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to Yannis. Under Yiorgo’s direction he threaded the slim piece of wood in and out, knotting the thread as Yiorgo had done.
    ‘Not bad,’ Yiorgo eyed his handiwork critically. To Yannis it looked very clumsy and had taken him twice as long as any of the larger holes that Yiorgo had mended. ‘Have another try.’ This time Yiorgo gave no instructions and Yannis struggled and fumbled until Yiorgo finally took the shuttle from him and untangled the mass of knotted thread. Yannis flushed with embarrassment.
    ‘It takes a lot of practice to mend a net. You’ll learn.’
    Patiently Yiorgo directed the boy’s efforts a second time. Yannis continued to mend nets until late in the afternoon and he was able to repair a hole without tangling the thread, although he was still slow and clumsy.
    Yiorgo clapped him on the back. ‘You’ve certainly got tenacity. Many others would have given up long ago and sneaked away with some excuse. Leave it now. We’ll go and have supper. Next weekend will be the test – to see if you can remember the knack.’
    Yannis smiled. He felt so tired. He would be quite happy to have his supper and go to bed. On their way home they met Makkis slouching along by the harbour.
    ‘Fishing tonight?’ he asked.
    ‘No,’ said Yiorgo decisively. ‘I was out last night, besides it’s Elena’s birthday.’
    Makkis shrugged. ‘Another time.’
    ‘Does he sail with you?’ Yannis was curious; the man had not accompanied them that morning.
    ‘Sometimes. He works for anyone who will hire him. He wants the money, he’s saving for a boat of his own.’
    The smell of lobster and newly baked bread met them as they opened the door. Annita wrinkled her nose as they entered and she smelled their clothes. She took her place at the table, not even the odour of stale fish could detract from the succulent smell of the lobsters and ruin her appetite. Yannis found the lobster unexpectedly delicious.
    ‘Do you often eat lobster?’ he asked hopefully.
    Yiorgo shook his head. ‘I often catch them, but they sell for a good price. This was a treat for Elena’s birthday.’
    Elena smiled happily. Yiorgo never forgot either her name day or birthday.
    When Yannis awoke the next morning he had mixed feelings as he washed and dressed ready for school. He walked between Annita and Andreas feeling conspicuous. Every child who greeted them looked at him curiously and once in the playground Annita began to introduce him to her classmates. There was a note of pride in her voice as she told them Yannis was her cousin, but the children seemed unimpressed.
    ‘Where have you come from?’ asked a plump, rather foolish looking boy.
    ‘Plaka,’ answered Yannis, and was about to explain where the village was when the boy stuck out his tongue and waggled his fingers above his head.
    ‘Village boy! Village boy! Looks like a donkey!’
    ‘Take no notice of him,’ said Annita, taking Yannis’s arm. ‘He’s not as clever as a donkey.’
    A bell rang from inside the building and the children began to enter. Yannis followed Annita to a room where a young man was busily writing on a blackboard.
    ‘Good morning, sir. I’ve brought my cousin, Yannis.’
    The man turned and flicked back the lock of dark hair that hung down over his eyes. He wiped his hand down his black trousers, leaving white streaks, then extended his hand to Yannis.
    ‘How do you do?’ he asked politely and not waiting for Yannis to answer he continued. ‘I’ve had a letter from your teacher at Plaka. He seems to think you have some promise. We’ll see. I’ll put you next to your cousin for a few days until you find your feet. I shall expect you to work hard. I won’t waste my time on lazy boys. Ask me if you don’t understand, now, take your seat and don’t talk.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’ Yannis followed Annita to a spare desk and chair.
    ‘Here you are,’ she said, pushing pen, pencil and ruler towards him. ‘Mr Pavlakis will give you any paper or book that