Page 70 of Villa of Secrets

I shrugged. ‘No idea.’

We always shared our secrets. Her face fell, and I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. ‘Irini, I want to explain everything, but I can’t. For your sake. It’s dangerous. My only instructions are that we must be ready and wait for Giovanni.’

Xanthi was pleasant enough, and it was obvious Evangelisa liked her. She glowed with admiration, which made me smile. I noticed Xanthi looked more like Evangelisa than I did, both in height and build. Pleased Evangelisa had a new friend, it occurred to me she’d probably been lonely since we left home and her school friends. I must try to be a better sister.

Nathanial told me the best way to establish my authority was to give orders right away, so I did.

‘Xanthi and Evangelisa, take care of the dishes and clean up. Irini, saddle the horse. Please.’ I said boldly although my insides were shaking. If they rejected my instructions, I’d be left looking stupid and ashamed.

‘Giovanni, I’ll meet you under the cinnamon tree at sundown.’

Irini flicked a glance of disdain my way.

I’m sorry, Irini!

I found her scorn hard to take and lowered my eyes. She marched off to fetch Zeus.

*

‘Keep your heels down!’ Irini shouted.

I pulled my toes up and pushed against the stirrups. ‘Straight back!’ she yelled as if she hated me. The atmosphere was dreadful and I didn’t know what to do about it.

‘Irini . . .’ I called.

‘Don’t talk. Concentrate. Tap his belly with your heels, and squeeze with your knees to urge him on.’

Irini stood in the middle of the clearing with Zeus on a long rope.

Once in the saddle, I tried to remember the things Danial had taught me, but because I had wounded Irini so badly, I found it hard to focus. ‘Irini, I’m sorry. Really!’

She lifted her face and, just before she turned it away, I noticed her chin quiver.

Irini was more than a friend – more than a sister. I loved her so much, and now I’d hurt her deeply. My own tears were on the brink.

I wanted to tell her everything, but that would put her in danger. Nathanial warned me, and I understood he wasn’t the sort to make an empty threat.

Xanthi and Evangelisa came to watch. Wretched, I realised I couldn’t explain anything in front of them.

After the lesson, we ate the last of the potatoes and bread, and a dish of wild greens that Xanthi and my sister had prepared. An awkward silence hung over the meal.

‘Delicious.’ I said. ‘That was the best salad ever!’ Evangelisa and Xanthi grinned at each other. Irini stared at the floor, and I recalled she’d made the same food a few days back and I hadn’t commented.

‘The way your cooking skills are improving, you’ll soon be as good as Irini.’

Irini looked up. I touched her arm. ‘I have to meet Giovanni and find out about tomorrow.’

‘I’ll come with you.’ She followed me outside. ‘You shouldn’t be going into the woods by yourself. It’ll be dark in half an hour.’

Our eyes met. She was testing me.

‘Sorry, honestly, but I have to go alone.’ I tried to catch her eye, but she stared at Xanthi and Evangelisa, who were dragging the blanket over the bushes to give it an airing.

‘You’ll leave me stuck here with them, again?’ She sat on the log, her hands between her knees and her head bowed. ‘I miss my parents and my sister. I wish I’d gone with them.’

‘Stop it! Never say that!’ I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. ‘We have to do everything we can to end the war, then our families will return to Rhodes. You know it. Don’t be so childish!’ I shouted.

Her eyes filled with pain and her face crumpled. ‘We were such good friends, Dora, really close, no secrets, but now I’ve become invisible. You’re more interested in Giovanni. I do everything I can to help, but you can’t even say thanks. You’ve hurt me by taking me for granted and abandoning our friendship.’ She sighed, silent for a moment. ‘I’m so terribly lonely, Dora, and you are breaking my heart.’