“I know it is a big thing I am asking of you,” he hurried on. “Your parents wish you to stay with them and I understand that, but I am an old man. I need you more.”

“Pappou…I…”

“No. Don’t say anything now.” He let go of her hands and moved away.

She looked at the redness on her skin where he’d held her firmly.

“You need time to think it over. You will have lots of questions but there is time.”

A door banged and they could hear the soft shuffle of Yia-yia’s feet on the path.

He tapped his finger on the side of his nose. “I haven’t discussed this with anyone else yet.”

Yia-yia appeared around the corner carrying a loaded tray. “I have kourabiedes.” Her cheeks glowed and her eyes sparkled as she paused to look from one to the other.

Kat took one of the biscuits coated in icing sugar and smiled weakly at her grandparents. She may well have jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

* * *

The door opened to Euan’s knock and a short stocky woman stood framed in the light from the room behind her. She wore a dark green apron with Anna’s Kitchen scrawled across the bib and had a brightly coloured tea towel draped over her shoulder.

“Hello, Euan. Welcome home.” She opened her arms to wrap his wiry frame in an effusive hug.

“Thanks, Anna. It’s good to be back,” he said.

Keely hovered behind him. Euan had insisted she come with him to the McPhersons’ for the evening meal but she felt uncomfortable about it.

“And you must be the mystery guest.” Anna had stepped aside to let Euan in.

Keely saw the look of surprise flash across the other woman’s face and noticed a slight hesitation before she held out a welcoming hand.

“Nothing mysterious about Keely,” Euan said. “She’s one of the family already. Flynn had her working for us today. That was after he gave me one of his lectures on the backlog that needed doing.”

“Welcome, Keely.” Anna’s firm hand clasped Keely’s. “I hope these Levallier men haven’t been giving you a hard time. They’re both passionate about that winery of theirs, but sometimes they forget they’re working towards the same thing.”

“Now don’t you start, Anna,” Euan growled but there was no malice in it. “Let Keely in. It’s chilly out there and she’s still recovering from her operation.”

Anna guided Keely inside with the hand she still clasped tightly. “You poor love. Flynn said something about you being unwell.”

“It was my appendix but I’m fine now…” Keely faltered under Anna’s scrutiny and withdrew her hand. “It’s kind of you to include me.”