Cassia jerked forward in her seat. ‘Take your time. They roam everywhere.’
Cassia thought back to the first telephone call she’d made to her sister. Eugenia had been thrilled. She’d been sworn to secrecy and now it was just Eléni who knew nothing about their visit. Cassia thought back to what Bronwen had said. She knew the girls were writing to each other and Bronwen had promised to keep it a surprise, too. When she’d last spoken to Eugenia, her sister had told her Eléni’s friend had booked a meal in arestaurant supposedly just for the two of them and he wanted her family there as a surprise. Tomorrow they would see their daughter again.
It wasn’t long before they were entering the beautiful village of Fiscardo. She remembered how apprehensive she’d been when she’d left for Athens to marry Tom, before emigrating to Wales. In her head, she was back at Eugenia’s smallholding one last time, intending to tell her sister her plans, but instead facing her mother, introducing Eléni to her for the first time. Eléni had clung to Cassia’s skirts as if she’d sensed disapproval from her grandmother.
‘Doesn’t she have anything to say for herself, then? A bit different to her cousin here. You always have plenty to say to Yiayiá, don’t you, Maia?’ Her mother had pulled the little girl onto her lap and stared at Eléni.
‘She’s just shy.’ Annoyed at herself for making an excuse, Cassia gathered up Eléni and left without telling Eugenia her plans. Now, here she was, returning not as a Greek citizen but as a visitor, just like the many others who would be coming to commemorate the twenty years since the island had been decimated.
Eugenia rushed out to unlock the gates and enveloped Cassia in the tightest hug.
Both women had tears streaming down their faces. ‘I’m sorry, Cass. We should never have left it so long.’
‘I’m sorry too. It’s as much my fault as yours. If Mamá hadn’t been there, I would have told you I was leaving face to face. That’s why I came.’
‘I know. But it was a shock to find out from your letter. But let’s forget about that now.’
Cassia turned to see Bronwen standing there while Tom unpacked the car. ‘This is our lovely daughter, Bronwen. Bron.’
‘There’s no doubt who you are,agápi mou. You are the image of your baba. And Tom.Efcharistó.It was you who persuaded my sister to return, I think.’
Entering the house was like going back in time. Cassia could see her sister had recently decorated the rooms. It was bright and fresh, but it was still the family home. She chose to remember the happy times when she and Eugenia were children, and suppress the heartache of the last time she’d been there after her father had found out about Nikos and banished her from the family. She shuddered.
‘I’ve put you and Tom in your old room, and Bronwen in Maia’s. Do you remember the view from the back of the house? You can see the sea in the distance. I always envied you.’
There was an awkwardness between the sisters despite their apologies. How could Cassia make Eugenia realise she was sorry? ‘Thanks, Eugenia. It feels strange to be back, but I’m so glad Tom and Bron persuaded me. We can talk face to face now.’
* * *
After their meal, Tom and Bronwen left them to it. They walked into Fiscardo and he took her down to the pretty harbour where they looked at the variety of boats and yachts before stopping for a drink in one of the tavernas.
‘We didn’t order any olives or pistachios, did we, Baba? Perhaps they’re not for us.’
Tom laughed. ‘You’ll find the Greeks always serve little snacks with drinks. My beer, your orange juice and something to nibble on. What do you think about the place?’
Bronwen speared another two olives on a cocktail stick. ‘It’s so beautiful. I’m glad I know where Mamá is from. I know she doesn’t like the idea, but I mean it when I say I don’t think Eléni will leave it.’
Tom’s face became serious. ‘Has she said anything, then?’
‘Not in so many words, but I think things between her and this Simos are getting serious.’
‘Well, as much as I don’t want her to, many daughters her age have left home and are married with children. After the upset earlier this year, I just want her to be happy. And you’ll be off to uni soon, so it will just be Mamá and me.’
‘So you can visit Eléni as often as you want.’
‘You mean you want free Greek holidays. Come on, drink up. I’ll get the bill.’
* * *
When they got back to Eugenia’s house, the two sisters were sitting out on the terrace, chatting. ‘We’re out here,’ said Cassia. ‘Come and see this amazing sunset.’
Tom and Bronwen joined them. By then the sky was a deep apricot, streaked with scarlet and coral. They all watched in awed silence as the fiery orange ball sank behind the silhouette of Ithaca and disappeared.
Bronwen turned to her mother. ‘Wow! I’ve never seen anything so spectacular. Aren’t you glad Baba persuaded you to come now if only to see that?’
Cassia laughed. ‘Yes, Bron. I’m so pleased I came.’ She turned and took Eugenia’s hand. ‘We’ve had a great time catching up, haven’t we?’
‘We have.’ Eugenia grinned at her sister. ‘After all the years apart and our silly rows, we’ve realised that nothing can break the bond between us.’