Eléni nodded.
The man agreed for them to have the room ‘because of Nikos’. He and Cassia agreed the terms. She would clean the taverna and make food each evening. Eléni could be with her as long as she didn’t get in the way. She would help out in the barwhen it got busy. ‘But there’s no fear of that at the moment. It’s getting harder for everyone here on the island to find an extra drachma or two for their ouzos. Even the old men come less often.’
They shook hands. ‘Michaíl Pavlis.’
‘Efcharistó, Kýrios Pavlis. I came to Fiscardo because everything where we lived in Argostoli was destroyed in the earthquake. We were homeless. We’ve been staying with my sister until now. She has a place in the next bay. Her husband came back and I could not stay there a moment longer. I think you will know him. Georgios Papadatos.’
The old man’s mouth gaped open. He banged the bar with his fist. ‘Pah! Fascist pig! He caused so much trouble for Nikos.’
‘Shh!’ Cassia made it clear she didn’t want Eléni to hear. Michaíl raised his hand.
It was as Cassia thought. Opposite political views, completely different men. Georgios gets to live, but poor Nikos lost his life because of what he believed in.
Cassia told Michaíl about her stall in the market and he agreed to let her use the kitchen to bake her signature spinach-and-feta pies.
‘And in return, you leave some for me, eh?’ He laughed and patted his large stomach.
Cassia laughed, too. She had a feeling she was going to like this man.
While the adults talked, Eléni was distracted by a pretty grey-and-black cat that had entered the bar and wound itself around her legs. She tugged on Cassia’s skirt.
‘Ah, he is so pretty. What is its name?’ asked Cassia.
‘Kynigós. He is the best hunter of mice I’ve ever had. Let me show you the room.’
Michaíl led Cassia and Eléni up to the room that was to become their new home. In contrast to the darkness of the bardownstairs, this room was light and airy, with a wonderful view of the harbour and Ithaca in the distance. There was a large double bed in the centre of the room, draped with a hand-embroidered white coverlet. A bowl of dried lavender had been placed on the chest of drawers to the side of the window. A light breeze wafted the smell towards Cassia. It reminded her of her mother’s bedroom when she was young.
‘Is this all right? It was all my wife Cora’s doing. She embroidered the bedspread before we got married, so it is very old now. I’ll get the small fold-up bed for the little one,’ said Michaíl. He hurried out of the room, but not before Cassia noticed how his rheumy eyes had filled with tears.
She walked to the window and watched the fishermen as they mended their nets by the quayside, their hauls of fish from early-morning expeditions all sold. Some stood and chatted while they smoked their cigarettes. Life went on as normal for some of the inhabitants of this most northerly part of the island, yet in Argostoli, life would never be the same again. Her thoughts were interrupted by Michaíl struggling through the door with Eléni’s bed.
‘I’ll put it in this corner for you,agápi mou. Your mamá will put the sheets on for you.’
Eléni pointed at the door and mimed stroking her arm, then pointed at her bed.
‘You want Kynigós to sleep on your bed like Callista did?’ asked Cassia. Eléni nodded, her eyes wide. ‘I think Kynigós sleeps outside in the yard. He goes out at night and catches all the mice for Michaíl. You can play with her once you’re downstairs. Callista was a kitten and hadn’t learned to do that yet.’
The little girl looked disappointed, but nodded as if she understood.
‘Thank you for taking me on. I will work hard for you. The room is lovely — the bedcover especially. Your wife is very clever.’
The old man took Cassia’s hand. ‘She died seven years ago. I still cannot sleep in this room without her. She did all the cooking and the cleaning. I just served in the bar. I tried, but I cannot do it. So, it is me who should thank you. Nikos’s wife, eh?’
Later that afternoon, Cassia and Eléni went back to the stall in the market. Rhea was still there, but was packing away for the day.
‘Any luck with Kýria Galanos?’
‘No, she turned me away by just looking at me. My mother had told her I was trouble, apparently. And on no account did she want a child in her house.’
Rhea sighed. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know where else to suggest. We haven’t got the room or else I’d say you could come to us. What are you going to do?’
Cassia told her about being taken on by Michaíl Pavlis. ‘He seems nice. And the best bit is once I’ve finished the cleaning, I can cook for the stall and continue to earn some money. I’ll see you tomorrow. I must get to the butcher. I’ve promised Michaíl moussaka tonight so I need some lamb to mince.’
* * *
This is our life now,Elenáki mou.Cassia watched Eléni as she slept.I know you miss being with Maia, but I had no choice.She missed Eugenia’s company too, but, because Georgios had given her no other option, she was back to fending for herself and relying on no one. Michaíl seemed to revel in having company again and fell into the role of an adoringpappoúfigure for Eléni. While Cassia went about the household chores, she would often find them playing a game of Tavlí.
‘Remember, she’s only three, Michaíl.’ Cassia heard him explain the rules for the umpteenth time or gently scold her for throwing the dice down too hard.
