THE GREEK SEAMAN
A novel
By Jacqueline Howett
Published by Jacqueline Howett/Elivlio Publishing 2010
Sample excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
At Ma's place in the village.
Piraeus, Greece 1972.
Don's mother had just finished hanging her washing on the line, up on the roof of the house. From over the village rooftops of Piraeus, you could just make out dockland, the fishing market and the ocean beyond. She carried her stocky build carefully back down the stairs. Don and Katy were just leaving.
"See you later Ma, Katy and I are going into town."
Don's mother smiled with curiosity as they headed toward the stairs.
"Katy wants to buy jeans and take a walk about. We are going to the corner to get a taxi."
"What time will you return?"
"Late. Were going to eat out and see a movie after."
"Oh!"
"What?"
"I was about to cook. I bought some fresh fish this morning at the market just for Katy to eat." She looked Katy up and down, admiring her purple blouse with ruffles and white pants that she wore with beige high heels. "Now you are all dressed up, go!" She smiled and clenched Katy's hand. "You look nice Katy."
"Thank you."
"You eat the fish Ma. Eat it with those wild greens you hide up there on the roof in the laundry room," said Don.
Don's mother felt embarrassed with Katy listening. "So you found my secret place, eh?"
"Who is going to eat your precious wild greens Ma? Keep them in the house."
"They stay cool in there. They keep longer and taste better."
"Why don't you eat the fish with Rita and Dad?"
"I didn't buy the fish for your sister. Your sister can eat anything, and your father, well he rarely eats here anymore. He lives at the village caf\u00e9 from morning to night on just two eggs he eats here for breakfast." She nodded solemnly at Katy and Don. "You know, he doesn't eat any more. Anyway, I bought the fish especially for Katy. Look at her; she is all skin and bones."
"That's her English way Ma. They all like to have figures like models."
"So what do these English models eat?" she grinned.
"She eats soup and salad, fruit, veggies, eggs and yogurt with honey." Don turned to Katy and spoke in English. "My mother wants to fatten you up like a Greek girl."
"What are you telling her?"
"That you want to make her fat like a Greek girl."
Don's mother knocked her head back and laughed. She nodded at Katy and touched Katy's ribcage, then with a gesture held her fingers together up to her mouth. "Eat more. Some fat will make you look more healthy and beautiful," she smiled.
Katy smiled, then gave her mother in law a hug.
"Do you like fish Katy?"
Katy nodded.
"But you have to clean out the bones first," said Don. "And who would have thought, she loves the skordalia we serve with the fish."
"What, our pureed garlic potato with mayonnaise and horseradish?" Don's Mother gave her a look of astonishment.
