There was a lot she didn’t know about the handsome man sitting next to her, and yet she seemed to have known him forever. There was no doubt in her mind he would be the one who would get Eléni talking if anyone could. Eléni adored him.
‘I can’t believe she almost spoke your name. It wasn’t me imagining it, was it?’
‘No, it’s the first time I’ve heard her try to say anything. It’s why I don’t think we should put pressure on her. Maybe after doing things that she loves, like tonight, it will relax her and she’ll try more words. “Mamá”, for instance.’ Tom took Cassia’s hand and brought it up to his lips. A tingle surged through her. ‘You’d love that, wouldn’t you?’
‘More than anything. I still can’t refer to myself as Mamá, though. Eugenia does all the time.’
‘Then you should, too. You’re all she’s got. Youareher mamá now.’
They sat, still holding hands.
‘Efcharistófor today. I have loved every minute of being back with you both. I’ve hated being away from you. And Eléni,’ he quickly added.
She’d missed him too, more than she dared to admit. There was no point in allowing herself to think of being more than a friend to him. In no time at all, he’d be back to Malta and it would be just her and Eléni again.
He took her hand to his lips again. ‘Cassia, I have to tell you something.’
Cassia’s heart raced, anticipating what he was going to say.
‘You must have guessed... I’ve fallen in love with you. You’re all I think about.’ He put his hand to her cheek and gently stroked it.
Cassia didn’t pull away. She didn’t say anything at first. Her insides flipped. She’d been in denial, not admitting what Sophia and Michaíl had seen. ‘I thought you were being a very dear friend. I bet you have a girl to love in every port. Isn’t it what they say about sailors?’
She realised she was being flippant and Tom waited to hear what she really thought.
‘I’m very touched. I think of you all the time too, but not in that way. I do love you, but I am notin lovewith you. Does that sound cruel to say?’ She hesitated, knowing her feelings for him had changed. Perhaps she was falling in love with him after all, but, with Tom’s ship leaving soon, a future together was impossible. ‘I don’t want you to think the holding hands and kisses on cheeks can mean anything more. I shouldn’t have kissed you on the lips earlier, even if it was brief. I was just so thrilled by Eléni attempting to say your name. I’m sorry if that prompted you to say this.’
Tom placed her hand back on the table.
‘I’d hoped you’d feel the same. I’m glad you’ve been honest about your feelings, but your kiss had nothing to do with it. I almost told you before I left back in September.’ He paused and sucked in a deep breath. ‘The main thing is we stay as we are. Good friends. I’ll have to be happy with that. And, hey, we’ll get our little girl talking whatever it takes. Friends?’
He raised his hand for her to clap.
‘Friends.’
He stood to go. They embraced and as her heart beat faster, Cassia wondered if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life. No man could replace Nikos, her first love. But he wouldn’t want her to be lonely. She was convinced Nikos would have liked Tom. In many ways they were alike — kind, caring, loved children, and there was another thing binding the two men together. Each had been and was in love with her.
‘Kalinýchta,Cassia. I shall see you tomorrow. That little girl upstairs is going to give you the best Christmas present by starting to talk.’
They walked into the bar where Michaíl was clearing up and washing glasses. All the elderly drinkers had gone.
‘Will we see you tomorrow, Tom?’ He smiled at Cassia again. ‘This young lady has had a spring in her step and a sparkle in those lovely brown eyes since you arrived. Is there something you’re not telling me?’
Cassia blushed. ‘No, we just like each other’s company, don’t we, Tom? Just friends.’
Tom nodded in agreement, putting his arm around her shoulders. He’d got the gist of what Michaíl had said. ‘We go through a lot in the earthquake, eh? We save Eléni. We do not forget it. Yes, we are just good friends.’ Cassia was close enough to hear him whisper under his breath in English, ‘More’s the pity.’
‘Kalinýchta,Michaíl.’
Cassia walked Tom to the door and watched him walk away. The sky was an inky indigo and dotted with diamond-like stars. She looked heavenwards.
Nikos, what have I done? He’s a good man. Why can’t I love him the way I loved you?
Chapter Sixteen
Tom didn’t mention their conversation about his love for her again. As each day passed, the awkwardness between them lessened, and they fell back into their easy friendship. Tom would call by each morning and spend time with Eléni. He would tell her fairy stories or stories about Welsh dragons while she drew them. When Cassia returned from the market, she would often find them laughing together. Sometimes she would stand and watch if they were unaware she was there. One such morning, neither of them heard her enter the kitchen; they were so engrossed in Eléni’s latest drawing.They could so easily be father and daughter,thought Cassia.
‘M-am-á.’ Tom pointed at a figure Eléni had drawn. He took the little girl’s pencil and wrote the lettermon her paper.
