Arianna’s New Story

Katie Ashmore’s uplifting short story set in Greece welcomes you to our latest Special.

ARIANNA slumped down on the sand, buried her face in her arms, and wept. She was oblivious to the hot sun beating down on her dark hair, the grains of sand shifting beneath her bare feet and the sound of the surf as the blue waters crashed in front of her.

She loved this beautiful part of the Greek island that had always been her home, but all she knew now was her own sorrow.

She hadn’t been there long when she felt a hand touch her shoulder.

She looked up, her heart leaping. For a moment, she thought it might be Yannis.

Instead, she found herself staring into the eyes of a stranger.

She gulped as another silent tear slid down her cheek.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, miss, but are you all right?”

Arianna stared at the man. Who was he? And couldn’t he see that she was far from all right?

“Are you ill? Can I help?” She shook her head and reached for a tissue, hoping that this dark-haired stranger would go away.

Instead, he sat down beside her and passed her a bottle of water.

“It might help.”

She took it slowly and drank a little, then passed it back, wiping her eyes.

“Would it help to talk?” he asked, smiling at her.

She shrugged and stared at him.

He looked about five years older than her, with a pleasant face, tanned skin and a dimpled chin.

It was unusual to meet a stranger here. Everyone knew everyone else on the island, for the most part.

“Life can be tough,” he continued. “I’m Myron, and this is my little one, Iola.”

He showed her a photo on his phone of a beautiful girl, about three years old, with large dark eyes.

“When her mother left us, I thought my life was over.”

“Mine is,” Arianna replied, swallowing a sob.

“I expect it feels like it,” he agreed. “But you will find things are different in a few months, trust me. Now, what has happened?”

She sighed.

“I have a little girl, too,” she faltered. “She’s only a few months old.”

“But that’s wonderful. A daughter is a blessing.” Arianna shook her head. “Yannis, her father, is the love of my life, but he has said he cannot marry me.

“He left the island . . .” She dissolved into tears once more. “I don’t know how to go on.”

Yannis was gone. It was time for her to start on a fresh chapter . . .

****

A couple of days later, Arianna was sipping coffee opposite her good friend, Eris, outside the café by the harbour.

She watched the boats bobbing gently at their moorings and tried not to

think of the times she’d been here with Yannis.

“How are you feeling?” Eris asked, an anxious expression in her brown eyes. “You look pale.”

Arianna shrugged. She still felt as if part of her had been ripped away.

She could not believe that Yannis had gone.

She had been certain that he loved her, that they would marry and start a wonderful new life together on their island – the three of them, a perfect family.

“I know it’s hard,” Eris continued. “I still can’t believe it myself, but I’m sure Yannis loved you.

“Perhaps he wasn’t ready to be a father?”

Arianna shook her head. She appreciated her friend’s attempt to comfort her, but she doubted it.

If Yannis had loved her – really loved her – then he wouldn’t have left.

He had told her he didn’t want to be a father yet. The responsibility scared him and he couldn’t support them.

He’d gone to get a job on the mainland and he wouldn’t be back.

“At least you have Cleo. She’s so beautiful. A child is a real blessing, Arianna.”

She nodded. Eris was right and she adored her baby daughter, but she hadn’t envisaged life as a single mother.

Her own mother, Karis, hadn’t thought she’d live to see the day, either, as she constantly reminded Arianna. She swallowed as Eris squeezed her hand.

“I’m sure it will get easier,” she told her. “Cleo will be less work as time goes by and you will recover slowly.”

Arianna didn’t think she’d ever get over Yannis, but she nodded nonetheless.

“Mother will never recover, though,” she said. “She hardly lets me out of the house, except to go to church.

“She says I must atone by helping her at home and bringing up my daughter as an orthodox young lady.

“She’s treating me as if I were thirteen!”

Eris shook her head. She knew Arianna’s mother.

“Don’t take it to heart,” she replied. “You know how she can be, but she adores Cleo and she loves you.”

“I’m not so sure any more.” Arianna swallowed and blinked hard. “She does nothing but criticise. She is ashamed.”

Eris was about to reply when a man, holding the hand of a small girl with dark curls and a pink sundress, walked towards the café. He stopped beside them and smiled.

“Arianna! It’s good to see you again. I hope you are a little better.”

Arianna tried a smile.

“I’m carrying on,” she said. “This must be Iola.”

“It is indeed.” He nodded. “And I’ve promised her some ice-cream, so I can’t stop, but it’s good to see you. Take care of yourself.”

They moved away and Eris raised an eyebrow. “Who was that?”

“His name is Myron. I met him at the beach the other day. He has just moved to live on the island with his little girl.” “She was a cutie.” “Yes, really sweet.” There was silence for a moment and Arianna looked around.

It was a quiet morning. Tourist season wasn’t yet in full swing and most of the islanders were at work.

Some fishermen were mending their nets on the quay, Dimitrius was arranging vegetables at the front of his greengrocer’s and Xanthe was wiping tables in the restaurant.

In front of Arianna, the crystal waves lapped at the harbour walls, and behind her, the whitewashed houses climbed the hillside, clad with vibrant bougainvillea.

Eris cleared her throat. “How would you feel about moving in with Damon and me for a while?

“We’ve discussed it and we would be very happy to have you.”

Arianna stared at her friend, her mind in a whirl. She hadn’t thought she had other options.

She had been able to see nothing but a bleak future without Yannis, stuck with her mother’s anger.

“Really,” Eris continued, “you would be doing us a favour, and it would give you space from your mother, too.”

“She is making life difficult,” Arianna admitted, “but she helps with Cleo. Anyway, I couldn’t impose on you like that.”

“Honestly, we would like it. You could get that job you wanted and we would help mind Cleo.

“You’re a wonderful mother, but you need a life as well.”

Arianna stared at her.

“It sounds perfect, but you have your own lives. I couldn’t possibly . . .”

Eris placed a hand on her arm.

“The truth is, Arianna, that Damon and I are unable to have children.” She swallowed.

“If you moved in with us, we could help you out and share the joy of bringing up Cleo.”

“Oh, Eris. I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me?” Her friend sighed.

“You had enough problems of your own.”

****

Arianna pushed open the bookshop door and heard the bell’s familiar tinkle.

It was quiet inside except for the whir of the fans overhead and the distant sound of a dog barking.

She inhaled the wonderful scent of books and looked around for the owner.

On her back, Cleo stirred and tugged her hair.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have brought the baby, but she hadn’t wanted to tell her mother she was going out to get a job.

She made her way to the corner, where the children’s books were arranged.

A trolley held brightly coloured picture books, with two little chairs and a beanbag beside it. She had loved this place since she was a child.

“Well, hello again.”

She turned to see Myron moving towards her. His little girl, Iola, had already made a beeline for the picture books and was sitting on the beanbag, totally absorbed.

“Hi, Myron.”

“So, this is Cleo,” he said, making faces at her tiny daughter. “She’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Arianna smiled. “I see your Iola loves books.”

“She does indeed. This is already one of her favourite places on the island.” “Mine, too.”

“Ah, Arianna, you are here with your precious little one. How are you?”

Arianna had loved this place since she was a child

Nia, the owner, had appeared. She hugged Arianna, then moved round to tickle Cleo under the chin. Cleo chuckled.

“She is just like you,” Nia told her. “She will grow up to be a great reader.”

“I hope so.” Arianna laughed.

“Now, you must know this is not an interview, not at all,” Nia said.

“I am very short-staffed and you will be perfect for the job. I have seen your love of books from when you were only so high.”

Nia held her hand a metre from the floor and beamed at her.

Arianna felt a flood of relief and excitement. She would be able to work again. To have independence and freedom.

“I just need to explain what the job entails. Show you how to work the till and other things.” Nia glanced at Cleo and hesitated. “Can you put the little one down for a time?”

Arianna’s face fell. She should have spoken to Eris or told her mother she was going out.

She didn’t want to jeopardise this opportunity, but what was she going to do with Cleo? She couldn’t just leave her on the floor.

“Could I help? I’d be very happy to take care of Cleo for a time, if you’ll let me.”

Arianna looked at

Myron. She didn’t

know him well, but she would still be able to watch Cleo as Nia showed her the ropes.

“Are you sure you don’t mind? There’s nowhere you have to be?”

Myron looked at his daughter and laughed.

“I’ll be in trouble if I try to leave too soon. I’ll read them both a story.”

Arianna handed Cleo to Myron, who took her gently and carried her to Iola.

“Look, sweetheart, this is Cleo, our new friend. Shall we read her a story?”

Iola nodded earnestly. “What have you got there? Is it a good one?”

“Yes, Daddy, very good.” Iola handed him the book she had been looking at.

“‘The Gruffalo’. You’re right. This is very good.” Arianna smiled.

As she had her tour and listened carefully to Nia’s instructions, she kept an eye on her precious girl.

She didn’t need to worry. Myron was wonderful with them, and before she was finished, her little daughter was fast asleep in his arms.

“Thank you so much for your help,” she said as she returned.

“It was a pleasure. I’ve enjoyed myself.”

He helped Cleo into the carrier and on to her back once more.

“I hope it went well.” “Very well, thank you. I begin on Monday.” “Congratulations.”

As she left the shop, Arianna’s spirits were higher than they’d been for a long time. At last, she felt some hope for the future.

****

Arianna looked about the busy restaurant. Some tourists were seated at the wooden tables, but it was mostly locals.

Dimitrius had brought his family for a meal and Minerva’s large brood took up one corner with noisy birthday celebrations.

Arianna and Eris had a table in the corner by the window with a view across the cobbled street towards the church, with its small spire and blue doors.

“An evening out will do you good.” Eris smiled at her. “Eat your calamari and drink your wine.”

Arianna smiled at her friend and took a sip.

Perhaps Eris was right, but she was very tired and she missed Cleo. Maybe she should have spent the evening with her.

“We won’t be late. You can cuddle Cleo when we get back. She is quite happy with Damon, you know, and you need cheering up.”

“I know.” Arianna sighed. “Thank you for everything.”

Eris and Damon were so kind. She had moved in with them a couple of weeks earlier and they had received her and Cleo as if they were family.

She was happier with them than she had been back at home, but her mother now refused to see or speak to her.

“Hello again.”

Arianna turned to see Myron and Iola coming towards them. “How are you?” “I’m . . . I’m fine.” Myron raised an eyebrow.

“Hello, Iola, how are you?” Arianna smiled.

“Hello, Arianna,” the little girl replied.

Today, she wore a T-shirt covered in butterflies and her dark hair was neatly plaited.

“We’ve come out for tea,” Myron told them. “I expect we eat out too often, but cooking is not my strength.”

“Why don’t you join us?” Eris asked, glancing at Arianna.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude . . .” He turned to her with a questioning look.

Arianna hesitated, but only for a second.

“Oh, no. That’s fine. Please have a seat.”

The pair sat down and had soon ordered food. Iola started colouring and Myron joined in easily with the conversation.

Perhaps his company would help raise her spirits, after all.

“So, how are things?” he asked eventually. “You don’t seem as cheerful as when we met in the bookshop. Are you OK?”

“I am better than I was,” she told him. “I have moved in with Eris and Damon and they are wonderful.”

“That’s good to hear. And how is the bookshop?”

“I love working there, though I miss Cleo.”

“Of course you do, but it must be great to be independent and have a break from baby play?”

“It is. The main problem is my mother.”

“Ah!” Myron gave her an understanding glance and waited for her to go on.

“Since moving out she’s refused even to speak to me. I know she was driving me crazy, but she’s my mother. I love her.”

“Of course, and I’m sure she loves you, too. Why don’t you invite her over – if Eris and Damon don’t mind?

“I’m sure she will come to see Cleo. Even the most difficult grandmother adores her grandchild.”

Eris laughed.

“There’s no doubt about that,” she agreed. “Invite her, Arianna.”

“How will I do that when she won’t speak to me?”

“Text her. Or put a note through the door,” Myron suggested.

“Yes,” Eris encouraged.

“It can’t hurt and you won’t know unless you try.”

“Very well.” Arianna looked at her two friends.

She was not optimistic about the outcome, but it was good advice. She was keen to heal the rift, if not for her own sake, then for Cleo. She would try.

****

Karis was dressed in a blue skirt and white blouse. Her dark, grey-streaked hair was tied neatly into a bun and her mouth was set in a thin line.

She only smiled when she looked at Cleo.

She had grudgingly accepted a cup of coffee from Eris and exchanged some desultory conversation with her. Arianna she had ignored. “You are such a good girl,” she said now, as she held Cleo and kissed her. “I think you have grown, even in a few short weeks.”

Arianna watched them and wondered what to say. Would anything earn her mother’s forgiveness?

“Would you like some ravani?” Eris asked, holding out a plate of semolina cake, soaked in traditional orange syrup.

“Just a small piece, thank you,” Karis said.

Eris served her, then silently passed some to Arianna with an encouraging smile.

“Arianna is doing very well at the bookshop.”

Karis frowned.

“If she had married or stayed at home, she could have given all her time and attention to her daughter.”

Arianna bit her lip. At least her mother had referred to her. That was progress, she supposed.

“I hear my daughter’s spending time with another man,” Karis announced.

“No, Mum, that’s not true,” Arianna said, startled by the accusation.

Her mother ignored her. “What do you mean?”

Eris asked.

“Mrs Adamos told me. That new man, Myron. He has a daughter.”

Eris shook her head.

“We are all just friends.” “She should marry him.” “It is too soon for Arianna to think of anyone else,”

Eris said.

“Yes, I suppose it’s hardly any time since Yannis left.”

Despite the familiar pang of pain upon hearing his name, Arianna realised that, since she’d moved and begun work, she had thought about him less.

Perhaps Myron was right; in time she would heal.

“You should do what feels right, for Cleo’s sake and mine,” her mum continued.

Arianna was amazed.

Had she heard correctly?

Her mother still wasn’t looking at her, but she had definitely spoken to her.

She smiled in spite of herself. Perhaps her mother was thawing after all.

She didn’t know what the future would bring, but if her mother forgave her, and with good friends and her beautiful daughter around, she realised her life wasn’t over after all.

It was just beginning.

The End.