Page 37 of Greek Island Fling to Forever

Arianna watched as Kriss measured out a dose of the syrup and gave it to Eloise, then showed her how to bathe the little girl’s eyes with damp cotton wool. There was so much care there, so much genuine warmth, that by the time she’d finished Eloise had begun to talk to her, and professed herself to be feeling much better now.

‘You’re looking lots better as well. I’ll come and see you tomorrow, to check on you.’

It wasn’t really necessary; Eloise showed no signs of any complications and measles didn’t really require three doctor’s visits. But Arianna obviously felt that the family wasn’t dealing with this well, and Ben shared her concern.

They’d done all they could for Eloise, but there was still unfinished business. Arianna leaned towards Kriss, asking if there was somewhere private they might talk, and Kriss nodded. She led them through a glass-paned door onto a small veranda, leaving the door open so that she could hear if Eloise needed anything. Ben followed, reluctant to leave Arianna on her own to talk with either Kriss or Jem.

‘Is there something bothering your husband?’ Clearly she’d seen what Ben had also noticed, and that a case of measles wasn’t the most pressing of this family’s problems.

‘It’s... It has nothing to do with this.’

‘It seems to be affecting his reactions, now.’

Kriss slumped down into a seat, and Arianna perched herself on the edge of the seat next to her, so that she could be face to face with her.

‘We...lost a pregnancy eighteen months ago. Jem took it very hard.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that. It must have been hard for both of you.’

Kris nodded, a tear running down her cheek. ‘Yes, it was. We got through it and we were going to try again, but...then last year Jem lost his grandmother. He was very cut up about it; his gran gave him a home and brought him up after his parents died. It was expected, she had cancer, but he never got a chance to say goodbye to her, because of last summer’s lockdown restrictions.’

Arianna nodded. ‘That must have been very difficult for him.’

She was calm and quiet, giving Kriss a chance to talk. And Kriss seemed to be responding to her.

‘He’s so angry. He was angry with the doctors, because they wouldn’t let him see his gran. Angry with the world. He cares so much about Eloise, and he just wants to wrap her in cotton wool all the time. He tried to get us a flight home last night, but none of the airlines would take us, with her being sick like this. Being isolated again is pushing all of his buttons, and he’s worried about what it’ll cost to stay on here, and whether he’ll be docked pay for any extra time he takes off work.’

Kriss pulled a crumpled paper handkerchief from her sleeve, and started to snuffle into it.

‘All right, let’s take one thing at a time. See if we can’t tick a few things off the list. I think you may well have to stay on for a little while. Eloise shouldn’t be in contact with anyone until at least five days after her rash has appeared, and even then I won’t be able to sign her off to travel if she’s still unwell. But I’ll make sure that the hotel doesn’t charge you for the extra time you spend here. Kriss looked up at her questioningly and Arianna smiled. ‘Being the daughter of the owner here does have its perks.’

‘Thank you. I’m sorry about what Jem said about that yesterday.’ Kriss looked up at Ben. ‘That’s why you’ve brought Dr Marsh with you?’

‘He’s here to help. That’s what I want to do as well. I can write a letter for your husband’s employers, saying that I’ve diagnosed Eloise and instructed that she must stay here and isolate. Maybe you can use it to claim from your holiday insurance, if he loses any money.’

‘Yes...thank you, I didn’t think of that. I’ll have a look at the documents.’ Kriss nodded, managing a watery smile. Clearly Arianna’s approach was working, and any moment now she’d get around to the most important part of the issue.

‘I’m a lot more concerned about your husband’s state of mind, though. Has he spoken to anyone about how he feels about the death of his grandmother?’

Right on cue. That was what Ben was most concerned about as well.

Kriss’s face fell. ‘He won’t. He just bottles it all up and rages about everything else. And everyone had a hard time of it last year...’

‘Yes, that’s true, everyone did. That doesn’t mean that he can’t ask for help if he’s experiencing difficulties. Do you think you could speak to your doctor about this? Either together, with your husband or on your own?’

Kriss shook her head. ‘No. Jem doesn’t like him and, to be honest with you, I don’t feel I get through to him either.’

Ben cleared his throat and Arianna looked up at him, her slight nod giving him the go-ahead to add his own contribution to the conversation.

‘Where do you live, Kriss?’ He reckoned he heard a London accent in her speech.

‘London. Docklands. Why?’

‘My practice isn’t too far from there. If you’d like to make an appointment with me, then we could talk over some of the things that might help your husband come to terms with what’s happened.’

Kriss hesitated. ‘I...don’t know. I really don’t think I can get him to come.’

‘Then you come alone. This is obviously affecting you too.’ Ben tore a leaf from his notebook, jotting down his work number and the name of his practice and giving it to Kriss.

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