‘Rest in peace, my dearest Maggie,’ Gordon whispered as they placed the garland on the seat.

‘She was a wonderful mother,’ Shelly said, hugging her father and feeling her tears gather.

Gordon gasped, then his gloved hand went over his mouth as he turned to Shelly.

‘Bugger! I forgot to take the mince pies out!’ he cried, breaking away from her arms and rushing back towards the cottage.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Shelly heard her mother’s last words: Give me a kiss, my darling daughter, and don’t let the mince pies burn.

She looked up to the sky and started to laugh, and as her laughter flew in the frosty air, she experienced so much joy and relief, her feet seemed to leave the pavement and her heart floated towards heaven like a red foil balloon. ‘Thanks, Mum. Happy Christmas,’ she whispered.

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About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patricia Wilson was born in Liverpool. She retired early to Greece, where she now lives in the village of Paradissi in Rhodes. She was first inspired to write when she unearthed a rusted machine gun in her garden – one used in the events that unfolded during World War II on the island of Crete.

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Also by Patricia Wilson:

Island of Secrets

Villa of Secrets

Secrets of Santorini

Greek Island Escape

Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE people mentioned below, Summer in Greece would not have been possible.

Sarah Bauer, Katie Lumsden and everyone else at Bonnier Books UK. Caroline Kirkpatrick, Sophie Wilson, Victoria Hughes-Williams, Jon Appleton and Linda Joyce. Simon Mills, the owner of HMHS Britannic, whose amazing books inspired me in the first instance; Jake Billingham, ‘Mr Britannic’, who tirelessly answered my questions; Yannis Tzavelakos and KiaDivers, for making me welcome on the island of Kea, for inspiring me, and also for their patience and encouragement. Thanks to all those divers who have travelled down to the Britannic on the seabed and posted their awesome underwater videos online for us to enjoy. Claire Wilson, for her medical advice. Tony J. Fyler, for his help and encouragement. Jill Dodgson, for pointing out I should leave the keyboard and exercise once in a while. JC Lee, for dozens of great pictures and videos of me, my readers and fans. Barbara and Ann-Marie, for their constant support, public relations, and translations. Patricia Castle, for accompanying me to Kea and Syros to research this novel, and for taking good care of me. My family, and most importantly, my husband, Berty, who brings food to my office when deadlines are tight, and always pours me an appreciated glass of red at the end of the day.

Thank you to each and every reader, especially those who have written such wonderful reviews. They really do make all the difference.

Author’s Note

AUTHOR’S NOTE