‘Thank you.’
That was it. All those hours spent getting ready and he simply nodded, and complimented her just as he had Dora. Well, perhaps even a little less than he had Dora.
But it was not a night for sulking.
Even Nico seemed enthusiastic. ‘I thought Roula might come with us in the second car,’ he said.
‘Roula will come with me,’ Galen said. ‘You are with the development team. I need Roula to go through my speech.’
They were already a little late, a little rushed, but they were all present and correct and it was their night of nights in a world she didn’t know.
And she thought she would remember this for ever—how he rolled his eyes as they all argued about who was getting in what car.
‘You want me to go through your speech?’ she asked.
‘No, I was just being helpful,’ Galen said. ‘You have a fan.’
‘I know!’ She blew out a breath. ‘How oldisNico?’
‘Nineteen.’
‘God...’
Galen laughed, but it faded halfway and he closed his eyes for a brief second, as if he couldn’t quite believe he’d got here.
‘How is she?’ she asked again.
‘As I said, comfortable.’ Galen nodded, and then she realised he was putting his game face on.
The passed the Hellenic Parliament and surely Athens was taunting her for leaving? For it was as if all the stops had been pulled out tonight. Everything was lit up as if to tell her to stay.
‘Better than the school trip?’ Galen asked.
‘So much better,’ Roula said, and wanted to add,But only because you’re here. ‘I lied,’ she admitted. ‘I have been to Athens before.’
‘To see the police?’
She nodded. ‘I did the right thing, didn’t I?’ she asked, because it might be the last chance she’d have to ask this man she trusted so very much. ‘Going to the police?’
‘Completely,’ he said. ‘I always said you were brave.’
‘You did.’ And it meant the world that he thought she was right—his opinion mattered very much.
Galen watched her look skywards in the little ritual she did when she was trying not to cry.
‘No tears,’ Galen said.
‘Do you have a tissue?’
‘No,’ Galen said, but there were little serviettes for the drinks, and he passed her one of those. ‘Yaya’s in a good place,’ he said gently. ‘I owe that to you.’
‘You don’t.’
‘Seriously, I’ve told them she’s never been in a peaceful place in the thirty-five years I’ve known her, so they must stop sedating her.’
Roula laughed.
‘She won’t stop talking...’ He squeezed her hand. ‘So thank you for facilitating that.’