South of Mandraki

by Anne Hampson

  ‘If you are wise, Toni, you’ll not adopt this manner with me. When I say a thing I mean it; I’ve refused you the money and that’s my last word.’

  Anger threatened to choke her, but she managed to say, glaring at him with venom in her eyes,

  ‘It’s not my last word! I’ve promised my parents I’ll visit them and I’m going to do just that. They’re looking forward to seeing me and I don’t intend disappointing them!’

  ‘Then you must use some of the settlement you insisted on having.’

  ‘I can’t - I mean, I’m not touching that.’ The money had been sent off and was now - she hoped - being put to good use in saving her parents from ruin.

  Daros’s eyes hardened. He believed her to be both grasping and parsimonious, which, thought Toni with satisfaction, fitted in perfectly with his opinion of English women.

  ‘In that case,’ he commented in a bored tone, ‘you’ve no option but to forfeit your holiday.’

  Unquestionable finality in his expression. Toni admitted with a shock that her plans for revenge were already going sadly awry. One glance at that mouth and jaw and she was firmly convinced her husband would not relent, not even for the pleasant prospect of having her out of his sight for a while.

  She coloured with rage and frustration, and as the only result was to bring a hint of amused satisfaction to that arrogant face she turned on her heel and swept from the room. If Daros would not produce the money for her fare to England then what price her plans for all the other trips she had contemplated taking? There must be a way of beating him....

  The following morning she booked her air ticket at the agency

  in Rhodes.

  ‘Send the account to my husband,’ she smiled, handing the assistant one of Daros’s cards. The clerk’s eyes widened; he glanced respectfully at his customer and said,

  ‘Certainly, madam.’

  Two days later Toni was in Birmingham with her parents; from there she went down to Dorset to her sister and the children.

  ‘It’s wonderful to see you - and you’re looking fine! We were all so surprised at your marriage. It must have been love at first sight, it happened so quickly. What did Mum and Dad say?’ They were in the sitting-room of Pam’s semi-detached cottage and although Toni was listening to her sister her eyes were taking in the poverty of her surroundings. Pam was certainly having a struggle to bring up her three children. The trouble was, she would not be helped, even by her parents.

  ‘They were quite happy about my marriage.’ Which was true, because Toni had always been so sensible and level-headed, so wise in her decisions. Never for one moment had they considered the possibility of her marriage not being successful.

  ‘I envy you.’ Pam spoke wistfully and Toni knew her thoughts were with Frank, who at the age of thirty-five had been a victim of the dreaded thrombosis. He had been a wonderful husband, in love with Pam to the end.

  ‘How are you managing?’ Toni’s brow puckered in a frown of anxiety as she watched Pam darning socks that looked quite beyond repair. Toni had always sent clothes and money for the children, but she had to be careful to make these appear presents, for if Pam should ever come to think of them as charity she would refuse to accept anything at all, so great was her pride. However, Toni’s visit had been an excuse to bring presents for them all, and the fact that she had run up a huge bill at the store in Rhodes did not trouble her at the least. This money she would eventually pay back to Daros, but for the present the idea of her husband’s shock when he received this account on top of that for her fare, only added to her enjoyment. Even as she presented her gifts to the delighted children she saw her husband’s face, mentally witnessed his fury and chagrin at having been beaten by the wife he so despised. He would have to admit defeat, and Toni would have readily wagered that her arrogant husband had never before had this humiliating experience. It would do him a world of good, she decided with extreme satisfaction; it was high time he was brought down from his lofty pedestal.

  ‘It’s difficult,’ Pam was admitting reluctantly. ‘You see, they’re all on holiday in a week’s time and I must give up my job. Someone else will get it and in September I’ll have to find another.’

  Toni frowned again.

  ‘Won’t your employer keep it for you?’

  ‘He can’t very well do that. How would he manage for six weeks?’

  ‘He could obtain temporary help, surely?’

  ‘It wouldn’t be fair to ask him. Besides, who’d want to come in for so short a period?’ Pam shook her head resignedly. ‘I’m used to these changes. I changed jobs twice last year, remember.

  ‘I knew you’d changed, but I thought it was from choice. You never mentioned this difficulty in your letters.’

  ‘What was the use?’ She became thoughtfully silent for a space and then, ‘If only I had someone to take the children for the summer break - but they’re so unruly now. They’re quite out of control at times, with not having a man to keep them in check. Boys don’t take much notice of a woman—’ Pam broke off, shrugging deprecatingly. ‘Louise is almost as bad, though. She’s a thorough tomboy, but I suppose it can be expected, her having two brothers.’ She heaved a deep sigh. ‘No, I’d never get anyone to have them.’ Reaching for the other sock she rolled the two together and then picked up a shirt. The collar had been unpicked and she was turning it, hiding the frayed part underneath.

  ‘Mum?’ suggested Toni in distress. She had not realized Pam was in such straits. Once beautiful, she was now pinched and drawn, and she had lost a considerable amount of weight. ‘If Mum would have them you might even be able to afford a holiday yourself. You could go off for a week on your own.’

  Pam was shaking her head.

  ‘Mum has to be in the shop. Your money saved them, but they still can’t afford the luxury of an assistant — not yet awhile. No, Mum can’t possibly have my kids.’

  ‘Hmm, I suppose you’re right ... The idea came slowly, bringing a glint to Toni’s eyes. What a shock that would give her pompous and miserly husband! ‘I’ll take them back with me for six weeks.’

  ‘You—!’ Pam stared incredulously at her sister. ‘But your husband? He won’t want three unruly kids in his house for six whole weeks!’

  ‘Greek men adore children,’ Toni returned smilingly, sitting back in her chair with an expression of tranquillity on her face. ‘I’m sure Daros will be quite delighted with them.’ Their voices could be heard from way down at the bottom of the garden. Half an hour earlier they had come from school, raided the larder, and then raced out again, screaming at the tops of their voices as they played their favourite game of Red Indians. The neighbours would not be sorry to learn that they were to be away for the whole of the summer holiday, thought Toni with a grimace.

  What fun it would be to annoy Daros with them! A sudden glow gave an added beauty to her eyes ... but in her heart there was black vindictiveness. Daros Latimer was in for the most harassing six weeks of his whole life!

  ‘But I’ve told you, they’re completely out of hand,’ protested Pam, although there was no mistaking the rising gleam of hope in her eyes. ‘At times I’m actually afraid, Toni. I’m sure they’re all potential delinquents!’

  Toni laughed.

  ‘Nonsense. They’re naturally boisterous, I admit, but I haven’t noticed their being any different from other children of their ages.’

  ‘Oh, yes, they are! They all give the most awful cheek, and smacking’s no good - but perhaps I don’t do it hard enough,’ Pam admitted rather self-consciously. ‘I always remember that they have no father and so I tend to spoil them. Your husband will be mad with you, Toni, I’m sure he will.’

  ‘Not he. I’ve told you, he’ll adore having them around.’ She laughed to herself in anticipation of her husband’s fury and

  discomfiture. His beautiful home, in which he took such pride....

  Well, he had the money to replace anything the children wrecked. And the grandfather, coming for a quiet rest
ful holiday....

  ‘I’m worried, Toni—‘

  ‘There’s nothing to be worried about,’ Toni cut in on her sister. ‘I’ll take them, and bring them back in time for school opening in September. You can keep your job, and have a rest from the children into the bargain.’

  ‘The expense, Toni.’ Pam’s brow creased in an anxious frown. ‘Just think what it will cost. And for you to bring them back -who’s going to pay for it ah?’

  ‘Daros will be only too pleased to pay, I can assure you.’ And Toni meant it. There would be no argument this time; she felt absolutely confident about that. ‘You’ll never manage them,’ her sister began, but was immediately interrupted.

  The more unruly they are the better I’ll like it.’

  ‘You can’t be serious.’ Pam was puzzled, but as no explanation was forthcoming she added, though in a distinctly half-hearted way, ‘You can’t inflict my kids on your husband -and suddenly, without his being prepared.’

  But that was exactly what Toni intended doing, so she did not even send a cable to inform him of her intentions. After drawing out her entire savings from the Post Office account she booked single tickets and a few days later took the three excited children to her home in Lindos.

  Daros was out on her arrival, but came in after lunch. As the children were on the beach he did not immediately know of their presence, but he strode purposefully across the lawn to where Toni was sitting in a chair, reading. His face was set in rigid lines, his eyes wore an expression that definitely spelled danger.

  ‘Perhaps you’ll tell me,’ he began with surprising calm, ‘what you mean by running up bills in my name?’ He towered above her, hands thrust in his pockets, a frown on his brow. Calmly she met his gaze, and then she glanced down, noting the movement in his neck. For the moment he was endeavouring to suppress his fury, but Toni steeled herself for its inevitable release.

  ‘The fare?’ She gave a careless shrug. ‘I said I was going to England, and I went.’ She stopped as the children’s voices could be faintly heard as they played on the beach, and for some reason Toni found herself hoping they would not put in an appearance yet awhile. ‘I took the law into my own hands because I wanted to show you that I’m not allowing myself to be under the slightest degree of subjugation. I desired to see my family, and as my husband you should have given me the money without argument. You might just as well have given it to me,’ she added on a note of triumph, ‘because you had to pay in the end, didn’t you?’ She actually smiled at him, though acidly, and had the satisfaction of hearing him grit his teeth.

  ‘I had to pay in the end, did I!’ Before Toni guessed at his intention she was roughly jerked to her feet and shaken until her whole body felt limp. ‘You dare to run up debts again! Just dare and what you’ve had now will be nothing to what you will get!’ She was flung back into the chair, trembling from head to foot.

  ‘You can afford it!’ she flashed, determined to retaliate in spite of the weakness that enveloped her. ‘As for running up debts, that’s gross exaggeration. I’ve never had anything I didn’t pay for until now.’

  ‘And if you value your skin you’ll not do so again! Do you realize what a fool I was made to look? The bill from the store came first and I sent it back, saying it wasn’t for me, and giving the manager a sound slating for his inefficiency!’

  In spite of herself Toni could have laughed. Serve him right if he was made to look a fool. The new and chastening experience would do him a world of good! However, she did not laugh, nor did she retain her desire for retaliation as she said quietly,

  ‘If you’d paid my fare none of this would have happened. I’d have explained about the bill at the store. It was very unwise of you because, as I’ve said, you had to pay my fare in the end.’

  A little silence as Daros regarded her with an inscrutable stare. When at length he spoke his anger had subsided, replaced by a

  sort of icy calm not unmingled with triumph.

  ‘You seem very sure I had to pay in the end.’ A certain inflection in that frigid voice produced an unwelcome shiver in the region of Toni’s spine. ‘The money you now owe to me,’ her husband continued softly, ‘will be paid through your allowance. You’ll have nothing at all until every drachma is paid in full. Your allowance is stopped.’

  ‘Stopped?’ Her heart missed a beat. Why had such a possibility not occurred to her? ‘You can’t stop my allowance!’

  Daros regarded her from his great height with an expression of mocking triumph.

  ‘I already have. The bank will notify you when I give permission for your allowance to be resumed.’

  She was silenced. To have nothing — not a penny in her pocket....

  ‘I — I’ll not be able to manage. I need some money.’ Her voice had lost its edge, her eyes their militant sparkle. ‘I intended paying the bill from the store immediately I received next month’s money.’

  A short laugh from Daros, and then,

  ‘You’re a quick thinker, I’ll grant you that. Pay the bill? You expect me to believe your intention was to repay me? What did you spend the money on? - or mustn’t I ask?’

  ‘I bought presents for my sister’s children. And as for your not believing me -I don’t care whether you do or not! ’

  ‘Your sister’s children? You have a sister, then?’

  ‘She’s widowed, and can scarcely keep them in food. I bought some clothes for them, and shoes.’ To her dismay she felt the hurtful prick of tears behind her eyes and swiftly averted her face. How was she to give the children a good holiday without money to spend on them?

  Much as it went against the grain she felt she must bury her pride and ask him to lend her some money, but before she had time to speak she heard the children’s voices again. The exultation she had anticipated on introducing them to her husband had suddenly burned itself out, deep apprehension taking its place. The voices grew nearer and she ventured to look up. Daros’s ears were cocked, his brow furrowed in an uncomprehending frown. Within seconds the three came bounding across the lawn, screaming and waving their arms as they continued their game of Red Indians.

  ‘What the—?’ Daros gaped as at an approaching tornado. ‘What are you doing here?’ He spoke to Robbie, who was the first to stop running. ‘Off this lawn - at once!’ He turned to Torn. ‘Where the devil do these unruly brats live?’

  ‘We live here,’ piped out Louise breathlessly, flashing Daros an impertinent glance. ‘Who are you, anyway?’ Not only was Louise as rough as her brothers, she was as impudent and disrespectful to her elders. ‘This is Aunt Toni’s house!’

  ‘Here ...?’ Slowly Daros turned again to his wife, who deliberately avoided his gaze. ‘You brought them back with you?’ His voice held utter disbelief; Toni tried to speak, but could not, and when she still avoided his gaze he brought her face up with a sudden flick of his hand, which he kept under her chin, until, angrily, she jerked away.

  ‘Yes, I brought them back with me - so that Pam could continue working during the school holidays. They’ll be here for six weeks,’ she added defiantly, her courage returning.

  It was Daros’s turn to be silenced, his whole attention given to Toni who, despite her determination to stand up to anything he might do, found herself fighting desperately to maintain her aggressive front. The children were all standing there, David looking at Daros as if it were he who trespassed on their property. He glanced at them in turn, his eyes like points of steel. Robbie put his tongue out at him and, horrified, Toni rose from her chair and told them all to go into the house.

  ‘What for?’ David demanded saucily. ‘We’re playing Indians—’

  ‘Go inside, all of you! Wash your faces and hands—’

  ‘Mine aren’t dirty.’

  ‘And mine don’t need washing, either.’

  ‘Nor do mine. But I want something to eat!’ Louise beckoned to her brother as she began to move away. ‘Come on, you two!’

  And before Toni could speak again they sped off
in the direction of the house.

  An ominous silence followed their departure until Daros presently said, in a dangerously quiet voice, ‘I’d like an explanation, if you please.’

  Toni licked her lips.

  ‘I’ve told you, I brought them here so that my sister could work during the holidays. If I hadn’t she would have been forced to give up her job, and she can’t afford to do that.’

  ‘Are you trying to convince me your motives were entirely unselfish?’ he queried softly.

  ‘Certainly they were unselfish—’

  ‘Don’t lie! You brought those children here to annoy me! I’m at a loss as to why you should derive this sort of sadistic pleasure from trying to get the upper hand, but I warn you, you’ve tackled the wrong man. I’m not one of your soppy English mop rags!’

  Toni quivered with rage.

  ‘Don’t you dare call the English names! They’re better men than you’ll ever know how to be - and they’d make a better husband than you would ever be!’ Her grammar was all wrong, but Toni was so furious she scarcely knew what she said. ‘You’re just an arrogant, pompous foreigner to me, and I won’t have you deriding my people, so be careful what you say in future!’ Her face was hot, her fists clenched; it didn’t do anything to help restore her calm when she saw a distinctly humorous light enter her husband’s eyes.

  ‘A temper also - and violent. I’m not so sure I wouldn’t enjoy doing something about that.’ His face came close, and she saw that the humour had left his eyes. ‘Let me offer you some good advice, Toni. Don’t try my patience too far. Believe me, it doesn’t stretch to the lengths you obviously expect.’

  She managed to move away, tossing her head and saying that as he was not her husband he had no authority over her, so his threats could hardly frighten her. The shaking, she was brave enough to declare, had been uncomfortable, but that was all.

  ‘I wouldn’t be afraid of you even if you were my real husband,’

  she ended, and meant it, although after some moments of reflection she did own to herself that this dark foreigner could make her feel uneasy. But that was not fear. No, she had not actually known real fear even when facing death, so it was most unlikely that this man’s threats could unnerve her.