Chapter 20 #2
‘It was hard.’ She turned to Dan to whom she owed an explanation. ‘When I discovered what had happened to his business I tried to sort it out because it would only have been a matter of time before everyone knew of my husband’s shame. He killed himself because of the shame.’
‘But you tried to put things right. You paid off the debtors. And you stayed silent to protect him,’ Sofia said.
She nodded.
‘That silence cost you everything,’ Dan said.
‘The price Georgio paid for the economic collapse and his mistakes cost him more.’
Dan pushed his fingers through his hair.
‘I’m not saying you were wrong. It was a noble thing to have done.
A compassionate thing to have done. I’m just so sad that it cost you so much.
It cost you your life in Greece, and it made you retreat from the world for so long.
’ He shook his head. ‘It was too high a price to pay.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Sofia. ‘I’d hoped that you’d forged a new life for yourself.’
‘I have.’ She pressed her lips together as she struggled to put her thoughts into words. ‘And I am.’
Augi was saved from saying anything further by the arrival of Lucy with a cake and coffee pot.
‘Thought you might like some sustenance,’ she said, glancing at everyone, her gaze lingering on Dan.
‘Everyone OK?’ She stood back, hands on hips, as if all they had to do was ask, and she’d sort out everyone’s problems single-handedly. Augi thought she probably could.
‘We’re getting there, thanks, Lucy.’
Lucy gave a short nod. ‘Well, if you need anything just shout.’
Augi, anxious to move things on from her past, decided to take a different tack.
‘Tell me, Sofia, how do you know John Kowalski’s relative?’
‘She married a Greek relative of my husband’s. As you know, the Greek community in Melbourne is large and close. And we help where we can. She is old and poor, and she was worried that someone had got her details and was about to rob her. People are concerned about technology these days.’
‘I didn’t think of that,’ said Augi.
‘And, yes, she is John’s great niece.’
‘Ah,’ said Dan, sitting back, ‘the “closest relative” then,’ he said, looking at Augi with meaning.
Augi nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘Sofia looked from one to the other of them. ‘I’ve a feeling I’ve missed something. Is this good news or bad news for my friend?’
‘Possibly good news.’ She hesitated. There was no going back now. If she told Sofia that this woman stood to inherit MacLeod’s Cottage, then it spelt an end to Dan’s family’s involvement with the property. She couldn’t break the news. It had to be him. ‘Daniel?’
Dan was grim-lipped. ‘We’re looking for the closest living relative to her great uncle — John Kowalski.’
‘Why?’ said Sofia.
‘Because my family home is held in a trust. John Kowalski’s will left it to his closest living relative.’
Sofia’s eyes opened wide. ‘And you believe it to be Maria?’
Dan turned to Augi. ‘Augustini had done all the work. Do you believe it’s Maria?’
For whatever reason, Augi hesitated. Flashbacks of Kate, the family — and how kind they’d been, and how established they were in the house — filled her mind, and she couldn’t help feel how desperately unfair it was.
But it was Kate who wanted this solved. The uncertainty had become worse than the idea of leaving the cottage.
‘I…’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’m not one hundred percent certain yet.’ That was true. ‘It would be better if you didn’t say anything to Maria just yet. Not until we know for sure.’
‘Of course,’ said Sofia. ‘She doesn’t even know I’m here. It was for personal reasons I came.’
‘If she is the closest relative,’ said Dan, ‘what do you think she’ll do with the house?’
Sofia’s eyes narrowed, as she tried to figure it all out. ‘Does your family still live in the house?’
‘My mother does. I’m staying there at the moment. But normally it’s only my mother. She’s lived in it all her life,’ he added. ‘She was born there, as was her mother and her mother before her.’ Augi understood. Dan wanted Sofia to understand exactly how much the house meant to them all.
‘She’s a good woman,’ said Sofia. ‘She wouldn’t want your family to leave. I’m sure.’
‘Are you sure, though?’ asked Dan leaning forward. ‘You said she was poor. In my experience, poor people seldom have the luxury of showing kindness. Not if it means the difference between a comfortable life and a hand-to-mouth existence.’
‘Daniel!’ exclaimed Augi, surprised by the sharp edge to his tone. She put her hand on his arm as if to restrain him.
Dan leaned back in his chair with a sigh. ‘I’m sorry if I sound rude, but you must understand this is my family home we’re talking about.’
‘It’s OK. I understand,’ said Sofia. ‘Family is of the utmost importance to Greeks, too.’
Dan grimaced, and glanced at Augi. Augi thought both she and Sofia could read Dan’s mind. He was thinking that she, Augi, hadn’t been on the receiving end of much familial love.
‘If you could do us a favour, Sofia, of not saying anything to Maria, just for a few weeks, say. It will give me time to wind up my research and talk it through with Kate.’ She shrugged. ‘It’s taken years, so a few more weeks shouldn’t matter.’
‘Of course. Do what you will. Maria has no expectations. When I return, I’ll simply tell her that you reached out because your family had dealings with her great uncle.’
Augi smiled, grateful for Sofia’s understanding. ‘We appreciate it.’
‘Eleni,’ Sofia said. For a moment Augi wondered who she meant, but of course Sofia still thought of her by the name she was given at birth. ‘I don’t think you realise how much I feel I owe you. Owe you for my brother’s memory, owe you for how you were treated. I will do anything you say.’
Dan nodded but didn’t speak. Augi put her hand over his and squeezed. She was grateful. For both his protective attitude to her and for reining it in. The past was behind them all now. And she’d just been handed a future of reconciliation and hope. Dan shot her an answering smile and got up.
‘I think I’ll get going now. Leave you to it. You’ve a lot to catch up on.’
‘Thank you, Daniel,’ Augi said.
He took the hand he was still holding and brought it to his lips. ‘My pleasure,’ he said.
For a moment, Augi was confused. She could still feel the brush of his lips on the back of her hand, and echoes of that sensation skittering through her body. She watched him leave.
‘I’m glad you’ve found love.’
Augi turned around to see Sofia smiling at her.
‘I mean,’ Sofia continued, ‘after all that you went through. It’s good to see that you’re happy.’
Augi opened her mouth to speak, but found she couldn’t deny it, because Dan did make her happy.
Instead she nodded and did what she’d avoided doing for so long.
She reached out her hand and took Sofia’s hand in her own and squeezed it.
‘I’ve been as happy as I could be. But you coming here now?
’ She shook her head. ‘That’s filled a place in my heart which has been empty for far too long. ’
They got up and hugged each other. ‘Now,’ said Augi, ‘I want to know everything.’
Sofia laughed, relief evident in her face. ‘That, Eleni, will take quite a lot of time.’
‘I’ve spent ten years running from my past, I’ll take the next twenty getting to know it again.’
And as Augi sat back and listened to Sofia describe her family and her life in Melbourne, she slowly felt the tightness she’d held inside for so long begin to unravel, as she re-connected with her past.
Much later, after she’d returned home and darkness had fallen, she texted Dan with a brief request. It took him five minutes to turn up at her door.
‘Augustini,’ he said as she opened it. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Daniel,’ she replied stepping aside so he could come inside. ‘I’ve never been so sure of anything in all my life. I’m so grateful to you.’
‘Gratitude?’ He frowned. ‘Is that what this is about?’
She laughed, shaking her head. ‘Of course not. I’ve been holding back from you and your family for so long that it’s become second nature.’ Her smile fell. ‘But I don’t want to any longer.’
‘And that means?’ he asked softly.
It was her who made the move, lifting her hand to his cheek and pressing it lightly against the face that had become so dear to her.
‘It means I want to kiss you.’
He pressed his smiling lips to hers, and kicked the door closed behind them. Eventually the kiss ended and she found herself enclosed in his arms as he touched his forehead against hers.
‘Anything else it means?’
‘Oh yes,’ she said, taking him by the hand and leading him into the bedroom.