sel f ,' she t o l d h i m w i t h so m e a n xi et y a s she ey ed t he ot her s
d a n ci ng on t he t i l ed f l oor sp a ce r ou n d w h i ch t he t a b l es w er e r a nged . 'Bu t I
exp ect w e ca n d o som et h in g .'
It w a s exh i l a r a t i ng, a n d Tessa en j oy ed i t , b u t sh e u t t er ed a t in y si gh f or a l l
t h a t , a n d her ey es i nv a r i a b ly r et u r ned t o Pa u l , si t t i n g t her e a l one, h is f a ce
t o w a r d s t he sea .
'H ow d i d y ou go on ?' H e t w i st ed r o u n d i n hi s cha i r a s t h ey sa t d ow n a ga i n
a t t hei r t a b l e. 'Ca n y ou d o t he d a nce m y d ea r ?'
W hy t he hesi t a t i o n? she w o nd er ed , f or i t h a d b een v er y ob v io u s.
'It w a s f u n , Pa u l ,' she a n sw er ed b r ea t h l essl y . 'Ev er y one's so g a y a n d
l a u gh i n g. They j u st t hr ow t h em selv es i nt o ev er y t hi ng.'
'Yes; I'm a f r a i d t ha t i n t he W est y ou h a v e so m a n y i nh ib i t i on s t ha t y ou
d on 't r ea l l y g et t h e b est ou t o f l i f e.'
'You cou l d b e r i ght , Pa u l;' conced ed Jo e. 'Bu t w e h a v e ot her
co m p ensa t i o ns.'
'In d eed y es, I cou l d n't a gr ee m or e. It 's d i f f icu l t t o a ssess t hese
co m p ensa t i o ns, a nd t o com p a r e t hem .' 'Th e d i f f er ence i s t ha t t he p eop l e h er e a r e
not concer ned w it h m o ney .'
'N ot ?' Pa u l li f t ed h i s b r ow s in su r p r i se. 'W h er e d i d y ou get t ha t i d ea , Joe?'
H e sh r u gg ed .
'They j u st go lei su r ely a b ou t t h eir w o r k , col lect i ng a b i t o f f ir ew ood her e
a nd t her e, a nd t a k i n g t hei r go a t s a n d sheep u p i nt o t he h i l l s. They 'r e so sa t i sf i ed .'
H e p a u sed a n d st u d i ed Pa u l 's exp r essi on. ' You d o n 't a gr ee w i t h m e?'
'Peop l e t h e w o r l d o v er a r e concer n ed w it h m on ey .
H er e a nd esp eci a l ly i n t h i s p a r t i cu l a r r eg i o n t h ef a r m er ha s t he i n i t i a l w or k
of set t i n g ou t h i s l em on gr o v es, b u t a f t er t ha t h e ha s no t h i ng t o d o b u t w a t er t he
t r ees.' H e ca n t hen ju st sit b a ck a n d sp end hi s d a y s i n t h e ca t ena t i on p l a y i ng t r i k
t r a k or ca r d s, r ea p i n g f r om h i s l em on s a co u p l e o f t h ou sa nd or so p er y ea r .'
'A s m u ch a s t ha t ?' excl a i m ed Tessa , st a r i n g i n a st o ni sh m ent . These f a r m er s
a l w a y s seem ed so p o or .
'Cer t a i n l y a s m u ch a s t h a t . Lem on s m i g ht b e l y i ng a r o u n d a l l ov er t he
gr ou nd her e, b u t lo ok a t t h e p r i ce o f t hem b a ck ho m e.'
'Ba ck ho m e?' Joe seized on t h a t , f or g et t i n g a b ou t t he lem on s. ' You st i l l
co nsi d er En g l a n d a s b a ck h om e?'
'Od d l y enou g h , y es.' he m u r m u r ed r ef l ect i v ely , a n d Tessa w ou l d ha v e
gi v en a ny t h i ng t o k n ow w h er e h i s t h ou g ht s l a y . P er ha p s he w a s d w el l i ng
nost a lg i ca ll y on t he w o n d er f u l t i m es he h a d sp ent t h er e w i t h Lu cin d a w hen t h ey
w er e b ot h so i n l ov e a n d t h ei r f u t u r e l a y sp r ea d ou t b ef or e t hem l i k e a n i d y l l i c
p a no r a m a o f hea v en i t sel f . Th is w a s b ef or e Pa u l ' s l ov e ha d t u r ned t o a h a t r ed so
p ow er f u l a n d a l l env el op i ng t h a t i t ha d b r ou gh t ou t so m e l a t ent ev i l a n d ev en
t w i st ed h i s h a n d so m e f ea t u r es i nt o t he b l a ck sa t a n ic l i n es w h i ch Tessa k n ew so
w el l . 'I t h i nk i t 's t i m e w e m a d e a m ov e,' P a u l sa id so m e t i m e l a t er , a n d a f t er
sha k i n g ha n d s w i t h t he p r o p r i et or of t he r est a u r a n t , t hey m a d e t h ei r w a y t o t he
ca r p a r k .
Joe h a d r et u r ned t he h i r ed ca r , f o r he ha d no n eed o f it , a nd Tessa d r ov e
Pa u l 's ca r b a ck t h e w a y t hey h a d com e, b a ck a lo n g t he q u i et coa st r oa d ,
t r a v ell i n g ea st , t ow a r d s Ky r en i a . A s u su a l , she ha d p la ced a scent ed f l o w er on
t h e shel f a t her hu sb a nd 's si d e, a n d h e n ow f el t f o r t he ca r na t i o n a n d p i ck ed i t
u p . H e f i ng er ed it a l m ost t en d er l y , a n d ev er y now a n d t h en h e w a f t ed it b ef or e
hi s f a ce. Ther e w a s a st r a ng e si m p l i ci t y a b o u t h i s ev er y m ov em ent , a nd he w a s
f a r a w a y , a lon e w i t h t he l ov el y t hi ng he h eld i n h is h a n d . It w a s on ly a est h et i c
q u a l i t i es w i t h w h i ch he w a s concer ned . D i d t h i s r esu l t f r om h is b l i n d ness? Tessa
w ond er ed , her a t t ent i o n d i v i d ed b et w een t he r oa d a hea d a n d t he m a n a t her
si d e. Sh e w ou l d nev er k no w , a n d she d i d n ot w a nt t o d o so, f or sh e w ou l d ha v e
f ou nd i t od d l y hu r t f u l t o d iscov er t h a t h er h u sb a nd w a s p ossessed o f m er cena r y
q u a l i t i es.
Ev ent u a l l y sh e t u r n ed o f f t he m a i n r oa d a nd , cu t t i ng ou t t he cen t r e o f t he
t o w n, she t oo k t he Bel la p a i s r oa d , d r i v i ng t h r ou g h t he o l i v es a nd ca r ob s, t hr o u gh
t h e lem on gr ov es u nt i l , a hea d , d o m i n a t in g t he v i l l a ge sq u a r e, r ose t he
m a gn i f i cent w ea t her ed a r ches o f t he A b b ey . Th en Tessa t o ok t he r o a d u p i nt o
t h e h i l l s a nd t h e l i ght s o f t he v i ll a ge t w i nk l ed u p a t t hem , l ook i ng r a t her l i k e t he
r ef l ect i on o f t he st a r s a b ov e. Ta k i s ha d l ef t on a ll t he l ig ht s o n t h e f r ont t er r a ce
a nd w hen t he lo v el y w h it e v i l l a ev ent u a l l y ca m e i nt o v iew i t l ook ed l ik e som e
f a ir y p a l a ce nest l i ng on it s p l a t ea u a m i d t he p i ne cl a d slop es f a l l i ng a w a y a l l
a r ou nd i t .
'I' m g oi n g t o b ed .' Im m ed ia t el y t hey ent er ed t he hou se Pa u l sp ok e. 'It 's
v er y l a t e.' A b sent l y h e f i n ger ed t h e f a ce o f h is w a t ch . ' Good n i ght , Jo e. Goo d
ni ght , m y d ea r .'
'Good ni ght , P a u l .' She l et h i m go , t h en w i t h a no d o f a p o l ogy t o Joe she
f o l l ow ed h i m . A sho r t w h i l e l a t er sh e r et u r n ed . ' H is hea d ; she f a l t er ed , h er f a ce
w h i t e a n d r a t her d r a w n . 'H e's ho l d in g i t . These p a i n s t er r i f y m e. W ha t w ha t
exp la na t i on c ca n t her e b e f or t hem ?'
'N ow , now , st ea d y on, Tessa Ju st l i k e a w o m a n t o d w ell o n so m et h i n g l i k e
a b r a in t u m o u r . You 'v e q u i t e eno u g h on y ou r m i n d w it hou t a n a d d ed a nxi et y
l ik e t ha t .'
'Bu t w hy shou l d h e h a v e t h em ? They 'r e v er y b a d , I ca n t el l , ev en t hou g h
he d oesn't sa y m u ch a b ou t t hem .'
H e a p p ea r ed not t o b e li st en i ng ; a t ho u gh t f u l f r o w n l a y a cr oss h i s b r ow
a nd h i s ey es f l i ck er ed od d ly .
'Those d a r k g l a sses he w ea r s? H a s he a l w a y s w o r n t hem !'
Tessa shook her h ea d . 'It 's o nl y r ecent l y . I w a s so su r p r i sed w hen h e sa i d h e
w a nt ed t o b u y so m e. H e w or e t hem o n l y o cca si ona l l y a t f ir st , b u t n ow he seem s
m ost u nco m f or t a b l e w it hou t t h em .... Jo e,' sh e q u iv er ed , not in g h is exp r essi on,
'd o y ou t h i nk t he hea d a ches a r e som et hi n g t o d o w i t h hi s ey es!'
H e lo ok ed st r a ig h t a t her , a nd a sk ed a q u est i o n o f h is o w n .
'If t hey a r e, y ou r ea l i ze w h a t i t m ea n s?' Sh e l ook ed b ew i l d er ed .
'N o ... no, I d on 't .' Th e Fr ench w i n d ow w a s t h r ow n w i d e o p en a n d Joe's
a t t en t i on now a p p ea r ed t o b e o n t h e n ig h t so u n d s com in g f r o m f a r d ow n t he h i l l
slop es, sou n d s o f cr i ck et s a n d f r o g s a nd t h e b r a y o f a d o nk ey t et her ed t o a t r ee
b y t he r oa d si d e.
'Wh y shou l d he su d d en l y a sk f or g l a sses, w hen h e's b een w i t ho u t t hem f or
so l ong ?' h e m u r m u r ed a t l eng t h . 'I d o b el i ev e t hese hea d a ches a r e so m et h i ng t o
d o w i t h h i s ey es.' H e b r o u ght h i s a t t ent i on b a ck t o Tessa . 'H a v e y ou ev er
su sp ect ed t ha t h e ca n see?'
'See ... I' Tessa t r em b l ed a l l ov er . ' N o, no , h e d ef i n it el y ca n't see oh, I' m
a b so l u t ely su r e o f i t !'
'Per ha p s I shou l d n't h a v e p u t i t q u i t e l ik e t ha t . Bu t d o n 't y ou r ea l i ze, Tessa ,
t h a t t h e l i ght m u st b e b ot h er i n g h i m ... a n d i f t he l i ght 's b ot h er i ng h i m ... .' The
r est w a s lef t u nsa i d , b u t t he i n f er en ce w a s cl ea r . Tessa ' s t r em b l i n g i ncr ea sed ; she
w a s i n t he gr i p o f a f ea r ev en gr ea t er t ha n h er f ea r o f t he f u t u r e. If Pa u l shou l d
ev er see ....
'The d oct or s i n Eng l a nd ; she st a m m er ed . 'They a l l sa i d ' h i s ca se w a s
hop eless. I k n ow h e'l l n ev er see a ga in .'
In t hr ou gh t h e w i nd o w f lew a g i a nt m ot h, t o f l u t t er r ou n d t he cent r e l i g ht
a nd ca st d a r t i ng sha d o w s o n t o t he w a l ls a nd f l oor .
'They cou l d h a v e b een m i st a k en; it o f t en h a p p en s.'
H i s ca se w a s o d d , t o sa y t he l ea st . A s I t o l d y ou , he w a sn't b l i n d w h en he
p i ck ed h i m sel f u p a n d t a ck led t hose f l a m es. H i s b l i nd ness r esu lt ed f r om t he sho ck
of b el i ev i ng Lu ci nd a w a s b u r n i n g t o d ea t h i n t h e ca r .'
Too st u n ned t o sp ea k , Tessa ju st sa t t h er e, sh a k en b y t h e r ev ela t i on t ha t
she w a s t a k i ng a l l Joe sa id m ost ser io u sl y . She her sel f h a d w on d er ed a b ou t Pa u l 's
a sk i ng f o r g l a sses; sh e h a d not i ced h im sh a d ing h i s ey es, ha d w on d er ed a t t h e
ch em ist 's exp r ession a s P a u l t a lk ed t o h i m of t hese hea d a ches. A nd t he m ed ici n e
... it h a d h el p ed a l i t t le, P a u l sa i d , b u t now Tessa f el t cer t a i n i t ha d no t hel p ed a t
a l l . Wh it e, a n d st i l l t r em b l i ng v i o l ent l y , she lo ok ed a cr oss a t Joe, her f a ce st r i ck en.
'If h is si g ht shou l d ev er b e r est or ed , t hen i t ' s t he end f or m e. I'v e I'v e f o u g ht a n d
hop ed a nd p r a y ed a l l f or not h ing .'
Joe sh i f t ed u nea si l y . 'You ' d b et t er h a v e a d r i nk a st r ong o n e.' H e got u p
a nd p ou r ed her a b r a n d y f r o m t h e b ot t le on t he si d eb oa r d . 'Th i nk I need o ne;
a s w el l . O f co u r se,' he a d d ed , ' I cou l d b e a l l w r ong p r o b a b l y a m , b u t i t ' s w or t h
l ook i ng i nt o'
'N o,' sh e i nt er r u p t ed f r a nt ica l l y . 'N o! I w on' t l o se hi m !'
Joe t u r ned , t he sod a sy p hon i n h is h a nd . . 'Yo u 'd d eny h i m t he cha nce o f
seei ng a ga i n?' 'Yes no' She sh ook her hea d , sca r cel y a b l e t o t h in k . ' I ca n 't l ose
hi m ,' she cr i ed i n su d d en a ng u i sh . ' I ca n't !'
'Wh a t m a k es y o u so su r e y ou ' l l l o se hi m ? You a r e m a r r i ed , r em em b er .'
'Of cou r se I' l l lo se h i m . It 's Lu ci nd a he's m a r r i ed so he ca n get a d i v o r ce
w i t hou t a ny t r ou b l e a t a l l .' Ign or i ng her st a t em ent a b ou t d i v or ce, Jo e r em in d ed
Tessa t ha t P a u l ha t ed Lu ci n d a .
'Tha t 's no r ea son w hy he shou l d l ov e m e.'
'I' l l gr a nt y o u t ha t , b u t y ou 'v e b een d a m n ed go o d t o Pa u l , Tessa , a n d he
shou l d a p p r eci a t e i t .'
'H e' l l nev er lov e m eA t ho m e, he d i sl i k ed m e i nt en sely , sa id I w a s r u n n i ng
a f t er h i m . W ha t w ou l d he t hi n k shou l d he ev er k now I u sed h i s b li nd n ess t o get
hi m f or m y sel f ? H e'd consi d er i t t he m o st r ep r eh ensib l e a ct , a n d he'd b e r ig h t .' A
ha u nt ed , d esp er a t e l ook ca m e i nt o her ey es. 'I d o n't w a nt hi m t o ha v e h i s si ght
r est or ed , b eca u se d on't y ou see, h e' d b e m or e a ngr y a nd b it t er t ha n ev er a t
f in d in g hi m sel f b o u n d t o m e a g ir l h e d esp i sed so, a a g i r l h e s sa i d w a s u gl y ',
'H e nev er sa i d t ha t !' p u t i n Joe sh a r p ly . 'H e w o u ld n 't .'
'H e sa i d m y ey es w er e t he on l y t h ing s I h a d , y ou r em em b er t h a t .' Th e t ea r s
w er e r el ea sed a nd f o r a w h i l e Joe l et h er w eep , b u t w hen t he sob s r ea l l y b ega n
t o r a ck her b od y he l ef t h i s cha i r a nd p u t h i s a r m s a r o u n d h er .
'Look , a l l t h is i s u n n ecessa r y , b eca u se w e h a v en't a ny p r oof t ha t P a u l w i l l
ev er see a ga i n . For t he p r esent l et ' s f or g et i t . O nce I' m h o m e I' ll m a k e so m e
i n q u i r i esI k now so m eo ne w ho's a cq u a in t ed w i t h a n op ht ha l m i c sp eci a l ist '
'N o!' sh e cr i ed hy st er i ca l l y . ' I'm not ha v i ng a n y i nt er f er ence i n ou r l i v es. I'v e
t o ld y o u , I d o n't w a nt P a u l " t o see not ev er !' '
Joe m o v ed a n d sa t d ow n a ga i n a n d a si len ce f el l on t he r oom . A t l a st Tessa
t o ok her ha nd k er chi ef a w a y f r o m her ey es a n d l oo k ed a cr oss a t her com p a ni o n.
'Pa u l 's m y f r i en d , Tessa ,' h e sa i d q u iet l y . ' I m u st m a k e so m e i n q u i r i es a b ou t t h i s
m a n. W i t h b ot h t r ea t m ent a nd op er a t io n s he's b een d o i n g m i r a cu l ou s t h i ngs.
A nd I seem t o r em em b er N o w , w a i t a m om en t . Yes ... t her e w a s a ca se v er y
si m i la r t o Pa u l 's. A w o m a n lo st h er d a u ght er i n a n a cci d en t a nd t h e shock
ca u sed her t o go b l i n d a n d I d o b el iev e t h a t in her ca se a n o p er a t i on w a sn 't
necessa r y '; she r esp on d ed t o t r ea t m ent . It cou l d b e t he sa m e w i t h P a u l , w ho
k no w s?' Tessa m ent ion ed t he t r ea t m ent P a u l h a d a f t er t he a cci d ent , b u t Joe
p a ssed t h a t o f f a s h e sa i d f i r m l y , ' It 's m y d u t y t o ' hel p Pa u l i f I ca n .'
'H e's m y h u sb a n d The d eci sio n i s m in e!'
'Dr i nk y ou r b r a n d y ,' he sa i d soot h i ng ly . 'Yo u d o n't k no w w h a t y o u 'r e
sa y i ng . W hen y o u 'v e ha d t i m e t o t hi nk t h i s o v er a n d consi d er ho w a su ccessf u l
op er a t io n, or p er ha p s t r ea t m ent , w o u l d a f f ect y ou r hu sb a nd , y ou 'l l cha n ge y ou r
m in d . It 's h i s l i f e, Tessa , a n d h e m u st b e g i v en t h e op p or t u ni t y t o l i v e i t t o t he
f u l l .'
'I w on't help i n a ny w a y t o a r r a ng e a co nsu l t a t i on .' she sa i d d et er m i ned l y ,
a l t h ou gh in q u iet er , m or e cont r ol l ed a ccent s. 'You need n't t a k e t he t r ou b le t o
seek ou t t h i s m a n, b eca u se I sh a l l nev er t a k e Pa u l t o see h i m .' .
'You 'd cond em n y ou r hu sb a n d t o a l i f et i m e o f d a r k ness?'
'Yes! It 's f o r h i s ow n good '
'Tessa , f or hea v en' s sa k e! H ow ca n b l in d ness b e f o r a ny on e' s good ?'
'You 'v e j u st sa i d w e'v e n o p r oof t ha t h e' l l ev er see a g a in,' she p a r r i ed
d esp er a t ely . 'It w ou l d b e cr u el t o t a k e h i m t o t h i s m a n a n d r a ise h i s hop es. N o, I
w on't ha v e hi m hu r t .' Tha t sa t isf i ed h er , b u t on l y f or a m o m ent . A t er r i b l e w ei g ht
w a s slo w l y b u i l d i n g u p w i t h i n her , a w ei g h t she f el t i nst i nct iv el y cou l d r ed u ce her
t o ev en gr ea t er m i ser y a n d d esp a i r t ha n t ha t t o w h i ch Pa u l h i m sel f w a s
co nd em n i ng her .
'Tr u e, w e'v e no p r oof . Tr u e, Pa u l' s hop es w i l l b e r a i sed ; a nd m ig ht ju st a s
q u i ck l y b e d a shed . N ev er t hcl ess, w e ha v e t o g i v e hi m a cha n ce. It 's o u r d u t y ,
Tessa .'
'M y f i r st d u t y i s t o p r ot ect m y hu sb a n d f r o m hu r t ,' sh e t o l d h i m ev a si v el y .
'I' m n ot w il l i n g t ha t he shou l d ha v e h i s ho p es r a ised a nd t h en d a shed 'a ga i n . H e' s
ha d t r ea t m ent a n d i t f a i l ed . I' m conv i nced i t w ou l d f a i l a ga i n .'
'Tessa ,' sa i d Joe, r i si ng a n d t a k i ng her gl a ss f r om h er t r em b l in g h a n d , ' l et 's
go t o b ed . N o o ne t hi n k s cl ea r ly a t t h i s t i m e o f t h e n ig ht .' H e p u t t he gl a ss on t he
t r a y . 'O f f y ou go a n d t r y t o sl eep .'
Bu t she sa t t her e f a r in t o t he n ig h t , g a zi n g ou t on t o t he d i st a nt sea ; a n d
t h e f i r st r o sy gl o w o f d a w n ha d t o u ched t h e sk y w hen a t la st she w ent t o b ed .
Pa u l w a s i n t he ot h er r o om , t o w hi ch sh e h a d f o l l ow ed h i m ea r l i er . Sh e p eep ed
i n . Th r ou g h t he sh a d ow ed l ig h t esca p i ng f r om t he sh u t t er s she ob ser v ed t h a t he
slep t . Bu t he a p p ea r ed r est l ess, f o r h i s b r ea t hi ng w a s hea v y a nd u nev en.
Si l ent ly sh e lef t , her h ea r t a n d m i n d i n t u r m o i l W a s i t p ossi b l e t h a t h e
w ou l d ev er see a ga i n? ' Sh e h a d hea r d t ha t r est a nd sp eci a l t r ea t m ent o r ev en
a no t her sho ck cou l d p r o v e ef f ect i v e in r est or in g l o ss o f ey esi gh t r esu l t i ng f r om
shock . A nd a s Joe sa i d , t he d oct or s cou ld h a v e b een w r on g .... 'I w on't let hi m
k no w ,' she w h i sp er ed , lo ok i n g in t he m i r r or a n d seei ng on l y t h e snu b l it t l e nose
a nd t he h ig h cheek b o nes t ha t n a t u r e h a d not m ou l d ed so f i n el y a s h er si st er 's.
Sh e d i d not see t h e lov el y ey es, nor t he t en d er ness a nd co m p a ssion r ef l ect ed
t h er e; she d id no t not i ce t he sw eet a n d b ea u t if u l cu r v e of h er l ip s, or st op f or a
m o m ent t o t h i nk t h ey cou l d b e a s d esir a b l e a s Lu cin d a 's. ' N o, I' l l nev er l et t h i s
sp eci a l ist ev en loo k a t hi m . I' m no t lo si ng m y hu sb a n d I' m not !' Bu t she t ossed
a nd t u r ned , r ose f r om t he b ed a n d l a y d o w n a g a i n, her m i nd i n com p let e
d i so r d er a s her consci ence f ou gh t w it h her hea r t . ' H e's m i n e ... w h y shou l d I r u n
t h e r i sk o f l osin g h i m ? A nd w hy d i d Joe ha v e t o com e her e, u p set t i n g ou r l i v es?
H e sh ou l d m i n d h is ow n b u si ness D u t y h e w a s not ev en a r el a t i v e m er ely a
f r i end . Wha t r i g ht ha d he t o t a l k a b ou t d u t y ? ' It 's I, Pa u l ' s w i f e, w ho sha l l m a k e
t h e d eci sion .' Yes, o n l y she ha d t he r i ght t o d eci d e. The r i gh t t o d ecid e. Tessa
p a ced t he r oom , t hen t u r ned a s P a u l ca m e i n . H e w a s i n p y ja m a s a n d d r essi ng
gow n , w it h h is b la ck h a i r f a l l in g i n a t t r a ct i v e d i so r d er on t o h i s f o r eh ea d .
'You 'r e v er y r est less,' he sa i d , com i n g t ow a r d s her w i t h t he a i d o f hi s st ick .
'I'v e hea r d y ou m ov i n g a b ou t f or t h e p a st hou r or so . A r e y o u f eel i ng i l l ?'
'N o, i t 's j u st t ha t I ca n't sleep . Per ha p s it 's t he w i ne. You k no w i t d o esn 't
a gr ee w it h m e.'
'Com e her e.' She o b ey ed a n d h i s a r m s enci r cled h er .
W her e w a s t he p r im i t i v e em b r a ce t o w h i ch he i nv a r i a b l y su b j ect ed her ?
W hy w er en't h i s f i nger s cr u el l y ea t i n g i nt o her w a i st ?
'The w i ne, i s i t ?' H e k issed her ... a n d she k n ew . 'You 'r e p l a y i ng w i t h m e
a ga i n .' She r a i sed her l ov el y ey es a nd l ook ed i nt o h i s f a ce. ' I b eg o f y ou d o n't . N o t
j u st n ow .'
'Wh y n ot now ?' Cu r t a nd col d h i s v oi ce, b u t t ou ched w i t h a n od d i n f lect i on .
'I' l l p l a y w it h y ou j u st w henev er I l i k e.'
Sh e sa g ged w i t h r esi g n a t i on, a nd y et sp ok e t o h i m p l ea d i n g ly .
'I' m v er y t ir ed , Pa u l .' .
H e t ou ched her neck a n d t hen her ch i n . H i s f i n g er s m ov ed li ght ly ov er her
f a ce, t r a ci ng a l i ne f r o m h er b r ow t o . h er m o u t h . H is o w n m ou t h w a s t i ght , w it h
a h i nt o f gr ey a t t he cor ner s. H e t ou ched h er no se, t h a t snu b l i t t l e nose t ha t w a s
so u nl i k e Lu ci n d a 's. Tessa hel d her b r ea t h . Pa u l ha d d o ne t h is m a n y t i m es b ef or e,
b u t i n a p er f u nct or y sor t of w a y . a s i f w i t h ou t i nt er est . Bu t n ow h e seem ed m o st
i nt ent o n w ha t he d i d . A t l a st he u t t er ed a d eep si g h w h i ch t o ld her not h in g . H i s
m ou t h r em a i ned set a nd t her e w a s a b o u t hi m a ha r shn ess t h a t seem ed
d i f f er ent f r o m a ny t h i n g she, ha d k no w n b ef or e. Ro u gh l y he p u sh ed her f r om
hi m .
'You 'r e t ir ed , a r e y ou ?' H i s v oi ce w a s so so f t t ha t she b a r ely hea r d i t , y et
som et hi ng i n t he t o ne sent a t i n g l e d ow n h er sp i n e. 'Then g o b a ck t o b ed a n d t r y
t o sl eep .' H e st ood f or a sp a ce a s i f gr i p p ed b y so m e sor t o f i nd eci si on . A n d t hen
he l ef t her , r et u r ni n g t o h i s ow n r oo m , The la t ch cl i ck ed , echoi ng t hr ou gh t he
si l ence o f t h e h ou se ... a nd Tessa f el t t h e p r esence o f a n ev en gr ea t er b a r r i er
b et w een her hu sb a nd a nd her sel f , exp er i enced t h e hop eless sensa t i o n o f b ein g
shu t ou t o f h i s li f e f or ev er .


CHAPTER VIII

IT w a s on l y f ou r t h i r t y i n t he m o r n i ng, b u t Tessa w a s a w a k e, st a n d i ng b y
her b ed r oom w i nd o w , l oo k in g o u t ov er t he m ou nt a i ns. A d a r k m i st shr ou d ed t he
su m m i t s, a nd t he sk y w a s o v er ca st . Th e w h ole d i sm a l a sp ect su i t ed her m oo d
a nd she st ood t h er e a l ong w hi l e, st a r i ng a t a l a n d sca p e t h a t ha d b ecom e
f ea t u r eless, ha l f h i d d en a s it w a s b y t he sw i r l i ng h a ze o f m i st . The su n ca m e u p ,
b u t l a ck i n g i t s go l d en sp len d ou r . The d i sc o f p ea r l r isi n g so sw i f t ly t ha t i t s a scent
w a s p l a i n l y d iscer ni b l e a s sh e w a t ched , sen t sla n t i ng r a y s o f d u l l l i ght t hr ou gh t he
b r a nch es o f t he t r ees. So on t he m ist a nd cl ou d w ou l d d i sa p p ea r ; t he r a y s o f p ea r l
w ou l d t u r n t o gol d a n d t h e w ho l e l a nd sca p e w ou l d g l ea m w i t h i nca n d escent
co lou r a s t h e su n r o se h i gher i n t he sk y . Bu t f or t h e p r esent i t r ef l ect ed t he
b l ea k ness w it h i n h er a nd she m o v ed a w a y f r o m t he w in d o w , a s i f r el u ct a nt t o
w i t ness t he sh i n i ng m ir a cl e t h a t w a s t o co m e. Ta k i ng her d r essi ng go w n f r om t he
b ed , sh e p u t it o n a n d w ent i nt o t he cor r i d or . The d o or of P a u l 's r o om st oo d
sl i g ht ly op en a nd sh e h ea r d hi s ev en b r ea t hi ng a s, p a u sin g m o m en t a r i l y , she
l ist ened f o r so m e so u nd f r om w i t h i n . Why ha d h e t a k en t o sl eep i n g a l on e? Ev er
si nce t he ep isod e o f t he sn a k e, i t w a s, sh e r ef lect ed , t r y i ng t o b r i ng t o m i nd a n y
i nci d ent t h a t w o u ld p r ov i d e her w i t h a cl u e a s t o t he r ea so n f or t h i s cha ng e i n
hi m . Bef or e, sh e h a d b een hi s w o m a n' a s a w i f e w a s t er m ed i n Cy p r u s; he ha d
t a k en w h a t he d esi r ed , a nd a l t ho u gh he g a v e neit her l ov e no r t en d er ness i n
r et u r n Tessa h a d f elt st r a ng ely clo se. For sh e her sel f ha d g i v en m u ch . M a n i f est ed
i n her r esp o nse w a s a l l t he l ov e sh e f el t f or hi m , a l l t he t en d er com p a ssi on w it h
w h i ch her h ea r t ov er f l ow ed . Yes, sh e h a d b een cl ose, a n d i t w a s t ha t cl oseness
w h i ch h a d k ep t h er ho p e a l i v e. Bu t now . . . .
Sh e m ov ed a w a y , cont i nu i n g a l o ng t h e co r r i d or t o t a k e h er sho w er , h er
t h ou ght s st i l l o n t hi s i nexp l i ca b le cha nge t ha t h a d co m e ov er her h u sb a nd . H e
ha d a d o p t ed a co ol n ess t ow a r d s h i s f r i end d u r in g t he la st d a y s o f Joe's st a y , Th i s
t o o w a s u na ccou nt a b l e a n d Tessa co u l d n o t hel p w h en Joe i nq u i r ed a s t o t he
ca u se o f i t .
'I ca n't t h i nk w hy he sh ou l d b e l i k e t h i s.' sh e ha d a n sw er ed b ew il d er ed l y .
'H e w a s so g l a d t o m eet y ou a ga i n, a n d I' m su r e he's en jo y ed y ou r com p a ny u p
t i l l j u st r ecent ly .'
'Per ha p s i t ' s hi s co nd i t i o n.' Joe h a d sa i d t o l er a nt l y . ' It 's u n d er st a nd a b le t ha t
he'l l b e su b j ect ed t o m oo d s.'
Fr om t he m o m ent o f sa y i ng good b y e t o h i s f r i end a t t he a ir p or t Pa u l h a d
b ecom e ev en m or e d i st a nt t ow a r d s Tessa , a n d f or t he p a st f or t n i gh t he h a d
sca r cel y sp o k en a ci v i l w or d t o her . In a d d i t i on , he ha d b eco m e m or ose, a nd
w hen he w a s n ot si t t i n g in si l ence, a b r ood i ng exp r essi on on h i s f a ce, h e w a s in h i s
r o om , l y in g o n t he b ed , w it h a l l t he shu t t er s cl osed . A s t he d a y s p a ssed a nd he
st i l l r em a i ned a p a r t she sev er a l t i m es r esol v ed t o b r oa ch t h e su b j ect t o h i m , b u t
a l w a y s her cou r a ge f a i led her .' Cl ea r ly h e d i d not w a n t her a n d she f elt su r e h e
w ou l d ha v e som e w ou n d i ng r ep l y r ea d y w er e sh e t o r eq u est a r ea son f or h i s l oss
of i nt er est in her a s a w i f e.
In a d d i t i on t o t h is a l m ost com p l et e w i t h d r a w a l , Pa u l now seem ed
p ossessed o f som e n ew h a t r ed , a n d t o her d i sm a y Tessa 's hop es b eg a n t o
cr u m b l e, a l m o st con q u er ed b y d esp a i r . A n d y et she hu ng t en a ciou sl y on, f or
a l t h ou gh her h u sb a n d h a d d r i f t ed so f a r a w a y f r om h er d u r i n g t he p a st
f or t n i ght , t her e h a d b een a cou p l e o f occa sio n s w h en he ha d r ela xed , sha r i ng her
i nt er est a nd d r op p i ng h i s ha r sh a nd sn eer i n g m a n n er .
The f i r st o f t h ese occa si ons w a s w hen t hey w ent u p i nt o t he Tr ood os
M ou nt a i n s. They ha d p l a nn ed t o t a k e Joe t h er e, b u t t i m e ha d r u n shor t a n d h e
ha d p r ef er r ed t o v i si t t he, Ka r p a s i n st ea d . Tessa h a d t ent a t iv el y su g g est ed t hey
go on t hei r ow n a n d t o her su r p r ise a nd sa t i sf a ct io n h e h a d a gr eed .
Pa u l ha d seem ed p r of ou n d l y sen si t iv e t o t he a i r , w hose clea r cr y st a l l i ne
q u a l i t y h a d a n i nt o xi ca t i ng ef f ect on t hem b ot h . 'Th i s i s a w on d er f u l p l a ce.' he
d ecla r ed a s t hey sa t h a v i ng t hei r p i cn i c lu nch u nd er t he sha d e o f t he p i nes. 'H o w
hi gh a r e w e?'
Tessa h a d t he gu i d e b ook ; sh e sca n ned t h e p a ge sw i f t ly . 'W e'r e not f a r
f r om t he su m m i t o f M ou n t Oly m p u s, a n d t ha t 's o v er si x t hou sa nd f eet .'
'Ther e d on't a p p ea r t o b e a n y p eop l e.' Pa u l t oo k t he g l a ss w h ich Tessa p u t
t o h i s h a nd , a n d h a d a d r i n k . ' I'v e hea r d n o v oi ces ot her t ha n ou r s.'
'We'r e q u i t e a l one.' H er ey es w a nd er ed ov er t he m ou nt a in slo p es. 'Ther e's
a n o l d w o od cu t t er a b ou t ,' sh e a m en d ed . 'Bu t no t ou r i st s a t a l l.'
'It 's a l i t t le ea r l y in t he d a y .' Th ey h a d set o u t a t f iv e in t h e m or ni ng a n d it
ha d b een a n exh i l a r a t in g d r i v e, a b ou nd i n g w i t h h a i r p i n b end s a s t h ey r ose
hi gher a nd h i g her i nt o t he v o l ca n ic cor e of t he sou t h er n m a ssi f , w h ich d i f f er ed so
gr ea t ly f r o m t h e na r r o w er l i m est o n e r a ng e o f t h e no r t h . Tessa h a d w a r m ed t o
her hu sb a nd 's com m ent s on her d r i v i ng, g l ow i ng w it h p lea su r e w hen he sa i d , in a
r a t her od d sor t o f t one, 'You d r i v e l ik e a n exp er t . A n y one w ou l d t h i nk y ou w er e
u sed t o r o a d s l ik e t hese. I ca n't t h in k w hy y ou w er e so d i f f i d en t w h en I su g gest ed
b u y i ng a ca r .'
'The r oa d t o ou r h ou se d i d r a t her f r i g ht en m e,' sh e ow n ed , t hen a d d ed
m od est l y , 'A ny on e w ho ca n d r iv e w o u l d f i nd t h i s r oa d f a i r l y si m p le. It w a s o n l y
w hen w e m a d e t he d et ou r s i nt o t h e v i l l a g es t h a t t h e r o a d s b eca m e r ou g h a n d
r o ck y .'
Their l u nch f i ni shed , t hey w a nd er ed . lei su r ely t hr ou gh t h e t r ees. 'The scen t
of t he p i nes.' m u r m u r ed Tessa i n t ha t sw eet a n d gen t l e v oi ce. 'Isn 't i t m a r v el lo u s?'
'It i s.' Lost in h i s ow n t hou ght s, Pa u l a b sen t l y f l ick ed h i s f i ng er s o v er t he
b a ck o f h er h a nd ; It w a s a n exp lo r a t or y m ov em ent a n d ha d t he ef f ect o f
ca u sin g Tessa a st r a n ge u nea si n ess. A n d y et she f elt su r e t ha t Pa u l h i m sel f w a s
not consci ou s o f t he a ct i o n .. The r ock r o ses t oo,' h e a d d ed a t l engt h. 'Ther e m u st
b e m a sses o f t hem .' ,
'They 'r e ev er y w her e b u t t hey 'l l b e ov er v er y soo n.'
'The p er f u m e's d i f f er ent f r om a ny t h i ng el se I'v e k now n. It 's t he sm el l o f t h e
r o se, b u t i t seem s t o t el l y ou y ou 'r e u p i n t h e m ou nt a i ns.'
Sh e sa i d n ot h i ng , a nd t h ey cont i nu ed t o st r oll a l ong, h a nd i n ha n d , t w o
p eo p le so cl o se a n d y et d i v i d ed , b ot h a p p r eci a t i n g t he sa m e t h i n g s, b ot h r ev el i ng
m t he hea d y t a ng o f t h e m ou nt a in a i r a n d t he exq u i sit e p ea ce o f iso l a t i on . Bu t
a l l w a s no t ent ir el y si lent , f or t he b r eeze r u st l ed i ncessa nt l y t hr ou gh t h e t r ees a n d
occa sio na l l y t he so ng o f a b ir d w o u ld echo a g a i nst t he m ou nt a i nsi d e.
'Do y ou w a nt t o g o u p t o t he su m m i t o f M ou nt Ol y m p u s?' she a sk ed . 'The
r o a d i s clea r '
'Cer t a i n l y ; w e shou l d h a v e a w o nd er f u l v i ew .
So na t u r a l l y t h e w or d s ca m e o u t ; som et hi n g ca u ght a t Tessa 's hea r t st r i ng s
a nd a s t h ey m a d e t h ei r w a y t o t h e su m m i t a n d she li v ed a g a in t hr o u gh t he
t er r ib le or d ea l o f t h a t n i g ht w hen Joe ha d hi nt ed t ha t P a u l m ig h t b e a b l e t o
r ega i n h i s si ght . ' I'v e m a d e m y d eci si on ,' sh e w hi sp er ed t o h er sel f . 'I' m not losi ng
hi m .' Bu t t r y a s she w o u l d Tessa cou l d not esca p e t he n a gg i ng p er si st ence o f her
co nscience, O nly a n ho u r b ef or e she a n d P a u l h a d t a k en h i m t o t h e a ir p or t Joe
ha d t a lk ed ser io u sl y t o Tessa , f ir m l y st a t in g t ha t , no m a t t er w ha t t he ou t com e
m ig ht b e, she shou l d a l l ow Pa u l t o see t hi s sp eci a l i st , W hen she r em a i ned
a d a m a nt he ha d a l m ost l ost h is t em p er . , '
'It 's a d ow nr i ght sel f i sh a t t it u d e, Tessa ! A n d w ha t ev er y o u sa y I'm goi ng t o
get in t o u ch w i t h t hi s f el lo w m y sel f . I sha l l m a k e su r e he sees Pa u l, y ou ca n r esi g n
y ou r sel f t o t h a t ! '
'I d on 't see ho w y ou ca n a r r a nge, a ny t h in g w i t h ou t m y hel p .'
'You 'l l hel p w hen t he t i m e co m es.'
'I w on't .' So p a l e sh e w a s, a n d her h ea r t a n d m i n d w er e i n com p l et e cha os.
'I w on't ev er l et P a u l k now a ny t h i n g a b ou t h i m .'
St r a n gel y 'Joe's a n ger d i sso l v ed a n d h i s v oi ce w a s so f t a nd k i nd a s he Sa i d ,
'You 'l l t h ink a g a i n; I k no w y ou w i l l , si m p l y b eca u se y ou 'r e Tessa .'
Sh e l ook ed a t h i m , her ey es b r i m m in g w i t h t ea r s, a n d sa i d t r em b l i ng l y ,
'H e's m i ne m i ne! I w o n't let h i m go. I ca n see f or h i m , I ca n, a nd I w i l l , a l w a y s! '
'Bu t y o u 'r e not h a p p y , 'Tessa ,' w a s t h e r a t h er gen t l e r esp onse.
'I' m h a p p i er t h is w a y t h a n i f I d i d n't ha v e h i m a t a l l .'
Desp i t e t h is a sser t io n, a n d h i s ow n ch a nge of m oo d , Jo e f i n a l ly r ea f f i r m ed
hi s i nt ent i on o f get t i n g i n t ou ch w it h t hi s d oct or o f w ho m h e h a d hea r d , t el l i n g
Tessa h e w ou l d w r i t e t o her i m m ed i a t el y h e ha d d one so .
Tessa r em a i ned st u b b or n l y si lent a n d no m or e w a s a id on t h e m a t t er .
W ou l d Joe co nt a ct , t h i s sp eci a l i st ? Tessa d i d no t 'see t h a t a ny t h i n g cou ld b e d one
w i t hou t h er co o p er a t i on ... a n d t ha t she w ou l d n ev er g iv e.
'We m u st b e nea r i n g t he su m m i t now .' Pa u l 's v oi ce b r ou gh t her b a ck t o
her su r r ou nd i n gs.'
'Yes, w e a r e. A nd P a u l , a s y ou sa i d , i t 's t he m o st w on d er f u l v iew '
'Tel l m e a b ou t i t .'
'It ', exa ct l y l ik e a r a ised m a p ,' 'she b ega n. ' Loo k in g n or t h i s o v er t he r a n ge
i s t h e Ky r en i a M ou nt a i n s, a nd t he p ea k s l o ok v er y ja g ged in d eed f r om her e.
They a p p ea r d a r k , t oo , f o r t he d i st a nce m a k es t h e sk y ov er t her e seem a sor t o f
l i l a c sha d e no, v i o let , b u t p a l er , i f y ou k no w w ha t I m ea n . To t he sou t h a r e t h e
r a ggy sp u r s o f t h e Tr ood o s a n d y ou ca n t el l, P a u l , t h a t w hen t h e snow s h er e m el t
t h et o r r ent s m u st b e q u i t e i m p r essiv e, b eca u se t he hi l l s a r e d eep ly ca r v ed a n d cu t
b y t hese st r ea m s. Do t hey ha v e a l ot o f sn o w on t he Tr o od os?'
'N or m a l l y , y es, t hou g h w e h a v en't ha d m u ch t h i s y ea r . H ow ev er , p eop l e
co m e her e f or w in t er sp or t s.'
'Yes, w el l, I t h ou g ht so, f or a s I sa i d , t he l a n d sca p e i s d eep ly d i ssect ed .' She
w ent o n t o d escr i b e t he ca r ob cov er ed p l a i n w h ich f a nn ed o u t f r om t he l ow sp u r s
a nd r ol l ed a w a y i nt o t he d i st a nce, a nd a l l t h e w h i l e she w a s con sci ou s o f b ei n g
t h e ob j ect o f her h u sb a n d 's i nt er est , Go ne w a s t he i n d i f f er ence, t he sa r ca sm a n d
t h e sneer s. N o sh a d ow o f hi s ha t r ed l oo m ed u p t o f or m a b a r r ier b et w een t hem .
It w a s a d a y o f ha r m ony , a nd Tessa 's sp i r i t s r ose. If t hey cou l d b e l i k e t h is t hen
how cou ld her hop es p er i sh?
The seco n d occa si on o n w h i ch Pa u l 's m a n n er r el a xed w a s a t t he v i l l a ge
w ed d i ng .
Ea r l i er t her e ha d b een t he cer em ony o f t h e p r ep a r a t i on s t he b r i d e w i t h
a l l her a t t end a n t s help i ng t o d eck her i n h er f i ner y , t he b r i d egr oom ' s b ei n g
sha v ed f or t h e l a st t i m e a s a b a chelo r . A l l hi s b est m en a nd t her e w er e d ozen s o f
t h em w er e ga t her ed a r ou n d m a k i ng j ok es a n d l a ng h in g . M u ch cer em on y , y es,
b u t a l l v er y l i ght h ea r t ed a n d r a t her ca su a l . The cu st o m o f t he p r ep a r a t i on o f t he
m a r r i a ge b ed w a s a l so co nd u ct ed i n t h i s ga y a nd ca su a l w a y . The m en d a nced
w i t h t h e m a t t r ess hel d a lo f t ; t he m a i d ens d ecor a t ed i t ; t y i ng r ib b ons i n ea ch
co r ner ; a b a b y b o y w a s b ou nced u p on i t i n or d er t o ensu r e f er t i l i t y o f t he
m a r r i a ge a n d m o ney w a s "t o ssed o n t o it so t ha t t he cou p l e m i g ht n ev er su f f er
p ov er t y ....
M or e l a u gh t er a nd m er r i m ent a f t er t h e cer em o ny it sel f , w i t h t h e b r i d e a n d
gr oom w a l k i ng a l on g t h e ' st r eet f r om t he chu r ch a nd t he w ho l e o f t he v i l l a ge
f o l l ow i n g.
'H a v e y ou en joy ed it ?' Tessa a sk ed a s t h ey , d r ov e ho m e i n t he ca r . ' I
t h ou ght it w a s f u n .'
'Yes, enj oy ed i t .'
Bu t ' he sa id no m or e, a n d t he next d a y t h er e ha d b een a r esu m p t i on o f h i s
b r ood i ng, h is p r ef er ence f or so l it u d e. A l l t h r ou gh t h e m or ni ng a n d a f t er noon he
ha d sa t i n t he ga r d en, cl a d o n ly i n sh or t s a nd sa nd a l s, h i s b o d y so b r ow n t h a t it
w a s i m m u n e t o t he r el ent less hea t o f t he su n . So hea l t hy he lo ok ed ! It seem ed
i m p ossi b l e f or a m a n o f su ch v i gor ou s b o d i l y st r engt h t o b e a s hel p l ess a s Pa u l .
Unk n o w n t o h i m , Tessa w a t ched her h u sb a n d f r o m a cha i r on t he v er a n d a h,
ev en w h i l e her ey es w er e const a nt l y o n t h e a l er t f or a ny d a n g er i n t he f or m o f
sna k es. Th ey w er e r a r e i n t hese p a r t s she h a d si nce b een t o l d , nev er t h el ess, she
a l w a y s r em a i n ed cl ose t o h i s si d e.
Pa u l w a s st i l l sl eep i n g w hen Tessa p a ssed hi s d oor a g a i n on her w a y f r om
her sho w er , a nd she w ent o u t t o t he g a r d en, i nt o t he co ol m or n i ng a i r on w hi ch
hu n g t he f r a gr a nce o f r oses sp r i nk l ed w i t h d ew . Un m ist a k a b l y t h i s w a s a
p a r a d i se i sl e. H o w p er f ect l i f e cou ld b e i f o nl y so m e sor t o f u n i t y exi st ed b et w een
her hu sb a nd a n d her sel f .
For t he next f ew d a y s Pa u l k ep t t o h i s r oo m , l y i ng on t he b ed w i t h a l l t he
shu t t er s cl osed , em er gi ng on l y a t m ea l t i m es a nd i n t h e ev en i n g, w h en d u sk h a d
f a l l en a n d a l l w a s d i m a n d cool .
'Is y ou r hea d hu r t i ng v er y b a d ly ?' She ha d gone i n t o h i m , r i sk i ng h i s
i m p a t i ence, f or i t w a s not o n ly her con cer n f or h i m t h a t t r o u b led h er , b u t her
co nscience t oo.
'Go a w a y ! ' he sn a p p ed . ' A n d cl o se t ha t d o or !'
Sh e clo sed t he d oor , shu t t i n g o u t t h e l i ght , b u t she cr ossed ov er t o t h e b ed
a nd st oo d t her e, l ook i ng d ow n a t hi m , a t er r i b l e b a t t l e r a g i ng w i t h i n her . Bu t
p er ha p s Jo e w a s w r ong , sh e t hou g ht , d esp er a t el y t r y i n g t o a ssu a g e h er
co nscience, a nd t her e w a si n f a ct no p ossi b i l i t y o f Pa u l' s sig ht b ei ng r est or ed . A n d
i f t h a t w er e t he ca se it w ou ld b e u t t er cr u elt y t o l et t h i s d oct or see hi m , r a i si n g hi s
hop es on l y t o h a v e t hem d a shed a ga i n. N o, she w a s a ct i n g i n t he m ost hu m a ne
w a y , a nd she w ou l d not a l l o w h er co nscien ce t o t r ou b le her l i k e t hi s.
'Pa u l . ... P lea se l et m e st a y w it h y ou .' she b egged , t a k i n g t he l i b er t y o f
sit t i n g d ow n o n t h e b ed . 'You 'r e l y i n g a w a k e, a nd I ca n t a l k t o y ou '
'I d on 't w a n t y ou t o t a lk t o m e not y ou ! '
Sh e f l i nched , y et her ey es f l i ck er ed od d l y . W hy t he em p ha sis?
'I ca n't b ea r t o see y o u l i k e t h i s.' she w h i sp er ed . ' I w a nt t o b e w i t h y o u .
Pl ea se d o n't sen d m e a w a y , I'l l j u st si t her e q u i et l y .'
H e t u r ned on t o h is b a ck , b u t d i d n ot sp ea k f or a w h i l e, W hen h e d i d t h e
ha r sh ness h a d gone f r om h i s v oi ce.
'Wh a t good w i l l t ha t d o y ou ?'
H i s t on e g a v e her h op e, a nd she sa id gent l y , 'I j u st w a nt t o b e b e n ea r y o u
... .' If o n l y she co u l d r el i ev e h i m , ha v e t he p l a n h er sel f . Ti m i d l y sh e t ou ched h i s
f or ehea d . H er ha nd w a s so f t a n d cool a nd t o her su r p r i se h e d id not b r u sh it o f f ,
b u t seem ed t o d er i v e so m e sm a l l com f o r t f r om it .
'You ju st w a nt t o b e nea r m e.' H e b eca m e lo st i n t hou ght . Wa s it m er el y a
t r i ck of t he l i ght , esca p i ng t hr o u gh t he shu t t er s, or ha d h i s m ou t h t a k en on a
sof t er l i n e?
Sh e sa t v er y st i l l si l ent l y w a t ch i ng h i m , r em em b er i ng her i m p r essi on t ha t
he h a d b ecom e p ossessed o f a n a d d ed h a t r ed f or her . Th is seem ed t o cr ea t e a n
i n ner con f l i ct a n d she r eca l l ed t ha t Joe h a d com m ent ed on i t .
Bu t a s he la y t h er e, ob v io u sl y i n g r ea t p a i n , Tessa no t i ced a su d d en
q u i v er i ng o f h i s b od y , a s i f ev er y m u scl e h a d b ecom e r ela xed a nd a n a l l
env el op i ng t enseness h a d b een r elea sed , f r eei ng h i m f or ev er . H e r a i sed a ha n d
a nd w o nd er i ng l y l a id i t ov er h er s. H i s v o i ce w a s a l m ost gent le a s h e sa i d , ' You
w ou l d si t h er e, i n t h e d a r k ... j u st so t ha t y o u ca n b e nea r m e?'
'I'd r a t her b e her e t ha n a ny w h er e el se,' sh e q u iv er ed , ' I o n l y w a nt t o b e
w her e y ou a r e.'
H i s f i ng er s m ov ed o v er her ha n d . 'Yo u n ev er com p la i n, d o y ou ?' A h a l f
sm i l e t ou ched h i s li p s a n d t h i s t i m e t her e w a s no m ist a k in g t he so f t ness i t
b r ou ght t o hi s m o u t h., ' N o m a t t er how I t r ea t y ou , y ou nev er u t t er one w or d o f
co m p l a i nt ! '
For a m om ent she st a r ed . Th is m oo d w a s ent i r ely new t o h er .
'Wh a t r i ght h a v e I t o com p la i n? Ica m e t o y ou of m y ow n f r ee w i l l .'
'Thi nk i ng t ha t y ou w ou l d ha v e m y l ov e?'
A t i ght l i t t l e l u m p i n her t hr o a t m a d e sp eech d i f f icu l t . 'Th i nk i ng t ha t I
w ou l d ha v e y o u r lo v e.'
H e t oo k h is h a nd f r om her s; she st i l l f el t h i s t ou ch a s she w i t h d r ew her ow n
ha n d f r o m h i s f o r eh ea d . 'Tel l m e, w h a t m a d e y ou so su r e y ou 'd h a v e m y l ov e?'
'You sa i d w hen w e p a r t ed , t h a t y ou 'd t t a k e m e b a ck I d i d n't su sp ect y ou
hop ed f or r ev enge.'
'A nd i f y ou h a d ?' Sl a nt i ng r a y s o f su n f il t er ed t hr o u gh t he b a r s o f t he
shu t t er s a n d f el l a cr o ss Pa u l's f a ce. She ha l f exp ect ed h i m t o sh a d e h is ey es, b u t
he d i d n't a p p ea r t o b e i n a ny w a y d i sco m f i t ed b y t h ese sha f t s o f li ght . Sh e a lso
f el t su r e h is hea d w a s not a ch i n g q u i t e so b a d l y , f or t h e t w ist ed l i nes o f p a i n h a d
d i sa p p ea r ed f r om h i s f a ce. 'W ou l d y ou st i l l ha v e co m e t o m e?'
Sh e consi d er ed t hi s, a n d shoo k her hea d b ew i l d er ed l y . 'I ca n't sa y , Pa u l .'
A nd t h en, 'Yes, I t hi nk I w ou l d , b eca u se I'd ha v e ho p ed a s I st i l l d o hop e t ha t
som e d a y y ou m i g ht f or g i v e m e f or '
A h a n d so u ght her f a ce a nd f i ng er s w er e p r essed t o her ' l ip s.' W ha t a
su r p r i si ng gest u r e! H e h a d d eli b er a t el y p r ev ent ed h er f r om f i n ish i ng w ha t sh e
ha d b een a b ou t t o sa y . H it her t o he ha d g l oa t ed o v er her cont r i t i on a n d
hu m i l i t y o p enl y r ev el li ng in t he f a ct o f h er b ei ng engu l f ed i n t he con sci ou sn ess o f
her ow n g u i l t . H is f i n ger s m ov ed f r o m her l ip s, exp l or i ng ev er y l i n e o f her f a ce;
t h ey f o u n d her t hr o a t a nd her shou l d er s; t hey gent ly t ou ch ed her f or ehea d ,
t r a ci ng t he ha i r l in e d o o n t o her t em p le. H i s l i p s m ov ed , a n d a so r t of q u iv er i ng
si gh b r ok e t he hu sh t ha t ha d d escen d ed u p o n t he r o om . It w a s a t en se m o m en t ,
w i t h Pa u l i n a sor t o f h a l f t r a nce a n d Tessa a n xi ou sl y a w a i t i ng t h e en d o f t h e
exp lo r a t io n, so t ha t she cou ld b r ea t h e a g a i n .
Pr esent l y P a u l sp ok e, h i s h a nd no w l y i n g a t h i s si d e. 'I f eel m u ch b et t er a l l
a t on ce m y h ea d 's st op p ed a ch i n g.' H e sa t u p a n d Tessa m ov ed t o t he b ot t o m o f
t h e b ed so t h a t he co u ld get o f f i t i f he w i shed . ' Do y ou k now , m y d ea r , I t hi nk I' d
l ik e t o go ou t so m ew her e.'
"You w o u ld ?' H er v oi ce w a s so f t a nd ea ger . 'We cou l d g o f or a d r iv e.'
'Yes, I'd l ik e t h a t .'
'It w i l l d o y ou su ch a lo t o f goo d , f or y ou 'v e b een i n so m u ch l a t el y .' She
p a u sed a m o m ent , h er f a ce cl ou d i n g su d d en l y i n d ou b t . 'You 'r e su r e y ou f eel u p
t o i t ?' P a u l sl i d o f f t he b ed , a sm i l e t ou chi n g h i s l i p s a t t he a n xi et y i n h er v oi ce.
'I f eel u p t o i t . Com e h er e.'
Tessa o b ey ed , her h ea r t t u r ni n g r i ght ov er , f or t her e w a s a n i nd u lg ence on
hi s f a ce sh e ha d n ev er seen b ef o r e. It er a sed com p l et ely ev er y v est ig e o f
ha r sh ness a nd h i s f ea t u r es t ook o n t h e h a n d so m e no b le l i nes t ha t h a d a t t r a ct ed
her on t hei r v er y f ir st m eet i ng a t t r a ct ed h er l i k e a m ot h t o a f la m e ....
Pa u l t oo k her in h i s a r m s, h o l d i ng her w it h a st r a ng e new t en d er ness. A nd
a l t h ou gh t h e k i ss w a s p ossessiv e i t w a s a t t he sa m e t i m e i n f i ni t ely gent l e a nd t he
onl y b a r r i er t o h er ha p p i ness w a s t he r a t h er v a gu e i d ea t h a t Pa u l w a s
r esp o nd i ng t o so m e k i n d o f com p u lsi o n o f w h i ch he w a s h a l f a sh a m ed ; t he r esu lt
w a s a h i nt o f r el u ct a nce i n hi s em b r a ce, a cer t a i n r est r a in t i n h i s k i ss. N ev er t hel ess
Tessa w a s cont ent , gr a t ef u l f or w ha t ev er h er hu sb a n d ga v e h er .
'Wel l ,' he sa id a t l eng t h, 'w h a t a b ou t t ha t d r iv e?' She t o ld Ta k i s t o p r ep a r e
a p a ck ed l u n ch a n d t hey w er e on t hei r w a y w i t h i n a n ho u r o f Pa u l ' s m a k i ng u p
hi s m in d . Tessa ha d n ot f elt so ha p p y sin ce t he i d y l l ic p er i od o f her su b l i m e
i g nor a nce o f her hu sb a n d 's t r u e i nt en t . Fo r he w a s i n a t en d er in d u lg ent m ood
a nd he w a s f r ee f r o m p a i n.
'Wh er e sh a l l w e go ?' sh e a sk ed a s, sk i r t i ng t he cent r e o f Ky r en i a , sh e
hea d ed f o r t he co a st r oa d . 'Sh a l l w e ju st d r iv e, a nd t a k e a t u r ni n g i f w e l ik e t he
l ook o f i t ?' A sl i p ; sh e so seld o m m a d e on e, a n d Tessa hel d her b r ea t h, send i n g
hi m a f ea r f u l l i t t le sid ew a y s g l a nce. To her r el i ef he m er el y sm il ed a n d sa id , 'Tha t
w on l d b e a g ood i d ea . W e sha l l p r ob a b ly hi t u p o n so m et h i n g q u it e d el ig ht f u l .'
Tessa 's ey es shon e. L i t t l e h a d she k no w n o n t i m i d l y ent er i ng h i s r oo m a n d
b eg g in g h im t o l et her st a y t ha t t h i s w ou l d b e t he ou t com e. Du r i ng t heir
co nv er sa t i on, a s he l a y t h er e on t h e b ed , he h a d seem ed gr a d u a l l y t o em er g e
f r om t he m ent a l a p a t hy a nd b r ood i n g i n t r ov er sio n t ha t h a d set t l ed u p on h i m
si nce t he i nci d en t o f t he sn a k e. It w a s a s i f som e r ev ela t i on h a d h it h i m f or ci b l y ,
a nd Tessa cou l d not hel p w on d er i ng i f a t l a st her lov e h a d t ou ched a nd
p en et r a t ed so m e v u l ner a b l e sp ot i n h i s m a k e u p . .
'We'r e p a ssi ng t hr ou gh M or p hou ,' she i n f or m ed h i m p r esen t l y . 'They 'r e a l l
or a nge t r ees no w , b u t t he or a nges a r e ov er .' She lo ok ed sw i f t l y a t hi m ; h is
f ea t u r es w er e r el a xed a nd Tessa ha d t he sa t i sf a ct io n o f k now i ng he w a s en j oy i ng
t h e t r ip a s m u ch a s she. 'The b a y ' s so b ea u t if u l , P a u l , a nd t he sea o h, i t ' s a
hea v en l y col ou r !a sor t o f i n d i go, y et b l end i ng t o a q u a m a r i ne. A n d t her e's a
sh i m m er in g ha ze t h a t seem s t o b e f l oa t i n g a b ov e i t r a t her l i k e a q u i v er in g
b l oo m , i f y o u k n ow w ha t I m ea n . I t h i nk i t 's go i ng t o b e v er y hot i n d eed t od a y .'
'Per ha p s w e' l l go i n t he sea , t hen. H a v e y o u b r o u ght ou r sw i m m i ng t h i n gs?'
'Yes, t h ey 'r e i n t he ca r a l l t he t i m e.' She lo o k ed a r ou n d sw i f t l y , ' Do y ou
w a nt m e t o f in d a p l a ce no w ?'
'La t er ; w h en it b ecom es r ea l l y hot .'
They d r ov e i n si l ence f or a w h i le, t h en Pa u l a sk ed w her e t hey w er e,
'St i l l o n t h e coa st p a ssi ng t h r ou g h Xer os.' She g a v e a l i t t le l a u gh . 'Ther e's a
m a n si t t i n g o u t sid e h i s h ou se sm ok i ng h i s h ook a h p i p e, a n d he l ook s so ser i ou s,
j u st a s it h e w er e em p l oy ed i n so m e v er y i m p or t a nt t a sk .'
'I exp ect w ha t he's d o i ng i s i m p or t a nt t o h i m .' A p a u se a n d t hen, 'It m a k es
y ou r ea l ize y ou 'r e r ea l l y i n t h e Ea st w hen y ou see t hese p ip es.'
W hen y ou see .... H er consci ence a g a in . Det er m i ned ly Tessa t hr u st i t b a ck
i nt o t he r ecess o f her m i n d .
'Wo u ld y o u l i k e t o go t o Vo u ni P a l a ce?' sh e a sk ed , ca t chi ng a g l i m p se o f a
si gn p ost , ' I'v e h ea r d i t ' s i n a f a nt a st i c set t i n g.'
H e a gr eed , a n d soo n Tessa w a s p a r k i ng t h e ca r d ose t o t h e cu st o d i a n's h u t .
The cu st od i a n w a s not t her e a n d t hey w a l k ed ov er t o t he p a l a ce o n t h ei r o w n .
N ot a so u l a ny w h er e; Tessa sa i d i t w a s l i k e ha v i ng t he w or l d t o t hem sel v es.
'We'r e r i ght o n t op o f a hi l l ,' she exp l a i ned , 'On a p l a t ea u , a n d t h e r u i n s o f t he
p a l a ce a r e a l l a b ou t u s.'
They w a lk ed a r ou n d a n d Tessa d escr i b ed t he b a t h s a nd t h e w el l s a nd t h e
m a r b l e p a v em ent s, 'Thi s p a l a ce w ou l d b e f or one o f t he l oca l k i n gs, w o u ld n't it ?'
A nd w hen he nod d ed , 'Th e si t e i s su p er b , f or t he sea 's d ow n b el ow , a n d l ook i ng
t h e ot her w a y 'a r e t h e Tr ood os M ou nt a i n s.' A f t er w a nd er i n g a b ou t , t he so l e
occu p a n t s of t he b ea u t i f u l p a l a ce, Tessa f o u nd a p l a ce f o r t heir p i cn ic a n d
sp r ea d t h e r u g on t he gr o u nd . A n i nt ense si len ce env elo p ed t he w ho le
m a gn i f i cent sit e. Th er e w a s n ot a m ov em ent i n a l l t he gr ea t exp a n se o f sea
b el o w , n ot a
b r ea t h o f w in d or t he r u st le o f a l ea f t o b r ea k t he so lem n h u sh a r o u n d
t h em , a n d Tessa f ou nd her sel f w h i sp er i n g, ' Sa nd w i ch es, Pa u l . A l l m i xed ; I'l l p u t
t h em her e, ju st i n f r ont o f y ou , W ou l d y ou l ik e l em on a d e Or d o y ou p r ef er a hot
d r in k ?'
'Wh a t ha v e w e?'
'Bot h t ea a n d co f f ee.'
'I' l l h a v e cof f ee.' A h i nt o f a m u sem en t t ou ched t he cor ner s o f h i s m ou t h .
'Wh a t a r e w e w h i sp er i ng f o r ?'
A t i nk l in g l i t t le l a u gh echoed t hr ou gh t he st i l l n ess, ' It 's sor t of s sa cr ed u p
her e, You f eel t h e p r esence o f t he a n ci ent go d s, Ther e w a s a g r ea t t em p l e t o
A t h en a , r i g ht o n t he h i g hest p oi nt of t he h i l l . Ca n't y ou i m a g i ne a l l t he cer em ony ,
a nd t he sa cr i f i ces? A nd ca n't y ou see t he k i ng, cl a p p i ng h is ha nd s t o, f et ch h i s
sl a v es r u n n i ng t o h i m ?'
Pa u l la u ghed , a nd Tessa ' st a r ed , H a d she ev er hea r d h i m l a u g h l ik e t ha t ?
If so i t w a s on l y a t t he b egi nn i ng, nei t her o f t hem h a d l a u g hed m u ch si nce t he
d a y Pa u l ha d en l i ght ened her a s t o h i s r ea so n f or m a r r y i ng her . Sh e cont i n u ed t o
st a r e, a cu t ely sensit iv e t o h i s a t t r a ct i v en ess a s a m a n .
'Wh a t a r e y ou t h i nk i ng?' he w a nt ed t o k n ow , sp ea k i ng in a r a t her
a u t hor it a t i v e t one. 'Tel l m e.'
Sh e p a u sed i n in d eci sion . N o w o r d s o f her s sh ou l d l ea d t he conv er sa t i o n
i nt o cha n nel s w hi ch cou l d m a r t he ha r m o n y o f t h i s l ov ely d a y . ' N ot h i ng
i m p or t a nt ,' sh e r ep l ied ev a si v el y , a nd f o r t he f ir st t i m e sensed a m a st er y
u nt i n ged b y h a t e.
'You 'l l t el l m e, a l l t he sa m e.'
'N o, P a u l , d on't m a k e m e.'
H e f r ow ned . 'Bu t no w I' m a l l cu r i osit y , W h y t hi s r el u ct a nce t o t el l m e o f
y ou r t ho u ght s?'
Sh e h a d n o a lt er n a t i v e t h a n t o con f ess her f ea r s.
'If I t el l y ou it w i l l sp o il ou r d a y .' H e w ou l d not h a v e t h a t a nd a t l a st she
sa id , ' I w a s t h ink in g t h a t neit her o f u s ha s l a u gh ed m u ch .' H er v o ice w a s r a t her
b l ea k , a n d she w a i t ed , hi s co f f ee i n h er h a nd , t o see w h a t ef f ect her w o r d s w ou ld
ha v e o n h i m . To her su r p r i se no b i t i ng com m ent w a s f or t hcom in g, she w a s g i v en
no h a r sh r em in d er t h a t t hey ha d not h in g a b ou t w h i ch t o l a u g h . In st ea d , a s he
t u r ned t ow a r d s her , she f ou n d h er su r p r ise i n cr ea si ng t o a m a zem ent a s si g ns o f
r egr et sh a d o w ed h i s h a n d so m e f a ce.
'We ha v en't l a u ghed m u ch,' he a gr eed i n r a t h er gen t l e t ones. 'P er ha p s,
t h ou gh, w e' ll b eg i n f r om now t o l a u gh a l i t t l e m o r e.'
Em ot ion sp r ea d ov er her a nd sh e cou l d no t sp ea k .
On t he w a y b a ck she f ou n d a lo v el y b a y a nd t hey sw a m f or a w h i l e a n d
d r ied t hem selv es i n t he su n, b u t f ew w or d s p a ssed b et w een t h em f or P a u l w a s
si l ent t oo. A nd d u r i n g t h e d r i v e ho m e, m u ch l a t er , in t he cool ness o f t he l a t e
a f t er noo n, b ot h w er e st r a ngel y q u i et . On l y n ow a n d t hen d i d Tessa m a k e so m e
co m m ent , o n t h e scener y or t he cha ng i ng col ou r o f t h e sea a n d sk y . Once Pa u l
sa id , 'Th e w a y y ou t a l k a b ou t t h i s r oa d I t h i nk i t m u st b e o ne o f t h e m ost
b ea u t i f u l o n t he i sl a n d .'
Sh e a gr eed . Th e r oa d k ep t t o t he shor e f or so m e w a y b ef or e st r ik i ng
i n l a nd t o t r a v er se t h e f o ot h i l ls o f t h e l ov el y Ky r en ia M ou nt a i ns. It l a t er r ejo i ned
t h e coa st a n d t h e i m p r essiv e v ist a w a s t he gr ey a nd ja g ged ou t l i ne o f t he
m ou nt a i ns t o o n e si d e a nd t he gr ea t exp a nse o f sea t o t h e o t her .. Occu p y in g t he
na r r o w p l a i n b et w een w er e t h e ca r o b t r ees a nd o l i v e gr ov es; ol ea nd er s w er e
b l oo m i ng on t he r oa d si d e or m a ssed a lo n g a d a m p b u t si l en t r i v er b ed . 'They 'r e
t h e m ost b ea u t i f u l col ou r s,' she t o l d Pa u l a f t er m ent io n in g t hem t o hi m . 'They 'r e
a l l sh a d es f r o m d eep est v i o let r ose t o a d el i ca t e p i nk .' A l it t l e w h i le l a t er she
d r ew i nt o t he sid e o f t he r oa d a nd st op p ed . 'Po m egr a n a t e t r ees a l l a l ong t h e
r o a d , a n d t hey ha v e t he a p p ea r a n ce o f a v i v i d r ed m ist . I m u st get y ou a f l ow er .'
Sh e p i ck ed a r ose t oo, a w i l d r ose w i t h a l l i t s n a t u r a l f r a gr a n ce u n i m p a ir ed b y
hy b r i d a t i on . Th i s she m er ely p l a ced o n t h e sh el f b ef or e Pa u l a nd so on it s
p er f u m e f i l l ed t h e ca r . ' H er e's t h e p om egr a na t e f l ow er . It 's t he m o st b r i l l i a nt
cr i m son a nd l ook s j u st l i k e w a x. Feel it f or y o u r sel f .' Sh e 'sa t a n d w a t ched h i s
sensit iv e f i nger s a s t hey m a d e t heir g ent le exp lo r a t io n o f t he f lo w er , 'Th a t p a r t a t
t h e end t he p a r t y o u a r e t ou ch i ng now is t he f r u i t . You ca n a ct u a l l y see t he l it t l e
b r ow n p o m egr a n a t e.'
A t l a st h e p u t i t d o w n a nd p i ck ed u p t h e r ose; he held i t t o h i s f a ce, a nd a t
hi s ch a nge o f exp r essi on a m ost o d d sensa t i on cr ep t ov er Tessa . Sh e exp er i en ced
a p r o f ou n d d esi r e t o see w ha t la y h i d d en b eh i n d t ho se p r o t ect i v e g l a sses h er
hu sb a n d no w i nv a r ia b ly w or e.
Tessa d i d not k n o w h ow she exp ect ed t he d a y t o end , b u t it h a d b een so
p er f ect t ha t sh e exp er i enced a n a ct u a l sen se o f sho ck w hen, im m ed i a t el y t h ey
a r r i v ed h om e, Pa u l a nnou n ced hi s i nt ent i on o f go i n g t o b ed . H e b a d e h er goo d
ni ght ; her r esp onse w a s hesi t a n t , h er v oi ce u n st ea d y . Bu t he a p p ea r ed no t t o
not i ce a nd a s he l ef t her she h a d t h e i m p r essio n t ha t he w a s a g a i n i n t h e g r i p o f
co nf l i ct .
Sh e l a y a w a k e, t h en sa t u p a n d t r i ed t o r ea d . The w or d s r a n i nt o one
a no t her a nd she p u t t he b oo k a si d e. W a s Pa u l sl eep in g ? Dr i v en b y so m e i m p u l se
she cou l d not check , Tessa go t ou t o f b ed a nd w ent i nt o t h e cor r i d or . In st i n ct t ol d
her t ha t Pa u l t oo w a s a w a k e a n d sh e st oo d si l ent l y b y h i s d oor , l i st en i n g, N o
sou nd ; t he d oo r w a s not o n t he l a t ch a n d she gen t l y p u sh ed it i nw a r d s. P a u l w a s
b y t he op en w in d ow cla d o n ly i n p y j a m a t r ou ser s. Sh e sa w h i m f r a m ed t h er e,
a ga i n st a b a ck gr ou nd o f m oon l it cr a gs, hi s p r ou d hea d er ect , his sho u ld er s set i n
a st r a i g ht a nd a r r oga nt l i ne. The n i ght a i r w a s gent l e a n d coo l on h i s f a ce; h i s
b l a ck ha i r w a s r u f f l ed i n t o sl i ght d i sor d er .
For a l ong w h i l e Tessa st ood t her e, w a t chi n g t he st i l l a nd si lent f i gu r e of h er
hu sb a n d , t hen a l l a t once h e t u r ned ; she k new he ha d sen sed her p r esence a n d
ha st i l y u t t er ed h is n a m e.
'Pa u l ... .'
N o a n sw er f o r a sp a ce a nd t hen , i n t ones ed ged w i t h h a r sh n ess a nd
i m p a t i ence,
'Wh a ,t a r e y ou d o i ng her e?'
'I co u ld n't sl eep .' H i s m a n ner hu r t , b u t sh e w a l k ed sl ow l y i n t o t h e r oom
a nd st oo d b esi d e h i m . 'You ca n't sl eep , ei t h er .'
'So' Ev en i n t he sem i d a r k ness sh e p l a i n l y d iscer n ed t he a r r og a nt l i f t o f h i s
b r ow .
'M a y I st a y a l i t t le w h i l e?' H e st i f f en ed , a n d she f r ow ned . Con f l ict a ga i n.
Pa u l w a s f i g ht in g a nd b ei ng t or n t o sh r ed s i n t h e p r ocess. ' Per ha p s I' d b et t er go ,'
she d eci d ed , sp ea k i n g i n f l a t a nd w h isp er ed t on es. 'I' m sor r y I d i st u r b ed y ou ,
Pa u l .'
Sh e h a d r ea ched t h e d oor w hen he sp ok e, a n d it seem ed t o Tessa t h a t t he
w or d s w er e w r u ng f r o m h im a ga i n st h i s w i l l.
'N o ... co m e b a ck .'
Sl ow l y she t u r ned , y et w it h a n ea ger ness t h a t w a s i m p a r t ed t o h i m . A nd
b ef or e eit her o f t hem r ea l ized it she w a s i n h is a r m s, lock ed i n a gent l e, t en d er
em b r a ce. 'M y l it t l e gi r l . .. .' A l l i nner st r i f e w a s r elea sed i n a d eep a nd t r em b l i ng
si gh a s, b en d i ng h i s d a r k hea d , h e k i ssed h er o n t he l ip s.
A lon g w h i l e la t er , a s she l a y i n hi s a r m s, w i t h t h e f i r st l i ght o f d a w n
f i l t er i ng t hr ou gh t he shu t t er s, she m u r m u r ed so f t l y , ' Pa u l ... t h i s isn't ' p a r t o f t he
p u ni sh m ent ? You 'r e not p l a y i ng w i t h m e a ga i n?'
H i s a r m s t ig ht en ed . Sh e f el t t he f i r m a n d ev en b ea t in g o f h is hea r t a b ov e
her ow n . H e m u r m u r ed t o her i n so f t a n d gent l e t o n es, 'Thi s i sn't p a r t o f t he
p u ni sh m ent ; I' l l nev er p l a y w it h y ou a ga i n.'



CHAPTER IX

TH E w a r m t h a n d h a r m ony t h a t en t er ed i n t o t h eir r el a t i on shi p f r om t ha t
d a y on a f f ect ed t h em b ot h.'
Tessa b l oo m ed , i n m u ch t he sa m e w a y t h a t sh e h a d b loo m ed d u r i ng t he
f ir st t hr ee w eek s o f her m a r r i a ge. The f a ct t ha t t he l ov e a n d t en d er n ess her
hu sb a n d g a v e her w er e r ea l l y m ea nt f o r h er si st er t r ou b l ed Tessa no t a t a l l .
W hen f i r st em b a r k i n g on t h i s m a sq u er a d e she h a d r esign ed her sel f t o second b est
a nd t h is she gr a t ef u l l y a ccep t ed .
A s f or Pa u l h i m sel f , i t seem ed t h a t ha v i ng a t l a st ext end ed t o L u ci nd a a
f u l l p a r d on, h e h a d shed a hea v y w eigh t a nd t h i s w a s a t f i r st r ef l ect ed i n t he
d i sa p p ea r a nce o f h i s hea d a ches. H o w ev er , ju st a s, Tessa h a d sa t i sf i ed h er sel f t h a t
t h e p a i n s ha d r esu l t ed f r o m st r a i n a nd t h a t t h ey ha d not h i ng t o d o w it h h i s ey es
a t a l l , t h ey b eg a n t o t r ou b l e h im once m o r e. H e w a s l y i ng on t he b ed w hen she
w ent i n t o h i m a f t er lu nch one d a y .
'Da r l i ng, i s i t so v er y b a d ?'
'It i s, d ea r .'
'The ch em ist he d oesn't seem a b le t o g iv e y ou a ny t h i ng .'
'H e's d o ne h i s b est .' Pa u l f el t f or her ha n d a n d p u t it t o h i s t em p l e. 'Th a t 's
b et t er .' he si g hed , a n d Tessa sw a l l o w ed a h a r d l it t l e lu m p i n h er t h r oa t .
Tr u e t o h i s w or d , Joe h a d cont a ct ed t h e d o ct or w ho, ext r em el y in t er est ed ,
ha d exp r essed t he d esi r e t o see P a u l .
I'm su r e y ou 'v e h a d seco nd t hou ght s Joe h a d cont i n u ed i n h i s l et t er , w h i ch
she ha d r ecei v ed t en d a y s a go . If y ou ' l l sa y w h en y ou ca n b r i n g P a u l t o Lo nd o n,
I'l l a r r a ng e f o r t he i nt er v i ew . The d oct or 's n a m e i s Rea d e Mr . John Rea d e, a nd
he's so k een t ha t he o f f er ed t o see P a u l a n y t i m e. I ca r ef u l l y exp l a i ned a b ou t t he
a cci d ent , a nd P a u l 's su b seq u ent b l i nd ness. Qu it e n a t u r a l l y Mr . Rea d e w a s
r eser v ed , sa y i ng v er y l i t t le, b u t h i s exp r essi on w a s su ch t ha t I k new h e w a s m o st
ea g er t o gi v e Pa u l a n exa m i n a t io n . Don't hesi t a t e, Tessa , I' l l exp ect a r ep l y b y
r et u r n.
Pa u l a t t h a t t i m e w a s f r ee f r om p a i n, a n d he w a s ha p p y . Tessa t hr ew t he
l et t er a w a y .
'Sha l l I b a t h e y ou r hea d w i t h cold w a t er ?' she o f f er ed . ' It h el p ed y o u on ce
b ef or e, r em em b er ?"
H e sm i l ed f a i nt l y . In sp it e o f hi s p a i n h i s m a n ner w a s i nd u l g ent .
'Ba t h e i t i f y ou w a nt t o, d ea r .'
Sh e f u l ly u n d er st o od . 'You k no w i t w on't h el p t h i s t i m e, d on't y ou ?'
A p a u se; hi s ha n d w a s gent ly p r essed t o h er s. ' I'v e r ea ch ed t he concl u sio n
t h a t not h i ng w i l l d o m e a ny good . I sha l l j u st h a v e t o r esi g n m y sel f t o t hese p a i ns
t h ou gh w h a t t h e ca u se ca n b e I' m q u i t e u na b le t o t h i nk . It i sn 't a s i f I'v e ev er
b een p r one t o hea d a ches.'
Pu l l i ng her h a n d f r om u nd er h i s, she st r a i g ht ened u p . 'W ou l d y ou l ik e t o
b e q u i et ?' she gen t l y a sk ed , u nsu ccessf u l ly t r y i ng t o d i sm i ss t he co nt ent s o f Jo e's
l et t er f r om her m i nd . 'Sha l l I l ea v e y ou , d ea r est ?'
'For a l it t l e w h il e. I'm su r e t h i s w i l l go la t er .' A nd t hen he a d d ed , 'Th is l i f e i s
so d u l l f or y ou w e'l l d i ne ou t t h i s ev en i ng, a t t he M a r e M o n t e. You ' l l l i k e t h a t ?'
A l w a y s h i s co ncer n w a s f o r her ... a l w a y s si nce t he d a y o f t h eir v isit t o Vou ni .
'On ly i f y o u 'r e q u i t e b et t er , P a u l . A nd a s f o r m y l i f e's b ei n g d u l l I' m
p er f ect ly ha p p y a nd cont ent j u st t o b e w i t h y ou .'
Ju st t o b e w it h h i m .... It w a s a n hou r l a t er a nd Tessa w a s, i n t he v i ne
co v er ed cou r t y a r d , p a ci ng t o a n d f r o. Sh e w a s 'h a p p y .... Bu t w ha t a b o u t Pa u l ?
'H e's h a p p y t oo, I k no w h e is, I' m not g o in g t o let h im go !'
The m o m ent s p a ssed , sl o w a gon izi ng m om ent s o f b a t t l i ng w it h her
co nscience. Jo e w a s so op t i m i st ic; on hea r i n g a b ou t t he ca se t h e d oct or ha d
b ecom e k een l y i nt er est ed . W a s t her e hop e f or her hu sb a n d 's sig ht ? Sh e w o u ld
nev er k no w u n l ess she su r r en d er ed t o her consci ence. H er hea r t cr i ed ou t a g a i n st
t h i s cou r se a nd w hen , on l y a f ew m i nu t es l a t er , Pa u l a p p ea r ed loo k in g a s i f h e
ha d nev er h a d a hea d a che i n h i s l i f e, she i m m ed i a t ely ca st of f her d ou b t s a n d
i n d eci si o n.
'You 'r e b et t er ?' she b r ea t hed , send i n g u p a p r a y er of t ha nk f u l ness. ' You
l ook f i n e.'
W it h t he a i d o f h i s st i ck he gu i d ed h i m sel f t o a cha i r a nd sa t d ow n.
'It w ent q u i t e m ir a cu lou sl y . It co u ld b e t he hea t , I su p p ose a l t hou gh it 's
nev er a f f ect ed m e so b ef or e.' 'Yes, i t cou l d b e t h e h ea t ,' she a gr eed , seizin g o n
t h a t exp l a n a t i o n. 'W ou l d y ou l i k e a n y t h i n g, Pa u l ? Ca n I f et ch y ou a d r i nk ?' '
'N o, d a r l in g , b u t y o u ca n r ea d t o m e.'
'The n ew sp a p er ?'
H e nod d ed a nd she w ent i nt o t he ho u se t o f et ch it .
Ta k is h a d b een d ow n t o t he v i ll a ge a nd t h e p ost w a s o n t he t a b l e. H er
hea r t m i ssed a b ea t a s she sa w Joe's ha nd w r i t i ng . Tr em b l in g ly she sl i t t h e
env el op e a n d w it hd r ew t he si ng l e sheet o f not ep a p er . Joe b ega n b y exp r essi n g
su r p r ise a t not r ecei v i n g a r ep l y t o h i s l et t er , a nd t hen h e cont i n u ed , I h a d g i v en
m y t el ep h o ne nu m b er t o Mr . Rea d e a nd h e r a n g m e l a st w eek . H e' s r u n g a ga i n
t o d a y a nd so u nd ed f a in t l y a nnoy ed . A s I t ol d y ou , he's so d ed ica t ed t ha t h e g oes
ou t o f h i s w a y t o d i scov er t hi s k i nd o f ca se. H e i n sist ed o n seei ng P a u l a n d t h i s
seem s t o m e t o i n d i ca t e op t i m i sm on h i s p a r t , I exp ect y ou t o d o som et hi ng,
Tessa , You ca n't d eny Pa u l t he op p or t u ni t y of seei ng t h is d oct or . N ot h i n g m a y
co m e o f it , b u t he m u st b e g i v en a cha n ce. W r it e i m m ed i a t el y ....
Sl ow l y she cr u shed t h e l et t er in her ha n d a nd , p ick i ng u p t he ot her l et t er ,
w h i ch w a s f r om her f a t h er , she t hen col l ect ed t he new sp a p er a nd w ent o u t sid e
t o h er hu sb a nd . The Cy p r u s M a i l w a s sm a l l , onl y one l a r g e sheet , a n d she w a s
t h r ou gh it i n no t i m e a t a ll .
'Sha l l I r ea d a b ook ?' she t h en a sk ed , ey ei ng her f a t her 's l et t er , w h i ch l a y
on t he t a b l e b y her elb o w . 'Or d o y ou w a n t t h e r a d i o ?'
'I' l l h a v e t he r a d io .' It w a s o n t he t a b le a n d she p u shed i t f or w a r d , lea v i ng
Pa u l t o f i n d t h e st a t i on f o r h i m sel f . Soo n t h e g a y st r a i n s o f b ou zo u k i m u sic
echoed so f t ly t hr o u gh t he su n l i t ga r d en. Tessa t ook u p her f a t her 's let t er . L u ci nd a
w a s m a r r i ed t he p r ev i ou s Sa t u r d a y a n d she ' lo ok ed l ik e a l ov el y a ngel i n h er
f low i ng w h i t e go w n' . If sh e ha d b een i n a n y w a y u p set b y her si st er 's a b sen ce M r .
Bl a ne t a ct f u l ly r ef r a i ned f r om m en t i on i ng it . Lu ci nd a k new Tessa w a s i n Cy p r u s,
b el i ev i ng her t o b e, t ea chi n g . She h a d n o i d ea w her e Pa u l w a s. Joe ha d r i gh t l y
gu essed t ha t t he b l i n d Gr eek 'r ecl u se' l iv i n g i n t he m ou nt a i ns a b ov e Bel l a p a i s
w a s h i s f r i end , b u t a s h e w a s not on sp ea k i ng t er m s w it h Lu ci n d a she, l i k e m o st
ot her s w ho h a d k now n Pa u l , b el i ev ed h i m t o b e on one o f t he ' Gr eek i sla n d s.
Tess', f a t her w en t on, A s y ou r m a r r i a ge ha s t u r n ed ou t so w el l , d o n 't y ou t h i nk
w e m i g h t let y ou r m ot h er i nt o t h e secr et ? It ha s b een a d i f f i cu lt o n e f or m e t o
k eep , t hou gh f or t u na t el y Mot her h a s nev er b een a l et t er w r it er a n d she l ea v es
t h e w r i t i ng a nd p ost i n g ent ir el y t o m e. Th e d ecep t i o n w a s f or h er sa k e, t o sa v e
her a n xi et y , b u t a s y ou 'r e o b v i ou sly ha p p y t her e seem s no r ea son w hy she sho u ld
b e k ep t i n i gnor a nce o f t he m a r r i a ge. She' l l b e a l i t t l e h u r t , I'm su r e, a b ou t t he
d ecep t io n, b u t t h a nk hea v en, she's m ost u nd er st a n d i ng a nd w o n't r ep r oa ch
ei t h er o f u s. Let m e k no w h ow y o u f eel a b ou t t h i s, m y g i r l i e. Ta k e good ca r e o f
y ou r sel f a n d g i v e m y si n cer e r eg a r d s t o 'y ou r hu sb a n d .'
'Wh a t a r e y ou d o i n g?' Pa u l t u r ned t he sou nd d ow n a s he sp ok e. 'Yo u 'r e
v er y q u i et .'
Sh e h a t ed t he id ea o f ly i n g, b u t t h er e w a s so l it t l e i n t he l et t er sh e cou l d
r ea d t o Pa u l t ha t sh e h a d no a l t er na t i v e.
'Ju st t h in k i n g.'
'A b ou t w ha t ?' W a s it i m a g i na t i on ', or w a s t h er e a cu r i ou s r ing t o hi s v o i ce?
'Wel l , Fa t her a nd Mo t her ,' she w a s a b l e t o sa y t r u t h f u l l y .
H i s d a r k b r ow s l i f t ed a f r a ct i o n, 'O nl y y ou r p a r en t s? Wh a t a b ou t y ou r
b r ot h er s a n d y ou r si st er ?'
Sh e l ook ed sw i f t ly a t h i m , a n d b eca m e gu a r d ed . 'I t hi nk a b ou t t hem ,
na t u r a ll y , b u t it w a s m y p a r ent s I w a s t h i n k i n g a b ou t j u st now .'
Pa u l a p p ea r ed t o ha v e lo st i nt er est a nd t o b e l i st eni ng t o t h e ch i r p in g o f
t h e ci ca d a s, w h i ch co u ld b e hea r d a b o v e t he d r one o f i nsect s i n t he f l ow er
b or d er s. 'H ow w ou l d y ou l i k e t o v i sit t h em ?' he a sk ed . ' It w ou l d b e a p l ea sa nt
ch a nge f or u s b ot h a nd w e cou l d a l so v i si t ou r f r i en d s,' he a d d ed sm oot hl y ,
t u r ni n g hi s hea d i n her d i r ect io n a l m ost a s i f he w ou l d b y so m e m i r a cl e b e a b l e
t o n ot e her r ea ct i on .
'Fr i en d s ... n o! O h no,' sh e b l u r t ed ou t , t he colo u r d r a i ni ng f r om her f a ce. ' I
d on 't w w a nt t o v v i sit Eng l a nd , n ot ev er !'
'N ot ev er ? Bu t , m y d a r l i ng'
'I d i d n't m ea n t ha t ,' she in t er r u p t ed i n a sh a k y l it t l e v oi ce, w h i l e a t t he
sa m e t i m e en d ea v ou r i ng t o r ega i n h er co m p o su r e. ' N a t u r a l l y w e m u st go so m e
t i m e t o Eng la n d . Bu t no t y et , Pa u l . N ext y ea r w i l l b e q u i t e soon eno u g h.'
Sh e w a t ched h i s f a ce, so d a r k a nd st r o ng, w i t h f ea t u r es et ched i n f i ne a nd
nob l e l in es, a nd a b r ow lo w a nd f u r r ow ed b enea t h t h e m a ss o f jet b la ck ha i r . For
no a p p a r en t r ea son she sa w t ho se d a r k a n d p ier ci ng ey es r ega r d in g h er w it h
t h a t h i nt o f a r r o ga nt i m p a t ience, h ea r d t he so f t cont em p t u o u s t o nes he h a d
u sed w hen t a l k i ng so d i sp a r a g in g ly t o Joe a b o u t h er a t t he p a r t y . Those ey es
w er e h id d en no w b eh i nd d a r k gl a sses; t he v oi ce w a s f i l l ed w it h t en d er n ess w h en
he sp ok e ... t en d er n ess f or L u ci nd a .
'Ver y w el l , d a r l i ng . N ext y ea r , i f t ha t i s w h a t y ou w a nt .'
Rel i ef f lo od ed ov er her ; sh e w a s sa f e f or t h e t i m e b ei ng . L et t h e f u t u r e t a k e
ca r e of i t sel f .
A not her l et t er a r r iv ed f r om Joe t he f ol lo w i ng w eek .
H e ' m a d e n o a t t em p t a t ci v i l i t y a n d a ct u a l l y a ccu sed Tessa o f sel f i shn ess.
Sh e r ep l i ed , b r ief l y , sa y i n g she w a s q u i t e su r e not h i n g cou l d b e d one f or P a u l a nd
t h a t i t w ou l d b e cr u el t o l et hi m see t h i s d o ct or , o nl y t o b e t o l d , f i na l ly , t h a t h i s
ca se w a s ho p el ess.
The Ju l y d a y w a s scor chi ng hot a n d Tessa su gg est ed t hey d o t hei r shop p i ng
a s q u ick ly a s p ossi b l e a n d l ea v e t he ci t y b ehi nd . Th ey h a d gone i nt o N i co si a
b eca u se P a u l w a n t ed so m e n ew clo t hes shi r t s a n d shor t s m a i n l y .
'Thi s i s t he shop ,' she t o ld h i m , a nd a m o m ent la t er t hey w er e in si d e a n d
Pa u l w a s a sk ing f or w ha t h e w a n t ed . 'Th i s sh i r t 's gr een d o y ou w a nt gr een ?'
'Wh a t sh a d e o f gr een ?'
'Wel l , j u st a l i t t le l ig ht er t ha n em er a l d .'
'Is it a p l ea sa nt colo u r ?'
Tessa ca u ght t he ey e o f t he shop a ssi st a nt a nd so m et h i n g t u gg ed a t her
hea r t st r i n gs. Th i s w a s t he f i r st occa si o n on w h ich t hey h a d d o ne t h is k i nd o f
shop p i ng a n d t h e a ssi st a n t w a s l ook i ng on w it h a sor t o f p i t y i n g su r p r i se. Wh a t
d i d a b l i nd m a n w a n t t o t r ou b l e h i m sel f a b ou t co lo u r f o r ? he seem ed t o b e
sa y i ng .
'Ther e's a no t her her e,' she sa i d , p u t t i ng i t i n t o h i s h a n d . 'I l i k e i t b et t er t h a n
t h e one y ou ha v e. Th i s o ne' s a sor t of o l i v e gr een a nd t h e m a t er i a l 's a b et t er
q u a l i t y d on 't y ou a gr ee?'
'Yes, t h e q u a l i t y 's v er y f i ne.' H i s sen si t iv e f i n ger s m o v ed w it h t h a t p ecu l i a r
t a ct i l it y k now n o nl y t o t he b l i nd . ' Bu t t he col ou r , d a r l i ng . Ju st t el l m e, exa ct l y ,
w ha t col ou r i s it ?'
Sh e t r i ed , b u t h er v oi ce f a lt er ed a nd t ea r s f i l led h er ey es. N ev er ha d she
seen her h u sb a n d q u it e so help less a s t h i s. 'It shou l d su i t y ou ,' she a d d ed la m el y ,
ca t ch ing t he a ssi st a nt 's ey e a ga i n. '
'I' l l h a v e i t , t h en. W h a t ot her col ou r s a r e t h er e?' 'Bl u e, a n d y el l ow '
'I d on 't w a n t y el lo w .' H i s f i n ger s w er e m ov i ng ov er t he cou nt er a nd Tessa
p u t a not h er sh ir t i nt o h i s h a n d . 'Th i s is t he b l u e one?'
H er l i p t r em b l ed a nd she cou l d not sp ea k . Wh y I sho u l d she f eel l ik e t h i s?
They ha d b een shop p i ng b ef or eBu t a l w a y s P a u l ha d k no w n exa ct l y w ha t he
ha d ' w a nt ed . It h a d b een som et h in g f r o m t h e chem i st or so m e b r a nd ed a r t i cl e
t h a t t h e shop a ssi st a nt h a d b een a b l e t o p l a ce i nst a nt ly i n h i s ha n d .
'Tha t i s t he b l u e one,' t he a ssi st a nt a nsw er ed , a t t he sa m e t i m e t a k i ng ou t
y et a not her sh i r t f r om it s t r a nsp a r ent w r a p p i ng . 'Th i s i s a chea p er on e b u t a
v er y a t t r a ct i v e co lo u r .'
'It 's p u r p le,' sa i d Tessa .
'Good l or d ! N o , I'l l j u st t a k e t he t w o' A s h e sp o k e he w ent t o p u t h i s ha n d
i n h i s p ock et t o g et so m e m o ney . In d o i ng so h e m a d e a sm a l l t u r n a n d ca u ght a
l i f e si ze m od el w hich ha d b een st a n d ing n ea r t h e cou nt er close t o h i s si d e.
Ob v i ou sly h e d id not k now w ha t he ha d k nock ed ov er , b u t he w a s f u l l y a w a r e
of b ein g t h e ca u se o f t he cr a sh . The' a ssi st a nt ca m e r ou n d a n d p i ck ed u p t he
m od el w h i l e Tessa j u st st ood t her e, t r em b l i ng f r o m h ea d t o f oot , w a t ch in g P a u l's
f a ce a n d seei n g t he ho t col ou r cr eep u p u n d er t he t a n o f h is sk i n. H e gr op ed
a b o u t a s i f t o d i scov er w h a t ha d ha p p ened . Co m in g ou t o f her st u p or , Tessa sa id
l ig ht l y , ,
'It w a s not h in g, d a r li ng t her e's no ha r m d o ne.' 'Let 's get ou t o f h er e.' H i s
v oi ce w a s t i g ht a nd
cr a ck ed . 'Ta k e m e ho m e.'
'Bu t y o u r sh i r t s' b eg a n t he a ssi st a nt . 'It d oesn't m a t t er , t ha nk y ou .'
Tessa t ook h i s h a n d , a nd a f t er t hr ow in g t h e a ssi st a nt a gl a nce o f a p o l ogy
she led Pa u l f r om t he sh op .
The m em or y o f t h e i ncid ent r em a i ned w i t h h i m a n d h e w a s q u iet a l l t h e
w a y hom e. Sev er a l t i m es she sa w h i m sha d i ng h i s ey es, ev en t hou gh he w or e hi s
d a r k g la sses. Tha t h i s hea d t r ou b l ed h i m w a s cer t a in , f o r h i s. Fa ce b eca m e
t w i st ed a nd t he now f a m i l i a r p a t ches o f w i l l st ood ou t a t t he co m er s o f h is
m ou t h .
'Ther e's a ca f e her e, Pa u l . W ou l d y ou l ik e som e co f f ee?' She ha l f exp ect ed
hi m t o r ef u se, b u t t o her su r p r i se he sa i d y es a nd sh e d r ew u p a t t h e si d e o f t h e
r o a d , p a r k i ng t he ca r u n d er t he sha d e o f t he p a l m s t h a t r a n a l on g t he f r ont o f
t h e ca f e.
'Yes, w ha t ca n w e d o f or y o u ?' A y ou n g a n d h a n d som e Gr eek ca m e r i g ht
t o t he ent r a n ce t o gr eet t hem , sm i l i n g a w el co m e a nd g l a ncin g cu r i ou sl y f r o m
Pa u l t o h i s y ou n g w i f e, a nd t hen d o w n t o t hei r ha n d s, cla sp ed l ig ht l y t og et h er .
Tessa l ook ed r ou n d ; a s u su a l she w a s t he o nl y w o m a n i n t he ca f e. The m en a l l
l ook ed a t h er , b u t b y now sh e w a s u sed t o t hese p r ol onged st a r es a n d m er el y
f o l l ow ed t he w a it er t o a t a b l e b y t he op en w i n d ow .
'Ca n w e ha v e cof f ee, p l ea se?' Pa u l f el t f or t h e cha i r a n d sa t d ow n. 'O ne
Tu r k i sh; o ne w it h m i l k .'
'Wh a t p a r t o f Eng la n d d o y o u com e f r om ?' t he y ou n g m a n a sk ed a f ew
m in u t es l a t er w hen, ha v i ng b r ou gh t t hei r cof f ee, he sa t d ow n a t t heir t a b l e.
Tessa t ol d h i m , a n d t hey a l l ch a t t ed t og et h er f o r a w h i l e. W h en t hey l ef t he ev en
a ccom p a n i ed t h em t o t he d oo r a nd w a v ed t o t hem a s t hey d r ov e a w a y .
The i nt er l u d e h a d help ed P a u l get ov er h i s em b a r r a ssm ent , b u t f or t he
r est o f t he w a y ho m e he w a s q u i et . Tessa a l so h a d f a l l en in t o a b r oo d i n g si lence,
f or her h u sb a n d 's p l igh t ha d h i t h er , m or e f or cib l y t h a n ev er b ef o r e. Wi t h so
v i gor ou s a p er so na l it y a n d su ch p hy sica l st r engt h t h i s hel p l essness m u st b e t ea r i ng
hi m a p a r t .
'I' l l l ie d o w n .' he d eci d ed o n a r r i v i ng b a ck a t t he hou se. 'I d on't exp ect I' ll
sleep , b u t ca l l m e a t t ea t i m e i f I d o.' H e seem ed u t t er l y d ef ea t ed , a n d t her e w a s
no d ou b t i n Tessa ' s m i nd t h a t he su f f er ed b ot h m ent a ll y a nd p hy si ca l l y .
The l et t er she ha d w r i t t en t o Joe w a s i n her ha n d b a g; she h a d m ea nt t o
p ost i t in N i cosi a , b u t t he i n ci d ent i n t he sh op ha d p u t ev er y t hi ng el se o u t o f h er
m in d . In a ny ca se, her one d esi r e w a s t o o b ey Pa u l 's u r gent r eq u est t o b e d r iv en
hom e. Ta k i ng ou t t h e let t er , Tessa t o r e i t u p a n d p u t i t i n t h e w a st e p a p er
b a sk et . She t hen w r o t e a not her a nd lest sh e sho u l d f a lt er i n her r eso lv e, she w ent
d ow n t o t h e v i l l a ge i m m ed ia t el y t o p o st i t . .
Once i t ha d l ef t her h a n d she st ood t her e, st a r in g a t t h e l et t er b o x, a
st r a nge i ner t i a t a k i ng p ossessi on o f her . H o w l on g she r em a i ned t her e she d i d n ot
k no w , b u t su d d en l y she b eca m e v a g u el y a w a r e o f t he cu r i ou s st a r es o f t he m en
sit t i n g a r o u nd in f r on t o f t h e ca f e, Th ose p l a y i n g t r i k t r a k ha d st op p ed ; t he d r iv er
of t he b u s t h a t h a d j u st com e u p w it h t he t o u r i st s w a s a l so w a t ch i n g her ,
ob l i v i ou s o f t he f a ct t h a t o ne o f h is p a ssen ger s w a s w a i t i n g t o p l y h i m w it h
q u est ion s a b ou t t he A b b ey a n d i t s h i st or y . Tw o w o m en o n d onk ey s sl ow ed d ow n
a nd ha l f a d ozen l i t t l e b r ow n ch i l d r en w a i t ed shy ly u n d er t h e gr ea t t r ee,
w ond er i ng w ha t w a s w r ong w it h t h i s Eng l i sh g i r l t ha t she j u st st ood t h er e, g a zi ng
v a ca nt ly a t t he let t er b ox.
Fl u sh in g, sh e m o v ed , t o m a k e her w a y t h r ou g h t he na r r ow v i l l a g e st r eet
w i t h i t s h i gh, shu t t er ed ho u ses, i t s ga r d ens b l a zi n g w i t h h i b iscu s a nd
b ou ga i nv i ll ea , it s cou r t y a r d s scent ed w i t h r oses a nd sh a d ed b y d el i ca t e t r a i l i n g
v i nes.
A f t er a w h i l e she sa w not hi ng, f or t ea r s b l u r r ed her v i sio n . W a s t h i s t he
b eg in n i n g o f t he en d ? H a d she st r u gg l ed a nd f o u ght t o w i n her h u sb a n d 's lo v e
onl y t o l ose it so soo n ? A n d w h a t w ou l d b e h is r ea ct i on t o h er d eceit ? She ha d
p l a y ed on h i s a f f l i ct ion , u sed h is hel p l essn ess t o g a i n w h a t she ha d so gr ea t l y
d esi r ed since her f ir st f a t ef u l m eet i ng w i t h Pa u l . Ter r or hel d her , a nd sh e k new
she cou l d nev er f a ce h i m . H e ha d com e n ea r t o cr u cif y i n g h er o nce; he w ou l d d o
so a g a i n, b u t h e w ou ld t o r t u r e her f i r st , l a sh her w i t h h i s scor n a nd cont em p t a nd
b i t t er co nd em na t io n . For he m u st b e b i t t er f in d in g hi m sel f m a r r i ed t o a g i r l he
i nt ensely d i sl i k ed , a g i r l he f ou n d u na t t r a ct iv e i n ev er y w a y , a nd w h o h a d 'm a d e
ey es a t h i m ' w hen he w a s a l m ost eng a g ed t o her si st er .
N o, she co u ld nev er f a ce h i m ... b u t w ha t m u st sh e d o? In st i nct i v el y she
l ook ed f or esca p e i n t he sa m e w a y she ha d sou ght esca p e p r ev io u sl y . A p o st
a b r oa d . Tha t w a s a l l t ha t w a s o p en t o her . Th i s m a n m i g ht not b e a b le t o hel p
Pa u l ; a n d ev en i f he op er a t ed t her e w a s n o cer t a int y o f su ccess. Bu t sh e m u st b e
p r ep a r ed ....
Pa u l w a s st i l l l y i ng d ow n w hen she r ea ched t he hou se a n d she g l a nced a t
her w a t ch . N ow her e nea r t ea t i m e y et . Ta k i n g t h e ca r , she d r ov e d ow n i nt o
Ky r eni a . Sh e h a d nev er b een i n t he Cou nt r y Clu b , b u t she k new t h a t a l l t h e
Eng l i sh new sp a p er s w ou ld b e t h er e. N o on e b ot her ed t o i n q u i r e i f sh e w er e a
m em b er a s sh e l ook ed v a gu el y a b ou t h er . Soon she f ou nd w h a t sh e w a n t ed a nd
sa t d ow n w it h t he Ti m es Ed u ca t i on a l Su p p l em ent on a t a b le i n f r ont o f h er a nd
a p enci l a nd p a p er i n h er h a nd .
Ca n a d a ... A u st r a l i a ... V en ezu el a ... H on g Kon g . . H on g Kon g



CHAPTER X

STA RL IGH T on t he m ou nt a i n a n d a p in e scent ed b r eeze.' a r o l l in g m oo n i n
a lu st r ou s sk y a n d cr i ck et s o n t h e st i l l n i g ht a ir ... so m u ch t o r em em b er . ...
Tessa st o od o n t he r o of t er r a ce, i n t ha t en cha nt ed hou r b et w een t he su n's
d escent a n d t h e f a l l o f n ig h t , g a zi n g w i st f u l ly d o w n ov er a la n d sca p e o f cy p r esses
a nd o l i v es, o f sw a y i n g p a l m s a n d ca r ob t r ees. Tom or r o w she w a s lea v i ng' ...
nev er t o r et u r n, she t ol d her sel f .
Ten d er ness r ep la ced t he w i st f u l ness i n her ey es. Pa u l ca m e u p t he st ep s, h i s
hea d er ect a n d a l i ght ness a b ou t h is b ea r i ng t ha t b r ou gh t a l i t t le ca t ch o f f ea r t o
her hea r t . Si l ent l y she sent u p a p r a y er f or t h e su cess o f t he com i ng t r ea t m ent . .
For , a f t er exa m i n i n g Pa u l i n t he Lo nd o n h osp i t a l f or t ni ght a go, John
Rea d e h a d a ccep t ed h i m a s h i s p a t i en t . A s t her e w a s no a p p a r ent d a m a g e t o
t h e op t i c ner v e, t r ea t m en t a lo n e sho u ld p r ov e su ccessf u l i n t h e r est or a t io n o f t he
si gh t .
'Bu t I'v e a lr ea d y u nd er g on e t r ea t m ent .' P a u l r em i nd ed hi m .
'It 's m y b el i ef t h a t som e cha ng e ha s t a k en p l a ce,' r et u r ned Joh n gu a r d ed ly .
'N a t u r a l ly I' m p r o m i sing no t hi ng, b u t I f eel r ea son a b ly op t i m i st i c a b ou t t he r esu l t
of t he t r ea t m ent I shou l d b e gi v in g y ou .'
Un w i l l i n g t o r i sk t he hea r t b r ea k o f f a i l u r e a secon d t i m e, Pa u l m a d e no
i m m ed i a t e d eci sion a n d t hey r et u r ned t o Cy p r u s w i t h o n ly Joe b ei n g a w a r e o f
her v isi t t o Eng la n d . H ow ev er , u r ged b y h i s w i f e, he so on a gr eed t o p l a ce h i m sel f
i n John Rea d h a nd s.
'I' m o v er her e!' Tessa ca l led a s Pa u l r ea ched t he r oof . H e r a n a l l t h e w a y
r o u nd a nd he k ep t hi s f i nger l i g ht ly u p o n i t , u si ng i t a s a gu i d e u nt i l he r ea ched
her , H e ha d b een ha v i n g a b a t h w hen she i nf o r m ed h i m t h a t sh e w o u ld b e on
t h e r oof . A s h e ca m e cl o se, sh e sa i d , sl i p p i n g her a r m t hr o u gh h i s, 'Yo u sm el l n i ce.'
H e l a u gh ed , a cl ea r ca r ef r ee l a u g h t h a t ca u sed h er t o send u p a not h er
f er v ent p r a y er , If a ny t h i ng sho u ld go w r on g, , . ,
'''M ou n t a i n Mo r n" a f t er sh a v e, W ha t na m es t h ey d o t h i nk u p ! '
'I l ik e i t , t ho u g h. The na m e su i t s i t .' Ra i si ng her sel f on t ip t oe, sh e r u b b ed
her nose 'a ga in st h i s ch eek . 'H m m ... y es, i t ' s ni ce.'
A nd so a r e y ou n i ce H i s a r m s en ci r cled her ; h e k i ssed h er i n a w a y t h a t l ef t
her b r ea t h l ess, 'Sh a ll I see y ou so o n, m y d ea r , sw eet w i f e?' A st r a n ge q u a l it y in h i s
t o nes, Tessa ga v e her sel f a l it t l e sh a k e. N er v es, she su sp ect ed , ner v es a n d t h e
b u r d en o f su sp ense . . . b u t f or t he p a st t w o w eek s she h a d sev er a l t i m es
i m a g i n ed t h i s p ecu l i a r q u a l it y in h i s v oi ce w hen ev er he sp o k e o f t h e co m i n g
t r ea t m ent a nd t he p ossi b i l i t y o f r ega in i ng hi s si gh t , 'M y ow n ... m y b ea u t i f u l , .. t o
see y ou r f a ce .... '
M y b ea u t i f u l , Sh e p r essed clo ser t o h i m , p u t t in g h er a r m s a r ou n d h i s n eck ,
Their l a st n i ght t oget her ? The l a st n i g h t he w ou l d ho ld i n h is a r m s h i s b ea u t i f u l
Lu cin d a .. , b ef or e u t t er d i si l l u sion m ent ? M y b ea u t i f u l , .. W h a t t r i ck s d i d f a t e
p l a y or r a t her she shou l d sa y n a t u r e. Fo r h a d na t u r e b een k in d er P a u l m i g ht
ha v e b een her s r i ght f r om t he st a r t .
They st ood t her e q u i et ly f or a w h i l e, ea ch d eep in t h ou ght , W h a t w ou l d he
d o, Tessa w ond er ed , w er e he t o k now t h a t a l l h er t h in gs w er e p a ck ed , t ha t m o st
of h er b el o ng in g s ha d a l r ea d y b een d i sp a t ch ed t o Eng l a n d ? W ha t w o u ld he sa y
w er e he t o k no w t h a t t he d a y a f t er h e ent er ed t he hosp i t a l she w ou l d b e
a t t en d i n g a n i nt er v iew i n a not h er p a r t o f t he ci t y a n i nt er v i ew f or a p o st t ha t
w ou l d t a k e her f a r , f a r a w a y f r om h i m f or ev er .
'Tel l m e a b ou t t he ni ght ,' Pa u l r eq u est ed a t len gt h , 'The a i r I ca n f eelcoo l
a nd f r esh a nd scent ed ;The cr ick et s I ca n h ea r , a nd t ha t st r a n g e cr y o f t h e Ir u i t
b a t .' b u t w ha t el se i s t her e?'
'A f u l l m oon, r ol l ing b et w een t h e cl ou d s y es, Pa u l , t h er e a r e cl ou d s t on i g ht ,
b u t si lv er ones. Th e st a r s a r e m i n i a t u r e p o o ls o f cr y st a l a n d t he col ou r o f t h e sk y
b et w een t h e cl ou d s i s d eep p u r p l e, b u t so m et i m es y ou ha v e st r ea k s o f so f t
a m et hy st w h ich I su p p ose i s ca u sed b y t he m oon' s r a d ia nce p en et r a t i ng t h e
d i f f er ent t h i ck nesses o f clo u d .' She. st op p ed a s a n i ncr ed u lo u s l it t l e l a u g h esca p ed
hi m ,
'Sw eet hea r t , w het h er I ev er see f or m y sel f or n ot , y ou sh a l l a l w a y s t el l m e
a b o u t t h ese t h in gs.'
A l w a y s. , .. L i t t le d i d he k no w .
'The p a l m t r ees,' sh e w ent on , ga zi ng d o w n t o w h er e t hey st ood ,
si l hou et t ed a g a i nst t he sk y , 't h ei r f r on d s a r e a sor t o f sil v er , a s i f t he m oo nl i ght
w er e su p er i m p osed u p on t hem , a nd t hey 'r e m o v in g ev er so sl ig ht l y i n t he
b r eeze' She b r ok e o f f a n d l a u g hed 'A v er y r o m a n t i c ni ght , Pa u l .' The st r a in w a s
b eg in n i n g t o t el l a n d her v oi ce b r ok e sl i gh t ly , Th i s n i g ht she ha d m ea nt t o l i v e, t o
t r ea su r e, f or get t in g w ha t w a s t o co m e - t h e hea r t a che a n d t h e em p t y y ea r s
a hea d .
'Sw eet hea r t ' P a u l t ou ched h er f a ce a nd her ey es, It w a s a l m o st a s i f h e
exp ect ed t o f eel t ea r s u p on her cheek s or l a shes, 'Wh a t is i t , m y l ov e?'
" ' N ot h i n g, W hy sho u l d y o u a sk ?'
'You r v o ice y ou r l ov ely v o ice i s sa d .'
Sh e m a na ged a l a u g h t hen . 'N o t sa d ,' she d en ied . 'Bu t I'm w or r ied ,
na t u r a ll y .'
'A b ou t t he t r ea t m ent ?'
'Yes, a b ou t t he t r ea t m ent ,'
'Wh a t ev er t h e ou t com e w e st i l l ha v e ea ch ot h er ." f r o m t he f a r d i st a nce
ca m e t he p la i nt i v e b r a y o f a
d on k ey t et h er ed t o i t s l on ely h i l lsi d e. They b ot h l i st ened , t h en Pa u l m ov ed
hi s hea d , i nt er est ed o n ly i n her r esp onse, a nd she m u r m u r ed , w i t h t h e' co n f i d en ce
he w ou l d exp ect o f h er ,
'Yes, P a u l , w e h a v e ea ch ot her .'
'A nd i f i t shou l d go w r ong ' She p l a ced a f in g er on h i s l ip s. Gen t l y he
p u l l ed her ha n d a w a y a nd cont i n u ed , ' y o u sh a l l st i l l see f or m e, a nd b e m y
gu i d e.'
'Don't t a lk a b ou t it s go i ng w r o ng,' sh e p l ea d ed u r g ent l y . 'M r Rea d e w a s so
op t im i st i c, exp r essin g t he op i n i on t ha t a ch a nge ha d t a k en p l a ce, a n d I'm su r e
t h a t i t 's a hop ef u l si g n, d a r l in g.'
'Wi t h a t h in g l i k e t h i s t he r i sk o f f a i l u r e i s a l w a y s p r esent ,' he w a r ned her .
'We m u st not t a k e it a s a f or eg one con cl u si o n t h a t m y ' sig ht w i l l b e r est or ed . I' m
hop in g , n a t u r a l l y , b u t a t t h e sa m e t i m e I' m p r of o u n d l y consci ou s o f t he f a ct t ha t
t h i s i s a g a m b l e.'
A g a m b le .... A n d P a u l's l oss w ou l d b e h er ga i n, Bu t she d i d not w a n t t o
w i n. She clo sed her ey es. To ni ght sh e m u st n ot cr y not t o ni ght . H er hea d ca m e
t o r est a g a i n st h er hu sb a nd 's shou ld er ; h e h el d her p r o t ect i ng l y a nd t hey st a y ed
l ik e t hi s f o r a l on g w h i l e, u n d er a p u r p l e a nd a m et hy st sk y , w i t h t he cool b r eeze
ca r essi n g t h ei r f a ces a s i t sw ep t gen t l y d o w n f r om t he m o u nt a i ns t o t he sea .
They w er e ou t ea r l y t h e f o l lo w i n g m or n in g, a n d a l t h ou gh f o r t he p a st t w o
w eek s t he d u l l a p a t h y o f r esi g na t ion ha d set t l ed u p on Tessa , i t w a s o n l y w hen
she p a r k ed t he ca r a t t h e a ir p or t t ha t she a l lo w ed t he f ir st t ea r s o f ho p el essness
t o f a l l . '
So m eo n e el se w ou l d p ick u p t he ca r . So m eone, w o u ld d r iv e P a u l ho m e, or
p er ha p s he w o u l d d r iv e hi m sel f f or t he f ir st t i m e si nce t he t er r ib le a cci d ent t h a t
ha d r ob b ed h i m b o t h o f h i s l ov ed o n e a n d h is si g ht .
The f l i gh t w ent w i t hou t inci d ent . Jo e m et t hem a t t h e a ir p or t a nd b ef or e
she q u i t e k new i t Tessa w a s l ea v i ng her hu sb a nd a t t h e h osp i t a l.
Ther e w ou l d b e a p er i od o f o b ser v a t io n ,p er ha p s f or a f or t n i ght a nd
d u r in g t ha t t i m e Tessa cou l d v i sit t he ho sp i t a l ev er y d a y .
'I' m g oi n g a w a y .' Joe w a s d r i v i n g Tessa f r om t he ho sp i t a l a n d he ha d a sk ed
how sh e w a s f eel i ng a b ou t t h e t r ea t m ent . 'If i t 's su ccessf u l , t h a t is,' sh e a d d ed ,
'A nd I j u st f eel it 's go i n g t o b e su ccessf u l .'
'I f eel i t t oo. W ha t d o y o u m ea n, y ou 'r e go i n g a w a y '
'Pa u l w on 't w a n t m e.' She st a r ed a t t he r oa d a hea d .
They w er e a p p r oa chin g a t r a f f i c q u el l e. ' I m u st go b e f o r t he b a n d a ges a r e
r em o v ed .'
Joe f r ow n ed hea v i l y a nd sa i d , 'You ca n't j u st f u n f r o m y ou r h u sb a n d l i k e
t h a t . Wher e w ou l d y ou go t o?'
'I'v e a p p l i ed f o r a p ost a b r oa d '
'Oh, f or hea v en's sa k e! H o w d o y ou k no w Pa u l w on't w a nt y o u ?' ,
H er f a ce w a s v er y p a l e. She r eca l l ed h er st r u ggl e" her f i g ht t o ea r n her
hu sb a n d 's f or giv eness f or t h e t h i n g she h a d n ot d one, She d w el t w i t h i r on y o n h er
su ccess. Sh e h a d r eg a i ned , f or Lu ci nd a , t h e l ov e t ha t b y h er hea r t l essn ess she h a d
l ost . N ot t ha t i t co u l d b en ef i t Lu ci nd a now , b u t t h e k no w l ed g e d id i ncr ea se t he
b i t t er ness w i t h w h i ch Tessa w a s su d d enl y o v er w hel m ed .
'H e ca r es f o r Lu ci nd a .'
'Wh a t good ca n t h a t d o h i m n o w ?'
'It i sn't a q u est i on o f w ha t go od it w i l l d o h i m ,' sher et u r ned , her v o i ce
r ef l ect i n g t he em p t in ess w i t hi n her . 'It d oesn't sa y t h a t , not b ei n g a b le t o ha v e
Lu cin d a , he'l l a ccep t second b est a nd r em a i n m a r r ied t o m e.'
'Second b est ... .' They ha d b een i n t h e q u eu e, b u t t h e t r a f f ic m ov ed a n d
t h ey w er e o n t hei r w a y a g a i n . H e sa i d , v eer i ng t he t op i c som ew h a t , 'The Gr eek s
d on 't l i g ht ly ca st o f f t h ei r w iv es. Div o r ce i s r a r e a m on g t hem .'
Sh e t hou g ht a b ou t t h i s, 'Per ha p s he' l l not d i v o r ce m e. Bu t he w on 't w a nt
t o l i v e w it h m e, f or a l l t h a t .'
Joe shr u gged , r ea l izin g h e w ou l d get n ow h er e w i t h Tessa i n t h i s m oo d o f
d u l l r esi g n a t i on.
'Let 's ha v e som et hi ng t o ea t b ef or e I t a k e y ou ho m e.'
Ea t ? H er t h ou ght s f lew t o t he M a r e M o nt e .... So f a r a w a y t hose r o m a n t i c
ev eni ngs w hen she a n d Pa u l h a d d in ed t h er e. The li ght s a nd t he m u si c, t he r ock
i sl a nd s a n d t h e m oon sp a ng l ed w a v el et s si l ent ly ' l a p p i n g t h e shor e. W ou l d Pa u l
go t her e a g a i n ? Bu t o f cou r se h e w ou l d , f o r i t w a s hi s f a v ou r it e p la ce. A n d t he
next t i m e she w ou l d not b e t her e t o see f o r hi m ... b u t t hen he w ou l d n't need her .
Sh e a t e w it h Joe i n a cr o w d ed Lo nd on r est a u r a nt , a nd t h en h e t oo k h er
hom e, p r om i si ng t o ca l l a n d t a k e h er ou t n ow a n d t hen d u r in g t he n ext w eek or
t w o .
'You ca n 't si t a t hom e b r o od i n g.' he sa i d a s h e l ef t her .
Bu t t her e w a s li t t l e t i m e f or b r ood i n g, excep t a t n i ght w hen sl eep el u d ed
her , f or she o b t a ined t he p ost i n H on g Kon g, h er p r ev i ou s exp er ien ce o f t ea ch in g
a b r oa d gi v i n g h er a n a d v a nt a g e ov er m a ny o f t he ot h er a p p l i ca n t s. She w ou l d
b e exp ect ed t o go ou t a s so on a s cou ld b e a r r a ng ed , she w a s i n f o r m ed , a n d t h i s
su it ed her a d m i r a b ly . She cou l d n ot g i v e t hem a n exa ct d a t e f or her d ep a r t u r e
f r om Eng l a nd , a s t h i s d ep end ed o n h ow q u i ck ly Pa u l' s ey esi ght w a s r est o r ed , b u t
she p r o m i sed t o let t hem k now a s soon a s p ossi b l e. H er in t en t i o n w a s t o r em a i n
w i t h her h u sb a nd u nt i l t he l a st m om ent , l ea v i n g on l y a shor t w h i le b ef or e t he
b a n d a ges w er e t o b e r em ov ed . H er t i m e, t her ef o r e, w a s f u l l y occu p ied b y
p r ep a r a t i ons f or t he jo u r ney a nd su b seq u ent set t l i ng i n, a n d b y her v i si t s t o t he
hosp i t a l .
Pa u l w a s i n b ed i n a d a r k ened r o om , hi s ey es b a nd a g ed . Th er e m u st b e no
noi se, no exci t em en t , j u st com p l et e r est a n d r el a xa t i on . H o w ev er , Tessa w a s
a l l ow ed i n ev er y d a y a n d f r o m t h e f i r st in st a nt o f w a k i ng she l i v ed f or t h e
m o m ent w hen she w ou l d b e w i t h h i m , sit t i ng b y t h e b ed , t end er l y h o l d in g h i s
ha n d .
M a ny t i m es d u r i n g t he p er i od o f her hu sb a nd ', t r ea t m ent Tessa t r i ed t o
ga i n so m e i n f or m a t i o n f r om Joh n Rea d e, b u t he co u l d no t b e d r a w n ou t .
N ev er t hel ess, she sensed a n o p t i m i sm i n h is m a n n er w hen he w a s i n t he r oom
w i t h Pa u l a n d t hi s sh e t ook a s a si g n t ha t he w a s com p l et el y sa t i sf i ed w i t h h is
p a t ient 's p r ogr ess.
Va gu ely Tessa hea r d t he ca r st op ; i t sca r cel y r eg i st er ed , so a b sor b ed w a s
she i n t he a l m o st Im p o ssi b l e t a sk o f p a ck i n g a l l her r eq u i r em ent s i nt o t he f ou r
t ea chest s t h a t st o od o n t h e f loo r o f t he si t t in g r oom o f her p a r en t s' hou se.
Sca t t er ed a l l ov er t he p l a ce w er e clo t hes a nd sh oes, b ed l inen a n d t o w el s,
cr ock er y a n d cook i ng u t ensi l st o sa y not h i n g o f t h e b ook s a n d n u m er ou s
t ea chi n g a i d s. O f t h e l a t t er sh e w ou l d b e p r of ou n d ly gr a t ef u l , she k new , ha v i ng
ha d exp er ien ceTh e p a u ci t y o f eq u i p m ent i n t he m a j or i t y o f Eng l er n sch ool s.
H er m ot her st oo d j u st in si d e t he d o or r ega r d in g t he cha os a r o u n d her , a nd
d ej ect ed ly sh a k i ng her hea d .
'I w on d er , d ea r , how m a n y m or e t i m es w e sh a ll h a v e a l l t h i s?'
M ech a n i ca l ly Tessa f o l d ed t he t ow el s she h a d b ou g ht on l y t ha t m o r n i n g.
H er m ot her h a d w a shed a n d i r on ed t hem so t ha t t h ey w ou l d b e r ea d y f or
i m m ed i a t e u se. ' I' m a w a n d er er , M u m . I exp ect I sh a ll go on u nt i l I' m t o o o ld t o
w or k a b r oa d .'
Ten y ea r s, or f i f t een a t m ost , f or a t t hi r t y - f i v e a w o m a n ha d d i f f i cu l t y i n
ob t a i n in g a t ea ch in g p o st a b r oa d . Wh a t w ou l d she d o t h en? Su r el y t he w ou n d
w ou l d ha v e hea led a n d she w ou l d b e a b l e t o set t l e d o w n i n a co m f or t a b l e p ost
i n her o w n cou nt r y .. Wh er e w ou l d P a u l b e? Wou l d he no w st a y i n En g l a n d or
w ou l d he r et u r n t o Cy p r u s? 'Per h a p s h e w ou ld d i v or ce her , f or he h a d t he
gr ou nd s. Joe ha d exp r essed d ou b t s a b ou t t hi s, b u t Tessa of t en f el t con v i nced t ha t
Pa u l w o u ld w a nt t o b e r i d o f her ju st a s q u ick ly a s he cou l d .
'Wh a t ca n I d o t o hel p , d ea r ?' M r s. Bl a ne' s v oi ce w a s sa d , b u t r esi gned . She
now k new a l l, a nd b ot h she a n d her hu sb a nd ha d d one t hei r u t m ost t o d i ssu a d e
t h ei r d a u g h t er f r o m t h i s h a st y f l ig ht o n t h e v er y d a y t h e b a n d a ges w er e t o b e
r em o v ed f r om P a u l's ey es. She cou l d a t lea st st a y l on g en ou g h t o d i scov er how
he w ou l d r ea ct t o h er d ecep t i on , t h ey h a d p oi nt ed ou t , b u t Tessa w a s a d a m a n t .
A l l t h e B la n e chi l d r en h a d b een encou r a g ed t o t h i nk a n d a ct f or t hem selv es, t o
l ea r n i n d ep en d ence a t a n ea r l y a ge, a n d a lt hou gh sh e h a d sh ed m a n y t ea r s ov er
t h e t r a ged y o f h er d a u g ht er 's p l ig ht , M r s. Bl a n e h a d a ccep t ed Tessa ' s d eci sio n,
l ea v i ng her t o w or k ou t her d est i ny i n her ow n w a y .
Tessa h a d f o u n d h er f a t her sl igh t l y m o r e d i f f icu l t .'Gi r l i e, y ou m u st see h i m .'
'he h a d sa i d . 'Yo u ca n't sa y f or su r e t ha t h e w o n't w a n t y ou .'
'Don't l et 's t a lk a b o u t i t .' she p lea d ed . 'I' m not w i l l i n g t o f a ce h i m a n d
t h a t 's a l l t h er e i s t o it ; he d i sl i k ed m e ev en b ef or e I d i d hi m t h i s in ju r y .'
'It w a s no in j u r y , Tessa .'
'Cer t a i n l y it w a s u si ng h i s b l i nd ness t o get w h a t I w a nt ed .'
'You d o n't k no w ho w he'l l f eel .' her f a t her p er si st ed , ' I k now how he' l l f eel
w hen he l ea r n s he's m a r r i ed t o m e.'
H er f a t h er b eca m e r esi g ned t hen a nd t o Tessa ' s r el ief he ha d a l lo w ed t he
m a t t er t o d r op . N ev er t hel ess t her e w a s so m et h i ng p u zzli ng a b ou t h i m a n d
d u r in g t he p a st t w o d a y s Tessa ha d o n m o r e t ha n one occa sio n ca u g ht h i m
ca st in g her a f u r t i v e g l a nce a n d t hen sha k i n g hi s hea d , a s i f p ond er i n g ov er so m e
t r ou b l eso m e t h i n g o f w h ich h e w a s h a l f a f r a i d .
'Sha l l I p a ck t h is u n d er w ea r ?' M r s. Bl a ne' s l ow a nd m u si ca l v oi ce b r o u ght
Tessa b a ck w it h a j er k t o t he d i sor d er a r o u nd her . She hea v ed a si gh a nd sh ook
her hea d .
'I t h in k I' d b et t er d o i t m y sel f , M u m . Per ha p s I shou ld h a v e h a d a cou p l e
m or e b o xes b u t t hey a r e su ch a lot t o send .'
'M u st y ou p a ck i n su ch a hu r r y , a nd b e o f f t hi s ev en i ng?' .
'The m en a r e com ing f or t h ese b o xes f i r st t hi ng i n t he m or n in g .' she
r em i nd ed h er m ot h er . 'A s f or m y o w n d ep a r t u r e y ou k no w w hy I'm goi ng on
t o ni g ht s, f l i g ht .' She h a d t o b e a t t h e a ir p or t a t f i v e o'cl ock P a u l t h ou ght she
w ou l d b e a t t h e h osp i t a l t h i s a f t er noo n John Rea d e ha d t o l d her t o b e t her e a t
f ou r so she co u ld b e w i t h P a u l w h en t he b a n d a ge w er e r em ov ed .
'You r hu sb a n d h a s sp eci f i ca l l y r eq u est ed t h a t y ou b e t her e.' Rea d e t o l d her ;
t h e g lo w o f v ict or y b r i ng i ng ch a r a ct er t o h i s r a t her n o nd escr ip t f ea t u r es. 'You r
f a ce i s t he f i r st t h i n g he w a nt s t o see.'
Lu cin d a 's f a ce ... t he b ea u t i f u l f a ce o f t he w om a n he l ov ed .
Tessa g l a nced a t t h e cl ock . A l m ost one. In t hr ee h ou r s Pa u l w ou l d see ....
H er go od b y e h a d b een sa i d y est er d a y , a l t ho u gh Pa u l d i d not k n o w i t , o f
co u r se.
'You 'r e q u iet , d a r l i ng ,' h e h a d sa i d , sev er a l t i m es, a nd a lw a y s i t seem ed t o
Tessa t ha t t her e w a s a q u est i on i n h is t on es, a n od d exp ect a ncy in h i s m a nner .
"It 's exci t em ent ,' w a s her r ep ea t ed a nsw er . 'Ju st t hi nk ; t h i s t i m e t om or r o w
y ou 'l l b e a b le t o see!' H e m u st r em a i n i n h osp i t a l f or a f ew d a y s a f t er t he
r em ov a l o f t h e b a nd a ges, a n d a f t er t ha t he w ou l d w ea r d a r k g l a sses f or a w h i l e
a s p r ot ect io n a g a i n st g l a r e.
'Yes, I'l l b e a b l e t o see ... t o see y ou , m y sw eet a nd l ov el y w i f e! '
A n a ch e o f b i t t er ness set t l ed in Tessa 's hea r t . She t ho u ght o f L u ci n d a ,
ha p p i l y m a r r ied t o so m eon e el se; she t hou ght o f Pa u l a nd t he d i si l lu si on m ent t o
co m e a n d sh e t h ou ght o f h er sel f ... lo v i ng so d esp er a t el y ,a n d y et u n l ov ed .
Sh e h a d m a na ged a l i g ht ness o f m a nn er a s she k i ssed h i m , b u t her hea r t
f el t d ea d . The la st k i ss, t he l a st g l i m p se o f h i m a s sh e t u r n ed b ef or e clo si ng t he
d oo r . Tea r s b li nd ed h er a s she st u m b led a l on g t h e cor r i d or . Go n e. P a u l h a d gon e
ou t o f her l i f e f or ev er .
'Tessa , d ea r .' H er m ot h er 's gent l e v oi ce b r ou ght h er once a ga i n ou t o f h er
r ev er ie a n d she l ook ed u p . 'Th a t co f f ee set it w ou l d ha v e b een b et t er t o w r a p i t
i n t he t o w el s. Pa p er 's a l l r ig ht , b u t i t t a k es u p r oom .'
'Yes, I su p p ose y ou 'r e r i ght , I' l l' Tessa b r o k e o f f a s t he d o or b el l r a ng; she
st ep p ed b a ck ,' t o g la nce t hr ou gh t he w i nd ow . A t a xi w a s p a r k ed ou t si d e t he
ga t e, b u t she cou l d n ot m a na ge t o g et a g l i m p se o f t h e p er son a t t h e f r o nt d oor .
'I' l l go a nd see w ho it i s.' A s M r s. Bl a ne m a d e m ov e she hea r d her h u sb a n d
co m i ng d ow n t h e st a in r u nn i ng, Tessa r ea l i zed w i t h a su d d en f r ow n, 'You r
f a t her 's d oi ng i t .'
M r . Bla n e h a d su r p r i sed Tessa a nd her m o t her b y com i ng ho m e f r o m w or k
a t l u nch t i m e, sa y i n g h e d id not f eel t oo w el l . Bu t t h i s p u zzled t hem b ot h, f o r not
onl y ha d he nev er a i l ed a t h i ng in h i s l i f e b u t he ha d l ook ed t o b e i n t h e h i ghest
of sp i r i t s ev en w hi le d ecl a r in g h i m sel f t o b e o f f col ou r . A l so, on l y t en m i n u t e
l a t er Tessa h a d hea r d h i m hu m m in g a t u n e t o h i m sel f i n t h e b a t hr oom . She f el t
she m u st b e w r o ng, b u t she ha d t he st r a n g e id ea t h a t h er f a t her ha d not b een t o
w or k a t a l l t ha t m or ni ng .
'I t h in k I' l l p a ck one o f t hese b oxes a t a t i m e,' Tessa sa i d w i t h d eci si on, n ot
i n t he l ea st in t er est ed i n t hei r ca l l er .
'Tha t w ou l d b e a good i d ea ,' M r s. Bl a ne a g r eed , b eca u se y ou d on't seem
t o b e g et t i n g a n y w her e l i k e t h is.'
La ck of ent hu si a sm f or her t a sk , sa i d Tessa , b u t si lent l y .
'You 'r e q u it e r i g ht a b o u t t h a t ,' she o w ned , lo ok i n g r ou n d . 'Wha t a m u d d le
t h e p la ce is in !' She ca u g ht si g ht o f her sel f i n t he m i r r or ; ha i r a l l a w r y a nd a sh i ny
nose .... .A nd w h a t o f h er d r ess? Ther e w a s d i st i n ct l y d i r t y m a r k r i g ht a cr oss' t h e
f r ont m a d e b y h er l ea n i ng ov er t he t ea ch est s, w h i ch w er e f a r f r o m cl ea n, ha v i ng
b een l y i ng i n t he gr ocer s cell a r f or m o nt hs. The si gh t o f her ow n u nk ep t
a p p ea r a n ce h a d a d ep r essi ng ef f ect on her . She f el t l i k e r u nn i ng a w a y m i l es
a w a y f r om t h i s r oom , f r om t he d i so r d b eh i nd her a nd t he b u r d en o f p a ck i ng . She
f el t l i k e r u nn i ng a w a y f r o m ev er y t hi ng ... f r o m l i f e it sel f .
'You 'l l get i t st r a ig ht '
'So y ou m a d e i t ?' H er hu sb a nd ' s v o ice cu t shor t t he sent ence a nd M r s.
Bl a ne f r ow ned i n p u zzlem en t . 'W ho ca n t ha t b e?' she q u er ied , b u t Tessa m er el y
shook her h ea d a nd p i ck ed u p a p i le o f f ol d ed b ed d in g sheet s a nd p i l lo w ca ses
a r id a n em b r oi d er ed cov er .
'She's h er e?'
Tessa f r o ze t o t he sp ot . H er m ot her w en t sl i g ht l y p a l e a n d st ep p ed ou t in t o
t h e h a l l .
'Yes, sh e's her e.' A sm a l l p a u se a n d t hen, ' I w a s , 'w or r i ed i n ca se t hey
w ou l d n't a l l ow y o u o u t .'
'You need n 't h a v e l et t h a t t r ou b l e y ou ; ca m e t h e g r i m r ejo in d er . 'W her e is
she?' A m u r m u r o f v oi ces a n d t h en,'
'In her e .... '
Com i ng t o l i f e, Tessa f l u n g d ow n t h e b ed d i ng a n d b ega n t o d r a g a t t he
t ea chest s, b r i n g in g t hem cl ose a n d p l a cin g t hem , o n e b y o ne, i n a sor t o f h a l f
ci r cl e a r ou n d h er . It w a s a n i nv o lu n t a r y a ct ion , a nd on l y w h en she w a s st a n d i ng
t h er e, b eh in d h er d ef ensiv e b a r r ier a nd i n t he m i d st o f su ch d i sor d er , d i d she
r ea l ize j u st how r i d i cu l ou s she m u st l ook .
Br ea t h less, sh e l i f t ed her h ea d . Pa u l st ood i n t he d oo r w a y , h i s ey es h i d d en
b eh in d d a r k g l a sses; y et she sensed t hei r i n cr ed u l i t y a s P a u l gl a nced r ou n d t he
r o om b ef or e set t l i ng h i s ga ze on h i s w i f e's f l u sh ed cou nt en a nce. Sh e w a s t he f i r st
t o sp ea k , in a cr a ck ed a n d t r em u lou s l i t t l e v oi ce.
'Pa u l . .. .' A l t hou gh she sp ok e h i s n a m e sh e cou l d sca r cely g r a sp t h e f a ct o f
hi s p r esence. 'You 'v e c com e, t o f i nd Lu cin d a , b b u t she I .. .' H er v o ice t r a i l ed
a w a y i nt o si l ence. H o w ha d he got her e?
'I'v e com e t o f i nd m y w i f e.'
'Yes, I k n ow ; sh e t r em b l ed , ' Bu t y ou s see, P P a u l , t ha t i s, y ou 'r e m m a r r ied
t o ' Sh e st op p ed , en d ea v ou r i ng t o b e m or e a r t i cu la t e. 'O h, P a u l, I' not Lu cin d a I '
she cr i ed , cov er i ng her f a ce w i t h her h a n d s.
H e r em ov ed h is g la sses f or a m o m ent . H e ca m e t ow a r d s her , t hen ha l t ed
b y t he b a r r ier .
'I ca n see y ou 'r e not L u ci n d a ,' he r et u r ned q u i et ly , a n d sh e w i t h d r ew her
ha n d s a n d f o r a b r i ef sp a ce f or g ot ev er y t hi n g excep t t he f a ct t h a t h er hu sb a nd 's
si gh t w a s f u l l y r est o r ed .
'You ca n see ... .' A gr ea t w o nd er m ent a nd t en d er ness m i ng led w i t h t h e
sw eet n ess o f her v oi ce. Those sa m e d a r k .' ey es t ha t o nce ha d ca u sed her hea r t t o
t u r n r i g ht ov er , t h ose ey es t h a t ha d r a k ed her w i t h cont em p t or l ook ed r i g ht
t h r ou gh her w i t h b or ed i n . d i f f er ence, .. t h o se ey es t h a t h a d r ev ea l ed a l l t h e l ov e
a nd t en d er ness he f el t f or L u ci n d a . 'Yo u ca n see .... ' The f in a l w or d s w er e sp ok en
on a d eep a nd t r em b l i ng si g h. H er hu sb a n d w a s' lost t o h er f o r ev er , b u t she
k new she w ou l d m a k e t he sa m e d eci si on a ga i n . W a s she ca l led u p on t o d o so .
'Wh y d id t h ey t a k e t he b a nd a ges o f f soon er t ha n t hey sa i d ? H o w w ha t m a d e
y ou com e?' Fea r clu t ched h er hea r t now , f or i t seem ed t o Tessa t h a t h i s ey es w er e
ha r d a nd st er n .
H e d i d n ot i m m ed i a t ely a n sw er a n d t o her a st o n ish m ent sh e r ea l i sed he
w a s l ost f or w o r d s. H i s li p s m ov ed a nd she not i ced a st r a n g e p u l sa t ion a t t he sid e
of h is j a w . W a s he so a ngr y he cou l d not sp ea k ? H er f r i gh t en ed ga ze w ent p a st
hi m ; her p a r en t s w er e st i l l t h er e.
'Wh a t 's a l l t hi s a b ou t ?' h e i n q u ir ed so f t l y m a k i n g a com p r ehensiv e g est u r e
w i t h hi s ha nd . 'A r e y ou go i ng so m ew her e?'
Sh e g a v e a t i ny ga sp . So p r osa ic h i s w or d s, h i s v oi ce. She ha d t he
i m p r essi on he w a s u n su r e o f h i m sel f .
'I' m g oi n g t o H on g Kon g ,' w a s a l l she cou l d f i n d t o sa y .
'A r e y o u , i nd eed ?' Pa u l r ep l a ced hi s g l a sses, a t t he sa m e t i m e g l a nci n g
sw i f t l y r ou n d a ga i n . She p u shed t r em b l i ng f i ng er s t hr ou gh her ha i r . W h er e w a s
hi s f u r y ? 'A n d w hy H o ng Ko n g, m a y I a sk ?'
'They 'r e sho r t o f t ea cher s i n H on g Kong, so I' m g o in g ... .' H er v o ice t r a i l ed
of f i nt o sil ence. Th e w h ole si t u a t io n w a s b ecom i ng r i d i cu l ou s. H er f a t h er
ob v iou sl y t ho u ght so t oo, a nd d eci d ed t o t a k e a ha nd .
'Tessa , g i r l ie,' he sa i d , com i n g i nt o t h e r o om f ol l ow ed b y h i s w i f e, w ho j u st
st a r ed u nco m p r ehen d i n gl y f r o m one t o a n ot h er . 'Tessa , I w ent t o t he hosp i t a l
t o see P a u l t h i s m or n i n g. I t o l d h i m ev er y t hi n g a n d h e p er su a d ed t he d oct or n ot
onl y t o r em ov e t h e b a n d a ges b u t a l so t o l et h i m ou t f or a n hou r , j u st so he co u l d
get her e b ef or e y ou w ent a w a y .'
'You 'v e b een t o t he ho sp i t a l!' Th e excl a m a t ion ca m e f r om M r s. Bl a ne. 'So
t h a t 's w hy y o u 'r e not a t w o r k ?'
'I t h in k ,' sa i d M r . Bl a ne, i gnor ing her r em a r k a s he t u r ned t o Pa u l, 't h a t
y ou ca n q u i t e ca p a b ly t a k e ov er now .'
A sm i le sp r ea d o v er Pa u l ' s f a ce. H e sa i d w i t h a q u i et h i nt o f gr a t i t u d e,
'Tha n k s.' y es, I ca n t a k e ov er n ow .'
'If I cou l d m a k e a su gg est io n,' sa id M r . B la n e b ef o r e he a nd h i s w i f e
d ep a r t ed . 'The chest s ... y ou co u ld m ov e t h em . Per ha p s I cou l d gi v e y ou a l i t t l e
a ssi st a n ce ...'
So m e m om ent s la t er , sa f e i n h er hu sb a nd 's a r m s, y et b ew i l d er ed , a n d w i t h
a w i l d l y b ea t i ng hea r t , Tessa m u r m u r ed u nb el i ev i ng ly , 'M e. ,r ea l l y m e?' Sh e
r a ised h er ey es a n d h e sa w t ha t t hey w er e b r i ght w i t h j oy . 'H ow l ong h a v e
y ou 'v e k now n?'
'The f ir st t r a ce o f d ou b t ca m e w hen y ou r ea d o n o f y o u r f a t her 's let t er s t o
m e'
'Yes, I r em em b er t h a t , I w a s a l i t t l e f r i gh t ened f or a d a y or t w o.'
'You w er e? I m u st som ehow ha v e conv ey ed m y d ou b t , t hen; I d i d n't t hi nk I
ha d .' H i s ha nd s ca r essed h er f o r eh ea d , so t en d er l y , 'I r ea l l y k new f or su r e, t hou gh ,
w hen y o u t a ck l ed t h a t sna k e.' Pa u l hel d h er a w a y a n d l ook ed int o her ey es.
'Ob v i ou sly y o u d i d n't k n ow i t , b u t Lu cin d a w a s t er r i f i ed o f sna k es, I t oo k h er t o
t h e zoo once,' he a d d ed a s Tessa w ou l d ha v e i nt er r u p t ed , a n d w e ha d t o com e
ou t o f t h e r ep t i l e hou se. She w a s q u i t e l i t er a ll y f r ozen w it h f ea r . A no t her t i m e,
w hen w e w er e o u t i n t he cou n t r y , w e sa w one o f t hose t i ny , h a r m l ess l i t t l e gr a ss
sna k es. Lu ci n d a scr ea m ed a nd r a n t o t he ca r . I cou ld n 't g et her ou t a ga i n a n d
w e ha d t o a b a nd on ou r p i cn ic. So y o u see, d a r l i ng, I k new it w a s not Lu ci n d a w ho
sa v ed m e f r om t h a t sn a k e.'
'Bu t i f sh e l ov ed y ou ,' b eg a n Tessa w it hou t t h i nk i ng , ' she w ou l d f o r get her
f ea r . I m ea n, her f ea r w ou l d on l y b e f or y o u .'
A gr i m sm i l e t hen a n d a n ev en m or e gr i m in f l ect i on t o h i s v oi ce.
'I t h in k t ha t w e w o n't ev er sp ea k a ga i n o f y ou r si st er 's so ca l l ed lov e.'
'N o ... .' Sh e n est l ed cl ose, a n d W h isp er ed on a l on g a n d t r em b l i ng si g h,
r ep ea t in g w ha t sh e ha d a l r ea d y sa i d , 'M e ... r ea l l y m e?'
'Is it so su r p r i si ng ?' H e t i l t ed h er f a ce w it h a f i r m f i n ger u n d er her ch i n.
'H ow l i t t le y o u k n ow y ou r sel f .
You 'r e t he sw eet est , m ost w o nd er f u l w i f e a m a n ca n h a v e a nd I d on't
k no w w hy y ou 'v e p ick ed m e, m a k i n g m e t he lu ck i est m a n i n t he w or ld ,' h e sa i d
w i t h u na ccu st om ed hu m i li t y a nd Tessa m a d e a sw i f t gest .
'I' m a v er y or d i n a r y p er son; Pa u l.' Ig nor i n g t ha t h e sa i d ,
'H ow cou l d I ha v e b een su ch a f ool i n t h e f i r st p la ce? I w a s ev en m or e b l i nd
t h en, f or I cou l d n't d i st in g u i sh b et w een t h e go l d a n d t he d r oss.' Tessa sa i d no t h i n g
a nd he w ent on, ' I w a s so f i l led w i t h l oa t h i n g w hen y ou ca m e b el iev i n g y ou t o b e
Lu cin d a , o f cou r se a nd y et I f el t t r i u m p h a nt t oo. Yo u see, I ha t ed her f r om t he
m o m ent she t hr ew m e ov er , a nd w h en I m a d e t h e o f f er t o t a k e her b a ck , t o
f or g i v e her , i t w a s m er el y i n t h e h op e t h a t I' d b e g i v en t h e o p p or t u n i t y f or
r ev eng e. It w a s a sl en d er hop e, f o r I k new Lu cin d a b y t h i s t i m e, a n d so y ou ca n
i m a g i n e m y su r p r ise w hen y ou a r r i v ed , a sk in g m y f o r g i v en ess.' H e p a u sed a n d
f r ow n ed . ' H ow I b l a m e m y sel f ! I shou ld ha v e k now n a t once t ha t i t w a sn't
Lu cin d a w h o ca m e, b u t I w a s so f i l l ed w it h b la ck h a t r ed a ga i n st her t ha t a l l I
co u ld concent r a t e o n w a s r ev enge; I m ea n t t o r ep a y her t en f ol d f or w ha t she
ha d d on e t o m e' H e b r ok e o f f a b r u p t ly a s Tessa sh u d d er ed a g a i nst h i m . 'M y
l ov e, d on't t r em b l e so . I' l l m a k e it u p , ha v e n o f ea r o f t ha t .'
'Ther e's not hi ng t o m a k e u p .' Sh e sm il ed a nd t ou ched h is f a ce b ef or e
t i m i d ly p u t t i n g her f i n ger s t o t he cor ner s o f h i s ey es. ' You ca n't b l a m e y ou r sel f ,
Pa u l . Ob v i ou sl y y ou w a nt ed r ev enge.' She r eca l l ed Lu ci nd a 's r em a r k i ng on
Pa u l 's p om p o sit y a nd sel f conceit w hen m a k i ng h i s o f f er or p a r d on, H o w l it t l e
Lu cin d a h a d k now n t h a t h i s o f f er w a s m a d e i n t he ho p e t ha t so m e d a y he m ig ht
b e a b l e t o v ent h i s d a r k v eng ea nce u p o n h er , A f t er a l i t t l e w h i l e a not her
t h ou ght occu r r ed t o her . 'Pa u l . .. .'
'Sw eet hea r t ?'
'A f t er t he i nci d ent o f t he sn a k e f o r a l i t t l e w h i l e y ou w er e so h a r sh w it h m e.
W a s i t b eca u se y o u w er e a ngr y a t b ei ng d u p ed ?'
H e nod d ed .
'A t f i r st I h a t ed y o u ev en m or e t ha n Lu ci n d a , I t hi n k f or b y y o u r a ct i o n
y ou 'd em p ha si zed m y hel p l essness, a nd b y hea v en, t ha t hu r t ! Tha t a g i r l cou l d go
a s f a r a s t o m a r r y m e, a nd l i v e w i t h m e, w i t hou t m y k n o w i ng I'd b een
hoo d w in k ed t ha t hu r t so m u ch I sa w r ed . A nd t he k no w l ed ge t h a t Joe w a s
a w a r e o f t h e d ecep t i on d id n't hel p , a s y ou ca n v er y w el l im a g i n e. I k ep t t o m y
ow n r o om , hop i ng I m a d e y ou su f f er , f or ob v i ou sl y y ou lo v ed m e. Bu t a s I d w el t
on y o u r a ct io n i n com i ng t o m e, w i l l i n g t o m a r r y a n d ca r e f or a b l i nd m a n , a s I
t h ou ght a b ou t y o u r l ov e a nd t h e t end er w a y y ou t r i ed t o sh a r e y ou r ey es w i t h
m e t hen I r ea l i zed how w a r p ed m y m i n d h a d b ecom e. I cou l d n 't m a k e y ou p a y
f or Lu cin d a 's cr i m e a nd y ou r o w n a s w el l .' H e p a u sed a n d k i ssed her t end er l y . 'By
y ou r lo v e a n d sw eet ness y ou l ed m e b a ck t o sa ni t y .Yo u r p a t ien ce, y ou r ho p e
t h a t w e'd so m e d a y he ha p p y ... .' H e sh oo k h i s hea d . 'Dea r est , it w o u ld ha v e
ser v ed m e r i gh t i f y ou 'd lef t m e.'
'I'd nev er h a v e d o ne t ha t , nev er .' She p a u sed m o m ent a nd t hen, 'Joe
sensed y ou r cool ness, b u t nei t h er o f u s cou l d f i nd a r ea son f or it . N o w o f co u r se I
u nd er st a n d .' A not h er sl i ght h esi t a t i on. 'P a u l , i f y o u k n ew I w a sn't Lu ci n d a , w hy
d i d n't y ou sa y som e t h i n g?'
'A s I sa i d , a t f ir st I ha t ed y ou f or t he d ecep t ion , a nd i n m y t w i st ed m in d I
d esi r ed o n l y t o hu r t y o u m or e hu r t Tessa t hi s t i m e, p u n i sh her f or m a r r y i ng m e.
Then, l a t er , w hen I k new how m u ch I ca r ed a nd I k n ew n o w t ha t I'd b een ca r in g
f or so m e t i m e a nd f i g h t i ng a ga i n st it I w a s f i l led w i t h f ea r t h a t o nce I r ev ea l ed
m y k now l ed ge, y ou w ou l d f eel so gu il t y a n d em b a r r a ssed t ha t y ou 'd l ea v e m e.
A nd a s I' d d i scov er ed b y t h i s t i m e t ha t I cou l d n't l iv e w i t h ou t y ou I k ep t q u i et .'
H e sm i l ed l ov i ng l y d ow n a t her . ' I r a t h er h op ed , m y d ea r est , t ha t y o u w ou l d t el l
m e y ou r sel f .'
'I see now t h a t y ou w a nt ed m e t o,' she m u r m u r ed , r eca l l i ng t ha t st r a nge
exp ect a ncy she h a d not i ced i n h i s m a n n er on, t he occa sio n o f h er l a st v i si t t o t h e
hosp i t a l .
'I d i d a nd m o st cer t a i n ly I w o u ld ha v e r ev ea led m y k no w l ed g e ha d I h a d
t h e sl ig ht est i nk l in g o f w h a t y o u w er e u p t o.' H i s d a r k ey es b eca m e st er n . 'H o ng
Kon g, i nd eed ! It 's a good t h in g y o u r f a t her d eci d ed t o see m e, f or i f y ou 'd p u t m e
t o t he t r ou b l e o f f o l low i n g y ou t o H o ng Kong I' d h a v e g i v en y ou som et h i ng t o
r em em b er !'
Tessa m er el y sn u g g led clo se a n d m u r m u r ed p l a ci d l y , 'You 'd ha v e f ol lo w ed
m e t o H ong Kong ?'
'I'd f o l l ow y ou t o t he end s o f t he ea r t h! ' H i s v oi ce w a s v ib r a nt w i t h
em ot io n a n d f or t he t hi r d t i m e Tessa sa w h i m a s a l l Gr eek , st r ong,p a ssi o na t e,
p ossessiv e. 'To t h e end s o f t he ea r t h a n d b ey ond .'