‘Yes. He worked for big global company, travelled all over the world, made lots of money and came back here to live simply with the rest of us. Good plan, no?’

Penny sipped her wine, feeling suddenly foolish. There was so much she didn’t know about Nikos.

‘Do you think he would take me out and tell me about the pirates who ruled the roost on Kyri?’ Moira enquired.

‘I think he would love nothing more,’ Takis grinned. ‘Especially if Penelope is interested in pirates also. Do you want to hear tales of the wicked French corsairs who terrorized the island and took our women as captives, faithful Penelope?’

‘Please don’t call me that!’ Penny burst out.

The other three stared at her. Penny sounded genuinely upset.

‘Just because Penelope waited ten years for bloody Odysseus to deign to come home doesn’t mean I’m like her! In fact, I shouldn’t think my mother had ever heard of the woman when she called me Penny!’

‘Calm down, dear.’ Moira patted her ineffectually. She’d never been any good with student outbursts, or any other strong emotion, but she certainly hadn’t expected this from Penny.

‘I thought I was called Pandora after Pan’s People,’ Dora interjected. ‘Not some stupid nymph with a box! Do you remember them on Top of the Pops?’

‘Of course I do!’ Nell squealed. And to the embarrassment of the others she jumped up and started to wiggle her hips and wave her arms in some half-remembered and highly unsuitable dance routine. ‘I used to copy their every movement! It was because of them I wore stripy leggings for three years, long after anyone else wore stripy leggings!’

Penny sipped her wine and looked visibly calmer. ‘Sorry about that, everyone. I’m a bit wrought up. I was talking to my daughter on the phone and it made me feel that – unlike bloody Penelope – I’m being a bit irresponsible staying here.’

‘Do you want to stay here?’ Moira asked instantly.

‘Yes.’

‘Well, there’s your answer. You’ve got to learn to do what you want! Now are you coming on this pirate trip or not?’

‘Would it be helpful if I did?’ she asked, feeling stupid after her outburst.

‘Penny, stop it!’ Moira demanded. ‘Another simple question. Would you like to come or not?’

‘Of course I would!’ And she began to laugh.

‘I’m glad we’ve got that settled. I think your life could be greatly improved if you were a bit more selfish,’ Moira observed. ‘Look at the Greek gods. They did exactly what they wanted all the time.’

‘And didn’t that create rather a lot of problems?’ Penny replied, laughing. ‘Nymphs being turned into cows, people having their liver eaten by eagles, that sort of thing?’