Among the Olive Groves by Chrissie Parker

Author:Chrissie Parker [Parker, Chrissie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Greece
Publisher: Chrissie Parker
Published: 2014-07-26T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Zakynthos, Greece, 1942

The remainder of 1941 passed in relative calm. Even though they hated them, islanders grew used to the presence of Italian soldiers. They were allowed to go about their business with minimal disruption, but life was hard and everyone was well aware that they were prisoners, and that their life was not their own. As the year came to a close, they were harshly reminded of a war that was still very much close to home.

A British submarine, passing through the narrow waters between Zakynthos and Kefalonia, hit an Italian mine. It killed almost everyone on board, and shook the islanders to their core. Death and destruction had landed right on the island’s doorstep. War was here to stay and they were nothing more than pawns in the game.

When Elena heard about the loss of the submarine, she went and sat on the cliffs at the north of the island, staring out at the death-tainted waters. She felt the loss deeply. She hated that an evil monster was controlling the world. Things had to change. Life could not continue like this. Too many people were dying, but she knew she was just one small person in a very big world and there was little she could do to help.

The next day, while walking through Zakynthos Town with Athena, she thought about it again and wondered if there was something that she could do, but she knew it was pointless. What could one woman possibly do to help, when entire armies and country leaders were failing so dismally? Slowly she meandered the back streets, keeping a firm hold of her daughter’s hand. Athena was now walking, but still had to be carried sometimes. Elena was determined to let her daughter have as much freedom as possible and was relieved when she no longer needed to push her round in her pram. She stared into half empty shops. With little to no stock, hardly any of them opened now. Even if they had, most of the islanders did not have the money to buy anything anyway. She continued to walk, taking in life as it now was, changed and uncertain. Up ahead, a group of men hid in the shadow of a doorway, watching her, their backs against the wall, and their faces etched with a furtive look. She knew they were up to no good.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing, girl. Move on. You will draw attention to us.”

“Only if you are doing something wrong.”

“I said move on!” the voice hissed back.

Shrugging, Elena carried on along the road and turned the corner, disappearing from sight. She stopped and stood silently on the next road patiently waiting. She was relieved that Athena was remaining quiet. A moment later she cautiously peeked back around the corner. The men had stepped away from the wall. Two of them were looking up and down the street, as if keeping watch, as another reached into a doorway and pulled out a can and a brush. Dipping the brush into the can, he sloshed it around before removing it.

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