6Matoula slept later than usual, her feet close to the fire, with a sweet smile on her face. Zoitsa finally nudged her on the arm, startling her. One look from Panorea and Zoitsa retreated, ever the innocent. As Matoula yawned and held out her arms to her daughter, she was already wondering if she had actually heard Maria Christina whisper in her ear or if she had only dreamt it. She didn’t know how to confront her sister without humiliating her but, before she could give it another thought, Zoitsa was in her arms and her day had begun even before she was ready. As she climbed out of bed, she was feeling slightly nauseous and was on her way to find a piece of bread, when Lena stepped in with some sugar candies she had just made.
Lena waddled around the room with a kiss for everyone. Nearl
