However, she hadn’t been sitting there for very long before the phone rang. Her mother, Jane guessed, assuming that she’d phoned the gallery and Olga had directed her here. It was to be hoped her employer hadn’t decided to confide her fears to Mrs Lang. It might account for the timeliness—or untimeliness— of her call.
She contemplated not answering for all of ten seconds. But the possibility that it might be someone else had her reaching for the receiver. ‘Yes,’ she said, aware that her tone was less than cordial, and then she nearly dropped the instrument when Demetri’s rich, dark voice came on the line.
‘I see your temper hasn’t improved,’ he remarked drily, the slight echo indicating he was calling long-distance. ‘Who has upset you this time?’
Jane caught her breath. Then, gathering her scattered senses, she said, ‘Nobody’s upset me, Demetri. I haven’t spoken to you in weeks.’
Demetri snorted. ‘Always ready with the acid comment,’ he said wryly. ‘I suppose you were expecting me to call.’
Jane frowned. ‘Why would I expect to hear from you?’ she retorted, wondering if there was a letter in today’s mail she’d overlooked. This had to be something to do with the divorce. There was no other reason for Demetri to contact her. That he knew of, at least.
‘I spoke to your mother earlier,’ Demetri explained with more patience than she’d have expected. ‘I didn’t have the gallery’s number so I was forced to contact her. She gave me the number—not without some reluctance, I have to admit— but, as you know, the effort was wasted. You’re an elusive woman, Jane.’ He paused. ‘I trust you’re feeling better.’
Jane moistened her lips. Despite the fact that her mind was buzzing with the reasons why Demetri had rung, she wondered rather apprehensively what Olga might have said. Nothing indiscreet, she assured herself, although Olga wasn’t known for her discretion.
‘Um—I suppose Olga told you I’d gone home because I wasn’t feeling well,’ she ventured cautiously.
‘Something like that,’ Demetri agreed obliquely. ‘I hope it’s nothing serious.’
Serious enough, thought Jane tensely, but Demetri hadn’t rung to discuss her health. ‘Just a cold,’ she said, realising she had to move the conversation along. ‘What did you want, Demetri?’A thought occurred to her. ‘Your father’s not worse, is he?’
‘No.’ Demetri was upbeat. ‘As a matter of fact, he seems a little better. The drugs his doctors have prescribed seem to be keeping the tumour in check.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad.’ Jane was fervent. ‘Give him my best wishes when you see him, won’t you? I’ve thought about him a lot.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really.’ Jane was stung by the trace of disbelief in his voice. ‘Just because a man takes what he wants without care of the consequences doesn’t mean his father deserves my contempt.’
She heard his angry intake of breath. ‘You’re still talking about Ianthe, I presume,’ he said harshly.
Jane swallowed. ‘What else?’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Demetri’s tone was sardonic now. ‘I thought it might have been your less-than-subtle way of reminding me of what happened when I came to your apartment.’
Jane’s fingers tightened round the receiver. ‘Do you need reminding?’
Demetri swore. ‘It was good, Jane, but it wasn’t that good. If you think that’s what I want to talk to you about, you’re wasting your time provoking me.’
Jane gasped. ‘You—you—’
‘Bastard? Son of a bitch?’ supplied Demetri coldly. ‘Yes, I know what you think of me, Jane. You don’t have to spell it out.’
‘Then why are you ringing me?’ she demanded. ‘If it’s not to apologise, I don’t think I want to hear anything you have to say.’
She would have rung off then, but his hoarse ‘Wait!’ caused her to hesitate in the act. ‘My father—my father wants to see you,’ he went on grimly. ‘Don’t ask me why, but he does.’ He sucked in a breath. ‘Will you come?’
Jane was stunned. ‘To Greece?’
‘To Kalithi, of course.’
Jane couldn’t believe it. ‘You’re not serious!’
‘Why not?’ Demetri had himself in control again. ‘He would deem it a great personal favour if you would accept his invitation.’
‘But…’There were so many ‘buts’ Jane couldn’t even begin to think of them all. ‘Your mother would never agree to it—’
‘She has no choice.’
‘—and you don’t want me there—’
‘That’s immaterial.’
‘Besides, I can’t just leave my job. Olga depends on me.’
‘Take a leave of absence,’ said Demetri tersely. ‘If it’s the money you’re concerned about—’
‘It’s not.’ Jane resented his immediate supposition that money could solve everything.
‘Then I don’t see the problem.’ He paused. ‘Unless you think your boyfriend won’t approve of it. You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend, Jane. How long has this been going on?’
Jane caught her breath. She was tempted to say ‘It’s none of your business’, but in this case it was wiser not to lie. ‘Alex Hunter is a friend, that’s all. Not a boyfriend. I assume Olga told you about him.’ That was like her. ‘Well, she’s very keen for me to find someone to care about me.’
‘And does he?’ enquired Demetri, startling her into confusion.
‘Does he what?’
‘Care about you,’ Demetri declared smoothly. ‘Your employer tells me he’s an accountant, with a very good job in the City. I have to say, I can’t see you with an accountant, aghapita. Grey men in grey suits—isn’t that what they say, okhi?’
‘Whom I choose to see is nothing to do with you.’ Jane was forced to defend Alex, regardless. She took a breath. ‘You really expect me to accept your father’s invitation?’ she continued incredulously. She shook her head. ‘Why does he want to see me? Do you know?’
‘Perhaps he wants to say goodbye.’ Demetri’s tone was sombre. ‘I hope you will put our differences aside for the few days you will be staying at the villa. It’s not as if it was ever your home. The house I built for us is some distance from the main building, as you know. If you’d prefer it, I’ll keep out of your way.’
CHAPTER FIVE
IT WAS late afternoon when the ferry docked at Kalithi. It had been a three-hour journey from Andros, where Jane’s flight from England had landed, and by the time she stepped ashore she was feeling decidedly weary.
It was already a week since Demetri’s call and five days since a doctor had confirmed her condition. She still hadn’t told anyone she was pregnant, despite the fact that the morning sickness hadn’t abated, and she knew Olga wasn’t deceived when Jane insisted it was just a bug.
Mrs Lang, whom she’d had to tell where she was going, had assumed her daughter’s anxious appearance was apprehension about seeing the Souvakis family again. In her opinion, Jane should have refused the invitation, despite its poignant cause.