The Fury(18)

I got out of bed, the cold stone slabs on the floor waking up my feet. I made my way to the window and threw open the curtains. Sunlight flooded in. I looked out at the clear blue sky, the orderly rows of tall green pine trees, and the blue-and-silver olive trees, pink spring flowers, and clouds of yellow butterflies. I listened for a moment to a chorus of cicadas and birdsong; breathing in the heavy scents of earth, sand, and sea. It was glorious. I couldn’t help but smile.

I decided to do a little work before going downstairs. I always felt inspired when I was on the island. So I sat at the desk and opened my notebook. I sketched out some ideas for a drama I was working on.

Then I had a quick shower and went downstairs. The strong smell of coffee beckoned me to the kitchen, where a fresh pot was on the stove. I poured myself a cup.

No sign of the others. I wondered where they were.

Then, looking out of the window, I noticed Leo and Lana outside. They were hard at work in the garden.

Aided by Nikos, Leo was digging up a plot of earth in an old flower bed. Nikos was doing most of the work, exerting himself. His vest was drenched with sweat. Lana was crouched nearby, picking cherry tomatoes, collecting them in a wicker basket.

I poured myself another cup of coffee. Then I went to join them.



* * *



I left the house and made my way down the uneven stone steps to the lower level. As I walked past the walled orchard, I glanced inside, at the rows of peach and apple trees. They had white and pink blossoms on their branches, and tiny yellow flowers growing among the roots.

Spring, it seemed, yet to arrive in England, was in full bloom on Aura.

“Good morning,” I said, as I reached Leo and Lana.

“Elliot, darling. Here”—Lana popped a cherry tomato into my mouth—“something sweet to start the day off.”

“Am I not sweet enough?” I chuckled, my mouth full.

“Almost. Not quite.”

“Mmm.” The tomato was indeed sweet and delicious. I took another from Lana’s basket. “What’s going on?”

“We’re planting a new vegetable garden. Our new project.”

“What’s wrong with the old one?”

“This is for Leo. He needs his own plot.” Lana smiled at me with a hint of amusement. “He’s vegan now, you know.”

“Ah.” I smiled back. “You did mention it, yes.”

“We’re going to grow everything.” Leo gestured enthusiastically at the dug-up earth.

“Almost everything.” Lana smiled.

“Kale and cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and radishes … what else?”

“Potatoes,” Lana said. “So we can stop stealing Nikos’s. They were so delicious last night, by the way. Thank you.”

She directed this at Nikos with a smile. He waved away the compliment, embarrassed.

“Room for a little marijuana?” I asked.

“No.” Leo shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

Lana winked at me. “We’ll see.”

I glanced in the direction of the summerhouse. “Where’s madam?”

“Still asleep.”

“And Jason?”

Before Lana could reply, the answer came—a loud gunshot. And then another shot—from just behind the house.

I jumped out of my skin. “Jesus.”

“Sorry,” Lana said. “It’s Jason.”

“Shooting people?”

“Just pigeons, so far.”

“It’s murder.” Leo pulled a face. “It’s an act of violence. It’s disgusting and offensive. It’s gross.”

Lana’s voice took on a patient but strained quality, making me think they’d had this discussion before. “Well, darling, I know that—but he enjoys it—and we do eat everything he kills, so it doesn’t go to waste.”

“I don’t eat it. I’d rather starve.”

Wisely, Lana changed the subject. She touched Leo’s arm and gave him a pleading look. “Leo, can you perform a miracle and raise the dead? Remind Kate the picnic was all her idea, will you? Agathi has put so much work into it. She’s been cooking all morning.”

Leo sighed. He stabbed his spade in the earth. He didn’t look thrilled about the assignment. “Niko, we’ll finish up later, all right?”

Nikos nodded.

While Lana showed me where the bulbs were going to go, I glanced at Nikos, over her shoulder. He took a break from digging for a moment. He caught his breath and wiped his brow.

How old was Nikos then? I wonder. He must have been only in his late forties but his once jet-black hair was streaked with white, his face tanned and deeply lined.

He was an odd man. He only spoke directly to Agathi and Lana or occasionally to Leo. He never spoke to me, even though I had been to the island several times. He seemed wary of me, somehow, as if I were untamed.

As I looked at him, I noticed something strange. He was staring at Lana with the oddest expression. It was quite intense, and completely unselfconscious.

He was looking at her with adoration, fascination—with a faint half smile on his lips. He looked younger, somehow, almost boyish.

Gosh, I thought, as I watched him gaze at her. He’s in love with her.

I don’t know why I was surprised. It made perfect sense, on reflection. Put yourself in his place—imagine being stranded on a tiny island all year round, deprived of any company, male or female, only to have a goddess wash up on your shore every few months. Of course he was in love with her.