CHAPTER TWELVE
The smell of strong hot coffee woke the men in the attic. They would leave Marguerite with money to buy additional supplies if she needed them but they also had their own.
“Good morning,” she said softly waving a hand at the table.
“A traditional Greek breakfast. I’m sure you’re used to something much heavier but our food is simple, focusing on local, fresh ingredients.
There is Greek yogurt with honey, fresh bread that I made yesterday, several local cheeses and olives.
I wasn’t sure if you would eat it, but I made spanakopita.
The coffee is strong, very strong, but I suspect you’re used to that. There are eggs if you want those.”
“Marguerite, you went to too much trouble,” said Frank. “We would have been happy with just bread and olives.”
“Nonsense. That’s not enough to sustain a man on a mission,” she said. “Eat. I’m going to head to the market just like I do every morning. No one will suspect a thing.”
“Be careful Marguerite,” said Ian.
She nodded, smiling at the young men. Although, she suspected they were not as young as they appeared. There was something about them that told her they were men of the world. Experienced. And their experiences were what made them special.
Outside the small market, the village men were sitting have their coffee in silence. Normally, there would be laughter and conversation. Lately, it was nothing except polite nods.
“Good morning,” she said nodding at the men.
“Good morning, Marguerite. Are you well?” asked one of them.
“I am. Thank you. Just getting some extra supplies. Who knows when they’ll allow another ferry of goods to arrive.”
The men all raised their brows, realizing that she was right. It might be weeks, maybe months before they allowed another supply vessel to come.
“I didn’t think of that,” said one of them. “I suppose I’ll take some things back to the wife this morning as well. Good idea, Marguerite. I wish we knew where Nicolai was.”
“We can only pray he is safe,” she said with a sad expression. “Have the guards come yet this morning?”
“They came earlier but they seem on edge. Be careful Marguerite. We can’t lose you also.”
She nodded as she entered the small grocery, filling her basket with coffee, cheese, flour, eggs, pistachios, and baskets of olives fresh from the trees on the island.
Grabbing the last of the fresh orange juice, she took the basket to the counter and left a few bills for the young woman behind the counter.
Her belly was swollen with her third child. She looked tired and ready to pop at any moment.
“How much longer, Diana?” smiled Marguerite.
“The midwife says maybe a week,” she said shaking her head. “I’m tired. I’m tired and I’m frightened. What sort of world am I bringing this baby into?”
“It will be alright,” she said patting her hands. “We’ll find a way to let the world know what’s happening here.”
“Do you think the world doesn’t know? I mean, is no one concerned about what happened to Nicolai or Marie Nicole? No one has come here. Not the army. Not the government. No one.”
“It’s alright, Diana,” she said calmly. “Don’t get yourself upset over this. I promise it will be okay. Let me know when the baby arrives and I’ll come and help.”
The young woman nodded at her, wiping her tears as she left the store.
“Is she crying again?” asked one of the old men.
“Yes. For good reason. She’s scared. We’re all scared.”
He nodded at Marguerite as she walked back up the hill to her small, isolated home. She liked it this way. Neighbors couldn’t see inside her home but because of her vantage on the hill, she could see all the houses below.
“Everything okay?” asked Frank.
“Yes. Everyone is scared. Nervous. But so far, we’re all okay.”
“Marguerite, we’re going to the cliffs today,” said Ian.
“You can’t! They’ll see you. Did you not understand me yesterday? They know how many residents are here.”
“Marguerite, watch,” said Bodhi. She watched him lift his arms as if stretching something and suddenly, he was gone.
“Wh-what is this?” she stammered.
“It’s a technology that we invented,” said Frank. “It makes us virtually undetectable. That’s why we’re not worried. We’ll be able to get close, perhaps scale the cliff if necessary, and see what’s happening.”
“Amazing,” she said reaching to touch the material. Bodhi gently gripped her wrist, smiling as he shook his head.
“Not advisable.”
“If you have this, this technology, you could get everyone off the island,” she said suddenly filled with hope.
“Perhaps,” said Devin. “There are a lot of moving parts to that and there are a few children here. To get everyone safely to a boat, safely sailing across the water, and then safely somewhere else could be quite challenging. We’re not even sure if the government of Greece is aware of all of this.”
“You’re right,” she said suddenly deflated. “Of course. You’re right. I’m sorry. It just seemed as if there were a glimmer of hope there.”
“We promise that we’re not leaving until we figure all of this out, Marguerite. And if we have to leave, you will come with us,” said Bodhi.
“No. No, I can’t leave unless everyone leaves.
We’re all frightened and concerned about what will happen to us.
It seems as if we’ve fallen off the face of the earth and no one cares.
Diana, a young woman who works in the grocery was crying today.
She’s very pregnant and very scared. We must find a way to get everyone off this island.
You do what you need to do today and I’ll be here waiting, doing what I usually do. ”
“Which is?” smirked Devin. She grinned at the young man.
“Totally innocent, I assure you. Baking, napping, and watching my neighbors.”