Dr. Demetrius's Dilemma by Margaret Barker

Author:Margaret Barker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

THE twins were delighted to see Demetrius and Chloe when they called in at the house where they were spending the night with their friend Natasha and several other little schoolfriends.

‘Mum, what a surprise!’ Rachel got down from the crowded, noisy supper table, closely followed by Samantha.

Chloe knelt down and hugged them both. Samantha smiled shyly at Demetrius and put out her little hand to pull him down from his great height. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. Rachel held up her cheek to be kissed.

‘Why have you come, Demetrius?’ Rachel said, grinning mischievously as she held onto the hand that Samantha wasn’t holding.

Demetrius smiled. ‘Well, that’s a nice welcome, I must say!’

‘Are you staying for the party?’ Samantha asked. ‘It’s Natasha’s birthday and her mum’s made this enormous birthday cake and…’

As the twins talked to Demetrius, Chloe explained to Natasha’s mother that she’d called in to make sure the twins had brought everything they needed for the night.

‘Of course they have everything they need.’ The young Greek mother smiled at Chloe. ‘Their grandmother brought their pyjamas, toothbrushes, clean clothes for school tomorrow and a beautiful birthday present for my daughter. Your mother said the girls had forgotten to tell her about the party until this morning. I’m so glad they were able to come. Now, you and Dr Demetrius must stay and have a drink with us and—’

‘You’re very kind but I’m afraid we can’t stay this evening. We’ve only just got off duty at the hospital and—’

‘Of course! You must be very busy. Well, you are always welcome here. Another time perhaps.’

Outside the house, Chloe told Demetrius that she was glad they’d called in.

‘What a lovely woman. So friendly, so understanding.’

‘So Greek,’ Demetrius said. ‘So like most of the mothers on this island.’

Chloe smiled. ‘Exactly! I feel so much happier now, so much more…’

‘Reassured?’

Chloe nodded. ‘After the awful events of today, I just wanted to thank my lucky stars that my children were safe.’

Demetrius put his arm lightly round her shoulders. ‘I think you’re a wonderful mum. Come on, let’s go home.’

Chloe waited as Demetrius unlocked the ancient iron door that led into the small courtyard of his home. She remembered the intriguing old key that looked as if it had been used by countless owners of this house. For several hundred years, nobody had ever thought it necessary to change the locks between owners.

The people of Ceres were intrinsically very honest. Doors were often left unlocked. Nothing was ever stolen. The policemen sat around playing cards. Except today, when they’d had to spring into action.

‘I hope the police will let us know soon what they find out about the woman who abducted Vasilio,’ Chloe said, as she followed Demetrius through the quaint old enclosed courtyard into the beamed, low-ceilinged kitchen.

‘So do I, but you must try to switch off from thinking about the hospital,’ Demetrius said, turning to draw her against him. ‘Tonight is just for us.’

Chloe sighed as she allowed herself to be folded into his embrace.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.