‘Head over heels?’ Maria asked, confused by the idiom.

‘My mother, Patricia, she said she and George were very much in love and that’s why they got married so soon.’

When Maria passed this on to Sofia, she gasped and shook her head.

‘But I don’t understand why that stopped him coming back to Cyprus with her – with us!’ said Judith. ‘We could have met you all back then! Had a whole lifetime of knowing each other as a family!’ Her voice began to falter. ‘All this time I had cousins and an aunty … it would’ve helped. A lot.’

Catrin squeezed Judith’s hand to comfort her, but the impact of her father’s lies was beginning to register. ‘Why didn’t he tell me about you?’ she said, anger creeping into her voice. ‘And why didn’t my mother ever mention you? I’m sorry, I don’t think I can handle this.’

‘It’s all right, babe,’ whispered Lana. ‘It’s a shock, I know.’

Sofia then spoke quietly to Maria, as if divulging something, and they all watched as Maria challenged Sofia, unsure whether she should tell them the next part. ‘Sofia wants me to tell you about Cleoniki.’

‘Great!’ said Judith sarcastically. ‘So there’s more!’ And Catrin threw her another sympathetic look.

Sofia got up and began searching in the dresser as Maria continued.

‘In Cyprus we have something called proxenia. Like a make match? For son and daughter of two families.’

‘Bit like Blind Date!’ Lana chipped in.

Maria looked at her, confused.

‘It’s a show on ITV with Cilla Black,’ she mumbled. ‘Never mind.’

Maria nodded and carried on.

‘Well, Georgios had proxenia with Cleoniki before he left and they were a very good match – they were, as you say, “head over the heel”. And so they were betrothed. Cleo said she would wait for Georgios to come back from England after one year and then they would get married.’

‘Oh my God!’ Judith couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

‘But one day, Georgios he write to Sofia a short letter – this letter.’ Sofia nodded to Maria, passing her a faded envelope bearing a British stamp. She took a few moments to translate the contents.

Dearest Sofia – I cannot explain to you why I must do what I do, but please believe me that it is for the best. I cannot return to Cyprus. Never. And I cannot contact you again, nor my dearest mother. With all my heart I am sorry for hurting you, and for hurting Cleoniki, who surely deserves a man much better than me. I wish for you a peaceful life. I am sending you some money which can never make up for what I have done. Please forgive me in your heart and forget that you ever were cursed to have such a cowardly, weak brother. My love to you always, may God keep you safe, Georgios x

Judith noticed Lana look at Catrin, raise her eyebrows and slowly whisper, ‘F-u-c-k-i-n H-E-L-L!’