‘My pappoú was a carpenter and I spent a lot of time with him. You go now and get a good spot on the quayside. I’ve got customers to serve.’
The light was fading fast as Cassia, Tom and Eléni made their way down to the harbour. The sky had turned a deep apricot as the sun’s orb sank further into the horizon and the lights on the small boats in the harbour gave the place a magical feel. Cassia had been right. There were fewer lights than in other years, but lots of fishermen had still made an effort, most likely because of the significance of the day.
Tom smiled at her, his hazel-green eyes crinkling at the edges.
‘This is wonderful. I’m glad I didn’t miss this.’
‘You should feel at home here on this day. Remember me telling you it’s to celebrate Saint Nikolaos. He is the patron saint of Greece and the protector of seamen and sailors like you. Today is the first day we start decorating our homes forChristoúgennaand soon you will see decorated boats in everyhome, not just with the children. Michaíl will set one up and light a candle in the middle of it by the time we return home.’
‘So this is a Tom Day after all.’
They walked to the spot in front of the ship chandler’s where Cassia had arranged to meet Eugenia and Maia.
They were both wrapped up warm for the crisp, clear evening and Maia held up her decorated boat with pride.
‘You’ve arrived at just the right time.’ Eugenia kissed her sister on each cheek and pointed to the harbour. ‘Look, the lights are coming on in the boats.’ The little girls watched in awe. The sun had now completely set and the harbour was transformed into an array of twinkling lights from tiny lamps.
‘I think you can eat some of your sweets now.’
The two girls picked out one sweet at a time and compared what they had. Eléni’s face altered when she found something strange at the bottom of her boat. She brought out Michaíl’s drachma and held it up. Tom pretended to eat it, and everyone laughed.
‘It’s a very old tradition here on the island,’ said Eugenia. ‘Remember how we used to squabble about who would find the drachma each year. We didn’t realise if one of us had it one year, it would be the other one’s turn the next year. Why Mamá didn’t put a coin in each boat, I’ll never know.’
The girls resumed eating their sweets.
‘Would you like one, Mamá?’ asked Maia.
Eléni did the same. Cassia noticed it was Tom who got the first pick.
The crowd dispersed, so they walked back to Taverna Zervas, glad to leave the cold outside. Michaíl was playing the board game he loved and called over to them.
‘It was a good sight, eh? Did you like it?’
‘They did,efcharistó, Michaíl. And the sweets in the boats.’
He turned to his playing friends and pointed at Eléni as they all left the bar to sit in the kitchen. ‘You should see that one playing Tavlí.’
‘Would you like a coffee to warm you before you go?’ asked Cassia.
‘No, thank you,’ said Eugenia. ‘I must get this one off to bed. We’ll see you soon.’
Cassia walked them to the door. They said their goodbyes, then Cassia turned to Eléni.
‘And you,agápi mou.’
Eléni nodded and hugged Tom. ‘To-o . . .’
Cassia gasped. ‘Did you try to say “Tom”? Good girl. I knew you could.’
Tom smiled at Eléni. He pointed at her, then himself, and clapped his hands.
‘I’d leave it for tonight,’ he whispered to Cassia as Eléni made her way to the door. ‘Let’s see if there’s any more tomorrow.’
Without thinking, she kissed him and went to get Eléni ready for bed. When she rejoined him, Tom had made two coffees.
‘I’m surprised you know how to make Greek coffee.’ She eyed the copperbrikion the stove. ‘But I’m very pleased you do. Thank you.’ She sipped the strong, sweet liquid, cupping her hands around the tiny cup.
‘My brother is married to a Greek woman and the last time I was home, she showed me how. I thought I’d told you I had a Greek sister-in-law. Katerina. That’s how I know a bit of the language. They have two boys, Antonios, known as Tony, and Filippos, who we call Philip or Phil.’
