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understands it could be best for Christina and Theo to have the support and security our family can give them.’
    ‘Leave it to me. I shall win over the mother. You win over the daughter and your son. It is intolerable that we be left out of the boy’s life.’
    That was the crux of it, Ari thought.
    Whatever had to be done he would do to be a proper father to his son.
    Ten hours was a long ferry ride from Athens to Santorini. Theo was fascinated by the wake of the boat so Tina spent most of the time on the outer rear deck with him while her mother relaxed inside with a book. They passed many islands, most of them looking quite barren and unattractive, and to Tina’s mind, not the least bit alluring like the tropical islands back home. It was disappointing. She had expected more magic. However, these islands were obviously not the main tourist drawcards like Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and most especially Santorini.
    When the ferry finally entered the harbour of their destination, she easily understood the stunning attraction of the landscape created from the volcanic eruption that had devastated ancient civilisations. The water in what had been the crater was a gorgeous blue, the semicircle of high cliffs was dramatic, and perched on top of them the classic white Greek island townships glistened in the late afternoon sunshine.
    She wished Ari Zavros did not live on this island. She had looked forward to enjoying it, wanted to enjoy it, and decided she would do so in spite of him. If he had any decency at all, he would let the paternity issue drop, realizing he didn’t fit into the life she’d made for herself and Theo, and they were not about to fit into his with his obvious bent for a continual stream of charming episodes.
    Transport was waiting for them at the ferry terminal. Theo was agog with how the mini-bus would negotiate the amazing zig-zag road which would take them from the bottom of the cliff to the top. As it turned out, the trip was not really hair-raising and the view from the bus-window was beautiful.
    The El Greco resort faced the other side of the island, built in terraces down the hillside with rooms built around the swimming pools on each terrace. The buildings were all painted blue and white and the gardens looked very tropical with masses of colourful bougainvillea and hibiscus trees. The reception area was cool and spacious, elegantly furnished and with a view of the sea at the far end. A very attractive place, Tina thought. A place to relax. Except relaxation switched instantly to tension when they started to check in at the reception desk.
    ‘Ah, Mrs Savalas, just a minute please!’ the receptionist said quickly, beaming a rather unctuous smile at them. ‘I must inform the manager of your arrival.’ He ducked away to call through a doorway, ‘The Savalas party has arrived.’
    A suited man emerged from a back office, beaming a similar smile at them as he approached the desk.
    ‘Is there a problem with our booking?’ her mother asked anxiously.
    ‘Not at all, Mrs Savalas. We have put you in rooms on the first terrace which is most convenient to the restaurant and the pool snack-bar. If there is anything that would make you more comfortable, you have only to ask and it will be done.’
    ‘Well, that’s very hospitable,’ her mother said with an air of relief.
    ‘I have had instructions from Mr Zavros to make you most welcome, Mrs Savalas. I understand you are here for a family wedding.’
    ‘Yes, but …’ She threw a puzzled look at Tina whose fists had instinctively clenched at the name that spelled danger all over this situation. ‘It’s very kind of Ari Zavros to.’
    ‘No, no, it is Maximus Zavros who has given the orders,’ the manager corrected her. ‘It is his nephew marrying your daughter. Family is family and you are not to pay for anything during your stay at El Greco. All is to be charged to him, so put away your credit card, Mrs Savalas. You will not need it here.’
    Her