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Who Pays the Ferryman Page 9
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Haldane frowned. She was right of course. Then he had an inspiration. 'What if Babis Spiridakis were on our side,' he said. 'What about that?'
Elena gave this idea some thought and then she nodded. 'Yes,' she said, but there was doubt in her voice.
'Perhaps.' Then she smiled, encouraged by an inspiration of her own. 'But even more so if it were my aunt who spoke in favour of the plan.'
'Annika! . exclaimed Haldane, surprised.
'Yes. Nikos admires her very much. He would never say so because for a woman in Crete she is ... How do you say it in English? '
'Unconventional? Different?'
'Yes,' said Elena. 'She is different. She does not obey the rules. And many people speak against her.'
'Because of her divorce?,’ asked Haldane.
She nodded. 'Because of that. And because of the way she thinks. Of what she says. Because she does not believe that she has to answer to any man. But she has made a big success of her own business. And when she speaks she speaks only the truth. Nikos knows these things and when she talks he listens.'
'Right,' said Haldane. 'Then first I'll speak to her.'
'Good,' said Elena. And then she smiled and went on. 'That will please her I think.'
Haldane gave her a questioning look. Elena's smile broadened knowingly. 'She welcomes seeing you. But then I do not have to tell you that.'
Haldane was not going to be drawn on that subject so he ignored the implications behind her smile. He glanced at his watch and then gathered up his notes and re-rolled the sketch. 'I must go if I'm going to catch the bus to Heraklion.' he said. He took out some money to pay for his coffee but Elena raised her hand in protest and gave him a hurt look.
'Please Leandros,' she said.
'But Elena!' he protested. 'Every day it is the same.'
'And every day it is our pleasure.'
He smiled. 'Thank you,' he said and then stood up. 'I will let you know what your aunt says. If she is in favour of the scheme maybe it would be a good idea for all of us to get together and talk about it.'
'Yes,' agreed Elena. 'I think it would.'
He turned and started for the doorway.
'Why. Leandros?' said Elena.
Haldane turned back to her with a puzzled look on his face. 'Why?'
'The drawing. The calculations. Everything. Why did you do this? Why did you bring your plan here to us?'
Haldane studied her. He had to have a reason. One which would satisfy her. He shrugged. 'Perhaps because I know how you feel. I once had something I built up from nothing. Something I loved. And in the end I lost that to money.' He smiled. 'And then again perhaps because it's just a damned good idea. And there's profit in it.' He hesitated and then added. 'For everyone.'
He swung round and Elena watched him walk out on to the street.
Outside Haldane's house Noukakis was leaning against the side of the truck, smoking a cigarette. He straightened up as the Englishman approached him. Haldane was surprised to see him. He glanced at the mast and then gave him a questioning look. Noukakis regarded him contemptuously.
'A mast. For your caique. It is a gift from Kyria Zeferis,' he said, making no attempt whatever to disguise his scorn. 'She found it in a boatyard in Heraklion. It is old.'
Ignoring the man's manner, Haldane examined the mast and ran a hand down it feeling the strength of the seasoned wood. 'It's marvellous,' he exclaimed delightedly. 'Exactly what I've been looking for. But a present!' He shook his head. 'She shouldn't have done that.'
'No.’ said Noukakis flatly, flipping his cigarette end across the road.
He climbed into the back of the truck and untied the mast. Haldane helped him to unload it and together they carried it into the garage. When they came back out on to the street Haldane closed the garage doors and turned to look at Noukakis to find the Cretan regarding him with only thinly veiled hostility. My God, but you really do hate my guts, don't you, thought Haldane. I've trodden on your toes, haven't I? But how? Then he realised. It had to be Annika. He smiled at Noukakis.
'Are you going back to Heraklion now?' he enquired innocently.
'Yes.' Noukakis' reply was cautious.
Haldane nodded. 'Good,' he said pleasantly. 'You can give me a lift.'
Noukakis frowned. He got into the driving cab and started the engine. Haldane climbed into the seat beside him.
Throughout the forty-minute drive, Noukakis said nothing but occasionally he would grin quietly to himself and Haldane had the feeling that he had something on his mind. And that whatever it was it both pleased and amused him.
Spiridakis was waiting outside the Customs House and so was the car. It was a Fiat 850 drop head sports coupe, several years old but in very good condition. Haldane examined it gleefully. It had covered a lot of kilometres in its time but, with a thorough overhaul and treated with respect, the engine still had a lot of life left in it.
'Everything is in order,' said Spiridakis, handing him a sheaf of documents. 'The car is yours, Leandros.'
'It's ideal,' enthused Haldane. 'And for such a good price.'
He reached for his cheque book but Spiridalis raised his hand and shook his head. 'Later,' he said. 'You can settle with me later. Tomorrow I am having lunch with the Chief Customs Officer.' He smiled. 'He is the cousin of a cousin of mine. And it is possible that he might yet be able to improve on the price. You know how these things are done here.'
Haldane laughed. He knew only too well. Everyone on Crete seemed to be related in some way and a blood tie, however remote, carried obligations with it. And those . obligations were, in turn, repaid with favours.
'Yes, I know,' he said. 'Thank you, Babis.'
Spiridakis shrugged dismissively. 'For what?'
'For finding the car for me,' replied Haldane. 'For taking care of all the formalities.'
'It was nothing. You need a car of your own.' He fixed Haldane with a penetrating look. 'If you are really going to stay here for some time that is.'
'I am,' Haldane said.
'Still?'
'Still,' said Haldane firmly.
The lawyer sighed and shook his head sadly. 'You know what I think, Leandros,' he said.
Haldane nodded. 'Yes. That it's a mistake.' And then he added reassuringly. 'But don't worry. As far as Elena's concerned, well that's not going to be any problem. I promise you.'
'And what about Annika?' asked Spiridakis.
'A good friend. Nothing more. And I'll see it stays that way,' said Haldane lightly. But he could see from the doubtful, troubled look on Spiridakis' face that his friend's fears were in no way allayed.
He got in the Fiat and started the engine. 'Follow in your car and we'll take a glass of raki together somewhere,' he said.
Spiridakis looked at his watch and shook his head. 'Forgive me, Leandros. I would like to but sadly I cannot. I must get back to the office. There will be a client waiting for me there. You are returning to Elounda?'
'Not right away,' replied Haldane. He smiled. 'There's a lady I have to thank for a present. And I need her help.'
The lawyer reacted to this with a disapproving frown.
Haldane shook his head. 'I told you,' he went on. 'A friend. That's all.' He waved. 'Yassou, Babis. And thanks again.'
He put the car into gear and drove off.
He took the road along by the harbour and then up the 25th of August Street. Pulling away from the traffic lights and turning into the main shopping thoroughfare, he headed for Liberty Square. Had he not had his full attention on the traffic he would have seen Matheos Noukakis. As it was neither saw the other for Noukakis' mind was elsewhere too. He was standing by a tobacco kiosk staring at a piece of paper on which he had written a name and address. And Haldane's car was already out of sight by the time Noukakis looked up, turned and walked off quickly in the direction of the Telegraph Office.
Haldane parked the Fiat close to the foot of the terrace steps. It was the first time he'd been to Annika's house since he had had dinner
there the evening after his visit to the monastery of Keras, and on the journey up through the mountains he had begun to wonder if calling on her was such a good idea after all.
For a time he sat in the car gazing up at the terrace and debating whether he should turn round and head back to Elounda. But if Annika had seen him arrive he knew that he would have difficulty in explaining to her the next time they met why he had not gone up to the house. And already there were too many things which troubled her and which he could not explain. To add to them by turning tail now could only further complicate matters. Besides, he wanted to see her. There was no doubt in his mind about that. He picked up the bunch of flowers and the rolled drawing from the seat beside him and got out of the car.
Annika had not seen him drive up. That was obvious from the expression of astonishment and sudden pleasure on her face as she came into the sitting room and found him standing just inside the French windows.
'Leandros!' she exclaimed.
Haldane smiled. 'Kalispera,' he said quietly.
She crossed to him. 'I was not expecting to see you today. What a wonderful surprise. How are you?' she asked.
'I'm well.' Haldane grinned sheepishly. 'Very well in fact. It's been a good day for me so far.'
'I'm glad,' Annika said.
'I'm now the owner of a car and this morning something very special was delivered to me in Elounda.'
She smiled. 'You like it? It is what you needed?'
'It's perfect. But I really can't let you ... '
Annika did not let him finish. She put a finger to her lips and then said, 'The joy in what is given is in how it is received. Would you rob me of happiness, Leandros?'
Haldane looked into her eyes. 'Never. If I can prevent it.'
'You can,' she replied softly. 'At this moment. Accept my gift.'
'It's a handsome present.'
Annika shrugged. 'Things are easy to give,' she said. 'They show only that you are in someone's mind.'
Haldane held out the bunch of flowers to her and she took them from him and savoured their perfume. 'They are beautiful.'
Haldane pulled a face. 'But there is no comparison.'
Annika frowned, studied him for a moment and then held out the flowers as if to hand them back to him.
'A gift is not a debt,' she said. 'And neither is it something to be weighed or measured.'
Haldane recognised his mistake and regretted it. He shook his head and smiled. 'I would have brought you them anyway.'
'Because you were in my thoughts,' he said. 'To please you. To please myself.'
Annika smiled again and gently hugged the flowers to her. 'In that case, thank you. Excuse me while I put them in some water.' She turned from him and crossed back into the kitchen.
Haldane looked around the room. It pleased him no less now than it had on his first visit. He walked over to admire one of the paintings and then began a slow perambulation. There was a photograph standing on one of the side tables. He picked it up. It was of a good looking young man in his early twenties and a strikingly attractive girl of a year or two younger. They were unmistakably Annika's children and,. if any confirmation were needed, the signed inscription on the photograph read: in case you have forgotten what we look like and with our love, Andreas, and then in another hand, Katerina.
Haldane replaced the photograph on the table and moved on to study the long playing records standing on the shelves above the expensive hi-fi unit. Pulling out some of the record sleeves and examining them, he was impressed and pleased to find that Annika's taste in music was as wide-ranging as his own and included the works of many of his favourite composers.
Annika returned with the flowers now tastefully arranged in a vase. She stood for a moment with her head cocked on one side looking for a place where they would be seen to their best advantage. Finally she decided on the chest standing between the two windows which overlooked the olive grove and she crossed to it and put the vase down on to it. Then she turned to Haldane with an enquiring look, seeking his approval. He smiled and nodded. 'Perfect.'
'Good.' She crossed to him. 'You said that you now have a car?'
'Yes. It's only a small one. But big enough for two.'
She laughed. 'I'm glad. And also because you will now
have no excuse for not visiting me.'
'You think I've been finding excuses?' he asked.
'Well, haven't you?'
Haldane shrugged. 'You're a busy woman. You have a business to run. And I've been hard at work on the caique.'
'It goes well?'
'Yes, very well.'
'Good.' Annika smiled. 'Only today you have forsaken it for me.'
'I had to come and thank you for the mast. That wouldn't wait,' he said. 'And ...' He hesitated.
'And?' she prompted him hopefully.
'Because I need your help.'
He saw that she was disappointed and even a little hurt.
She moved away from him and took a cigarette from a box which stood beside the photograph of her children. She lit the cigarette and when she turned to Haldane again she was smiling once more, if a little ruefully.
'Well that is something at least,' she said. 'It has to be a good thing that you come to see me for help, doesn't it?' Her smile broadened and she indicated the settee on the far side of the copper-canopied, stone fireplace. They sank down into the comfort of it together.
'So what is it that I can do for you?' she asked. 'You have a problem?'
'Elena and Nikos do.'
Annika gave him a puzzled look. 'I do not understand.'
'Well, you must know how things are between them,'
Haldane said. 'About the offer that has been made for the taverna I mean.'
'Oh that!' She nodded. 'Yes, of course I know. It has caused much unhappiness. For Elena particularly.'
'And how do you feel about it?'
'That Elena is probably right. That, in the end, the decision must be hers alone anyway. The taverna belongs to her.'
'But you are not happy about the situation,' he suggested.
'Of course not.'
'And you'd like to see it resolved?'
Annika's face took on an even more puzzled expression. 'Yes I would, Leandros. But it is between them. Only they can find the answer. I cannot interfere.'
'And meanwhile the arguments and the quarrelling will continue. They will go on being unhappy.'
She gave a helpless shrug. 'Until one of them puts the feelings of the other above their own ambitions.'
'Or a compromise is found,' he said.
Annika drew on her cigarette and looked at him with interest. 'You have something in mind?'
'Yes. I've spoken to Elena about it already and she approves. But she says we'll need an ally to persuade Nikos. Or even to get him to listen. And, according to Elena, ideally that ally has to be you.'
Annika laughed quietly. 'Really,' she said. 'I never realised that I had any influence over Nikos.'
Haldane nodded. 'Apparently. A great deal. And understandably I think.'
She settled back into the sofa, a wry smile on her lips. 'So first I have to be persuaded. Is that it?'
'Yes,' said Haldane. 'Well, that's what we're hoping anyway.'
'Very well, Leandros,' Annika said, her eyes on his. 'Persuade me.'
Haldane took the sheaf of notes from his pocket and unrolled the drawing.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
'I think it's a wonderful idea,' Annika said with the same genuine enthusiasm she had shown when Haldane had first explained the proposition to her that afternoon. Now, sitting out under the stars at a table on the patio of the Vassilakis' taverna, she had listened attentively, along with Elena, as he had once more gone over the scheme in detail, this time with Nikos.
During dinner nothing had been said about Haldane's plan but once the table had been cleared and the women had sat sipping their coffee and the men their brandies, prompted by Annika, Haldane had introduced the subject into the conversat
ion. Nikos had at first been sceptical about it but he was impressed when Haldane presented him with his sheaf of facts and figures. And he had leaned forward with interest to study the drawing as it was unrolled before him on the table.
'It is a scheme which has many advantages,' Annika went on. 'And one which you and Elena should consider very seriously, Nikos.'
Annika's judgment also made an impression on Nikos but his philotimo would not allow him to betray the fact so he nursed the knowledge privately to hold and then weigh along with his own opinion. He scrutinised the drawing carefully. 'Sailing holidays,' he mused.
'Based on the taverna,' said Haldane. 'With the place suitably enlarged to cope with the number of guests that would be needed to make a go of it.'
'Mmm,' reflected Nikos, without taking his eyes from the drawing. 'That would mean a lot of rebuilding.'
'Some,' said Haldane. 'Not a lot. And all in keeping with the original architecture. Just like it is there. As I said, I've estimated for another twenty-five double bedrooms but it'd be modification and enlargement mostly. A residents' lounge. Shower and changing rooms. A bigger kitchen. More bar space. That kind of thing.'
Nikos picked up Haldane's calculations and leafed through them. 'And the boats?' he asked.
'Fifty of them. Sailing dinghies. An entirely new class specially designed for these waters.'
'Designed by you,' said Nikos.
Haldane nodded. 'Yes. And built here in Crete. A boat that's easy for beginners to handle but really exciting for someone who's experienced.' He glanced at Annika who smiled encouragingly. 'Of course,' he went on. 'There'd be the offer of full instructions for novices. That would be part of the attraction.'
Nikos looked at him. 'It all sounds very good,' he said. 'And if you are right about the profit which is to be made .. .' He shrugged.
'And those figures are conservative ones,' Haldane assured him. 'I tell you. It can't miss, Nikos.'
Nikos studied Haldane's figures again. 'It would need a lot of money to do all this. For the building. For the changes. For the boats.' He sighed. 'And it is not so easy now to get money from the Bank. And even if we succeeded they would demand much in return in interest.'