stepped aside, knowing that he couldn’t take that risk. He would have to find another way to ensure Katie’s cooperation, although it wasn’t going to be easy. She was a very determined young woman, it seemed.
He followed her from the room, wondering how he should handle the situation from here on. Maria was still working behind the desk; she looked up when he and Katie passed.
‘You haven’t introduced me to your friend yet, Christos,’ she chided him.
‘I’m sorry.’ Christos stopped, knowing it would create more speculation if he ignored her. ‘This is Katie Carlyon, Maria. She was at the airport when Mr Briggs collapsed and she helped to resuscitate him.’
‘Kalimera, Katie.’ Maria smiled warmly. ‘You were very brave to lend a hand. It can be quite scary when you have to resuscitate someone like that.’
‘It certainly can.’ Katie returned her smile. ‘Fortunately, I’m an emergency department nurse so I’ve done my share of CPR over the years.’
‘It was lucky you were there!’ Maria exclaimed. ‘So what brings you to our beautiful island? Are you here on holiday?’
‘Not really. I was supposed to be moving here to live, but my plans might have to change. I’m not sure what I’m going to do now, to be honest.’
Christos could tell that Maria was dying to know what had happened to change Katie’s plans and hurriedly intervened. There was no way that he wanted Katie to discuss the situation with a member of his staff. Gossip was rife in the hospital and it wouldn’t take long for the story to circulate throughout the building and beyond.
‘I don’t want to rush you, Katie, but if you’re hoping to find somewhere to stay tonight, you’d better not leave it too late. The hotels soon get booked up as more flights arrive.’ He grasped her arm and steered her towards the corridor, waiting until they were out of Maria’s sight before he released her.
‘Do you mind?’ She glared at him as she rubbed her arm. ‘I would prefer it if you didn’t manhandle me.’
‘And I would prefer it if you saw sense and got on a plane back to England.’ He returned her stare, knowing that he had to convince her it was a waste of time remaining on the island. ‘I don’t know what you hope to achieve by staying here. I’ve already explained the situation to you, but in case you’re in any doubt, Petros isn’t interested in you. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, thank you—perfectly clear.’ Tears sparkled in her eyes but she blinked them away. ‘However, until Petros tells me that himself then I am not leaving. For all I know you could be making it up.’
He swore softly in Greek, glad that she couldn’t understand the ugly words. It was rare that he lost his temper but she had pushed him to the limit that day. ‘Why would I make it up? What possible reason could I have for doing so? I’m telling you the truth, Katie, so do yourself a favour and accept it.’
‘I can’t.’ Her voice was so low that he had to strain to hear what she was saying. ‘I wish I could walk away but I can’t until I hear Petros say that he doesn’t love me.’
Her voice broke as tears began to stream down her face. Christos wasn’t sure if it was the sight of those tears that affected him, but there wasn’t a doubt in his mind at that moment that she was suffering and he responded instinctively. Gathering her into his arms, he rocked her gently to and fro. He understood how devastated she must feel because it was how he had felt when he’d lost Eleni. The worst kind of pain was that which came from knowing that you could never have the person you loved most of all.
In that moment his feelings towards Katie suddenly shifted. He could no longer think of her simply as a problem to be solved as speedily as possible. She was suffering, too, and knowing that forged a bond between them he had never anticipated. He realised with a sinking heart that it was going to be harder than he’d imagined to fulfil his promise to his cousin and send her away.
Katie could feel the warm strength of the arms that were holding her and for the first time in ages she felt safe. She hadn’t realised until then how stressful the past few weeks had been. Leaving England and everything she knew had been a huge step. Even though she’d been sure it was what she’d wanted to do, it had been a major decision for her. If she’d had any idea this would happen then she would never have got on the plane that morning, but it was too late for regrets now. She had to deal with the situation as best she could, and learn from it.
‘Here.’
A large tanned hand suddenly appeared in front of her, holding a crisp white handkerchief. Katie took it with a murmur of thanks and dried her eyes. When Christos let her go, she forced herself to smile at him even though there was very little to smile about. ‘Thank you.’
‘Feeling better now?’ he asked quietly.
‘Yes. I’m sorry. I don’t usually go to pieces like that.’
‘There’s no need to apologise. You’re upset and I understand why.’ He sighed. ‘That’s why I think it would be best if you went home.’
‘I’m not sure what I want to do,’ she admitted. ‘This has been a huge shock and I need time to think before I make any decisions.’
‘Surely it would be easier to do that in England with your family and friends around you.’
‘The only family I have is my sister Kelly and she’s in Sardinia. She flew out there this morning to take up a new job and I certainly don’t want to upset her plans by telling her that things haven’t worked out for me.’
‘I see. But what about your friends? There must be people who you are close to?’
‘Yes.’
She shrugged. ‘I have some really good friends back in Manchester but they have their own problems. It isn’t fair to expect them to help me.’
‘So what you’re saying is that you don’t want to return to England?’
‘I don’t know! My head’s in such a spin that I don’t know what I want to do. That’s why I need time to think things through. I certainly don’t want to go rushing into another decision I’ll regret.’
She brushed past him because there was no point debating the issue any more. Anyway, he didn’t really care where she went so long as it was away from the island, and far away from Petros.
A sob rose to her throat but she forced it down. They had reached the foyer and she paused. ‘I’ll find a taxi to take me into town. If you could fetch my case out of your car, I’ll be out of your way in no time.’
‘And what about Petros? Do you still intend to contact him?’
‘Of course. However, I shall decide when and how I intend to do so. It has nothing to do with you or anyone else.’
‘That isn’t good enough, I’m afraid. You have to understand the damage you could cause.’
‘What about the damage that has been done to me?’ she countered, angrily. ‘Doesn’t that count for anything?’
‘Of course it does, which is why I want you to be sensible and forget about my cousin. He isn’t right for you, Katie.
