‘Girls.We’ll call again soon when we’ve done some more digging.’
‘OK.’
My head is spinning as I end the call. I sit heavily on my bed as I process it all. Konstantine came back to Santorini – why? Did he come to visit Gran? Maybe he paid her the money back? Or was he snooping around? Worse, did he threaten her formoremoney?
Then it hits me. Georgios was at the airport picking up Lucy, and ever since then he’s behaved strangely in front of Gran. He must’ve seen Konstantine with his new lady friend!
With a long sigh I open my phone and text him:
Did you see Konstantine at the airport when you picked up Lucy?
Ellipses appear and then the message pops up.
I’m sorry, Evie. I didn’t know how to tell Floretta. He was with another woman.
Gah, I knew it. Why wouldn’t he have pulled me aside and confided in me? Or given Gran a heads up? Did he plan to simply turn a blind eye?
You should have told me.
There’s a longer wait for the next message. My mind goes into overdrive wondering if I’ll have to be the one to tell Gran. And something tells me this isn’t going to come as a shock for the beloved octogenarian. Gran may not know the full story, but I’m sure she knows pieces and has been puzzling over them since Konstantine left.
I was going to – but I held off because if my family found out Kon had abandoned her I worried that would really put the nail in the coffin for the property and they’d sell, knowing that no salary was coming as promised. We had to focus on the launch and I definitely wasn’t going to be the one who announced bad news on such a big night for Floretta. I promised myself I’d tell her this morning but I couldn’t do it. I can’t be the one who breaks her heart.
I relax and text back:
OK that makes sense.
He’s not a monster. I put myself in his shoes. He’s an empathetic human who struggled to make sense of a hard situation. I’d have probably made matters much worse by blurting it out or sending a lengthy email that skirted around the issue for seven pages before finally adding it at the end in super small font. No one with a heart wants to be the bearer of such bad news.
My phone rings. It’s Georgios.
‘I’m sorry, Evie. I feel so bad for Floretta. What can I do to help?’ His velvety voice is thick with concern. He really is one of the good ones.
‘It’s OK. Gran will be all right. Mom’s working on it from back home too so it’s not a complete shock – I’m fairly sure if we know by now then Gran’s got an idea too.’ I don’t tell him about the missing money. It’s so huge and not my secret to tell.
‘His name is going to be mud around here whenever this comes to light.’
From what I gather, the locals don’t take too kindly to men running off. If only they knew that he’s done more than run off with another woman, he’s drained Gran’s bank account in the process. ‘At least that’s something.’
‘See you later? Dinner?’
I consider it. Now I know the truth I want to stay close to Gran to make sure she’s not hiding her broken heart behind a fake smile. But first I’ll catch up with Roxy so Gran can nap in the peace and quiet.
I beg off with promises to meet another time.
Chapter 28
Summer heat bears down as I make the arduous cycle to the beach, the water like a mirage the closer I get. I’m desperate to plunge myself into the sea to cool down. I chain up my bike and walk down to the shore. Roxy’s on her back, book held aloft shading her face.
‘Are you reading or using that for sun protection?’
‘A bit of both.’
I check the title.
‘Is that a personally signed Lucy Strike?’
‘It is. The woman sure loves a sex scene. This is more like soft porn than romantic suspense. How does every situation turn into sex, even after the murders, like ew.’
