Stavros Kyriakos was setting markers on the terrain in Aegina where the excavations were to begin, when his mobile phone started ringing.
It took a moment before he recognized the irate voice of Philip, his brother-in-law. That conversation was swift, negative, and a complete mystery. Philip did not stay on the line long enough for Stavros to decipher the reasons for his anger but he did find out it had something to do with his wife.
Still reeling from that shock, he was soon accosted by his daughter who accused him of doing something to upset her mother.
“Dad, she is furious with you. I have never seen her like this. What did you do? I have to tell you she has wrecked your office at home. Files and papers are scattered everywhere. I don’t know if she was looking for something in particular but the room is a mess. She promised to tell me what it’s all about except now she won’t even speak to me!”
Sarah’s voice had been getting louder with every statement until Stavros had to remove the mobile phone from the proximity to his ear to save his hearing.
“Hold on, Sarah! I haven’t spoken to your mother for a few days now. I have left messages but she hasn’t got back to me yet. Look! I have no idea what’s happened. Yours is the second call in as many minutes today and now I am worried. Can you watch over your mother for me until I can sort this out?”
“I can try, but not for a day or two. David and I are in Paris with Caroline. Mum’s not going to talk to me, and, frankly, Papa, I’m more than a little anxious about her state of mind.”
Sarah’s use of the word ‘Papa’, a name he had not heard since she was a little girl, brought home to him the seriousness of the current situation. There was nothing for it but to reassure her.
“Look, Sarah, I am heavily involved here but I will wrap up the essentials ASAP and fly home. Don’t worry too much. I’m sure I can sort this out, whatever it is. I promise to be home before you are. I’ll keep trying the phone lines in the meantime, and you do the same from France.”
“I won’t pretend I’m not relieved to hear you are taking this seriously, Papa. Thank you.”
“I love you, Baby! Enjoy Paris and give my congratulations to Caroline.”
“Will do! Cheers!”
Stavros looked at the remaining metal stakes with red flags he was gripping tightly. Suddenly the summer course work on Aegina appeared less important than what was happening in England.
Despite his confident manner when talking to his daughter, he was alarmed by Sarah’s comment on her mother’s state of mind.
The course started in two weeks. He began to prioritize what could be left with a deputy for a few days and what must be settled before he could take the ferry to Athens and fly home.
Then it hit him; Pauline was due to arrive in an hour or so. He could not possibly leave without seeing her. The poor girl had begged him to meet with her. She insisted there were matters to discuss before the course began and she was right about that. He sat down in the shade of a pillar in the Temple of Aphaia and sipped from the water bottle strung around his waist. He could not reach Pauline now but there were others to contact. If he hurried, and was able to make the right connections, all could be prepared for an early morning departure for Athens and home. Paros would have to wait for now but Pauline was a priority. He removed the mobile phone from the top pocket of his shirt and proceeded to punch in the numbers.
Pauline Jeffries stepped off the ferry ramp carrying a small bag and wearing a loose summer dress and a big hat.
Stavros was waiting for her on the pier and gave her a welcoming hug as soon as he reached her.
“My Lord, girl, you look glowing with good health! This pregnancy suits you. Have you come all the way from England today?”
“No, and that’s part of what I have to tell you. Can we go somewhere quiet and talk?”
He watched her as they drove to the little café near the temple where they had shared many secrets and dreams in past years. She sat back with eyes closed and a beautific smile on her lovely face. Her blonde hair was blowing in the breeze from the open windows and she hummed a tune under her breath. She was quite a picture, he thought, and he smiled with a deep affection for this brilliant student of his. He couldn’t help wondering what would happen to her now that she had decided on domesticity over academic ambition.
Once they were settled in the shade of the café with cool drinks and a superb sea view, she began to explain what had been changing in her life in recent months.
“I must thank you for your good advice professor. I considered everything you said in your emailss and phone conversations and I appreciate the time you gave to my problems.”
“You know how much I want the best for you, Pauline.”
“Yes, I do, and I owe you an explanation of my choices. I will have this child but I will not give up on our plans. I still want to replace you at the university some day and I will continue to work toward that goal. It may take a little longer now, that’s all.”
“Indeed! And how are you going to manage to look after yourself, and a child, while you strive for the qualifications and experience you will need?”
“That’s what I came to tell you.” She held out her left hand and Stavros saw a diamond catch the light.
“You are married?”
“Not quite. But I am engaged, and it is all thanks to you professor.”
“How do you figure that out?”
“Remember last summer when we did the new excavations here? There were several participants from colleges in England and Greece as well as the older members of the group who just wanted to experience archaeology for a few weeks.”
“Of course!”
“Well, one of them was an archaeology graduate from a college in Athens.”
“Yes, I remember him; a bright fellow named Theo. Is he the one?”
She could not contain her excitement and her voice rose in accompaniment to the words.
“We spent time together here, talking for hours about our futures and one thing led to another.”
Pauline patted her protruding stomach. “He lives near Athens and I have been staying with his family for a week or two but he wants to get away from all the uproar in the capital so he has applied for a position as a junior curator at Fishbourne Roman Palace.”
“I take it from your expression that he has been accepted?”
“Exactly! He is moving to England and we will live with my family until we can get a place of our own. I will not let you down professor. Theo and I are determined to fulfill our destinies.”
“Well, I can’t fault you for that. Congratulations, my dear. I wish you the best of luck in the future.
I take it you will not be attending the summer course?’
“Correct. I am returning home with Theo to start our new lives together.”
“Speaking of which; I, too, must return home to attend to some business. Please keep in touch, my dear. If I can help either of you in any way, I will be happy to do so.”
“You have done that already. Theo and I met during your course in this very spot.”
Ah, young romance, thought Stavros with a touch of envy for the years of youth when all things are possible and all barriers exist simply to be surmounted.
They drove back to the ferry and by the time Pauline boarded for Athens, Stavros had turned his mind to the problems ahead for him in England. He began to dread what he might have to deal with when he reached home.
Lynn had exhausted every emotion and descended into a state of torpor. She could not recall if she had eaten in the last day or two, but as Mike never came home until after six o’clock and he was happy to have pizza delivered, she did not waste time worrying about feeding him. She did, however, have some fleeting worry about the state in which she had left her own cozy home. Despite having closed her husband’s office door she could clearly picture the chaos she had created inside and she began to be ashamed of her furious reactions.
Not ashamed enough, she decided, to compel her to return and clean up the mess. Staying at Sarah and David’s had given her the space she needed to calm her mind, somewhat. It helped to be out of the house where the trauma had occurred. Looking around in Sarah’s kitchen did not remind her of the shock of discovering Stavros’ betrayals. She had left her mobile phone behind and deliberately removed Sarah’s handsets from their bases. She knew she was not yet in a fit state to talk to anyone and she dreaded what else might be revealed in another phone conversation.
She had tried watching television but either the words made no sense at all or everything she saw cast her back to the past; a past life with Stavros that was now infected with the disappointment and pain of the present situation. Her internal dialogue continued in an endless loop.
I blame myself. I should have carved out a career for me instead of giving up everything so Stavros could have a high position in the university. He rose far above me and I never could catch up. No wonder he looked elsewhere for romance. How could I compare with those lovely young girls who adored him?
What man would not be flattered with their attentions? He must have been so bored with just an old housewife, stuck at home with none of the intellectual conversation he craved. This is how he developed a secret life and planned to live far from me back in the land of his birth where he had the support of an extended family. But how could he bear to separate himself from Sarah and the grandchildren?
The questions revolved round and round in her brain until she could think no more.
Into the vacuum, the very worst thoughts of all infiltrated with deadly effect.
What if I can’t escape from this dark place?
What if this is the beginning of the mental fog that claimed my mother’s sanity?
Mike came home on Monday night without the usual pizza box in his hand. Instead of a quick ‘Hello Gran!” and an even quicker exit to his bedroom’s hi tech centre, he stopped and sat down beside her.
“What’s up, Gran? Mum has been calling my mobile all day. She says she can’t reach you.”
He cast a quick glance around the lounge and soon spotted the reason. Every phone in the place was disconnected. His mother was right. Something was far wrong here. Now that he was paying attention, he noticed his normally neat and tidy grandmother was looking strangely messy.
“What can I do to help?”
Lynn focused on the young man who had appeared beside her. Only moments ago, it seemed, he was just a child and now he was taking on the responsibility for her wellbeing when she was supposed to be in his home to look after him and prevent any untoward incidents, like teenage parties, while his parents were in France.
Something about his earnest expression jolted her awake.
“I’m just tired, Mike.” No lie there. She was sick and tired of the struggle to figure out what to do with the dregs of her life.
“Well then, you rest here, Gran, and I’ll zip down to Heathfield and get us a decent take-out for a change. Indian or Chinese, or some of that roast chicken?”
“You choose, my dear boy.”
“Good enough! I’ll be back in a jiffy!”
Before she could protest, he was gone, and some of the energy in the room left with him.
For the first time in days, more positive thoughts began to invade Lynn’s exhausted mind
I am letting down Mike and Sarah by thinking only of myself. I need to pull myself together. Mike will be reporting to Sarah as soon as he is in the car. I can’t let this go on any longer. My family needs me.
My family needs me.
Dragging herself up from the couch, she walked slowly to the kitchen and splashed cold water on her face. The shock of the water revitalized her a little and she looked around the kitchen in dismay. Dirty cups filled the sink and a carton of milk was left out on the countertop surrounded with an assortment of sweet wrappers and empty pop cans.
Sarah will be appalled to see the state of this place, she lectured herself. Even if I can’t face my own home, I can sort this kitchen out before Sarah and David come back.
With something to do, she found the energy to run water into the sink and wash dishes. By the time they were dry, her head had cleared a little.
When Mike’s car arrived in the driveway she had prepared two trays so that they could eat together in front of the TV. Tonight she would not question her grandson’s choice of program. She was only too grateful for his undemanding company.
Stavros took an early-morning flight from Athens airport and a taxi from Heathrow to Horam.
He ignored the expense as he had built up a disastrous picture in his mind during the flight and he could not wait one extra minute to get home and see what had happened in his absence.
The second he unlocked the front door and smelled the stale air, he knew Lynn was not there. He did not take the time to inspect the damage in his office. What did that matter anyway? He was retiring now and most of that stuff would be discarded soon. But where was his wife? Her car was gone.
As soon as he remembered his phone conversation with Sarah, he turned and headed for Uckfield taking the back lanes so he could drive faster and avoid some of the speed traps on the major roads.
He found the front door unlocked at Sarah’s house and stepped inside in some trepidation. What, in God’s name, was he going to find? His mind raced with horrific images from war zones and hostage cases. He feared Lynn might have gone over the edge of sanity and he might be too late to save her.
After tiptoeing around the two floors in dread of coming upon a desperate scene, he caught sight of a lone figure seated on the terrace outside. He raced down the stairs, through the kitchen and out to the terrace, calling her name.
Lynn’s first impulse on hearing her husband’s voice was to flee from him immediately, but she was trapped in the garden and there was nowhere to hide. She took a steadying breath and straightened her back. It was time to face whatever must be faced. Time to bring a halt to the pain and deceit. She was not her mother, or her father. She would survive.
Stavros was dismayed at his wife’s appearance. She was pale and drawn beneath the surface tan and her eyes were haunted. He dropped to his knees in front of her, took her hands in his and laid his head down upon them. He was assailed by a tremendous sense of guilt. What had he done to cause this suffering to his dear wife? Did he dare ask what she was feeling?
After what seemed like minutes during which time he could feel the shudders of emotion pass through her body, he finally summoned a voice although he was not yet ready to raise his head and look into those eyes.
“Ask me anything, Lynn. I swear I will tell you the truth.”
There was silence until a bird somewhere began to serenade them and the tension lessened a fraction.
Lynn spoke quietly into the air. “Tell me about Pauline Jeffries.”
His head came up rapidly as the import of that question raced down his spine. Still holding her hands, he sat back on his heels and began to relate the story of his connection to the student.
“Lynn, you know about Pauline. She is one of my most promising students. She is ambitious and capable and I am grooming her for advancement at the university.”
He stopped abruptly. Why would Lynn ask about Pauline? What had she seen, or heard, that gave her the idea something was wrong in their relationship? With his mind now racing at top speed he recalled the emailss on his computer and saw them anew in the light of his wife’s fears.
“Lynn! Listen to me. There is nothing inappropriate in my dealings with Pauline. I admit she has confided in me, especially about her pregnancy, but I just found out she is engaged to one of my summer course students and she is getting married to him soon. I have never crossed the line with Pauline or any other student. I would never do that to you.”
His sincerity and passion sent a shaft of sunlight into Lynn’s mind and a tiny ray of hope began to grow.
She was not ready, however, to forgive him for the other transgressions.
“What is this I hear from Philip about a house being planned on Paros? When did we discuss this as a definite move and what have you decided about our future without consulting me?”
“These are legitimate questions, my darling. I confess I have forged ahead without talking to you. I apologize profusely. May I get up off the ground now, my legs are aching?”
She nodded, and a ghost of a smile passed her lips. He drew a chair over to her side and sat down slowly. What he said next was going to determine their future together and he was acutely aware of the necessity to phrase his words carefully.
“The desperate economic situation in Greece has caused me to speed up all my plans. We hold a considerable amount of our finances in euros in our bank here, and the euro in Greece is under huge threat with the current unrest and dissatisfaction with government agreements to support the German bailouts. I was afraid we would lose everything if I did not purchase the land on Paros right now. I went ahead and contracted my brother Xristos to build a home for us there. He was about to depart for Turkey to work and I wanted him to stay on the property and supervise the work. That is why I asked your brother, Philip, to draw up blueprints for the site. I know I should have waited until I could discuss this with you, but I felt huge pressure to move fast or we would lose the opportunity altogether.”
He could see that Lynn was not going to be satisfied with this explanation. Her wishes for the future were not being considered in this scenario and that was unforgivable of him.
“I know I promised to involve you in any house plans, Lynn, and it was wrong of me to move ahead without you. I have been aware of your desires and needs despite what you might think. I know you want to remain in England after I retire and that is perfectly understandable. I have been investigating a scenario in which both of us could get at least a part of what we most want.”
Lynn turned her head to look into his eyes and her heart skipped a beat. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. When his full attention was on a person, he was irresistible. What could be more important than a life with him? What would a life without him be? She said nothing of this but he could see he had intrigued her.
“What do you think about this idea?” he continued. “We sell the house in Horam and build a new home on the beautiful bay on Paros.”
He expected an instant negative reaction to this but he could not know how his wife’s feelings about their English home had changed in the past few days. What had been a sanctuary was now fraught with horrible fears and panic.
“Of course, you will have total input in the design, if Philip can be persuaded to come back on board. He insisted that you must be a partner in this and he was right. Now, here is the vital change, my darling.”
Stavros reached for his wife’s hands again and gave them a tender squeeze.
“Sarah has agreed to keep a bedroom for you, or both of us, at her home so you can spend whatever time you wish living in England with the family. I made her promise not to reveal this to you until all other parts of the plan were in place. The Paros house can be rented out while I am teaching courses or either of us is in England. I think this is a compromise that can work for both of us. What do you say?”
Unspoken between them was the information that living in England for part of the year would permit Lynn to access British National Health Services if she should deteriorate in health.
She looked out into the garden while she attempted to reassemble life into this new pattern.
She noticed how much brighter and cheerful the flowers and greenery appeared now that her mind was relieved of the awful pressures her doubts had created. Perhaps there was a way out of the mess after all. Perhaps the dreams of both of them could be satisfied. Marriage was all about compromise.
A smile began to move across her face as a beam of sunlight reached the terrace.
The phrase, ‘All’s well that ends well’, popped into her mind but she immediately countered it with the caution that she would never completely trust this man again until he had proved himself to be honest in every part of his speech and action from this point forward. Forgive and forget may be the popular maxim, she thought. Forgive, yes. Forget, eventually perhaps, but not too soon.
Stavros saw the smile and heaved a sigh of relief. He knew he had taken huge risks by excluding his wife from the decision-making process and he swore to himself that he would do whatever was necessary to restore her faith and confidence in him. Open communication was the key element he had forgotten, or, more accurately, chosen to put aside. He determined never to make that mistake again.
They truly loved each other, now, and in the past they had shared. They had always been a partnership in the old-fashioned way that was unknown to today’s young folk, where equality was everything.
After all, their long marriage had weathered storms in the past and they had emerged, battered and bruised, indeed, but emerged nonetheless. This time it would be the same, please God.