Anne Hampson When Clouds Part (pdf)

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apex of tourism which we find here.'
'Kalymnos - what of that?'
'Ah, Kalymnos! There we have a Greek island not touched very much at all
by tourism. The cruise ships call, and a few people do choose it for a longer
stay, but one can still have a beach practically to oneself, even in the
summer.'
'It sounds wonderful.' She was becoming a little nervous and shy, thinking of
the night and that her husband was a stranger still despite the closeness
which had developed between them in an amazingly short space of time.
Lights surrounded them as they drove along, for the brief twilight had faded
and a musky, balmy darkness had taken its place.
'It's a wonderful place for a honeymoon,' he returned softly. 'I'm sure you're
going to like it very much.' He glanced through the window as the taxi
slowed down. 'Here we are. Tired of the long journey?'
'I've enjoyed it, Vidas. It was exciting. You see, I haven't been anywhere
very much up till now.'
'Just lived in your little village?'
'That's right. As I told you, Father and I lived alone for over twenty years.'
She was recalling how guardedly she had told him things about herself at
first; but it very soon became evident that although Hannah'sletters had
made a favourable impression on Vidas they had certainly not been
expansive, as he knew nothing at all about her private life. In one way this
was strange, as Hannah liked to talk about herself, but in another way it
seemed quite feasible that nothing much had been imparted to the uncle of
the boy whose life Hannah had saved. He was totally unknown, a nebulous
figure, and one whom she would never meet. The last letter from him had of
course changed all that, but it had come at a time when Hannah had on her
mind more exciting things even than marrying a man as wealthy as Vidas
Theron, and so although his offer was accepted Vidas was still left without
details of Hannah's life.
'You are twenty-one. ...' Vidas spoke to himself, glancing through the
window again as the taxi pulled up at the hotel entrance. 'A delightful age for
a woman,' he added, and she did wonder if he were recalling the time when
he himself was that age ... with a long life ahead of him, or so he believed.
They were shown up to a rose and gold bedroom with adjoining bathroom
that was a dream of modern decor. Excitement welled up within Judi and she
felt her shyness slipping away. And when Vidas, having come close, took
her into his arms she found herself lifting her face for his kiss as
unhesitatingly if a courtship and engagement and marriage had followed one
upon the other in a purely conventional way.
'You're not afraid, little Judi?' Vidas shook his head in a gesture of
wonderment as the words were spoken. It was as if he knew what her answer
would be and was evincing a sort of bewildered disbelief that this could be
so.
'I'm not afraid, Vidas,' she returned, and to prove her words she lifted her
face, inviting his kiss, just as she had done a moment ago. Gently his lips
touched hers, without passion or demand. It might have been the kiss of a
brother for a sister - platonic - but she knew that it was no such thing. Vidas
was naturally holding his ardour in check - for the time being.
'We shall not dine at the hotel,' he decided when after washing and changing
their clothes they were feeling - and looking - greatly refreshed. 'We'll go to
a Turkish restaurant that I know of. It's called Regep Spartali.' He rang for a
taxi, which came at once and took them through squares and streets,
grey-purple in the shadows, and then through the more brilliantly- lighted
centre of the town. The restaurant was outside the town of Rhodes and was
noted for the excellence of its food and wines.
'What would you like?' They were seated in a secluded corner and Vidas
handed Judi the menu. She shook her head, smiling a little deprecatingly as
she said,
'I don't know these dishes. You choose, Vidas.'
He ordered a variety of salads and roast meats, and anguri in yoghurt. The
wine was 'Chevalier de Rhodes', a rose for which the island was famous.
They took a taxi part way back and then walked, strolling through cobbled
alleyways, dimly-lit, but perfumed by flowers tumbling over mellowed
sandstone wails. From tavernas bouzouki music floated on the stillwarm air,
and laughter flowed as tourists sat outside these caf�s, drinking ouzo and
eating the mezes of salad and cheese and meats and octopus. Kebabs turned
on a smoky spit outside one of these cafes and Vidas and Judi stopped for a
moment or two and watched it cooking. To Judi it was all so new and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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