Upon the advice of Father Gregorios, Anna remained in her room reading The Lives of the Saints, and most importantly, nursing her injured leg, which was healing remarkably well. As Father Gregorios walked toward the chapel, he knocked at her door.
"Are you coming to Vespers, Miss
Bouras?"
"Yes Father," she replied. "I'll be there shortly, I will," she repeated, determined to walk freely again.
At the church she found a dark corner on the left-hand side, customarily for women. She sat there, praying for Nikolas. Except for the few oil lamps hanging in front of each icon, there was no other light in the dark interior of the church. The semidarkness projected a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. The loving yet piercing gaze of the Virgin Mary seemed to penetrate into her inner core, deep, very deep into her soul.
"Oh dear Mother of God, help Nikolas," she prayed.
Father Gregorios was chanting from the altar, and a young monk was responding from the right side in harmony, both of them holding candles for light. Anna would focus on the readings for short periods, but then her mind would wander off to Nikolas, her childhood, her parents, and her lovemaking with Nikolas. At times she would catch words echoing through the dome of the church:
"Bless the Lord of my soul. Oh Lord, you are very great. You made the moon to mark off the season, and the sun knows the time of its setting. For the peace of the whole world, let us pray to the Lord. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Let us depart in peace."
Never before had Anna felt so content with herself and her surroundings, never had she felt so sure of herself. God was no longer a stranger to her.
When the Vespers were over, they all went to the dining hall for a light meal of bean soup, bread, olives, and red wine. Anna drank two glasses. Nobody spoke during the meal. One of the monks read out loud from The Life of Blessed Mary of Egypt. After the final post meal prayer by Father Gregorios, everybody went to their cells.
"Father Gregorios, I need to talk to you," Anna said in a whispering voice.
"Yes, Miss Bouras, I would like to talk to you too," responded the priest in a low voice. "As a matter of fact, I have some good news. Nikolas made it to his ship safely and he is on his way to Souda Bay," said the priest with a smile, bending his head to one side to catch a better glimpse of Anna's reaction. "If the Germans don't invade in the next few days, you might be able to meet up with him soon. I mean, you can go to Souda Bay and see him."