The light was fading fast and the city’s night face was coming alive like little stars switched on by an invisible higher force. They went straight to the veranda. Elli stood up and went to greet them.
‘I’m very glad to meet you at last.’
‘Mrs Symitzis, it’s an honour.’
‘Katerina, please. I’m not the Archbishop. And please call me Elli.’
‘OK, Elli. It’s a pleasure.’
‘That’s better. Come and join me.’ Elli said and, with Katerina and Aristo following close behind, walked back towards the table and chairs set on the best vantage point of the verandah and enjoying an uninterrupted view of the sea and the city below, a veritable West-South-East feast and, so as not to offend any direction of the compass, if you looked to the North you could just about make out in the distance the Troodos mountain range standing tall and proud.
They all sat down and there was a short but comfortable silence as they all admired the view. As if on cue, Mrs Manto appeared with a very respectable spread, fit for a regiment. Aristo looked at his mother and smiled. She smiled back. Katerina noticed and her face joined in.
With Mrs Manto setting the table and chatting away, Aristo turned to Katerina and with a quick look at Mrs Manto could not resist enlightening Katerina on Mrs Manto’s wily and bossy but generous ways.
‘Mrs Manto has been feeding us since we were kids. You’ve seen nothing yet. It’s amazing half the animal and plant kingdoms are not extinct. She believes that everybody’s malnourished and needs fattening up. It’s a miracle we are not able to roll down the hill to the beach by now.’
Mrs Manto paused from her task and reached to pull Aristo’s ear.
‘Aristo, I’m constantly amazed by your talent of finding new ways to show your affection. You know how much I adore you too, you scoundrel.’
Aristo just laughed and the others laughed too. Elli broke the spell.
‘Thank you, Mrs Manto.’
‘The tea is getting cold. I know, I know.’ Mrs Manto’s face pretended to be stern, but you could not miss the twinkle and warm smile in her eyes.
‘Mrs Manto, I’ve always known you are not just a pretty face.’
‘Thanks, it’s sweet to be appreciated.’
Mrs Manto smiled at them and started to walk away, but half-turning she declared in a voice that tolerated no objection.
‘Remember I want to see empty plates.’
Elli turned to Katerina.
‘I can never tire of all this mothering. I’ve had enough time to get used to it and get hooked. I’ve known her all my life and, my dear Katerina, I will not lie to you, that’s a long time. Don’t be fooled by this.’ She touched her hair. ‘It all comes out of a bottle. I’ve never had plastic surgery, though. This is my real and pure face and neck. Thank you, God, for small mercies; there are some decent genes somewhere in there. Now my dear, tell me a little about you.’
Katerina smiled at Elli. ‘Elli, I’m sure you know everything about me and my family already.’
‘Too true.’ Elli half-turned to Aristo, still smiling at Katerina. ‘Aristo, she’s smart and beautiful. An unbeatable combination.’ She caught the looks Katerina and Aristo gave each other. They were in love. It was a good match. She had planned it, but it happened anyway. It saved her the trouble. And Aristo was happy. She couldn’t want anything more for her son. She could not be happier.
‘Elli, your house is magnificent. The moment you arrive you can almost hear its seductive call, the invitation to fall in its arms and to be hugged tight. Of course that is only partly due to the house itself, which, even from a brief acquaintance, shows the love and care that has been lavished on it. But it’s your warm welcome that makes all the difference. Thank you for the kindness you’ve shown to me. As you’ve just met me, I’m touched and overwhelmed.’
‘Thank you. I like you already.’ Elli declared, looking around the table and then at Katerina, an amused smile forming at her mouth, colouring her face and pulling at her eyes, transforming them into pools of liquid warmth for the young woman sitting opposite her.
Elli was not easily impressed, but she was a good judge of character and could see Katerina was sincere. But most important was that Katerina was her son’s choice and that was what mattered. Elli had already decided that Katerina would be welcomed into the family. She was already beginning to be taken in by Katerina.
She wondered whether Katerina could see in her eyes the open invitation into her heart. Then again Elli could be a foolishly sentimental woman. And yet she wanted to know more about this charming and intriguing woman who seemed to have captured her son’s heart.
‘This house certainly has a very special place in all our hearts. It’s part of us and yet it will most probably still be here long after we are gone, to, hopefully, nourish and shelter generations to come.’
Katerina wanted to know more about the house. ‘How long has this house stood here?’
‘For about eighty years now.’
‘In a strange way it looks as if it was built yesterday. It must have been so much ahead of its time.’ Katerina’s comment brought a huge smile to Elli’s face. Katerina was left in no doubt of Elli’s pride in this very special house.
‘It certainly was. But, modern though it was when it was built, as you might imagine it has been renovated a few times throughout the years.’
Katerina shifted in her seat and her scarf came slightly undone revealing the area just above her breasts. Elli did a double-take. She didn’t want to be seen to stare, so she averted her eyes. But her mind was on the pendant hanging on Katerina’s neck. Could it really be the pendant? Could it be the real thing?
‘Would you excuse me for a moment?’ Elli said in a relaxed manner and, smiling warmly to hide her shock, she, slowly, got up and went inside and straight to the library. She called Iraklios.
‘Iraklios, that story you told me the other day… I think the pendant with the cross attached to it has just cropped up.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You won’t believe it, but it’s hanging around the neck of Aristo’s girlfriend.’
‘Katerina?’
‘Yes.’ Elli paused. She missed nothing. Iraklios just gave himself away; the name and his tone were clear signs of his betrayal, she thought amused. ‘Iraklios, you have met her already, haven’t you?’
‘I confess that yes. Aristo wanted my opinion. The three of us had lunch a couple of weeks ago.’
‘I will not pretend to be offended that you met her before me. The two of you have always been as thick as thieves.’ Elli paused and when she continued she feigned hurt. ‘But I do feel a little bit hurt at this blatant act of betrayal. Though, I think, I’ll get over it.’ Elli became serious. ‘Did you not notice the pendant back then?’
‘She was wearing a high neckline dress at the time and a scarf over it, so no, I didn’t see anything.’
‘If you saw it, would you recognise it?’
‘I believe that I would.’
‘I think you should come over straight away.’
‘I’ll be there in about half an hour.’
Elli went back outside and joined the others. They were talking about Katerina’s recent tour of the Far East on a buying trip for her father’s company when Iraklios appeared.
‘Hello everyone.’
Elli had not warned them, so it was a surprise. Iraklios greeted them all, but saved special affection for Katerina, hopefully soon to be the new member of the family.
‘My dear, it’s very good to see you again. My day looks brighter already.’
Katerina smiled and thanked him. Elli could not resist teasing him and threw a scathing remark in his direction.
‘Iraklios, sit down. You’ve embarrassed us all already. Katerina may not be used to your killer charm, but we know you and like us she will learn not to be susceptible to your compliments. Yet I may be underestimating her. I think she can see through you too.’
Katerina reached across the table and touched Elli’s arm affectionately in a placating gesture. ‘It’s alright Elli.
