The Orange Grove by Bill Kitson

Author:Bill Kitson [Kitson, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2021-05-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

If Yanna thought that the rest of the day would bring a respite from visitors, less than half an hour later that illusion was shattered by yet another knock on her door. This time there was only one person standing outside, a handsome, bearded man she judged to be in his late thirties. Although he was seemingly alone when Yanna looked beyond him towards the pickup parked at the edge of the street she noticed that she was being watched with great curiosity by the truck’s sole passenger. She blinked in surprise at the sight of a fully grown goat standing in the open compartment to the rear of the cab.

‘Miss Tsipouras? I’m Andreas Argyros. Richard phoned me after he’d finished his survey and reported his findings. As I’m currently working in Agios Petros and had a couple of hours free while my men are awaiting a delivery I thought I’d make use of the time by calling to see for myself what you need doing, as long as it isn’t inconvenient.’

Yanna assured him that it was quite all right and took him on a quick tour of the house, pointing out the work she needed. ‘I could let you have a copy of the list I made if you want,’ she suggested.

‘That sounds like a good idea. Let me give you my address.’

‘No need,’ Yanna told him, ‘I’ll take a photo of it with my phone and send it to you that way.’

All things considered it had been a really productive morning, Yanna thought after Argyros drove away. The survey had not thrown up any problems, the contractor had been helpful and obliging, and with luck she might get the services of someone to act as caretaker-cum-handyman, courtesy of Emily Gregory. She commenced photographing the list and sent it to Argyros’ phone. Almost as soon as she’d pressed send her mobile bleeped to signal an incoming message, and with it her mood of quiet satisfaction was shattered.

Yanna grimaced, aware that this was unlikely to signal good news. Only her work colleagues had this phone number. She read the text with growing dismay and increasing alarm. Although she’d expected it to be from her immediate superior demanding to know when she would be returning to work, that was not the case. It was from the company’s chief executive officer – and Yanna knew that could only signal news of the worst possible kind.

‘EXTREMELY URGENT,’ the message began, ‘CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY. NEED YOU IN ATHENS SOONEST. SITUATION CRITICAL.’

This was too important to be ignored. Yanna knew the CEO was not one to panic and would certainly never have disturbed a member of his staff’s holiday unless it was absolutely necessary. She pressed the short code for his direct line on her phone and waited. Her call was answered after only three rings. ‘Gavriil, you needed to speak to me. What’s gone wrong?’

‘We’ve a crisis, Yanna. Sifis was involved in a road accident yesterday evening and is now in hospital critically injured.

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