Page 94 of The Silent Sister


Font Size:

Amara held her head down and clung to her father’s legs. Her shyness reminded her of another little girl at a similar age.

‘You must be Kyriá Beynon.’ The older man had been waiting patiently to shake everyone’s hand. ‘Kostas Koulouris. It’s very good to meet you in person. You know who I am. You’ve met our beautiful Amara and I can tell from your reaction who she reminds you of.’

Cassia nodded as her eyes blurred with tears once more. ‘The spitting image.’

Theo looked at his watch. ‘I think we should all take our seats. They’ll be here soon. If we leave the two middle ones free, Eléni and Simos can talk with us all. Those were his instructions to me anyway.’

Cassia warmed to the young man. To him and the Koulouris family, everything seemed completely natural — a family meal together — but to her, it had much more significance. Her stomach still churned. Her eyes were fixed on the top of the stairs in anticipation of Eléni’s arrival. As always, she knew Tom sensed her turmoil. He squeezed her hand.

‘Here they are!’ Bronwen squealed. Pushing back her chair, she rushed to give her sister a bear hug.

Eléni’s mouth fell open. Her eyes were wide, as if she didn’t believe what she was seeing. ‘Bron! What on...’

Spotting everyone else, she rushed over and hugged her mother. ‘Mamá! Baba! What are you all doing here? I had no idea.’

Both mother and daughter had tears pouring down their cheeks.

‘Come here,cariad. Time for a bigcwtchfrom your old baba, I think.’

Cassia watched as her daughter greeted everyone, kissing them on both cheeks the Greek way with such excitement. She knew she’d done the right thing by returning to Kefalonia.

‘I think I’d better introduce myself as your daughter has neglected to do so. Simos Georgatos.’ He beamed at them.

Cassia shook his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you, Simos. I understand from my sister this is all down to you.Efcharistó.’ Bronwen stood behind him with her eyes full of admiration for this handsome young Greek. She was clearly dying to be introduced. ‘And this is Bronwen, our other daughter.’

Surprisingly, Bron appeared tongue-tied and answered a simple, ‘Hiya.’

They all found their seats again. Eléni sat between Kostas and Bronwen, facing Simos who’d placed himself by Cassia and Theo.

The waiter took their orders and the conversation flowed. Eléni sparkled. From the adoring looks her daughter gave Simos, Cassia knew straight away he was much more than a friend. They were completely at ease with one another. Cassia’s heart raced. It was clear to her Eléni had fallen in love, not only with a beautiful Greek man but with Kefalonia itself and, from the look of it, her birth family too. Halfway through the main course, Cassia excused herself and went to the cloakroom.

Bronwen followed her. ‘Everything all right, Mamá?’

Cassia brushed away the tears. ‘Yes. You go back. I’ll follow you soon.’

‘He’s gorgeous, isn’t he? Eléni’s got a catch there. I wonder if he’s got some younger brothers.’ Cassia smiled at her younger daughter who was oblivious to why she’d had to leave the table.I hope not. I couldn’t lose another daughter.

Bronwen left Cassia to splash cold water on her eyes and return to the others soon afterwards. Everyone was deep inconversation and it was only Tom who looked in her direction and mouthed, ‘You okay?’

Cassia nodded. She relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the meal. It felt good to be back doing what Greeks did best — eating and drinking together as a family. Eléni’s birth family side by side with the one who had brought her up. While the night went on and the wine flowed, the laughter and noise level rose. Finishing the meal with her favourite baklavá and a strong coffee, followed by a mantola liqueur, Cassia regretted her earlier panic.

The restaurant slowly emptied with groups of people drifting away until their party was the only one left. Lights twinkled along the edge of the wooden verandah and glowed below them in each of the oleander trees lining the pathway up to the restaurant. Cassia thought how perfect the setting was and whatever the future held for Eléni and Simos, she knew she would never stay away from her beautiful island for as long again.

Simos had insisted on paying for everyone despite Tom’s offer to share the bill. ‘No. It’s not the Greek way. My treat for Eléni. Bringing her two families together has been my pleasure.’

Kostas took Cassia’s hand. ‘You may have helped my dear niece find us, but it’s this wonderful couple who we have to thank for looking after her.’

Cassia whispered, ‘Efcharistó, Kostas.’ Apart from little Amara asleep in her father’s arms, there was hardly a dry eye among them.

They left after making arrangements to meet the next day for the thanksgiving service at a church in Argostoli. Eléni had managed to get the Sunday off work by swapping it with her usual shift on Monday. Simos was going to Old Farsa to have some private time remembering his family, too.

Eléni pulled her mother to one side, away from the others. She hugged Cassia. ‘Efcharistó, Mamá. Thank you for coming tosee me here. It means so much. I know how hard it must have been. I’m so, so sorry for all the hurt I caused when I found out.’

Cassia buried her head in Eléni’s chest. ‘I’m sorry, too. I’ve been far too protective of you. Tonight has been proof you had every right to find your family,Elenáki mou. It’s lovely to see you so happy.’

‘And I’m so pleased you’ve met Simos, too. Isn’t he wonderful?’

She knew then her daughter’s future was there in Kefalonia with the man she loved. Cassia thought of the love she’d had for Nikos and how she’d have followed him anywhere. And hadn’t she followed her gorgeous Tom to Wales? It was Eléni’s turn now.