Authors: Lucinda Riley
‘That’ll be Alexis, then,’ William mumbled.
‘Who is he?’
‘Helena’s old friend.’
‘You kept him quiet, darling,’ Sadie said. ‘Well, is he local? Single?’
‘Yes and yes. He lives a few miles away in the village and he’s a widower.’
‘Things
are
looking up. Shall I take him onto the terrace? Offer him coffee? A full body-rub?’
‘Why not?’ said Helena with a shrug.
‘Good-oh. I’ll just go and put some lippy on. Back in a tick.’
‘Sadie is incorrigible,’ said William with a smile. ‘But I do love her. More than a certain other woman I could mention currently staying under this roof.’
‘Jules is slightly . . . overpowering. She doesn’t mean to be, though.’
‘You’re being too kind. Jules is an out-and-out Attila, and I’m sorry I’ve inflicted her on us for two weeks. She just has this unerring knack of always saying the wrong
thing. How Sacha puts up with her on a daily basis, I just don’t know. Perhaps she’s an absolute goer in the bedroom, gives him the ride of his life. She gets enough bloody practice at
it.’ William sniffed. ‘She bored me to death with running martingales and snaffles last night.’
‘She told me that she’d rearranged the pantry when I came down this morning, and put everything in the fridge and the freezer, that leaving them out was a health risk,’ Helena
said. ‘I tried to explain about Angus’ cooling system, but she announced she didn’t want to subject herself or her kids to E. Coli or salmonella.’
‘Well, I’m glad you can take her behaviour so calmly, as I’m struggling already. At least she’s gone out for the day and taken Viola and that bullish son with her. Rupes
looked very put out at being dragged off with his sister to some ancient ruin. I think he was hoping to spend it sniffing round Chloë instead. So’ – William turned to Helena
– ‘what do you want to do today?’
‘I was thinking we could take the kids to Adonis Falls. It’s tucked away in the mountains and the waterfall is amazing. You can jump off the rocks into the pool below.’
‘Okay. A family outing it is, if we can tear Immy and Fred away from the DVD player. They’re back in front of the TV again this morning.’
‘At least they’re not fighting, and it’s very hot outside.’ Helena gazed out of the kitchen window.
‘Well, let’s take the coffee out to the terrace and see if Sadie has pounced on Alexis yet.’
Helena followed William outside.
Alexis, sitting with an animated Sadie at the table, smiled in relief at their arrival. ‘
Kalimera
, Helena, William. How are you?’
‘We’re good,’ she nodded.
‘Alexis has just been telling me he makes wine,’ Sadie said, as William set the coffee tray down. ‘I’ve assured him I am his ideal end-user. Coffee, Alexis?’
‘Thank you, but no, I am not staying. Helena, I came to bring you this.’ Alexis pointed to a small wooden box he’d placed on the table. ‘I found it in a drawer of a
broken chest as I was putting it on the rubbish dump. I thought it too pretty to be thrown away.’
‘And quite fine.’ William studied the box. ‘It’s made of rosewood, and that is a very intricate mother-of-pearl inlay.’ He traced his fingers over it.
‘I’d say it’s quite old, judging by the colour of the wood. Perhaps it’s a jewellery box.’
‘Any forgotten emeralds tucked into the lining?’ quipped Sadie, as William opened it. She reached across the table and stroked the green felt that covered the inside. ‘I
can’t feel anything.’
‘Thank you for rescuing it, Alexis. It’s beautiful, and I shall put it on my dressing table,’ said Helena.
‘Of course! It’s Pandora’s Box!’ smiled Sadie. ‘You’d better be careful, sweetie. You know how the legend goes.’
‘Yes,’ Helena agreed. ‘So you’d better close it quickly before all the evils of the world jump out.’
‘I also came to ask you all if you would be kind enough to attend an engagement party I am throwing for Dimitrios, my eldest son, this Friday. I would be honoured to have you there,’
said Alexis.
‘That’s very kind, but there are rather a lot of us,’ replied William. Helena immediately wondered if he was searching for an excuse.
‘That is not a problem. It is a big party, and everyone is welcome. You know how we Cypriots like to celebrate.’
‘I think it sounds like fun, and we’d love to come. Thank you, Alexis,’ said Helena, shooting William a defiant glance.
‘And what about you joining us for supper tonight?’ urged Sadie. ‘We’re down a man and poor old William could do with some support to cope with all these women,
couldn’t you, sweetie?’
‘I could, yes,’ agreed William flatly, knowing he’d been out-manoeuvred.
‘Then, thank you, I will see you later.’ Alexis nodded at them. ‘Goodbye.’
‘Right, if we’re going out, I’d better start rounding up the kids. Chloë and Alex haven’t even got up yet.’ William was about to leave the terrace when Helena
clapped a hand to her mouth.
‘Oh God, I’ve just realised that the engagement party is on the night of our tenth wedding anniversary!’
William paused and looked at her. ‘Well, we don’t have to go.’
‘But we’ve just said we would.’
‘You mean
you’ve
just said we would,’ he corrected her.
‘Sorry, darling. But won’t it look rude to renege, especially after all the help Alexis and his family have given us? And who knows, William – it might actually be nice to go
out to a lovely party for a change, and have a night off catering here for the masses.’
‘If you say so,’ said William tersely, then set off inside to rally the children.
Sadie glanced at his departing back, then lowered her voice as she spoke. ‘So, tell me all about Alexis. Was there ever anything between you two?’
‘Why on earth should you think that?’
‘From the way he looked at you, of course. You can’t miss it. And I’d say William can’t either. Come on, Helena, spill the beans.’
‘Really, Sadie, it was nothing more than a teenage romance when I came to stay here with my godfather.’
‘Was it a love thing?’
‘He was my first boyfriend. Of course I thought it was something special. Everyone does.’
‘He’s obviously still holding a candle for you, even after all these years.’ Sadie stretched dreamily. ‘How unutterably romantic.’
‘Apart from the fact I’m happily married to someone else.’ Helena ran her fingers along the delicate mother-of-pearl pattern on the box. ‘Oh, and I have three
children.’
‘Tell me honestly: do you still feel anything for him? Because I just get the feeling there’s something you aren’t telling me.’
‘I’m fond of him and the memories we shared, but no, Sadie, there’s nothing more.’
‘Really? I mean, is it total coincidence your first-born son shares a name with that of your first love?’
‘Sadie, for goodness’ sake! I just happened to like the name, that’s all.’
‘And you swear you haven’t seen him since?’
‘Please, Sadie, you’re like a dog gnawing at a bone. Can we just leave it alone?’ Helena begged her.
‘Okay. Sorry, sweetie.’
Helena stood up. ‘I’d better go and help William round up the kids. Do you want to come to Adonis Falls with us, or are you happy to laze around the pool?’
‘I’ll stay here and get ready for dinner with our very own Adonis, thanks,’ Sadie said with a wink as she watched Helena leave. ‘See you later.’
The journey to the waterfall through the mountains was rocky and hazardous, just as Helena remembered it. The road was very narrow, full of huge potholes and steep
inclines.
‘Thank God this isn’t our car,’ declared William, as he steered skilfully through the clouds of dust. ‘There’d be nothing left of the tyres, not to mention the
suspension.’
‘It’s like being on a roller-coaster, Mummy,’ shouted Immy excitedly as she bumped along unperturbed on the seat behind. Alex sat next to her with his hands grasping the edge
of the seat tightly, white-faced and staring straight ahead. In the seats at the back, Chloë had her eyes closed with her earphones in and Fred was, incredibly, asleep with his head resting on
her arm.
‘Did you drive along here when you came before?’ asked William.
‘No,’ Helena said with a laugh, ‘I was on the back of a moped! Can you believe it?’
‘I’m amazed you survived to tell the tale. Who was the driver?’
There was a short pause before she said, ‘Alexis.’
William gripped the steering wheel a fraction tighter. ‘Perhaps later, you would have the grace to tell me exactly what went on between you and him,’ he said, lowering his voice to a
grim whisper. ‘It’s obvious he thinks there’s unfinished business between the two of you. And I’m not particularly keen on the feeling that I’m being cuckolded right
under my very nose!’
‘William, please! The children might hear you!’ Helena whispered back desperately.
William jammed on the brakes, and brought the car to a sudden halt. ‘Right, kids, looks like we’re here.’
They were deep in a valley, the mountains rising majestically on either side of them. Helena got out and helped Immy and Fred from their seats, trying to swallow down the lump in her throat, so
they wouldn’t see she was near to tears.
William had already marched off ahead of them to the entrance, and she knew to leave him alone. She was used to his sudden bursts of anger, and normally he cooled down quickly and was apologetic
and repentant. Besides, after her chat with Sadie, she understood why. William was feeling threatened, and she knew she needed to put his mind at rest.
‘Has everyone got their towels? Okay, let’s go.’
Helena took hold of Fred’s hand, Immy clung on to Chloë, and Alex brought up the rear alone.
William had already bought their tickets. He picked up Fred and hugged him. ‘You ready to go jump into some very cold water, little chap?’
‘Yes, Dad, I ready.’
They bumped fists and set off for the waterfalls.
Slithering down the precarious rocks, Helena found herself up to her middle in clear, icy-cold water as her little ones paddled around her. William and Alex had swum to the edge of the pool and
were now climbing the rock so they could jump in. Chloë was sitting sunning herself on the edge, attracting admiring glances from the male population around her.
‘I’m jumping in – watch!’ Alex waved at her from the slippery ledge, twenty feet above the pool, then jumped and landed with a huge splash.
‘Go, Alex!’ clapped Chloë excitedly as he resurfaced. ‘That was SO cool.’
‘I’m going up to the next rock above,’ he called as he swam back towards it.
Helena looked up and saw how high it was. ‘Please take care, Alex,’ she shouted to him, as William prepared to take the plunge from the lower rock. She thought how youthful he was
for forty-five; yet to gain a single grey hair on his dark head, and his slim body was lithe and toned.
‘Go, Daddee!’ shouted Immy, splashing around with Fred excitedly. William waved at them, then jumped, and his children cheered him.
‘Me jump now, Mummy,’ said Fred, starting to paddle towards the rocks. Helena pulled him back. ‘When you’re bigger, darling.’
‘Wanna go now!’
William swam up to his son and held him aloft. ‘You want to jump in?’
‘Yes!’
‘Okay, here goes!’ He lifted Fred high above his head, and let him go. Fred’s water-wings stopped him from going under, and he yelped with happiness.
‘Look, Helena, Alex is going to jump from that really high rock,’ Chloë shouted from behind her. ‘Will he be okay?’
‘I hope so,’ she said, as Alex leapt off. Chloë shrieked and clapped as he came up from under the water and swam towards them.
‘Rupes said Alex was a wimp and a nerd, but I’d like to see
him
doing that,’ said Chloë to Helena.
‘Alex is neither. He’s got incredible courage, in all sorts of ways,’ Helena said as he swam towards them, panting but triumphant.
‘Did you see me, Mum?’ Alex asked her.
‘Yes. You were fantastic, darling.’
‘You were. I was wondering’ – Chloë bit her lip, looking gorgeously vulnerable – ‘if I tried from the lower rock, would you hold my hand as we jump,
Alex?’
‘’Course. Come on, then.’
Helena noticed the look of pride on her son’s round face as he led Chloë towards the rocks. And suddenly, she realised why Alex had been acting strangely over the past couple of days;
he obviously had a crush on Chloë.
There was an enormous splash as they jumped off together, and a cheer from the crowd watching below.
Twenty minutes later, Immy had had enough. ‘Mummy! My hair is wet and I’m shivery and thirsty, and I want to get out,’ she wailed.
‘You stay with Fred,’ Helena called to William as she dragged her daughter out of the pool. ‘I’ll get some drinks, and meet you up on the terrace.’
Helena collected some cans from the car, and sat down with Immy on a shady bench under an olive tree. She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the time long ago when Alexis had brought her
here. Then, it wasn’t so much of a tourist attraction, simply a place of beauty, known mainly just to the few locals who lived close by. They too had jumped off the rocks together and swum in
the deep, clear water.
And here, on the edge of the deserted pool, in a place of legend, Helena had crossed the threshold into womanhood.
‘Mummy? Are you listening to meee?’
‘Of course I am, darling.’ Helena dragged her attention back to Immy.
‘I said, I’m hungry and I need a packet of salt and vinegar crisps.’
‘We’ll be having lunch soon, so you’ll have to wait. Look, here come the others.’
‘I can show it to you if you like,’ Alex was saying to Chloë. ‘It’s a wicked book, and the copy Angus has is a first edition.’
‘I’d love to see it.’
‘Great. I’ll find it when we get home.’
‘Cool.’
Alex was so different today, Helena thought. His lovely eyes were sparkling and his animated face shone with happiness as he chatted with his stepsister, glancing at her furtively with obvious
adoration.
‘Wow, look at that,’ Chloë giggled, pausing by a statue of a naked Adonis and Aphrodite in an embrace. ‘He’s . . . er . . . quite impressive!’ She read out the
words engraved in English on the stone plaques beside it. ‘Adonis and Aphrodite, the god and goddess of love and beauty. Legend has it that they lived here together with their many children.
Ladies born infertile who wish to become pregnant must touch Adonis’ appendage, and will have many children thereafter.’