Captive in Crete by Lyssa Stanson

Author:Lyssa Stanson [Stanson, Lyssa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten – Wednesday evening (still)

The room swayed and I felt a brief surge of joy that I would soon be insensible. Then two strong hands gripped my arms and guided me to a chair, rather indelicately pushing my head between my knees. My vision cleared, giving me a lovely view of my knickers. I shot upright and closed my knees, then slumped forward again as the room started to shrink once more.

After a few moments I felt better and risked a, rather slower, return to upright. Matt was crouched in front of me looking concerned. I hoped my head had blocked his view.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I think so. Sorry for being so silly. It’s just Grandma’s… she’s…” I felt tears pricking my eyes.

“I know. Try not to worry. She’s probably fine.”

“Fine? She’s seventy-four! And alone. In the dark.”

“And maybe in a shepherd’s hut, or at a friend’s house, or on her way home now.”

I took a deep breath. He could be right, he usually was. But that was at work, this was real life and my Grandma…

“Check your phone, maybe there’s a message.”

“Right, good idea.” I rummaged through my bag, but it wasn’t in there. I felt relief wash over me; I’d left it charging in my bedroom, so I wouldn’t have heard her call. I dashed in and snatched it up.

“Anything?” Matt hovered uncertainly in the doorway.

“Yes! She sent a picture at 5pm. Oh my gosh, she found it.”

“What?”

“The sea something – the plant she’s been hunting for months – she found it.”

I showed Matt the picture on my phone. His face drained of colour as I belatedly realised what he had seen at once.

“She’d want to share her excitement with me. She should be home. She should have been home in time for dinner.” I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. “I have to call the police.”

Matt ran a hand through his sandy coloured hair and breathed out a sigh.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I mean,” he said quickly, with a look at my face, “it might be too early. Don’t they insist someone’s missing for 48 hours before they’ll do anything?”

“Too early? 48 hours? She could be lying in a ditch somewhere.” I snatched back my phone and started dialling.

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry. I’m just trying to be realistic. I don’t think the Cretan police will be much help,” he finished lamely.

“Aristede will,” I said, with a confidence I wasn’t entirely sure I felt. But I had to do something, and he had been so kind to me when I was terrified before.

Matt turned away, walking back into the living room, as I hurriedly explained the situation to Aristede. To my relief, he agreed to come out right away.

“He’ll be here in 15 minutes.”

“That’s great. I’m glad.”

“You don’t look it.”

“No, I am. I’m just worried, that’s all. And, er, I’m really sorry Jet but I have to go.”

“Go? Now?”

“Yes, I’m so sorry, but there’s something I need to do. Um, a work thing.

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