Penny, now in jeans and sweatshirt, joined Demetria. Takis had been even better than his word: there was furniture from cottages, farmhouses and even, by the look of it, a monastery. Amateur though she might be, Penny had developed an excellent eye at jumble sales, bric-a-brac shops and the occasional country auction. She could instantly see what could be salvaged, painted and turned into an attractive item versus what should go straight to the tip.

They had soon divided the pile into two distinct sections.

‘I suppose the best place to paint would be in one of the empty boathouses.’

‘My husband will take the things there for you. He has a pick-up truck,’ offered Demetria.

‘It will be a lot of journeys in a pick-up. Are you sure?’ Penny asked

‘He will do what he is told,’ Demetria smiled.

Penny smiled back. She couldn’t imagine a marriage where the woman had the power. If she hadn’t been stupid enough to give up work and be dependent on Colin, maybe their relationship would have been different. On the other hand, she’d seen plenty of situations where the wife contributed nothing but was still in charge.

What she really longed for was a relationship where there was some kind of equality. A bit late in the day to be thinking about that.

She looked up to find that Nikos had started to help Demetria’s husband load up the stuff, and she somehow felt unbearably moved. She hadn’t even needed to ask him.

She was smiling her thanks when her phone began to ring, insistently this time so that each time she switched it off it just started again. Naturally it was Colin.

She stepped away from Nikos and the others to speak to him.

‘What the hell do you mean, not answering your phone?’ was his affectionate conjugal greeting.

‘I was in the middle of something,’ Penny answered calmly. She wasn’t going to let him get to her.

‘When do you get home tomorrow? Knowing your inefficiency it’ll probably be in the middle of the night. Don’t think I’m coming to bloody Gatwick to get you.’

Penny felt her blood pressure rising and fought it. ‘As a matter of fact,’ she replied, ‘I’m not coming home tomorrow. I’ve decided to stay on here for a bit.’

‘What the hell do you mean? When are you bloody coming back?’

‘I’m not sure.’

She could see Nikos watching her, as if he’d guessed who the call was from.

‘What do you mean, you’re not sure?’ Colin demanded aggressively.

Why hadn’t she noticed what a bully he was? It had taken being two thousand miles away from him to finally see it.

‘It depends on how long I go on enjoying myself and feeling useful here,’ she replied calmly.

‘Useful? You’re no bloody use to anyone.’