Anna-Maria Athanasiou is a wife and mother of two, who after many years of creating fantasy stories in her head

decided to take the plunge and put one of them onto paper. She wanted to write a story people could relate to and consequently feel an empathy with her characters. A story that would touch the reader and ultimately make them fall in love. Waiting for Summer is her first novel.

W A I T I N G FOR SUMMER
B
O O K

N E

Dedication
For the three men in my life. Marios, George and Michael. I was recently told that I was the luckiest woman in the world because I have three men that loved me. I am the luckiest woman in the world, because I love them; totally, completely and unconditionally.

Anna-Maria Athanasiou

W A I T I N G FOR SUMMER
BOOK ONE

Copyright Anna-Maria Athanasiou The right of Anna-Maria Athanasiou to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. ISBN 978 1 84963 503 5 www.austinmacauley.com First Published (2013) Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd. 25 Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5LB

Printed and Bound in Great Britain

Acknowledgments

I have been extraordinarily lucky over the past two years to have had the continued support of my family and friends. I could not have finished Waiting for Summer without their encouragement. A huge thank you to the three loves of my life, Marios, George and Michael who put up with my mood swings and my craziness as I bashed away and allowed standards to drop! Who were all as excited as I was and helped me technically. There were times when they were not best pleased with my obsession, but thankfully they endured it. An enormous thank you to all at Austin Macauley Publishers. Especially to Hayley, Annette and Robert, who gave me and Waiting for Summer the opportunity to be published, a dream that came true for me. To Vinh, thank you so much for putting up with my continuing harassment and the rest of the production team who had to deal with all my toing and froing. I will be forever grateful to my Aunty Maria for her animated words and thoughts. My friend Emma whose simple more please kept me going, they were both the first sounding boards for my writing, their encouragement spurred me on. My cousin Christina miles away, who even though she was passing through a difficult time, still managed to encourage me. My cousins Lee, Kamini and Eva whose expertise I truly value. A big thank you to my Aunt Liz who made me laugh with her interesting comments, (you know which ones) and Irina my sisterin-law, we shed a number of tears together over this. To my friends Laura and Janneka for their perspective, and to Jackie and Sarah, their continuing and colourful feedback brought a smile to my face and a giggle to my lips. To Lucy, whose unbelievable enthusiasm for my story had me grinning from ear to ear for days, Im incredibly grateful. Thank you Sue in Australia, whom I have never met, for taking the time and effort and giving me your unbiased opinion. A big thanks to Lilianna, you know why, and to my techno man Savvas, who saved my life!

Jaine, mon amie, Jaine who after over twenty years tracked me down and reconnected with me. My college buddy whose selfless encouragement and support made me think that Waiting for Summer could be published, without her I would never have taken the plunge, I will always be indebted to you. To my parents who have always believed only the best of me, when Im really not worthy. My Mums words of wisdom and my Dads unlimited and constant help and their unconditional and endless love. And finally to my brother Antony, who railroaded me totally and completely into doing things I was incredibly uncomfortable doing. You pushed me to take the risk and thankfully, by some miracle, it paid off. Thank you.

PART ONE
AUTUMN
A wind has blown the rain away, and blown the sky away and all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think I, too, have known autumn too long. E. E. Cummings

CHAPTER 1
CHANGING TIME

ylvie was up at around six as usual; no matter what time she slept, it was at six oclock on the dot that her eyes opened. It didnt matter that she always wore her eye mask to obliterate any kind of light, be it sunlight or the TV Chris had forgotten to put on the timer, again. He couldnt sleep without it on, it drove her insane but after twenty two years she had resigned to his many idiosyncrasies. It was the last Sunday in October and it was still warm. That was the best part of moving to Cyprus; autumn and winter in England were unbearable, dull, wet, cold and miserable. The sun shone eleven months of the year here. When Chris and Sylvie had lived in England, the standard question every morning was, Whats the weather like? Once they had moved, the question was still asked every morning until one day Chris asked that same question and was greeted with: Chris, sweetie. For six months youve asked me the same question every day, and every day I tell you its sunny and warm. Dont you get it yet? Its sunny every day! Sylvie stepped into the bathroom and examined her face as she brushed her teeth. She splashed cold water over it so as to shock her sleep wrinkles away. It was no good though, they were still there as she patted her face dry. She felt her age in the morning. That was the thing that no one prepared you for once you passed your forties. You may look better as your face repositioned itself as the morning moved on, but that first look in the mirror made the years you could rub out with creams and concealer creep back on your face for the morning. She knew she looked good for her age, at least six or seven years younger. But there was no escaping inevitable crows feet and blotchiness. She pulled her chestnut hair into a loose pony tail,

slipped on her thin dressing gown as she looked at Chris sprawled out on their bed. His long limbs splayed over his and her side of the bed, the sheet barely covering his naked body. He was in really good shape again, hed been exercising over the last six months and it showed. Sylvie crept down the stairs leaving Chris sound asleep in bed. This was the best time of day for her. No one was up and she had time to collect her thoughts, or just daydream before everyone bombarded her with requests, or chit chat. She glanced at the clock in the kitchen as she flicked on the kettle. Six fifteen. She strolled over to where her phone was and checked for messages when she noticed the time. Five fifteen? That couldnt be right. Of course the clocks went back last night! Sylvie hated that job, resetting the clocks. Their house was strewn with clocks. There were four in the kitchen alone; microwave, oven, wall clock, and central heating and water timer. Luckily her phone change automatically. She put the tea in the pot and let it brew while she started tracking down all the clocks around the house. So much for gathering my thoughts! she thought. At least I get an extra hour alone. It took about twenty minutes to find them all. Sylvie looked in every room to double check when she remembered Chriss watch. He usually left it in the hall along with his mobile on the charger. She picked it up and looked at it, six forty three. The Omega watch was the first present shed ever bought him while they were married. Shed bought him hundreds of presents over their twenty two years together, but always with money he had earned. This was the first she had bought with her money, and it had felt fantastic. He had been absolutely flabbergasted. He was used to the customary, clothes, underwear, aftershave under the Christmas tree, but that particular year he was totally taken back by the small beautifully wrapped box. His face had absolutely beamed. That had been the best present shed ever had. His phone luckily automatically changed the time, thank goodness for technology! The sun filtered in through the window, sending a beautiful array of coloured light through the crystals that Sylvie had

hung in the windows around the sitting room and kitchen. She poured her tea and settled into the settee, tucking her feet under her like she always did. She loved this time of day. Their house had a panoramic view of the sea and the city stretching twenty kilometres across. You could see the boats coming in or leaving the port and the morning sea mist rising defusing the suns gaze. The sea looked so calm and still, there really was nothing more therapeutic than just staring out over the city as it was waking up and then to the beach spreading out towards the sea. The time passed, and Sylvie walked back to the kitchen to make her second cup of tea. Then she remembered Chris had his car phone, which was an old model. She knew she had better change the time on that too; hed never get round to it and to be honest he didnt know how to do it! She grabbed the keys and made her way to the garage. The Mercedes that Chris drove was an older model, but he loved it; he wasnt one for flashy state of the art technology. Hed had the car five years and it had already been another five years old when he had bought it. It was very much like him; charming, well kept, classic... with a very powerful engine! Sylvie scrabbled with the phone, which was plugged into the car. While she was there she also decided to adjust the cars clock too, so she started up the engine. As she reset the phone a message bleeped through. That was strange, she thought: at six forty five in the morning, on the car phone? Without thinking, she opened up in the Inbox. It happened within a split second, the realisation, the pit in her stomach. Her whole body ran cold and her ears were burning. Xxxxxx The message read. The number wasnt familiar, or saved. Shaking Sylvie scrolled back to see the time it was sent: five to twelve yesterday. Chris had been out with a colleague, Julian. He was home by eleven thirty, which granted was early for

him. She then scrolled the Inbox and there to her horror were over thirty messages from the same number. When can you get away babes x Hope you werent bored x Miss you, need you, want you xxxx Not as much as me! Xxx, And so they went on. At first she wanted to delete them, to make them disappear, her heart was racing. Had he sent replies from this phone? Her finger hovered over the key which would open sent. There they were, again over thirty of them. Im in a meeting will be there in 1 hr. x Family lunch Cant wait xxx Im so turned on! Sylvie ran out of the car and just made it to the kitchen sink to throw up. Are you alright, Mam? came the gentle voice of Marcy the housekeeper. Shit! It must have been after seven already and everyone would be around. Im fine Marcy, just an upset stomach. You must have really strained yourself Mam; your eyes are running terribly. Yes, I just need to sort out the car and Ill be back in a second, could you please make me a ginger tea to settle my stomach? She gripped the side of the sink to steady herself. Slowly walking back to the car she was thankful that Marcy only popped in on Sundays to drop off groceries. Carefully Sylvie put back the phone exactly as it was but leaving the correct time. She sat for a moment to get herself together before walking back to the kitchen. Marcy was pouring the tea with a concerned look on her face. Youre sure youre okay Mam? Your teas ready, sit down a moment.

Oh Im fine Marcy, just an upset stomach from those wretched migraines I keep getting. Thanks for the tea. You really didnt need to come this morning, Im sure Petros and you have plans. And so the banter went on for the next fifteen minutes. What were they doing today? How was her daughter settling in at college? Had Petros managed to save the lemon trees at the top of the garden? Any kind of small talk to distract her from the pounding in her chest. Thankfully Petros, Marcys husband for the last seven years came in ready to go to his village for the day, leaving Sylvie sat at the kitchen table with a promise to bring back whatever was ripe from his familys orchard. Marcy had been a godsend to Sylvie. She had come to work for them almost twenty years ago when Sylvie had fallen pregnant with their second child. She had come to Cyprus as a housemaid from Columbia and had left her two year-old daughter behind. Once Sylvie had realised that she was more than a housemaid and was able to run the house exactly the way that Sylvie herself ran it, she insisted her daughter should also come to live with them. Marcys husband had died in a car accident so this arrangement was everything Marcy could ever have wanted. Her daughter Teresa was then educated locally and Marcy could work without being far away from her. Though Marcy was very much part of the family she insisted on addressing Sylvie as Mam and Chris as Sir, which had never sat well with either of them. However, over the twenty years they had got used to it. Marcy had consequently met Petros, Sylvies garden contractor while working for her. Their relationship grew over two years. It was so heart warming to witness a man whose wife had left him because he could not have children fall in love with a woman who had lost her husband and struggled to raise her daughter. They were truly meant to be. Call it fate, Karma or divine intervention, Petros and Marcy, along with Teresa, had found each other. The sun streamed through the French doors and Sylvies tears dripped into her tea. What was she going to do? She

couldnt go through this again. She couldnt believe it was happening to her. She opened up the doors leading out to the garden, shrugged off her dressing gown and walked to the edge of the swimming pool. The sunlight was bouncing off the waters surface, making it glisten and, without a second thought, she plunged into it.

CHAPTER 2
SUNDAY LUNCH

ylvie? What the hell are you doing! Its freezing in there. Come on, get out. Let me get you a towel. Chris had come down to the kitchen to grab a coffee and seen her in the pool. Throughout the summer, Sylvie swam every morning. However, the pool hadnt been connected up to the solar heating yet, now that it was getting cooler, so the pool was cold. He reached out his hand to help her out of the pool and hauled her out. Jesus, Sylvie, youll catch your death. Youre shaking all over. He wrapped her in a towel hed retrieved from the pool house and started rubbing her. She stood there like a child watching him. There thats better. You didnt even have your costume on. I really need to sort out the heater for the pool, remind me tomorrow. Lets get you inside and get you out of those wet clothes. The whole time, Sylvie just looked at him. How could he be so caring and loving, and yet be cheating on her? He was holding her tightly and she could feel the heat from his arms through the towel. He had managed to acquire a deep, dark tan this summer, which was unusual. He usually avoided the beach or the pool, but this summer had been different. His recent reinterest in the gym had knocked years off him. No one would have guessed he was in his late forties. Sylvie looked into his dark eyes. Im fine, she replied weakly. He looked at her for the first time. Are you alright, darling? What were you thinking? He was genuinely concerned and reluctantly let her go. Really Im fine, I had a bad headache and thought if I cooled off it might subside. Let me go change.

She had to get out of there; her voice was breaking and he would know something was wrong. She ran up to their room and jumped into the shower, allowing the heat of the water warm up her frozen skin. Chris followed her upstairs out of concern, which was something she really didnt want, so she stayed in a little longer than normal so that she could pull herself together. Do you want company? Chris was in the bathroom sat on the closed toilet seat, and Sylvie started to panic. Normally a morning sex session in the shower would have been just up her street. Her hands were still shaking as she messed with the shampoo bottle. The best remedy for a headache is exercise, you know. He was teasing her as he usually did. Morning! the familiar voice chimed from the hallway. It was Markus, their youngest son. He had just walked in. With the shock of the phone messages, Sylvie had forgotten he was coming home on leave this morning. As usual, hed barged into their room without thinking. Please dont tell me youre at it in the shower. Ill be scarred for life! Dont be silly, sweetie! Im in the shower and Dads just keeping me company. I wont be a mo. I hope you didnt drag your muddy boots through the houseagain! Sylvie called to him from the bathroom. At least shed be able to be distracted with Markus in the house today and it had gotten her out of a very awkward situation with Chris. Bang goes that idea, then. Maybe later? Chris whispered, then reached into the shower and squeezed her bottom. Sylvie flinched, but he didnt notice. Thankfully theyd both gone downstairs before shed got out of the shower which gave her time to get dressed and collect her thoughts. There was nothing she could do right now. She didnt want a confrontation with Markus in the house. Shed just have to put her best acting face on and grin and bear it. Alex, their eldest son, was also due back this week for a short break from university too, so shed have to hold it all together until Tuesday when he left. That would mean eight

days of faking it, keeping it together and going through the motions. She could feel the anxiety cramps starting. She reached into the medicine cabinet and gulped down some antacid. How would she manage that? At least shed have cooled down by then. Maybe gain some perspective. Maybe even find out it wasnt what she thought it was. She flicked on the hair dryer and gently massaged her head to dry her hair. Fat chance! She thought. She padded downstairs to find Chris and Markus drinking coffee and talking about his week. She went straight over to hug and kiss him. Hi sweetie, hows it been this week? Hed been in since July and after basic training hed been transferred to a camp around fifteen miles away. He was out most Sundays. Same old stuff, Mum guarding, running, hiking. You know, army stuff. I do get bored though. Markus was an athletic boy and had always been very active, so he wasnt put out that he had to do just over a year national service. He was tall, six foot two, and slim. He was very artistic and originally had wanted to study fine art. However he realised it wasnt a degree he could use so much in later life and decided to follow in his elder brothers footsteps and study architecture. The time will fly past. Itll over before you know it. Sylvie started making herself some more tea as she spoke. What shall we do for lunch today? Any ideas? She hoped that Markus wanted to eat out, or at least see some friends so that she wasnt forced to play happy families. Her hands were still shaking but luckily no one had noticed. I need a hot shower first. I brought my dirty clothes too so they need washing. Id like to go down by the marina you know. Stathiss place. We havent been down there in ages. Chris and Sylvie always did something special for him when he came out. They would always choose what hed prefer and normally hed want to invite a friend along. I thought Id ask Greg to come, is that ok? Whatever you want Markus. Ill meet you both down there. Im off to meet Zach for a coffee down town. I may get them to come along too. Ill ring Stathis and book it for one

thirty. Is that alright? Chris leant over to kiss Sylvie bye, he picked up his keys, watch and phone and started for the door. Is this the right time Sylvie? he looked at his watch and then at the kitchen clock. Yes. Ive changed all the clocks and watches. Your mobile adjusts automatically because its a new one. She stopped and thought very carefully before she added, I changed the clock in the car too. She watched as he nodded, still looking at his watch as he put it on. He ran his fingers nervously through his slightly greying hair and then turned his head slightly, as though he was going to ask something, but then he thought better of it and headed for the garage. He still cant change the clock in the car Mum? Markus remarked in disbelief. Sylvie smiled a half smile and shook her head. Had it crossed his mind about his phone? If he saw the correct time on it he would know that she had done it. At least it would make him worry a bit. Keep him guessing as to whether shed seen the messages or not. What would he do? Ask her outright? That was never going to happen. Let him sweat it out a bit. The next eight days would be hard enough for her, why shouldnt he suffer too? Sylvie walked over to the docking station and pressed the remote so the radio came on. Sylvie loved to listen to music. She always had some on, whether it was the radio or her iPod; she hated the quiet, especially while she was cooking or working. She would often dance around the room ,to the horror of her children. They'd got used to it now but she was sure they didn't approve. So whens Alex back? He was swinging on the chair as he spoke, his young face calm and carefree. He watched his Mum mumble along to a song. Wednesday, he gets in around five in the afternoon. Alex was away at university studying. He was a very gentle boy who was greatly missed by all of them. He had a very calming effect on all his family. He had always been more mature than his years and as he had become older he had turned into a very quietly confident man. He had been a strong influence on

Markus and he missed him terribly. Alexs frequent visits back home were for his benefit. There had never been any rivalry between the boys. Markus looked up to Alex and always consulted him on most issues. Alex always gave him the best objective advice he could. They were very different and what may have been right for Alex did not always apply to Markus. He was very careful to point this out. Alex admired Markuss drive and competitiveness. Even though Alex was good in his field he had a more relaxed manner, Markus had always needed to be the best or, at least, he pushed himself as far as he could to get to his goal. Both Chris and Sylvie were thrilled that they had chosen architecture as this would mean that they would be able to be part of their expanding company. Sylvie and Markus spent the next couple of hours catching up before they headed down to the marina. Markuss friend Greg was already waiting for them with Chris along with Lilianna and Zach. Zach was Chriss oldest friend and partner. They had known each other from school and while Chris had left to go study, Zach had stayed to help his father run his small builders merchants business. Once Chris was back and had set up his developing company hed asked him to join him as the business was growing rapidly. Zach had been Chriss right hand man since. Lilianna was his fianc at the time and so the four of them had become very close. Their lives were always intertwined, be it business or personal. Sylvie was glad to see them. It would make the lunch less stressful. Lilianna would no doubt talk non-stop and take her mind off things. She saw them sat on the terrace. Liliannas slight figure and her blonde bob swinging has she talked animatedly. Zach was leaning back in his usual relaxed manner, his dark complexion in complete contrast to Lilianna's. Her heart started pounding as she approached the table. Thankfully they would definitely diffuse any tension that she was feeling. Sylvie said her hellos and sat next to Lilianna.

Hi sweetie. How are you? Lilianna smiled at Sylvie, genuinely pleased to see her. Ok, you? They hugged and kissed each other. Great, the gallery called. The paintings ready, so you can pick it up in the morning. In fact, if you dont mind, we can meet for coffee and well go together. What do you say? Sylvie was having a painting framed by a friend of Liliannas. Shed just finished an interior design job and the painting was the finishing touch. Thats sounds like a great idea. Whats a great idea? Chris overheard. Ive got to drop something off at Julians tomorrow, so were meeting for coffee first. Sylvie could hardly look at him, but he didnt seem to notice. Oh, I forgot to tell you. He told me last night how thrilled he was with everything. He said hes going to recommend you to everyone. Honestly Sylvie, hes really pleased. Hell bring you loads of business, hes very well connected. Whos well connected? It was Stathis, the restaurant owner. He was a friend of Chris and Zachs. He owned a couple of restaurants and two nightclubs. All had been built or remodelled by Chris. Stathis, how are you? Were talking about Julian the architect. Sylvie just decorated his offices. Chris was up and shaking his hand. Stathis beamed over to Sylvie. He had classic good looks, like a movie star in the fifties and he oozed charm. Really thats great. Chris is right, hes very well connected. He will bring loads of work your way. I want you to come down to my new club that Im opening. You always get a feel for the place. Better get in early before you get swamped, eh! What do you say Chris? He looked expectantly at Chris. You know Sylvies always there at the start of all my projects. I wouldnt have it any other way. He leant over and took her hand. Shes the best thing that ever happened to me. I cant imagine what Id do without her. He picked up her

hand and kissed it, making Sylvie blush and feel even more uncomfortable. I know, Chris What she saw in you Ill never understand! He joked back at him. Bring her next Monday, when we go and have a look at it. Youve been bang on about every one of my places, Sylvie; I really would appreciate your input. Sylvie had always liked Stathis, he was a real gentleman, and almost had an aristocratic air about him. His businesses had always been his priority, but he had recently married and had managed to balance family life too. Of course Ill come. Id love to see the place. She might charge you now though for her opinion. Chris warned Stathis with a smile, Shes got her own business to think about now! Chris laughed. Well Id rather work with Sylvie than you any day. Sylvie felt her face flush slightly feeling uncomfortable with all the attention. She shied away from it, but Chris always wanted to shine the spotlight on her, it was something she still found hard to accept. The conversation continued as it usually did with Zach, Stathis and Chris ribbing each other about how old they were getting. The times they had at school and catching up on what was going on in mutual friends' lives. Sylvie and Lilianna listened while they chatted as she watched on Sylvie started to feel nauseous. She knew it was the stress and she got up to head for the restrooms as her stomach cramped. Lilianna, seeing her lose her colour, accompanied her while the men carried on talking thankfully oblivious. Sylvie made it to the sink just before she started to retch. Jeez Sylvie, are you alright? Sylvie nodded as she rinsed her mouth out then popped an antacid. If I didnt know you better, Id think you were pregnant! Lilianna chuckled. Sylvie shot her a murderous look and Lilianna made a mock sorrowful face. Lilianna had unwittingly hit a nerve. Sylvie had come to that age in her life where she knew that any more children were out of the question. Even if she wanted to,

at the age of forty three she couldnt and she felt a slight tinge of sorrow. Chris had insisted on a vasectomy a year after Markus was born. He really didnt want any more children. He loved his boys tremendously, but they had put a strain on their marriage and the thought of more didnt appeal to him at all. Sylvie had always wanted four children. She had three older brothers and loved being part of a large family. Chris was an only child and wasnt used to sharing, so Sylvie had reluctantly agreed. When they had decided to start a family it had happened instantaneously. Sylvie always joked that Chris only needed to look at her and she fell pregnant. Sylvie now wondered whether hed opted for a vasectomy for other reasons other than not getting only her pregnant. That thought nagged at her now in the light of her recent discovery. Sylvie pulled herself together and they headed back out to the terrace of the restaurant. Before long it was time to set off home. Sylvie loved it at the marina. She watched the boats and yachts bobbing in the bay. The marina had only recently been finished and had brought new life to the old port district. There was a huge array of shops and cafes along with very smart restaurants. The best part was that you could walk around and look at the boats. As it got later the boat owners brought their yachts back into dock and the whole marina was alive with activity. They look so majestic, dont they? Sylvie turned to Lilianna as she spoke. Everyone was getting up and saying their goodbyes. What a fabulous feeling of freedom, to be able to sail away whenever you want. Right now thats exactly what she would have wanted to do. Anything but have to deal with what was going on in her life. Chris was by her side, he put his arm around her. It felt good to have him touch her. Julians son just bought one. Maybe I could get him to take you out on it. She turned to him as he spoke. He was watching her with his dark eyes. He squeezed her and kissed her forehead tenderly as they set off to their car. This was going to be much harder than she had ever imagined.