He shrugged again. ‘After almost a hundred dives, and everyone looking out for it, I doubt it.’

‘For a moment, I was thinking of that film . . . what was it? Ah, Raiders of the Lost Ark. You know?’

Harry laughed. ‘I understand what you’re saying, but Cousteau was an amazing guy. A pioneer of scuba, or aqua-lung as it was called then; also sea-scooters, the diving bell, shark cages, and many things connected with deep-sea diving. Yes, an adventurer, but he was a brave and clever man who brought the underwater world into the home. The general public lost themselves in his TV documentaries about sea life. Cousteau said something like this: Once the sea casts its spell of wonder over a man, it holds him in those nets forever.’

Shelly gasped, emotion exploding in her chest.

‘Are you all right?’ He lifted her chin. ‘You look upset.’

She nodded. ‘I’m fine. It just took me back, you know, the fishing net? I’ll tell you more next time, promise.’

He nodded and smiled. ‘Whenever you’re comfortable. No worries. Just come back soon, will you? By the way, what time’s your flight from Athens?’

‘Eight this evening.’

He blinked at her. ‘That’s in twelve hours. What are you going to do until then?’

She tapped her camera, which was slung around her neck. ‘I’m going to photograph the city. Never had time before.’

He stuck his thumb and forefinger into his mouth and made the most enormous whistle. ‘Right then, I am going to show you the Athens you wouldn’t otherwise see, all right?’

It was her turn to appear shocked. ‘You mean you’re coming with me?’

‘I certainly am. If you like? I’ll show you an Athens that isn’t in the tourist guide, then get you to the airport and stay on the bus to meet the ferry back to Kea. What do you think? If you are comfortable with the plan, I’ll just nip over there and get a ticket.’

‘That sounds amazing, actually. I would love it.’

Harry entered the ticket office just as Elias raced up on a scooter. ‘Did I hear my dad whistle?’

‘Yes, actually. He’s just gone to buy a ticket. He’s coming with me to Athens,’ she said, beaming with happiness.

‘What! I don’t believe it. Where is he?’ He glared around. ‘The ticket office, you said?’

‘Look, Elias, I don’t want any trouble, OK? It was his idea. Why are you so angry?’ Surely he wasn’t still hungover from his twenty-first celebration?

‘Why? I’ve got a basketball match; he was supposed to come – he always comes.’ He stormed over to the ticket office and barged inside.

Bugger!