Elias glared at her. ‘Why don’t you just concentrate on your own job, and also – as you’ve got your SSO certificate, you can also assist the meet’s safety procedure officer, Brian Blake, make sure he’s on the ball tomorrow. OK? Is that important enough for you?’

‘Elias, that’s out of order!’ Harry said.

‘Well, you should take care of your own girlfriends, Papa!’

‘Enough!’ Harry shouted.

Shelly understood. Elias feared he was losing his father to a woman and, to be loyal to his mother, he had to object.

‘Look, I’m assisting you, Elias. Just tell me what you want me to do. I’m not here to score points or start a fight between you and your father, all right? I’m sorry I seem to have offended you in some way.’

Petulant little bastard.

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

GERTIE

Returning to Syros, 1917.

LIKE ANY EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD, my heart roared for romance, and I longed for love. How I had longed for Manno in those dark hours on Lemnos.

I had written to him so many times, but he never answered. Nevertheless, his silence did nothing to dampen my ardour. This tormenting desire grew stronger each night! My love for Manno never wavered, but passion kept it company now and I knew I would not be able to resist the fisherman’s amorous advances. In fact, I ached for them. My longing to lay in his arms became almost unbearable. After all, once I got back to England they might throw me into jail, or worse.

When I left Josephine to saunter along the quayside, enjoying the tranquillity and the safety of solid ground, I was not thinking of the beauty of Syros or my reputation. Feverish with desire for Manno, I wandered along with my daydreams, and turned to look out to sea. There he was, drifting across the flat water in the bay as if in a dream. He had turned off the engine and stood in the centre of the boat, facing the front, his arms held out from his sides. With an extraordinarily long pair of oars, he rowed forward.

I couldn’t help myself! Bobbing up and down on my toes, I displayed my excitement by waving my hands above my head. I wanted him to know how I felt. Desire shimmered through my body. I would give myself to him and he would make love to me. I would allow it because there may not be another chance. If I had to spend the rest of my life in prison . . . or worse, at least let me have this day. Surely fate had thrown us together for a reason?