The problem, of course, was that she had no idea where the cars were, and nor did she know who kept the keys. “Alena?” She emerged almost apologetically back to the pool.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Please, call me Sophie.” She said with a smile. “My sister has come to the island, and I’d like to go and collect her. Only I’ve no clue where the garage is.”
“Ah!” Alena’s face broke out into the most genuine smile Sophie had seen her employ since coming to the island. “That eez wonderful. But ‘Arry will drive you.”
“No, no, I don’t want to disturb him.”
“Mr Petrides ‘as asked ‘im to ‘elp you.”
“Oh.” She nodded awkwardly. “If it’s no trouble then.”
Sophie hadn’t yet met Alena’s husband but she knew he busied himself in the gardens and with the fleet of vehicles Alex kept on Corfu. When Alena appeared with him a few moments later, Sophie saw he was a short, round man with a twinkling gaze and kindly expression.
“It’s an honour,” he said, in native English.
“Likewise.”
“Alena says you would like to go to town?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “To Kerkyra. My sister’s there,” she finished lamely.
“My wife said. Are you ready?”
“Now? Yes. Yes I am.” She was suddenly desperate to see Olivia. Her sister could surely make everything seem better.
“Then let’s go.”
Sophie fell into step beside him as he made his way along the courtyard towards a long, low barn. He pressed a button in his pocket and the gate slid open to reveal seven sports cars. Sophie counted them to be certain. They were each immaculate and prestigious. There were several with unpronounceable names she’d never even heard of.
He caught her looking at the row of cars and grinned. “Do you have a preference?”
She shook her head quickly.
“We’ll take the Alfa. You’ll like it. Fast and elegant.” He opened the front passenger door for her. “It is one of Mr Petrides’s favourites.”
“Great.” She swallowed back the painful discomfort at the reference to her husband. “You’re from England?”
“Sure am, ma’am. Up north way.”
“Please, please, I beg you, stop calling me ma’am.” She already felt like a weird imposter. The confidence that she belonged in Alex’s life and home had rapidly evaporated.
“Mr Petrides prefers a degree of formality …”
“Perhaps he does, but I can assure you, I don’t.” The engine purred to life and Harry steered it down the narrow drive with admirable expertise. “I’m Sophie. I’m Australian. We’re not at all formal, really.”
“Very well, ma’am.”
She burst out laughing. It was hopeless. Better to accept her lot in life now that she was married to the all-powerful Alessandros Petrides.
“How far is town?”
“Under an hour.”
“So far. I hadn’t realised.” She pulled her phone out and texted her sister. “I’m an hour away. Sit tight.”
“Can’t wait to see you!!”