Olive island

by Kay Thorpe

  'This is why you have gone so pale?' he asked, studying her with more curiosity than sympathy. 'Do you not think the view worthy of the climb?'

  `It's superb.' She turned her head to look at it again, carefully avoiding a direct look downwards over the dangerously low parapet. 'In fact it's almost too perfect

  to be real. I've never seen the sea shade so many different blues before.'

  `In places it is very deep,' he answered. 'And there are many currents. It is a pity that time is so short. We might have taken a boat and explored the caves.'

  `A pity,' she echoed, resolving to try and arrange some such exploration for those who would make the trip here on Thursday. Caves had a fascination for most people.

  Their retsina arrived in a bottle accompanied by two glasses and a carafe of water. Dino poured a little of the water for each of them first to quench the thirst before half filling each glass with the wine and adding more water. Nicky tasted hers hesitantly, the smell of pine strong in her nostrils. Rather surprisingly, once the first mouthful had gone down, she found that she quite liked it, although it was totally different from any other kind of wine she had ever tasted.

  `Well, I don't think I'd want too much of it at once,' she said. But it's not at all bad.'

  Dino grinned at her as he topped up his own glass. `We shall make a Greek of you yet. Will you not try one of these?' indicating a small dish of dark green shining objects which had been brought along with the order. `They are dates wrapped in vine leaves and dipped in olive oil. Very tasty. No? Then perhaps I can order you something else?'

  `No, thanks, I'm not hungry.' Nicky tok up her glass and sat back to glance about her, the queasiness in her stomach subsiding as her senses adjusted themselves. There was a party of French students at the next table, and beyond them a family group of four who both looked and sounded Italian. The place was quite

  crowded, but so far as she could gather she was the only English person present.

  'Shall you return to Kerkyra after this season?' asked Dino unexpectedly. 'Or do you go somewhere different?'

  'Yes,' she said. mean, yes it will be somewhere

  different—if I stay on with the Company.' She gave him a smile which was just a little too bright. 'It's one way of seeing the world. Or part of it, at any rate.'

  'It is not my way,' he admitted. 'There is too little freedom, too many responsibilities.'

  `Oh, I don't know. There aren't that many restrictions. And I like meeting so many different people.'

  'You are good with people,' he said. watched you that night when I came to the hotel; I was there for a long time before you saw me. I am not good with people.' His teeth flashed. 'Only with women. Those I like

  She had to laugh. 'You make it fairly obvious.'

  'Why should I not do so? A woman desires to be admired or why would she take so much trouble with her appearance?'

  'That's hardly true of me at the moment,' she said ruefully, aware that her hair was a mess and her skin shining with heat. 'It's lucky I'm not out to impress you.'

  'You are not? That is not very flattering.'

  'Sorry. I suppose I lack your finesse.' She looked at him steadily. 'You don't have to feel obliged to keep up the image all the time, Dino. My ego will survive the occasional lapse.'

  His shrug was good humouredly resigned. 'You have changed your mind about how much you are attracted to me. Is this what you are trying to tell me?'

  `If you like.' It was certainly the nearest she was likely to get to making her meaning clear. 'It's possible to be friends without the involvement, isn't it?'

  `Possible, yes, only not as pleasant.' His gaze rested with deliberation on her mouth. 'There has never been even the one kiss between us. Do you save them for the man you will love?'

  Something seemed to close in her throat. 'Not essentially. I may not be destined to fall in love.'

  The dark eyes were suddenly as shrewd and penetrating as his mother's had been the night before, and he looked more like Nikos than ever. 'I think you are wrong. I think that at this moment you are uncertain of your own heart.'

  She said swiftly, 'If you're going to go in for fortune-telling you should have a crystal ball. Isn't it time we were going?'

  `If you say it is.' He was on his feet in an instant, and coming round to draw back her chair. 'I am sorry that I pry too deeply.'

  `You didn't. There's nothing for you to pry into.' Nicky found a smile and used it. 'I'm hot, I'm tired, and I'm just a bit irritable. Put it all down to the weather. How long will it take us to get to Perata from here?'

  `An hour — unless you wish me to hurry.'

  `No,' she said hastily. 'An hour will do fine.'

  It actually took them seventy minutes, making it just gone six-thirty when the village came into sight. The first thing to catch Nicky's eye as they rounded the corner of the courtyard, was the white Citroen parked over by the wall. Her heart missed a beat, and she knew

  that she changed expression for Dino threw her an inquisitive glance as he brought them to a standstill before the doors.

  'You think that Nikos is here because you do not return with him?'

  I don't know.' She tried to shrug it off. `He would wonder where I'd got to, I suppose, and come down to make sure I'd got back. Your brother is nothing if not considerate that way.'

  'And you do not like this consideration in a man?'

  'It can get a bit wearying.' She got out of the car. 'Thanks for the trip, Dino. I'll at least feel qualified to describe something of the place to those people who are going there.'

  'It is not the reason for which I took you there,' was the response, 'but it has taught me a great deal also. You will allow me to see you again?'

  She looked back at him without emotion. 'Even though you know I'm not out for a light hearted affair?'

  'Even then.' For once the winning smile was missing. We can, as you say, be friends without the involvement. I think we might each of us have need of a friend.'

  Nicky didn't even try to sort out what that might mean. She waved him off, and turned to go indoors. Voices and laughter came floating round from the direction of the terrace, and for a brief moment she contemplated going in that way before deciding that she was hardly in a fit state to be seen without a change of clothing and a brush through her hair. The vestibule was empty. She crossed swiftly to the stairs, heard the office door open, and looked back fatalistically to see

  Nikos standing there against the jamb, his face set and cold.

  `I have been waiting for you,' he said. 'Where is Dino?'

  `On his way home, I imagine,' she answered with an amazing evenness of tone. 'At least he was heading in the right direction.'

  His eyes sparked suddenly and savagely, thudding her heart against her ribs. 'You do not learn easily,' he said. 'Did you think this childish defiance would impress me?'

  `Not particularly.' Nicky found time to wonder at her own control. `To tell you the truth, I didn't think of you at all. I was ready to go and Dino was available. It's as simple as that.'

  `For you, perhaps. I waited at the Castello for half an hour before I was informed that the English despoinis had left with my brother.' The words were clipped out. 'Where have you been until now?'

  `Holding hands on a mountain top,' she returned. 'It made an interesting comparison !'

  She didn't wait to see the effect of her words, but ran on up the stairs and along the corridor to her room. Only when she got there did she realize that she was trembling. Leaning against the door, she wished achingly that she had never even heard of Perata. In one short week here she had managed to get herself so thoroughly confused that she hardly knew what she thought or felt about anything anymore.

  CHAPTER SIX

  THE sirocco blew steadily for thirty-six hours, and was gone, leaving the fresh northerly breezes to turf out the cobwebs and restore good will in all men. The trip to Paleokastritsa came and went. By the time another weekend came round, Nicky was beginning to
experience the same sense of relief at the thought of a new party coming in on the following Thursday. These people were fine, but she needed the change.

  'Have you thought any more about the fancy dress do?' asked Lee on the Tuesday morning over coffee. 'If you're going to suggest it you ought to do it now.'

  Nicky had not, because she hadn't wanted to think about the last night party at all. Even now she found it difficult to conjure up any real show of interest.

  'What happened to all that enthusiasm?' he asked lightly, studying her. 'You've been almost subdued this last week.'

  'Homesickness,' she said, stirring her coffee and avoiding his eyes. seem to have been away for years.'

  'It's not the first time, though, is it? How about your year in London?'

  'That was different. I could go up for a couple of days at least once a month if I wanted to.' She summoned a smile. suppose it sounds odd to you. Most girls my age want to get away from home permanently.'

  I wouldn't say most. Some, maybe — those without

  - much of a home to hold them. What made you branch out in the first place?'

  `I don't know. Yes, I do. Curiosity; restlessness; being eighteen in a small town and wondering if it was the same everywhere else.'

  `And is it?

  A faint line appeared between the blue eyes. `No,' she said slowly, and then with some deliberation, `That's probably because I'm not eighteen any longer. A year is a long time.'

  `Oh, an eternity,' he agreed gravely, and she laughed.

  `All right, sarky, I haven't exactly got one foot in the grave. All the same, there is a lot of difference between eighteen and nineteen.'

  `And a whole lot more between nineteen and twenty,' he said on a thoughtful note. 'When is your birthday, Nicky?'

  `Next week. The sixth.' She propped her elbow on the table between them and rested her chin on the back of her hand. 'Do I get a surprise?'

  He grinned. 'Look at me like that on the day and there's every chance. It's only the tender teenage years I feel bound to protect.'

  `Why?' she asked.

  `Why what?'

  `The moral obligations — if you were serious.'

  His expression was hard to decipher. 'Why?' He shrugged. 'I have a sister a bit younger than you are. I know how I'd feel if some smooth-talking rake got his hands on her.'

  `Is that how you see yourself?'

  `Not really.' The twinkle was back in his eyes. 'I'm

  playing for sympathy. It's a sure-fire success with most women.'

  'Advance promotion?' She lifted her brows at him. 'Is that good or bad?'

  `It's a personal choice.' He regarded her smilingly. 'Feeling better?'

  'Yes.' It was true. 'You're a good doctor, Lee.'

  'You should see my bedside manner,' he quipped, and pushed back his chair reluctantly. 'Must away. There's work to be done by some around here.' For a brief moment he stood looking down at her as if about to say something else, then he smiled again and ruffled her hair before striding off along the terrace.

  'Brotherly affection?' asked a voice, and Nicky found Margery Tolman regarding her cynically from the other side of the low wall. 'Do you think it wise to play around with a man like that?'

  She would, Nicky thought, have been sitting on the sand just under the wall, and must have heard everything that had been said. She felt a bit hot under the collar. She could bare her soul to Lee with impunity, but having this woman know her inner feelings was somehow repugnant.

  I wouldn't know about it being wise,' she said. It's certainly entertaining. What kind of man would you say he is, Mrs. Tolman?'

  'Out for what he can get, like most of them.' She shook her head. 'Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.'

  'Well, they say one learns through experience.' Nicky was still holding on to her temper, though with greater effort. I profit by any mistakes.'

  The other looked back at her steadily, the cynicism

  suddenly melting. 'Look,' she said in tones Nicky had never heard her use before, 'you'll hardly believe it, but I was young myself once. I got hurt pretty badly by a man like Lee Merill, and I wouldn't like to see the same thing happen to you. You're a nice girl, Nicky. Too good to go through what I went through. That's what I really wanted to say.'

  `I'm sorry,' Nicky said honestly after a moment, thinking that it was true to say one could never completely assess a person. 'And thanks for bothering about me. You really don't have to worry about Lee, though. He's not interested in me in that way.'

  `God, girl, they're all interested in you in that way,' said Margery, reverting to normal. 'And that includes my own so-called better half. You've got youth, looks and vitality — all the things missing in middle-aged wives.'

  `Middle-aged wives usually have ditto husbands,' Nicky pointed out, and saw a jaded smile cross her companion's features.

  `Yes, but they don't know it, or I should say, won't admit it. A man's prime lasts forty years, according to his own estimate. Anyway . ..' bending to gather her things . . . 'don't say I didn't warn you.'

  `I won't.' Nicky waited for her to reappear, added lightly, 'How do you feel about fancy dress?'

  The pencilled eyebrows quirked. 'I can take it or leave it. Why?'

  `I was thinking of having one on Wednesday. A kind of do-it-yourself affair.'

  `Good thing Harvey brought his yachting cap. If he turns it round he can go as a jockey.' She nodded. `Might be a bright idea, at that. It's going to take some-

  thing special to get this lot whooping it up. Think you could rustle me up a white horse at short notice if I decide on Lady Godiva?'

  I could try,' Nicky laughed. `I'll announce it at lunchtime, then. At least I'll have your support.'

  'Don't count on it,' was the dry retort.I run with the hare and the hounds.'

  She lifted a hand and departed.

  As it turned out, the idea of a fancy dress party for the last night met with a surprisingly enthusiastic reception. Swapping sessions began taking place almost immediately, and during the following twenty-four hours the hotel staff became quite accustomed to seeing folk flitting about the corridors carrying all sorts of odd items.

  The shopping trip on Wednesday was uneventful, yet tiring. After lunch the usual somnolent silence descended upon the hotel as everyone took to their favourite spots for a rest. About five o'clock, Nicky changed and went down to the beach, spreading her towel close up under the terrace wall for a few minutes before she went in the water. She was lying there drowsily, eyes closed, when the voices impinged upon her consciousness, and she felt her heart jerk as she realized who it was that Lee had with him.

  I have no objection at all, providing it is conducted in a proper manner,' Nikos was saying. would not like to see some of the creations I am sure will be forthcoming paraded about the streets in the small hours should spirits become a little high.'

  'We'll make sure that the entertainment keeps them all close to hand,' returned Lee diplomatically. 'Can I order you a drink?'

  `By all means.' They had stopped directly opposite to where Nicky was lying, although evidently not close enough to the wall to see her. 'I assume this was Miss Brent's idea?'

  `Yes.' From the sound of his voice, Lee was smiling. `She thought things needed livening up.'

  `I would have imagined her presence alone would have ensured that much,' came the dry comment. 'I will have retsina.'

  Lee moved off. A chair scraped on the tiles. There was a pause, then Nikos said expressionlessly, 'If, like the ostrich, you imagine that you are hidden from view simply because you yourself cannot see, then you are equally deceiving yourself.'

  Nicky sat up slowly, thankful for the dark glasses as she twisted her head to look across the wall at him. 'I wasn't hiding,' she said. 'I was sunbathing. It's one of the mad things we English do.' She added with deliberation, 'I'm grateful that you approve of the festivities tonight, kyrie. Perhaps I should have asked your permission first.'

  He lifted a satirica
l brow. 'It would have stopped you had I said no?'

  `Of course. It's your hotel.'

  `That is an acknowledgement in itself.' With his hands still on the back of the chair Nicky had heard being drawn out, he added smoothly, 'There is a small patch on your shoulders which has apparently seen a little too much of the sun: Will you not come into the shade before it begins to trouble you?'

  `As a matter of fact,' she said swiftly, 'I was just thinking of going into the sea.' She stood up. `If you will excuse me.'

  'You swim in dark glasses?' he asked with irony, and she wanted to kick herself.

  'I'd forgotten.' She took them off and dropped them on to the towel, became suddenly aware of the brevity of her bikini and set off for the water's edge without another glance in his direction.

  Once in the water she made a beeline for the jetty, using a business-like crawl which might not be showy but had her round the end and out of his sight in a very short time. She pulled herself up on to the ledge formed by the supporting pillars and sat there regaining her breath while the water streamed over her shoulders from her soaking hair. She would have to wash it now before the party, and hope that it would dry in time. If it hadn't been for Nikos she would have stopped long enough to pull on a cap.

  Nikos. Even the bare thought of him set her teeth on edge. Dino had not been near the Xenia since that afternoon more than a week ago, and she was certain that it was because of his brother — although what the other could have used in the way of leverage she couldn't begin to guess. The reason wasn't all that important; the action was. Nikos controlled everything and everyone about him, even Lee to a certain extent. No, perhaps that wasn't wholly fair. Lee was employed by him, and for that reason must accept a certain attitude in their relationship. But she herself was not an employee, and refused to be controlled. He might have stopped her from seeing Dino, but there it ended. He had no real power over her. None at all, she told herself fiercely.

  The two men were not on the terrace when she took a cautious look some little time later. She swam back

  slowly to the beach, walked up to collect her belongings and went in to have a shower. She shampooed her hair under the spray, rubbing it as dry as she could. Then she lay on the bed for half an hour just looking at the ceiling while the sound of the cicadas faded and died along with the day.