Nikolas's ship badly needed engine repairs. It was docked in Heraklion Harbor, after transporting Greek troops from Athens, and was to continue on to Souda Bay to join the British Navy ships in the event they would have to confront the Germans. Nikolas had requested and received permission to take a few days off to visit with his fiancée Anna while his ship underwent repairs.
In her early twenties, Anna was tall, with natural sandy blonde hair and deep-set green eyes. Her silky shoulder-length hair framed her face. With pronounced cheekbones and a classic straight Grecian nose, she was just lovely. She had a touch of elegance in her movements, reminding one of a long lineage of royalty.
She was born in the United States, in California. Her father, Stavros, had become a multimillionaire, making his money in shipping and trade. He had made sure that his little girl was fluent in more than one language, thinking that her knowledge would someday be useful in expanding his empire, which already touched five continents. Anna had attended the best schools in America, Switzerland, and Paris, and now she wanted to study medicine at Stanford University. But in Europe, the war had broken out, devastating the Greek people. Anna was caught in the middle of the vicious and ruthless nightmare, and she had to decide whether to stay in the United States or help the country and people who needed her. Her decision was easy. She had to follow her heart.
Having experience in pre-med, Anna volunteered her critically needed services to the hospitals in Athens and the Red Cross. At that time, Nikolas was stationed nearby, so they could visit each other often. When mainland Greece became occupied by the Germans, she fled to Crete with her parents, as the island was the only part of Greece that was not yet occupied by German forces.
Nikolas had a soldier from the 84th
British Regiment drive him by jeep to pick up
Anna, who was waiting for him at the Hotel King Minos, east of Heraklion. An unforgettable night was to follow on the fourth floor of the Minos Hotel - a wonderful, sleepless night. The rising sun found the two embracing as one body and soul, the morning breeze cooling their hot bodies.
There was a knock at the door and a voice piped, "Your breakfast is ready, sir."
Nikolas opened the door to a curly haired thin boy, too young to even lie about his age to serve in the army. He winked at Nikolas as he saw the curvature of Anna's back, the sheets wrapped around her. After Nikolas tipped him with a handful of drachmas, the boy left a tray of freshly baked mpougatsa filled with fresh ricotta cheese, made with handrolled phyllo dough, and sprinkled with sugar.