Page 96 of Villa of Secrets

‘Xanthi’s teaching me so much, Dora,’ she said. We’re baking bread tomorrow.’ Clearly delighted, she fussed around the hut. She had even placed a jar of wild flowers on the table.

‘Where’s Xanthi?’ I asked.

‘She’s gone to meet one of the Andartes.’ She leaned forward, her eyes shining. ‘Don’t let on, but he’s her boyfriend.’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘The other day, while you were away, she met him and came back with a love bite on her neck.’ Evangelisa nodded rather like Zeus. ‘I’m sworn to secrecy, but right after the war, she is going to get married and I’ll be her bridesmaid!’

‘That’s lovely.’

‘I wish I had a boyfriend,’ she said. ‘I watched you and Giovanni kissing. I want a boy to kiss me too.’

I remembered how Irini and I would study lovers kissing at the port. ‘When did you watch us?’

‘Ah, that would be telling.’

Monday, 28 August 1944

I hardly slept last night for worry about Irini. I plan to speak to Nathanial this very morning. His men might have heard something. Xanthi has gone to collect pine cones for the fire, and Evangelisa is arranging fresh wildflowers for the table.

Giovanni appeared in the doorway. ‘Can I speak to you outside?’ he said.

We sat on the log. Evangelisa followed.

‘Evangelisa, you realise this is the very best time to water tomatoes?’ I said. ‘If you’re hoping for really big ones.’

‘Oh, right.’ She grabbed the bucket and headed for the spring.

Giovanni smiled. ‘She’s cute, isn’t she?’

‘What did you want to tell me?’

‘Nathanial wants to see you. He said they’ve discovered who the traitor is.’

‘Who?’

He shrugged. ‘I have my suspicions, but it’s not for me to say.’

‘Is he still at the villa?’ I asked. Giovanni nodded. ‘Then will you stay with Evangelisa, while I go? I can’t leave her alone if there’s a traitor watching.’

*

All the way through the forest, I fretted. Who was the informer?

I sat with Nathanial on the stone wall outside the Villa. When he answered my question, I was speechless, I snapped my mouth shut and stared at him.

‘I can’t believe it,’ I managed. ‘Why would Xanthi betray us to the Nazis? She has nothing to gain.’

‘We have learned that her lover’s a Nazi. She’ll do anything for him, even give him information. You really had no idea, little one?’

I shook my head. ‘Would I leave my sister with her if I suspected Xanthi was capable of treachery? It’s too awful! I thought someone was following Giovanni and me the night before I left Kamiros Scala.’

I knew it couldn’t be Irini!

He nodded. ‘Xanthi will be dealt with. Is there anything else you want to talk about?’

‘I’m worried sick about Irini. She left without a word three days ago. It’s not like her. Something’s terribly wrong, I sense it. I don’t understand. We never have secrets, apart from what passes between you and I, capitano.’