dream. Who was this stranger, and why was he being so kind to her?
An hour later a van pulled up, filled with clothes. A couturiere was ushered into Catherine's bedroom 'I'm Madame Dimas. Let's see what we have to work with. Would you get undressed, please?' 'I ... I beg your pardon?' 'Will you get undressed? I can't tell much about your figure under those clothes.' How long had it been since she had been naked in front of another person Catherine began to take off her clothes, moving slowly, feeling self-conscious. When she stood nude in front of the woman, Madame Dimas looked her over with a practiced eye. She was impressed 'You have a fine figure. I think we're going to be able to do very well for you.' Two female assistants walked in with boxes of dresses, underwear, blouses, skirts, shoes 'Select whatever you like,' the couturi+!re said, 'and we'll try them on.' 'I... I can't afford any of these,' Catherine protested 'I have no money.' The couturi+1/2re laughed. 'I don't think money will be a problem Mr Demiris is taking care of it.' But why The fabrics brought back tactile memories of clothes she must have once worn. There were silks and tweeds and cottons, in an array of exquisite colors.
The three women were quick and efficient, and two hours later Catherine had half a dozen beautiful outfits. It was overwhelming She sat there, not knowing what to do with herself. I'm all dressed up, she thought, with noplace to go. But there was some place to go into the city. The key to whatever had happened to her was in Athens. She was convinced of it. She stood up. Come on, stranger. We're going to try to find out who you are.
Catherine wandered out into the front hall, and a butler approached her. 'May I help you, miss?' 'Yes. I ... I would like to go into the city. Could you call a taxi for me?' 'I'm sure that won't be necessary, miss. We have limousines at your disposal. I will arrange a driver for you.' Catherine hesitated. 'Thank you.' Would Mr Demiris be angry if she went into the city? He had not said not to A few minutes later she was seated in the back of a Daimler limousine headed for downtown Athens.
Catherine was dazzled by the noisy, bustling city, and the poignant succession of ruins and monuments that appeared all around her The driver pointed ahead and said proudly, That is the Parthenon, mission top of the Acropolis.' Catherine stared up at the familiar white marble building 'Dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom,' she heard herself 4' saying 4 The driver smiled approvingly. 'Are you a student of Greek history, miss?' Tears of frustration blurred Catherine's vision. 'I don't know,' on she whispered. 'I don't know.' * They were passing another ruin. 'That is the theatre of Herodes Atticus. As you can see, parts of the walls are still standing. It once seated more than five thousand people.' 'Six thousand, two hundred and fifty-seven,' Catherine said softly Modern hotels and office buildings were everywhere amid the timeless ruins, an exotic mixture of the past and present. The limousine passed a large park in the center of the city, with sparkling, dancing fountains in the middle. Dozens of tables with green and orange poles lined the park, and the air above them was carpeted with blue awnings I've seen this before, Catherine thought, her hands growing cold. And I was happy.
There were outdoor cafes on almost every block, and on the corners men were selling freshly caught sponges Everywhere, flowers were being sold by vendors, their booths a rage of violently colored blossoms The limousine had reached Syntagma Square As they passed a hotel on the corner, Catherine called out: 'Stop, please!' The driver pulled over to the curb. Catherine was finding it difficult to breathe. / recognize this hotel. I've stayed here When she spoke, her voice was shaky. 'I'd like to get out here I wonder if you could pick me up in in two hours?' 'Of course, miss.' The chauffeur hurried to open the door for her, and Catherine