Follow a Stranger

together in here.”

Kate smiled, “That would be very pleasant.” Sophia came

in shortly afterwards, with a large tray, and smiled warmly

at Kate.

“Kalimera, kyria!”

Kate had begun to learn a little Greek from Sophia since

her arrival, and was able to answer. “Kalimera, Sophia!”

Mrs. Lillitos laughed. “Ah, you are learning Greek. That

is very good.”

“I only know a few phrases which Sophia has taught

me—good morning, good night and so on ...”

“One must make a start somewhere,” said Mrs. Lillitos,

looking oddly delighted.

Sophia laid the tray down on the long table under the

window. She whipped off the cloth which covered it,

revealing orange juice, toast, coffee and boiled eggs. A pot

of English marmalade made Kate laugh. “It looks delicious,

Sophia. Efharisto!’

“Thank you,” Sophia emphasised, smiling, and went out.

“We are all grateful to you for what you did last night,”

Mrs. Lillitos explained. “Sophia has a nephew who lives in

Etrusci. You comforted his wife while she waited to hear if

he had survived.”

Kate thought back to the horror of the night before. “The

tiny, dark girl who was very pregnant? Oh, I wish I had

known she was related to Sophia. I might have said

something more comforting. I felt so helpless, not being able

to speak the language. But her husband was safe, so all

ended well.”

Mrs. Lillitos smiled. “I think she understood your