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Her father’s eyebrows shot up in a quizzical expression that made her laugh. ‘So, that’s why you like being on the coast so much,’ he said. ‘You will turn into an orange, you know, one of these days.’

‘Now you are teasing me.’ Martha accused him delightedly. ‘I couldn’t really turn into an orange, could I?’ She looked quickly at her mother.

‘You’re round enough.’ Lara smiled. ‘But I don’t think that will happen, all the same. Can you bring a tray and ask Elpida for some plates?’

Anna noticed that she had made no effort to usurp her husband’s role as host although he walked slowly and awkwardly to the cabinet in a corner which held the drinks.

‘Whisky, Andreas?’ he asked, looking at the younger man for the first time. ‘Or is it too early in the day?’ Andreas seemed to rouse himself from an uneasy dream to answer him. ‘I’m going to follow Anna’s example and have orange-juice,’ he decided, watching as Martha danced back into the room carrying a silver tray. ‘Here, let me have that, nymph.’ he added. ‘You’re going to spill something.’

‘Only almonds,’ she assured him, helping herself to a nut. ‘Elpida’s bringing the other things.’

A maid appeared with little dishes of sweetmeats which she placed on the side tables around the room. She was a shy, country girl with a round, beaming face and shining eyes, doing her best to please her new mistress, and Lara gave her a quick smile of encouragement as she hurried back to the kitchen through the second archway.

‘This island is full of treasures, in more ways than one,’ Lara declared. ‘Do, please, sit down and we can talk for a while before you have to go.'

It all seemed so natural, the reflection of the usual happy home, yet Anna was aware of a certain amount of tension in the atmosphere, particularly when she looked at Andreas. He was helping their host with the drinks now, the set of his jaw harder than ever, his mouth stem as he moved about the room, and she wondered what he was thinking. What would any man think in the circumstances, she wondered, in love with a woman whose husband was his friend?

Somehow, she could not look at him for any length of time, seeing the pain in his eyes and the longing. Philip Warrender was ill—there could be no doubt about that— but he had been a strong man both physically and mentally and there would be every hope of his recovery. Surely there would be every hope!

They spoke of her mother and the nearness of the Masistas estate, ‘It was no coincidence,’ Lara explained. ‘We wanted to be central yet not too far from the sea where Philip could swim, and we had been to the Troodos before.’

‘On our honeymoon,’ Philip put in, handing Anna a long crystal glass of freshly squeezed orange-juice.

‘Nikos advised us about this villa,’ Lara continued almost hastily. ‘He has been very kind and decidedly helpful. We had many provisions, you see, because we. did not want to be part of a holiday complex and we needed our privacy and a large garden, preferably with a pool.’

‘You have everything here,’ Anna agreed, glancing through the open patio doors to the blue-tiled swimming- pool which reflected an even bluer sky ‘And you are so near the forest with its wonderful views.’

Tall poplars edged the garden in the north above a natural amphitheatre through which the infant river cut its way, making a dozen little waterfalls over the rock, and it was the murmur of flowing water which gave the Villa Napa its suggestion of peace, yet there could not be any real peace there if the people who lived in it were so hopelessly tom apart. Anna turned from her contemplation of the garden as Susan came into the room and sat down on the deep white settee beside her.

‘What do you think of our new abode?’ she asked perkily. ‘Nice, isn’t it? And not
too
far away from civilisation. It’s a fabulous villa and everybody ought to be happy here.’

She was looking at Andreas, obviously wondering what part he would play in their lives now that Philip Warrender had returned.

Anna smoothed the cushion at her side with nervous fingers. ‘Will you stay now that you have seen the mountains?’ she asked.

‘I don’t know.’ Susan glanced sharply in Lara’s direction. ‘It’s a lot of work looking after a volatile child like Martha and trying to teach her text-book English into the bargain.’

‘But surely with all the privileges you’ll enjoy here, that can’t be too hard,’ Anna suggested.

‘Perhaps not,’ Susan allowed. ‘And if I thought we would go to the beach most days it might be worthwhile, but it will all depend on what happens, of course.’ She paused, following Philip’s awkward movements across the room as he replenished their glasses. ‘It’s a terrible tragedy, isn’t it? He was such a handsome man.’ When Anna did not reply she added boldly, ‘It wasn’t an accident, you know. He had some sort of incurable disease—some syndrome or other. I don’t know much about it, but I don’t think he’ll ever recover and it’s all rather sad.’

Anna sat upright among the cushions, all feeling gone out of her for a moment as she looked at the man she had just met and beyond him to where Andreas and Lara were deep in conversation, their heads bent as they studied the papers Andreas had brought with him from Limassol.

‘If we sign these,’ Lara suggested, looking up as her husband approached, ‘Andreas can take them back with him. You may want to have a longer time to decide about the New York merger, though, so we’ll keep that to one side.’ She handed him a sheaf of papers. ‘Whatever you say,’ she suggested.

‘I haven’t made up my mind about the merger.’ Philip turned to go back to his study. ‘The other papers are of no great importance so I’ll sign them right away.’

He was evidently still in full control of their business affairs, allowing him a dignity which he obviously appreciated, and Anna did not think that either of them would want to humiliate him in that way. The tragedy lay in the fact that they all respected each other and gratitude played a part, too, where Andreas was concerned.

When Philip returned with the signed documents Andreas sprang to his feet.

‘Time to make a move,’ he said with a hint of reluctance in his voice. ‘This place is far too seductive,’ he added. ‘It has far too many attractions.’

Philip laughed as he handed back the papers. ‘Thank you for bringing them,’ he said, ‘and don’t be too long before you come back.’

Employer and employee exchanged confidential glances.

‘Maybe next weekend,’ Andreas suggested. 'I'll let you know.’

‘Then we can have a picnic at the seaside!’ Martha cried, slipping her hand into Anna’s as they went towards the car ‘Will you come, too?’

‘I’ll have to think about it ‘Anna said gently. ‘It may be difficult for me to get away.’

‘Why the reluctance?’ Andreas asked as he drove through the gateway. ‘You could easily delegate again, especially as you seem to have enjoyed today so far.’ The day wasn’t over yet, but Anna felt as if a lifetime had passed since they had left Limassol that morning, driving into the mountains with no thought of sorrow in her heart.

‘It’s hard to believe,’ she said. ‘About Philip. He looks so strong and capable. I feel so sorry for them both.’

He swung the car round a sharp bend in the road, taking it far too quickly. ‘Sorry doesn’t cover what we feel, Anna,' he said harshly. ‘It’s a ghastly tragedy for everyone concerned.’

He had included himself in their heartache. He was part of it. Anna turned her head away, seeing the valley road through a mist of tears.

When they finally reached the farmhouse Dorothy greeted them on the loggia where she had been waiting for an hour. ‘I thought you were never coming,’ she told them. ‘Have you had a good journey?’

‘Splendid,’ Andreas assured her, kissing her on both cheeks. ‘We made a stop at Lara’s new home to deliver some papers that had to be signed, killing two birds with one stone.’ He held her at arms’ length. ‘You look glowing. What have you been doing with yourself since I saw you last?’

‘Nothing more exciting than resting most of the day,’ she told him.

‘It has worked wonders,’ he declared. ‘What did I tell you about mountain air?’

‘Mountain air and much kindness,' Dorothy reflected, kissing Anna on the cheek. ‘What news have you brought?’

Her eagerness went deeper than trivial gossip on even the affairs of the Villa Severus.

‘Nothing,’ Anna said, disappointing her. ‘We’ve been very busy, but apart from that most things have been the same.’

Dorothy searched her face for the truth. ‘I thought, perhaps—but never mind,’ she added quickly. ‘You’re here and that’s the main thing. Will you stay?’

‘We’ve been invited to lunch.’ Anna looked about her for any sign of Nikos or his father. ‘Everyone seems to be busy,’ she remarked.

‘It’s an early harvest this year.’ Dorothy appeared to be concentrating on something else. ‘I feel so well now,’ she said. ‘I could come home.’

Anna looked round sharply. ‘You mustn’t think of it.’ she remonstrated. ‘Remember what Doctor Ioannu said. The heat would be too much for you in June and July.’ Dorothy sighed. ‘I suppose I must accept that,’ she said, ‘especially when everyone is being so kind and Helena and I do have a great many things in common.’

‘I’m glad,’ Anna said, feeling relieved. ‘We have a message for you from John Malecos, by the way,’ she added lightly. ‘He threatens to pop in and see you one of these days.'

‘He was here yesterday,’ Dorothy’s cheeks were faintly flushed with pink. ‘He brought some flowers—and chocolates for Helena.’

Nikos and his father appeared at the far end of the loggia as Helena came from the house to welcome them. She had very little to say to Andreas, greeting him frigidly as she looked at her son. Kypros Masistas, however, was almost boisterous in his welcome.

‘It’s too long since we met, Andreas Phedonos,’ he said, shaking him vigorously by the hand, ‘but this is just like old times! You must come often now that you have found your way here. Do you still ski in the winter?’ Andreas shook his head. ‘I haven’t had much practice lately—much time for it, I suppose I mean, but when I was in Switzerland two years ago learning my trade I did manage some time in the mountains around Zurich. Perhaps I will get into shape again next winter.’

‘You are here to stay, then?’ Helena asked, evidently disappointed.

‘For a while,’ Andreas answered, amused. ‘The Crescent Beach is running quite smoothly, but we hope to build another hotel at Larnaca in the near future and perhaps one at Paphos if we can buy the necessary land.’

Nikos, who had been listening to his plans, sat down beside Anna. ‘We have quite a tycoon on our hands,’ he remarked. ‘Where does he mean to start all this buying of land, do you think?'

‘I don’t know,’ Anna said uncertainly, ‘He’ll be buying it for Lara, I expect. She’s the tycoon—or, at least, her husband is.’ She turned to face him. ‘I’ve just met Philip and—nobody could help liking him,’ she added.

‘He’s been ill, I understand.'

‘Yes, very ill.’

Suddenly she was remembering the scene at the villa they had just left, the happiness that had overshadowed the pain, and the trust that Philip Warrender had in his wife.

Nikos rose to his feet as his mother led the way into the house. ‘Time to eat!’ he announced. ‘We’re earlier today because we have a buyer coming over from Nicosia to look at our crop, but he won’t stay too long, I hope. After that we can have a swim or play some tennis, whichever you would like.’

‘I haven’t brought a swimsuit,’ Anna said as they followed the others, ‘and my tennis is very rusty.'

‘For want of practice,’ he decided, ‘and we can easily find you something to swim in. The girls have discarded bikinis all over the place.’

‘When do they come home?’ she asked.

‘June, I think—or is it July? They descend on us like a whirlwind and nothing is quite the same till they go back to school.’

It was said with affection because they were a closely knit family with a great deal in common and Nikos was particularly fond of the twins.

The meal they shared was a lavish one, set out in the family dining-room with the patio doors left open to let in the mountain air. The scent of jasmine and the hum of bees drifted in to them as they sat round the large oak table with Kypros presiding at the head and Helena at the far end near the folding doors which led through to the kitchens. Anna glanced across the table at her mother, thinking that she looked content in these pleasing surroundings with people she had known for much of her married life, and if she had another friend, or even an admirer, in John Malecos that was also good. It was a long time since she had appeared so happy.

Their coffee was served on the loggia as the sun slanted through the garden trees, and presently a car drew up to the front of the house, bringing Kypros reluctantly to his feet.

‘If you can bear to tear yourself away, Nikos, my son, we’ll get this inspection over and be done with it’ he grumbled. ‘It’s bad for my digestion to be talking business so soon after a good meal when all I can think of is a satisfying smoke in an easy chair.’ He looked down at Andreas. ‘Care to come with us?’ he asked.

'I'd like to very much.’ Andreas got up to follow him. ‘I won’t get in the way of the bargaining,’ he promised, ‘but I’d like to look round, if I may.’

‘You are welcome,’ Kypros told him. ‘Go anywhere you like. You know your way around.'

They went off together under the pergola where the heavy vine leaves dappled the pavement with light and shade and Helena excused herself to go into the house.

Anna moved to a chair nearer her mother, but for a moment she found nothing to say. The garden peace enveloped them with the all-pervading scent of jasmine dominating their senses until Dorothy looked round to say, ‘You’re very quiet. Has something gone wrong?’

Anna pulled her thoughts back from the Villa Napa with a considerable effort. ‘No,’ she lied for her mother’s peace of mind, ‘nothing has gone wrong. Things are working out quite smoothly at home.’

‘I wasn’t thinking about the hotel, I was thinking about you,’ Dorothy said. ‘You look—sad.’

‘You know I’m not sad.’ Anna’s eyes followed the line of the pergola to where it met the terrace wall. ‘It’s lovely to see you looking so well and—contented.’