Black Butterflies by Sara Alexi Page B

in a net.’ Marina sighs wearily. ‘So they were at Mitsos’ house getting ready for the first trial, and they bound this dynamite up in a package, and as a joke Manolis threw it to Mitsos and said, and these were his last words mind you, “English Rugby!” So Mitsos threw the dynamite back and Manolis missed the catch and that was that. Mitsos lost one arm and three fingers off his other hand, and an eye. I lost my husband, and Eleni and Artemis lost their father.’ Marina’s voice is very matter-of-fact.
    ‘ Oh, I am sorry. That must have been hard.’ Bobby shifts uncomfortably and his jacket begins another descent from his shoulder.
    ‘ Harder for the girls than me. I had grown wise to him. They still thought he was wonderful, swinging them in the air, telling them his mad schemes with such excitement. Poor girls, it is amazing more harm wasn’t done.’
    Roula stands up suddenly. ‘He did it, him, I never liked him. I don’t know why she is crying, he wasn’t nice.’ Roula is pointing to the man on the television and shouting to no one in particular. ‘Good, it’s finished, stupid programme.’ She picks up the remote and surfs channels. ‘Yes, brilliant! I love this.’ She sits down again.
    It is a cartoon dubbed into Greek; the voice weirdly accentuated, adults pretending to be children, pretending to be monsters.
    ‘So, your mission here?’ Bobby has the teasing tone in his voice again.
    ‘ Ah yes, my mission here.’ Marina shifts in her seat.
    ‘ Will it be a straightforward mission, or will there be some jiggery-pokery?’ He chuckles and begins to cough. Marina helps him drink some more water.
    Whilst she is close to him she looks him in the eye and whispers, ‘It is a mission of the utmost secrecy. My daughter will never forgive me if she finds out. I must move like a shadow and gather the facts before I know if I need to strike.’ Marina puts the glass of water down and waves her fist as a dramatic end to her exaggerated speech, and rocks back laughing.
    ‘ So, much jiggery-pokery, then! And how will you begin, or have you begun already?’
    There is a moan from the back room.
    ‘No, she’s not back yet, Grandma,’ Roula calls.
    ‘ I have begun, but I am not sure how to continue. I need some help,’ Marina says.
    ‘ Then I am your man!’ Bobby’s jacket slides even further off his shoulder and Marina hooks it back on. He twists his upper body a little to try to keep the jacket from sliding again.
    ‘ I think, Bobby, that perhaps you are not the man,’ Marina says, patting him gently on the shoulder.
    ‘ How do you know? What help do you need?’ Bobby looks offended.
    Marina drops her voice to a whisper. ‘What would be most helpful would be a list of all the men aged thirty-five on the island, who have been here all their lives. But there will be no such list. I think I will need to gather from far and wide.’
    ‘ Like I said, I am your man!’ Bobby says loudly.
    ‘ Bobby, I think that I need …’ Marina is cut off.
    ‘ Hello, everyone, is everything alright?’ Zoe clatters up the steps and comes through the door with a bundle of bags which she dumps on the table.
    Roula drags her gaze from the television and hastens to the table, picking through the bags. Zoe puts the larger items away.
    ‘Hi, Grandma. I’ll be in in a minute,’ she calls to the back room. ‘Everyone OK?’ She puts a few items on the hatch through to the kitchen.
    ‘ Fine,’ Marina answers.
    ‘ Have you been behaving yourself, you old rascal?’ Zoe smiles at Bobby who grins wickedly back but doesn’t say a word. ‘They had to lock their daughters up when he was a young man. A leopard never changes its spots, does it, Bobby?’
    ‘ Tyropita – cheese pies – yum! Is one for me? Can I have one, please, I am starving, please.’ Roula is hopping from foot to foot.
    ‘ Quiet down, yes, of course there is one for you. I thought we could all have a little treat.’ Zoe separates the cheese