5
I stretched. My eyes followed a blackbird. Yes, as expected, within minutes Auntie called back and continued where she'd left off, 'Don't forget to let Madame Library know you're having a few days off and if she gets moody or difficult, just threaten to leave on the spot. She'll soon work it out. Anyway, I think you've been long enough in that job. You usually leave your jobs in August.'
Dear Auntie, sometimes she hit the nail right on the library ticket.
'It'll do me good to get out of my rut', I tried to make light of my change of heart, to sound a little less feeble. ‘But I'll have to pin my name and address onto my lapel in case I get lost. You know what I'm like.'
She gave a little laugh, 'I realise it's not something you'd do by choice. You must be petrified, my lad.'
'Well, there's a lot to take in, isn't there?'
'Not really. One other thing, Godfrey, I don't want to shock you but straight after the wake, I'll probably come home. There are too many memories for me in Sophia.'
'I don't blame you. But what will you do with your house over there?'
'That's the other part of the favour. If you do decide to come, I was wondering if you would stay on for a couple of weeks and sell it for me.'
'But Auntie, I couldn't sell a house in Cornwall let alone in Greece.' I helped myself to some more poison.
'It's the same routine wherever you are - you just find yourself an estate agent. Although in that little village, probably one word with Maria will be enough. She'll spread the word. I might have a word with her myself. She fixes everything in Sophia - wheels within wheels.'
Socrates knocked back the hemlock.
'It must be worth quite a bit but don't worry too much. I just want to get rid of it. '
'It's up to you Auntie, anyway, we'll organise everything when I see you in a couple of days.' What was I saying? I wouldn't have a clue what to do. I'd just be incredibly awkward and make a mess of everything and as far as I was concerned I'd be staggering around with my eyes tight shut.
'What would I do without you, Godfrey?'
I looked at the sunshine in the garden and into the cerulean sky but by then they'd lost their charm. Would I ever see Ebby again? Or my books? Decisions were being made for me and I hated that. My heart was heavy with foreboding.
'By the way, I've no idea of the condition of the property but knowing Pani it'll probably be as sharp as a pin. It was his venture. It was supposed to be a guest house but I don't think anyone ever stayed there. He never spoke of anyone except some chap who does odd jobs. I won't be at the house - too many memories. I've told you I'm staying with Maria and Manolis and you could stay there with me as well if you'd rather. I know Manolis will only be too pleased to meet you at the airport and drive you back here. You can have a little holiday on me whilst you're selling the place for a reasonable price.' In her motherly voice she continued, 'Now lad, after the library gives you the time off all you have to do is get in touch with the travel agents in town and mention my name. Tell them to send you to Stephanos for a fortnight and they'll fix everything. They've done it for me several times. Get them to provide a taxi to the airport too and charge everything to my account. If you follow my instructions everything will go smoothly. Take the spare mobile phone and try not to get lost or into trouble. You could be back in a week and it'd all seem like a dream. You might even get a tan.'
'Two weeks, Auntie. And anyway, I've always been pale.'
'You're so pale, you're almost invisible. You look like you've been breeding bats.'
'The truth is I never got round to worshipping sunshine like everyone else. I've never been tempted to develop a tan.'
'Godfrey, no wonder you've got pimples.'
'They're spots.'
'OK. Spots. Your skin is like spotty translucent marble. A little colour wouldn't do you any harm.'
'I don't see the point.' I topped up my glass with more hemlock. 'I wonder if I should've borrowed a Greek phrase book from the library.'
'Buy one at the airport and anyway, you've got a tongue in your head.'
'Sometimes it doesn't work properly.'
'You'll soon get used to things and it'll all be over before we know it. So thanks, love. I knew you wouldn't let me down.'
'Just get off the phone Auntie, and let me call the library.'
I was not feeling so calm and serene as I pretended. But what had I been thinking? Ebby was right. I had actually been trying to find an excuse for not being with her just when she really needed me and after all she's done for me in the past. Not to go would have been unforgivable. I put Uncle's notebook back on the table and read the title out loud, Stephanos, and that's when it really hit me. My head was spinning. I was going to Greece - by plane - and I wasn't sure of anything so I wandered about the garden waiting for inspiration. I stared at the pond without actually seeing anything. I shook my head uncomprehending the ice melting in my glass. But nothing made any sense. A trivial argument and a man dies from a heart attack. It was all so implausible and so adult. From somewhere deep inside I heard a voice sighing,
'You know, my boy? I think the sunshine taste like my lemonade. Ha.'
I was in a dream. I saw myself pick up the mobile to make the library call and dial in slow motion as though I was in an old silent movie. Then I clicked it off again. I suppose part of my problem was that I knew nothing about the island except for the snapshots shown me by Auntie Agnes and wordy descriptions from Uncle Pantelis that were probably exaggerations anyway. I decided to go down to the library and have a word with Ms. Woody in person and at the same time find some information about the island for myself.
I knocked and stepped into Reception. Behind her desk sat the secretary, always so efficient and observant, yet completely unaware of a little piece of paper someone had stuck on the front of the desk that read, Killjoy Sits Here.
'I'm so sorry, Godfrey,' said the underling, 'but Ms. Woody is in a meeting at the moment. Shall I take a message?' Dear Ms. Woody was probably in a meeting with a large drink if the truth be known.
'No, that's alright Miss Megrim, perhaps you might ask her to ring me when she's free? I'll be at home.'
'A pleasure, Godfrey. Nothing serious, I hope?'
I smiled and left her dangling in a pool of silent curiosity. Down the hall, in the Reference Section, there was the usual detritus slumped over the tables reading the newspapers so I grabbed a couple of guides to the Greek islands and took them to an empty chair in the Sports Section. As I read about how recent events have shaped the proudly national character of the modern Greeks, I began to realise how my view of Greece was rather romantic. But occupation, wars, more occupation, depopulation and population exchanges had all served to shape the Modern Greek state and I began to feel more drawn to discover the facts for myself. As for Stephanos, it is considered to have one of the most impressive landscapes in Greece.
'Despite its wild beauty, its traditional and unspoiled character and its magnificent secluded beaches, Stephanos has not yet been invaded by mass tourism and appears like a true paradise. The northern part is where visitors will find the most traditional and unspoiled villages, which constitute a great part of the beauty and attractiveness of Stephanos.'
That passage could have been describing rural Cornwall and now rural Stephanos didn't seem half so distant. Stepping into the sunshine, I decided there and then to call Ms. Woody instead of waiting for her to call me. I sat on a bench, made the call and waited.
'Yes? Hello?' snapped a metallic voice.
'Oh, hi Miss Woody, it's Godfrey.' I could imagine her strangely smudged lipstick sliding into the vinegar slit that she regarded as a smile. Very tall and rather slim, her tangled locks were reminiscent of Medusa or an explosion in a mattress factory. When I joined the library I was warned that on no account must I ever look into her eyes because if I did I would instantly be turned to stone. 'We have had a family emergency. My uncle has died suddenly and I have to be with my aunt over in Greece so I wondered if I could have some time off, Ms. Woody.'
'Greece? Ha! You lucky sod. All that Ouzo and raki. Some people have all the luck.'
'It's a funeral, Miss Woody.'
'Well, I don't know. It's also summer and you know how busy we are,' said the boss. She spoke with a rather lofty, plummy tone and her long intake of breath told me she was smoking something.
'Yes, I realise that but this is very important and if time off is a problem, I'll have to think of something else. My aunt needs help in organising the funeral arrangements. It's all been a bit sudden.'
'Dear me, the Greeks love any excuse for breaking plates, dancing, drinking and eating. You'll have a great time.' It was obvious Ms. Woody had started on the Shiraz. 'You've had an excellent two years here and you've earned some leave. Although I must say, lately you seem rather restless dear, and I have to admit I expected more from a man of your age. I hear you've criticised some members for overspending time in the Reference Section. And what's this about referring to a child as a hobbit?'
'It was meant as a compliment.'
'And I'm sure you weren't serious when you fined its parent for overeating. Anyway, I agree. I think it is time you had a break. So that's settled then. Take your annual leave and have a fortnight's holiday.'
I was almost forty years old and still getting a gentle rollicking over my conduct. In other circumstances it might have been humiliating but as it was, I just smiled because there in the garden the air was filled with the fragrance of freedom drifting on a cloud of summer scented lotions and in that moment I knew how godly Alexander must have felt before leaving on pilgrimage for the oracle of Ammon.
'Thank you, Ms. Woody. Do you want me to come in and sign off, Ms. Woody?'
'No dear. Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I'll fix everything up with head office and they'll contact the wage department. Do you want your leave as from Monday, dear? You might as well. Oh, hello? Hello? Still there Godfrey? Can hardly hear you, my dear. Now you go and enjoy yourself, and don't forget my card or,' giggling, 'my little present. Bon voyage.'
It was with mixed feelings that I crossed the road and found my way to the travel agents. It looked busy with several people waiting. It reminded me of a doctor's surgery choked with the tired and listless hoping for a speedy cure. I found an empty seat and picked up a brochure for sea cruises. A floating paradise booklet for the middle-aged poseur. I felt ill.
'Good morning, Sir, I'm Megan. How can I help you?'
A young lady who looked about eleven years old gave me a welcoming grin and indicated the vacant seat in front of the long desk in front of her. Behind her on the wall was a huge coloured poster of Florida Disney World. The room had a conveyor belt atmosphere. Across the desk, to her right and left, sat hopeful trippers pouring over brightly coloured brochures of never-never lands, mesmerised and grinning and gasping and making faint comments such as, 'oh, that looks nice' and 'lovely', and 'mmm' to the smiling hypnotists whispering large numbers as everybody smiled and nodded.
'I've never been abroad before and I want you to send me to Stephanos.' My voice was hoarse.
'Sorry, sir. I couldn't quite make that out, could you speak up please?'
'I have to fly to Stephanos.' I cleared my throat.
'Yes, sir.'
'It's in Greece.'
'Thanks. And when do you want to go, sir?' She raised an eyebrow.
'That's just it. I don't want to go, really.' She frowned and offered me one of her jelly babies whilst casually pressing a button on the side of the desk. A thin man sprang to her side from nowhere.
'That's alright, Megan, you take your break now and I'll deal with Mr., er, what was the name, sir?'
'Well, it's always been Ash. Godfrey Ash.'
'Yes. Mr. Ash. How can I help you?' He kept a straight face as Shakira stepped outside.
'My Aunt Lambrakis is in Greece, the island of Stephanos for the funeral of her husband. She told me you usually organise her holidays for her and she wants me to join her. I'm her nephew, Godfrey.'
'Oh, I am sorry Mr. Lambrakis has passed over. Please express on my condolences.'
'I shall. Right now, I need some guidance. I haven't been abroad before so how do I get to Greece?' No sooner had the words left my lips than all faces turned my way, pamphlets were replaced and all geography lessons came to a dead stop. I found a dozen pairs of eyes staring at me in awestruck disbelief and I'm sure I heard someone whisper, 'He's…never been...abroad.'
A frowning Megan moved silently into the street until she melted into the lunchtime torrent. I hadn't meant to be difficult. For the records and training purposes they took my photograph, then they filmed me signing the contract, but really it was all over in a flash and when I stood to leave everyone sighed and returned to their lessons.
'Now don't worry, Mr. Ash,' the thin man held the door open for me. 'Everything has been taken care of and the documents will be delivered to your cottage tomorrow morning by special courier.'
As soon as I got home, I found Ebby and gave him the news, 'Ebby, Guess what?'
'I give in. What?'
'Ebby, I've done it. I've booked my passage.'
'Well done. You know it's the right decision. When do you leave?'
'Well, tomorrow - if the documents arrive. My itinerary goes something like this: a taxi will take me to the local airport where I catch a plane to Bristol; then I take a flight to Athens and stay overnight with a friend of Uncle Pantelis; the following morning I fly in a tiny plane high above the Aegean Sea over countless other islands down to Stephanos where I'll be met at the airport by a man called Manolis - he's the husband of the mayor of the village where uncle has his house - he'll drive me up to Sophia where I should find Auntie Agnes hopefully sipping some sherry. After the memorial service or as soon as she's ready, Auntie will return to Cornwall within a few days. That's when I have to stay on alone and take full responsibility for the sale of uncle's house.'
'Have you told them in work?'
'I've taken my two weeks holiday so far. I'll tell them I'm leaving when I get back.'
'If you come back.'
'Of course I'll come back. I'm only going to help Auntie. It'll all be over in a fortnight. Couldn't be simpler but I'm terrified.'
'No need to be scared, Godfrey, just enjoy yourself. And do talk to strangers. You might make some friends and I'm sure you'll have every opportunity. Anyway, the most important thing is, you'll be helping your aunt. Have a good trip, old chap.'
Demelza from the newsagent's called round to the cottage in answer to my panicky enquiry after someone to feed Ebby while I was away. I liked Demelza ever since Auntie told me Demelza fancied me. Well, fancied me in a photograph taken with some holidaying celebrity chef.
'I've cat-sat several times for your auntie now. Ebby's quite used to me coming in every day. He's a lovely cat. All black,' she said, 'and a bit weird. In fact, when we were kids we used to think your auntie was a witch and the cat was her familiar. But we've grown used to each other now.'
'That's a relief. I thought I'd have to give you a list of his likes and dislikes.' I hoped she wouldn't notice Auntie's broomstick near the door.
'No. He knows the routine. You just have to talk to him like he's a baby and everything's fine.'
As I poured out some tea for Demelza, I spotted Ebby peering at me through the open window and he seemed to be shaking his head and frowning.
'We love animals in our family. A couple of weeks ago my brother was out fishing and he thought he saw a mermaid. It was only a seal but he fell in love with it anyway. He calls her Sally Seal and now he wants to live with her out in the bay, on Folk Rock. He's crazy about her and says all he wants to do is take care of Sally and give up fishing all together.' She finished her tea and stood up. 'Right. Well, I'd better get off.'
'See you tomorrow, Demelza.'
'Thanks for the warning, my dear. Bye for now.'