The Battle of Ays Giannis

EXTERIOR: LARNACA – MORNING – 9AM – 15 JULY 1974.

ARETI (VOICE OVER)

I’d chipped my tooth and was getting some medicine from the pharmacy when I saw cars filled with coup supporters, driving around blaring out that Makarios was dead.

Areti, holding a packet of medicine, fiddles with her tooth. She stops in the street and watches the cars zoom past, filled with armed men.

She runs across the street and nearly drops her medicine as she bumps into a group of men running in the opposite direction.

One of the men picks her up.

MAN

Quickly now, go home!

Areti grabs her medicine and runs off

AYS GIANNIS – SHOP/HOUSE – SAME DAY

The family home doubles up as a shop. The rooms are painted white and blue. They are quite cluttered but still look clean and cosy. An old fashioned radio is positioned on a small coffee table next to the worn sofa. The front door leads into the living room.

Areti gets home and her family is in disarray.

Marina, adopted at a young age, is the eldest sibling. She nervously paces up and down, holding a tiny baby, Eleni, only a few days old.

Areti’s mum, ELLI, 57 years old, is carrying tins of food from the shop and putting them into the kitchen cupboards.

ARETI

Why have we closed the shop?

ELLI

Areti, help me with this. Go and fetch tins of beans, tomatoes and anything you can find and bring them to me.

ARETI

What’s going on?

ELLI

Just do it.

As Areti crosses into the closed shop, she sees her dad Matheos across the square talking to other local men. She comes back with some tins.

ELLI

The military have taken control of the government. We have to focus now on having provisions in the house.

ARETI

Why did they do that?

ELLI

I can’t go into it now. Just stay calm and lets get what we need now in the house.

ARETI

Why move stuff?

ELLI

I DON’T KNOW ARETI! If the military come and see the shop they might loot it. And isn’t it best to have something to do?

The three continue working.

CUT TO:

AYS GIANNIS – SHOP/HOUSE – LATE MORNING.

Areti sits looking out of the window at people rushing by as Marina makes small talk to calm her nerves. Elli moves the last box into a cupboard then sits on the sofa and begins to fan herself.

ELLI

What are you two chatting about now? Marina how is your mother-in-law these days? Has she got used to avoiding sugar due to her diabetes?

ARETI

Mum, what’s going to happen now?

ELLI

All I can say is ‘God help us’.

ARETI

Ugh, fine.

MARINA

She’s well thank you. She’s very scared now and so are my sisters-in-law. But ALEX is there too.

Alex is Marina’s husband; he is right wing but not a supporter of EOKA B. He is a young man in his late 20’s and works as a painter decorator. Alex also helps with various jobs at the local church of Ays Giannis.

When not at work he spends a lot of his time inside the church grounds where his mum and two single sisters live in a few rooms.

ELLI

As long as Alex is around and he can re-assure them.

ARETI

Is Stelios coming to visit soon?

ELLI

What are you talking about?

ARETI

I miss him and I don’t understand why he had to go and get a job the other side of Cyprus.

ELLI

 (Defensively)

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

ARETI

Is he upset with us?

ELLI

 (Firmly)

Of course not, he’s a young man and he wants to explore things and live his own life. He comes and visits often enough.

The doorbell rings. Hearing it, Elli goes into the living room and answers it. A short, old lady, SOTIRA, dressed all in black enters the room. She is ELLI’S neighbour.

SOTIRA

Panaya mou! Oh my God!

ELLI

Sotira, what’s happened?

Hearing the commotion, Marina walks into the living room.

SOTIRA

Have you not heard? Quickly! Put on your radio!

ELLI

Of course we’ve heard! Are there any new developments?

Elli runs to the radio and turns it on. Military music is playing and after a few seconds it’s interrupted by a radio announcement.

RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT

Citizens of Cyprus and patriots, the glorious Cypriot army with the assistance of the Greek motherland has overthrown the repressive, communist-inspired Makarios Government. A new era is ahead of us, a new era of National glory and achievement. A new era that will make our glorious ancient Greek fathers proud once more. We are in full control. Makarios is dead. Any resistance will be ruthlessly crushed. Anyone found outdoors without authorisation will be arrested. Further announcements will follow in regular bulletins.

Military music resumes.

Everyone stares at the radio. Slowly, Elli turns the radio volume down.

ELLI

Oh god! Makarios is dead?

SOTIRA

They’ve killed him!

ELLI

He can’t be dead! I don’t believe it! They tried and failed so many times before. I need to tell Matheos! Areti go and get your dad, take the back route and be quick! He’s in the local café.

Areti quickly runs out of the back door and a nervous Marina follows.

SOTIRA

I knew the coup would come! I knew this would happen!

ELLI

We all heard the rumours. It’s just a shock that it came so quickly!

SOTIRA

Can I use your phone? I must ring my cousin to make sure that he’s heard. They’re in Ora. I hope the phones are still working.

Sotira rushes out of the room.

ELLI

(To Marina)

I can’t believe this is happening to us. We must get in touch with Stelios too. Thank god Athos and Demetris are in London.

Areti and her father enter through the front door. He looks tired and worried.

ELLI

Matheos, the radio report just said that Makarios is dead. They’ve killed him!

MATHEOS

I heard. We can’t be swift to judge. The army have taken over everything. There are rumours that Makarios is still alive, but we can’t be sure of that either.

ELLI

It’s awful! It’s so awful! The radio says he’s dead!

MATHEOS

Who knows? These jokers are nothing but a bunch of loudmouths. You can’t trust what they say.

ELLI

We should leave! It’s too dangerous! They know you are a communist and it’s only a matter of time before they come for you. We should go and stay with Stamatis and Agathi at Ormidia. It’s part of the British bases and we’d be safer there.

MATHEOS

No! I won’t leave! This is our neighbourhood! We are strong here! I won’t be scared into running away! And what about Stelios? He’ll come straight here as soon as he can. He needs to find us here when he does.

ELLI

Areti, can you go upstairs please?

ARETI

No! I’m fifteen now! I’m old enough to be involved in discussions!

ELLI

Fine. But don’t tell anyone what we discuss here, as it might be dangerous. (To Matheos) I’m worried and scared! We should leave!

MATHEOS

This will all blow over. AKEL is too strong to allow the coup to succeed! We’re thirty three per cent of the people for Christ’s sake! If we all spit on these idiots, we’ll drown them. We all have shotguns… we can fight back! I’ve already heard from others who are organising as we speak.

ELLI

It won’t all blow over! I’m telling you! Listen to me! It’s dangerous for us to stay! We should leave while we still can!

MATHEOS

Calm down! It will be ok! Come on, let’s continue with our normal routine. Weren’t you going to cook pastichio for lunch? I’ll go and see Panays and see what is being organised.

ELLI

Who wants to eat now?  Have you gone mad? We should be planning to leave! Our neighbour Xennoulla’s grandfather, Christos, died in Izmir in the 20’s because he thought things would all be okay! His body was never found!

MATHEOS

That won’t happen to us. We’ll be fine. The people behind the coup are a few lunatics.

ELLI

You don’t know that! And besides they have the army behind them.

MATHEOS

Most of the army is conscripted young men, our children. They cannot rely on them and so far they only involved mainly Greek Officers and a few extreme right wing idiots. If we leave, it would be difficult for Stelios or anyone else to contact us in this mayhem.

ELLI

But if we don’t leave then we won’t be safe!

MATHEOS

We’re in no immediate danger! You always overreact! We just need to stay calm. Go and cook that pastichio, we’re bound to be hungry sooner or later. In the meantime I’ll contact AKEL. They’re bound to be arming and resisting these jokers.

ELLI

Okay, fine, but you must be careful. Everyone knows you and knows your politics. Be careful Matheos!

Elli goes into the kitchen and starts to cook. Matheos goes to the phone, picks up his phone book and starts looking up numbers. Areti approaches and stands next to him.

MATHEOS

Despite what mum says it’s safer for us to stay here. This is a communist stronghold. This is the last place they’ll come to. People will fight back. We cannot accept this!

ARETI

But what if they come for us? What if you get shot?

MATHEOS

They won’t come for us, we’ve done nothing wrong. They’re going to be busy trying to establish themselves first…but I’m sure they won’t succeed.

ARETI

We shouldn’t sit tight, we should demonstrate against them!

MATHEOS

Unarmed demonstrations against them would be dangerous. We don’t know what they control and where they have gunmen. These are ruthless people! Idiots but ruthless!

ARETI

We should…

They are interrupted by a knock on the door. Matheos opens the door and Sotira enters. Elli, hearing the doorbell, comes back into the living room.

SOTIRA

They’ve blocked the roads!

ELLI

How do you know?

SOTIRA

My friend’s son was driving in town and saw them putting up the barricades but he managed to escape. They’re setting up checkpoints everywhere.

ELLI

They’re blocking the roads!

SOTIRA

I should go now. My son worries when I’m out for too long. I’ll tell you if I hear any more news.

Sotira quickly walks out of the front door.

ELLI

 (To Matheos)

We need to leave! It’s not safe here! We could go to Stamatis’ house. He lives in the British base in Dhekelia and the army won’t shoot there!

MATHEOS

I think that’s too hasty.

ELLI

How dare you place our family in danger by being slow to act!

MATHEOS

How would we get there if the roads are blocked?

ELLI

We could take the back streets…. they should be safe. We should leave now before the army gains complete control!

MATHEOS

No! We live here! I will not abandon everything and run away.

ELLI

WE CAN COME BACK! It’s not safe here anymore!

ARETI

Dad maybe we should leave?

MATHEOS

You don’t understand, you’re just a child.

ARETI

I do understand! I’m old enough to know that if we stay here we’ll be in danger!

MATHEOS

No you’re not! I make the decisions here, not you. I provide for this family! I always do what is right for my family! I will not abandon my house, my neighbours, my town to a bunch of fascists!

ELLI

Christ almighty Matheos, is this house more precious than your family!

The room falls silent.

MATHEOS

We have to fight back, if we don’t then everything will be lost! Life in Cyprus will become impossible especially for people like us!

Suddenly there is the sound of someone coming in through the garden. The group look in anticipation, Matheos steps forward. The door opens and Stelios emerges, dusty and tense. Areti runs up and hugs him.

ARETI

Stelio mou! I’m so happy to see you I could cry. (Areti holds on to him tightly)

He embraces Elli and Matheos. They kiss and wipe away the tears.

ELLI

Thank God you’re here. Are you okay?

MATHEOS

So pleased to see you Stelio, I was so worried. How bad is it in Kyrenia?

STELIOS

It’s pretty bad. The fascists are in full control and those who haven’t been arrested are in hiding. I was arrested and taken to Kyrenia Castle with hundreds of others but I managed to escape.

ELLI

Stelio mou, thank God you’re ok. How did they know about you? You were there for only a few months. Did they hurt you… did they hurt anyone?

STELIOS

I think they’re rounding up all known party members. Is everyone here ok, do we know what’s happening in Larnaca?

SOUND OF CHURCH BELLS RINGING:

There is a loud knock at the door. Matheos opens the door to two men and Areti recognizes one of them as the man who knocked her down earlier, it’s PANAYIS.

PANAYIS
Makarios isn’t dead and the coup is organized and led by the Greek officers who are part of the Junta. They’re rounding up left wing people – members of AKEL and others.

MAN 1

We need to defend the police station. Come to the church, we’re gathering everyone there. We have a tape of Makarios speaking from a radio station in Paphos.

MATHEOS

Stelio, grab my shotgun. Let’s go!

ELLI

I’m coming too! You too Marina!

ARETI

I’m not staying here on my own!

AT THE COURTYARD OF AYS GIANNIS CHURCH – DAY – BELLS STILL RINGING:

The whole neighbourhood seems to have gathered there and everyone is asking what is happening and exchanging information. Alex is there too, Marina walks up to him with the baby and we see them talking.

Then the bells stop and a voice is heard. It’s the voice of HARRIS, forty-nine, a well-known Trade Union organizer in PEO (the left wing trade union), born and raised in Ays Giannis.

HARRIS

Makarios is alive, he is broadcasting from Paphos! They didn’t get him! Makarios is calling on us to resist the coup. I have a tape of the recording here. We need to organize speakers on the back of lorries and go round broadcasting this news so that everyone knows! A convoy is being organized as we speak. We need volunteers. Long live Makarios! Long live democracy!

The crowd cheers and repeats the slogans.

Harris steps down from the chair he was standing on and a large number of men surround him, excited and ready to volunteer. KOKOS, a young man of twenty, walks straight up to Harris, turns round to everyone and says.

KOKOS

The army and paramilitaries are attacking the police station. The police inside are fighting back but will not last long without extra support. We need to get men down there straight away or the police station will fall. Those who have shotguns, make sure you bring plenty of cartridges.

STELIOS

(To Matheos)

I’ll take your shotgun and get down there.

MATHEOS

There’s plenty of ammo! Just be careful, do you hear?

Before joining the others, Stelios goes up to Alex and they shake hands.

ALEX

The priest told me to stay here by the church, make sure nothing happens, look after the place, you know.

STELIOS

Sure, take care and see you later.

ALEX

You too, just be careful.

A convoy led by three trucks and a few civilian saloon cars sets off. Many jump on the back of the truck, including ANDREAS, a 14-year-old kid. As they are setting off, a couple of women shout at the boy.

WOMAN 1

Get off! You’re too young!

WOMAN 2

Stop that boy! He’s only a child!

It’s too late. The convoy leaves.

A group of about six men, including Stelios, get their shotguns and make their way to the police station, taking back streets and alleyways in order not to be seen.

OUTSIDE THE POLICE STATION – LATER THAT DAY

As they approach the police station, Stelios gets everyone to duck down. They all remain silent as he points out the amassing army at the front of the station. Cautiously they head for the back of the police station

They enter through the back entrance where they are met by a police officer aiming a rifle directly at them.

OFFICER

Stop! Who are you?

STELIOS

Relief from the community! We are not with the coup!

The group present themselves to the police officer in charge.

STELIOS

We’ve come to assist.

POLICE OFFICER

How many?

STELIOS

Six.

POLICE OFFICER

Take positions near the window, but keep your heads down. Try and keep them pinned down behind their jeeps and watch out for flanking.

INT: POLICE STATION – FIRST FLOOR

They take their positions on the first floor by the windows and start firing at the army who are in the main street outside with armoured vehicles and modern automatic rifles.

Sounds of a loud revving motorbike make everyone turn towards it to see what is going on. Two young men appear on a bike making their way round the back of the police station weaving in and out of obstacles in order not to get shot.

As they come close, they both jump off and run to the door while the bike carries on and crashes against a wall. It’s SOTIRIS and his friend COSTA, both eighteen years old.

SOTIRIS

(Wild-eyed and excited)

Give me a gun! Give me a gun! No pasaran (den tha perasoun)!

CIVILIAN A

This one thinks he’s in the Spanish Civil war! Hey camarada! You didn’t even bring a gun!

Stelios recognizes Sotiris from Ays Giannis and greets him.

STELIOS

Sotiri there is a shotgun over there. You’re a good shot but remember today we are not hunting hares so keep your head down and don’t go across the windows.

The fighting continues for another fifteen minutes but things are not going well. A police officer comes upstairs to talk to everyone.

POLICE OFFCIER

Look boys, we can’t hold them off much longer. We’ve got pistols and shotguns, they’ve got modern rifles and we hear a tank is on its way. We’ll surrender and we should be ok – we’re ‘doing our duty’, but if they see civilians here they’ll shoot you on sight. We’ll give you ten minutes to disappear. Hide your weapons somewhere. Don’t let them catch you armed.

Stelios and the rest of the civilian’s head out the back way and creep along an alleyway.

EXT: ALLEYWAY – LATER ON

SOTIRIS

(To Stelios)

I was so close to getting their officer but he kept ducking and diving, the bastard wouldn’t stay still and my shotgun was useless.

STELIOS

(Puts his hand on Sotiris shoulder)

There’s more to be done camarada! (Stelios smiles at him)

(To the rest)

Let’s find the convoy and join them.

The group of now ten makes its way to the town centre. They follow the sound of the loud speakers and soon meet up with the convoy.

EXT: STREET – CONVOY

The convoy comprises of about three to four pick-up trucks and a few private family cars. Ahead on foot and leading the convoy, PRODROMOS LAZAROU, with two Greek flags in his hands and with his mother KYRIAKOU, together they call out for people to join them.

The ten people from the police station climb up on the back of the pick up trucks. At the same time ELIAS KOUMIDES, a fourteen year old, climbs on and joins some of his classmates.

The convoy continues for about a hundred metres more, passes the offices of Alki F.C and heads towards the town centre but stopping just before a major crossroad and military outpost

Prodromos, carrying and waving two Greek flags, addresses the soldiers.

PRODROMOS

We are Greeks too. Makarios is alive! Soldiers don’t let them lie to you! We’ll pass. If you want to shoot us, you’ll be shooting brothers who are not armed!

At the back of the pick up trucks some of the civilians who have handguns whispered ‘Hide them, hide them’.

More people join by climbing onto the back of the trucks but by this time, Elias Koumides’ father catches up with the convoy, grabs his son and pulls him off saying ‘where do you think you’re going? You’re coming with me. Let’s go’.

The convoy moves on towards the main crossroad called Akropolis.

Prodromos leads the convoy on foot and they all move slowly through the crossroads. Prodromos, flags raised, keeps addressing the soldiers.

PRODROMOS

Brothers don’t shoot! We are Greek too. Makarios is alive! Don’t believe their lies! We are unarmed.

Standing by the army post, ordinary soldiers are confused and not sure what to do. As the convoy moves on, a Greek army Officer snatches a rifle from a soldier and shoots a quick burst into the air.

Those on the back of the truck hear the firing and panic. One of them gets a handgun and fires back. Then everyone starts firing at will.

The convoy gets hit from four different directions: the army post, rooftops of two blocks of flats (paramilitary snipers) and from the school at the corner of the crossroads.

Stelios is with Sotiris in the pick-up truck, which is right in the middle of the crossroads. Their truck gets hit the worst. Stelios sees people getting shot. The pick-up truck speeds up and turns into a quiet road.

They get off and realize four are dead: ACHILEAS, twenty-four; GIORGOS HADJISTEPHANI, forty-six; GIORGOS HARALAMBOUS, seventeen and ANTREAS, just fourteen. Others are injured.

STELIOS

(To Sotiris)

Hey! You’ve got blood all over your shirt and trousers! You’ve been shot!

Sotiris realises he’s been shot and starts to go into shock.

The dead and wounded are loaded from the convoy into a red Honda with broken windows and a flat tyre. It speeds off.

Stelios and a couple of others get into a second car riddled with bullet holes and follow.

STELIOS

Where the hell are they going? The hospital is in the opposite direction! It looks like they’re going to the police station!

PASSENGER

We can’t go to the hospital… all hell is breaking out there!

OUTSIDE THE POLICE STATION

A policeman sprints over waving the car away.

POLICEMAN

Are you crazy! The army just moved off to find you lot and they’ll be back any second. There’s some still in the station! Hide!

DRIVER OF THE HONDA

I have wounded people here. I think some are dead!

POLICEMAN

There’s nothing we can do for them here, you need to take them to the hospital.

DRIVER OF THE HONDA

They’re still firing back there! They were firing at us! I’m not driving back.

POLICEMAN

Well whatever you do get away from here and ditch those beaten up cars!

The two cars drive over to the taxis offices about 100 meters from the police station and call for help.

EXT: TAXI RANK

The driver of the red Honda rushes over to Stelios’ car.

DRIVER OF THE HONDA

No further! No further! They see our cars with bullet holes and we’re finished.

STELIOS

These people need help for Christ’s sake!

The driver of Stelios’ car points towards the taxis and starts to unload the people onto the street.

STELIOS

You can’t be serious.

Stelios helps Sotiris out and puts him down on the ground while he rushes over to the taxi rank. Most of the men disperse and wave him away.

STELIOS

We have wounded men here who need to get to the hospital.

TAXI DRIVER

No way. We have families and these taxis are our livelihoods.

STELIOS

People are dying here! We can’t abandon them! They need medical attention!

An old retired ARMENIAN, sixty-eight, taxi driver, steps up. He flicks his cigarette, takes out his keys and points over to the side street

ARMENIAN

I’ll drive you. I know how to get to the hospital the back way.

Stelios helps move everyone into the Armenian’s car and then shouts back to the drivers of the shot at cars.

STELIOS

Get these cars off the road. Hold on Sotiris, we’ll be there soon.

They drive off

OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL – A BIT LATER

They arrive at the hospital. Paramilitaries move towards the car with weapons to hand.

PARAMILITARY

These are communist dogs! They don’t deserve to live! Take them to the side and shoot them.

The Armenian gets out of the car and stands in front to protect the wounded inside.

ARMENIAN

These are just demonstrators. They had absolutely nothing to do with events at the police station.

PARAMILITARY

Get out of the way old man.

ARMENIAN

You’ll have to shoot me first before you get to them.

Meanwhile, nurses and other hospital staff gather round and start expressing their discontent, forcing the paramilitaries to let the staff take in the wounded. Stelios helps carry Sotiris inside.

PARAMILITARY

Ward thirteen with the other commies. Nobody touches them.

INSIDE THE HOSPITAL – CORRIDOR

While moving down the corridor towards ward thirteen, a nurse MARIANNA, forty-one, who happens to be Sotiris’ aunt, approaches.

MARIANNA

 (Whispering)

Sotiri how bad are you?

She presses folded bandages against his wound.

MARIANNA

Stelio, hold them tight.

Marianna fastens the bandages while Stelios keeps the pressure on

MARIANNA

It’s very dangerous here. Do you have any bullets on you?

SOTIRIS

Oh theia (auntie). I don’t think it’s too bad. Check my trouser pockets. I have a few bullets left …… here you are.

Marianna takes the bullets and wraps them in a bandage, which she then puts into a rubbish bin.

MARIANNA

You too Stelios! If they find anything on you, it’ll be the end.

STELIOS

I am clean. Let’s take him to the ward.

They arrive at ward thirteen. There are many people lying in beds and are left completely unattended. 

MARIANNA

(whispering)

There are strict orders not to treat any of you in here. Hold tight and I’ll see what I can do once things calm down a bit.

As Marianna walks off, a doctor with a smirk on his face walks in. LOIZOS, forty-five, who wouldn’t look out of place in Hitler’s ranks, is visibly happy with what’s going on and approaches Stelios and Sotiris.

LOIZOS

What have we got here? Why are all you reds in pain? Did you eat beans and have stomach ache today?

CUT TO:

HOSPITAL – CORRIDOR – LATER

Marianna creeps out of a doorway, stuffing painkillers into her pockets and heads for ward thirteen.

WARD THIRTEEN

Marianna walks steadily over to Sotiris and hands him the painkillers.

MARIANNA

Here takes these! Quickly!

Stelios quickly hands Sotiris some water.

A couple of paramilitaries march in, led by the OFFICER from the police station who Sotiris was trying to shoot. They pull their guns and go round to Sotiris.

The officer takes out his pistol and presses it against Sotiris’ temple.

OFFICER

Confess you dog! You were there at the police station! I saw you!

SOTIRIS

It wasn’t me! I got this at the demonstration.

OFFICER

You shot us at the demonstration!

SOTIRIS

No, no, I didn’t!

STELIOS

He didn’t, he didn’t!

PARAMILITARY A

You shut up.

OFFICER

Say your prayers.

He pulls the trigger and the gun goes click. The gun was empty, this was a mock execution. The paramilitaries start laughing.

STELIOS

 (Under his breath)

Bastards!

Marianna hears Stelios and takes in the look in his eyes. She grabs him by the arm.

MARIANNA

You need to leave! Leave now! You’re going to get yourself and all of us in trouble. Don’t worry I’ll keep my eye on him. Make sure his dad, Themistoclis, is told. Go out the back way.

CUT TO:

INSISDE THE HOUSE AT AYS GIANNIS – EARLY EVENING

Stelios returns home, he’s covered in blood. Areti is operating the phone, passing on messages from family to family. She turns and sees her brother and drops the phone in fright.

ARETI (PRESENT DAY VOICE OVER)

I thought he was shot too but it turned out the blood was not his.

 He was fine. I had just received a phone call from Xanthoulla’s husband to go and tell his wife he was not harmed but was taking refuge in a friend’s house. In seventy-four we had one of the few telephones in the neighbourhood and I spent a lot of time that day receiving calls from people and then passing on messages to their relatives.

NEIGHBOURS HOUSE – AYS GIANNIS – NIGHT.

Areti stands in the hallway as a woman kisses her on both cheeks.

WOMAN

Thank you sweetheart, we’ve been worried sick. Do you want to stay and have some cake?

ARETI

I have to get back. The phone may ring again and there’ll be more messages.

WOMAN

Are you okay getting back?

ARETI

I’ll go the back way.

WOMAN

Take care!

Areti steps out into the street and looks both ways. She sees the coast is clear and makes her way through the shadows and alleyways back to her home.

On arriving Areti hears the same conversation carrying on as before: Stelios, Elli and Matheos are sitting on the sofas exhausted but frantic.

Stelios explains to everyone what happened and that he is okay.

ELLI

I keep saying it. We should go to the British base.

STELIOS

To hell with those imperialist bastards!

Areti walks in and Elli turns in shock.

ELLI

Stelios, your mouth!

MATHEOS

Limassol and Paphos are resisting the coup, that much we know. We could be called on or needed here, depending on how things go there. We can’t leave, not now.

ELLI

You two have to promise me you’ll be more careful. After what you explained in the hospital Stelio, they have their sights on AKEL members.

Marina slowly rocks her ten-day-old baby, Eleni, in her arms, and then looks over at Areti.

INSIDE THE HOUSE – HALLWAY – LATE EVENING

MATHEOS

Are you ok son? We didn’t really get a chance to speak about what happened this afternoon. The police station and the hospital – everything’s moving so fast.

STELIOS

Yes I’m fine. Sotiris has been shot but his aunt Marianna is a nurse at the hospital he is in, so she’ll keep an eye on him and keep the family informed. She told me to leave because the place was crawling with EOKA B men.

MATHEOS

Marianna is a smart woman. She was right to send you away. Your mum’s right, we’re going to have to be careful.

STELIOS

So what happened over here?

Matheos sighs then searches for the right words.

MATHEOS

The news about the shooting and the killing reached us very quickly…families are grieving for their dead sons. It’s a very sad day for our neighbourhood. I’m on my way to visit people and see what we can do.

STELIOS

Oh, I know this is out of the blue and perhaps not the right time, but I gave my word. A Turkish Cypriot friend asked me about the bus that disappeared in sixty-four, do you remember? Did anyone find out anything?

Matheos puts his hand on Stelios shoulder as he picks his keys up.

MATHEOS

No one knows and those who do will not talk, I can’t think straight right now. It’s a bad omen

STELIOS

You don’t think …..

MATHEOS

They will be an obvious target. We have to organize to stop these thugs. Listen, I have to go, I’ll see you later.

Matheos leaves and Stelios goes into the living room as Areti turns her head away as if she hadn’t been listening.

INSIDE THE HOUSE IN AYS GIANNIS 1974 2^nd DAY – 16 JULY 1974

MATHEOS

Stay by the phone, people will try and get in touch with their families.

Areti watches Matheos leave then sits in the living room with Marina.

MARINA

I just pray they don’t come here. I wouldn’t normally worry about myself but with Eleni I can’t stop thinking the worst.

ARETI

They wouldn’t harm a baby or its mother. If anyone comes to the door I’ll see who it is.

PHONE RINGS!

She walks over to the phone with urgency and picks it up.

ARETI

Yes, hello?

VOICE

Christos Kyriakou, three houses behind Ays Giannis church. They’re coming for him.  TELL HIM TO GET OUT!

The caller hangs up abruptly.

Areti, shell shocked, looks round at Marina.

MARINA

What is it?

ARETI

A man has just said that some guy called Christos Kyriakou, that ‘they’ are coming for him.

MARINA

When?

ARETI

Now.

MARINA

Well you must go straightaway.

ARETI

I don’t know where his house is! He said it too fast!

MARINA

It’s behind Ays Giannis… damn it! I’ll go with you.

ARETI

What about Eleni?

MARINA

She’s asleep she’ll be fine for five minutes. That’s all it’ll take. COME ON!

The pair rush out into the street.

They compose themselves so as not to draw attention and swiftly walk towards the church. They spot army patrol cars in the distance.

MARINA

Quickly! We’ll have to run through the courtyard.

Both cross the church courtyard and climb through a hole in the wall leading to the back of the church.

They arrive at Kyriacos’ house and Areti bangs on the door several times.

PETRA – KYRIACOS’ WIFE’S VOICE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE

Who is it?

MARINA

Marina! It’s me, Marina! It’s the army! They’re coming for Christos!

Petra sharply swings open the door.

PETRA

WHAT? How do you know?

ARETI

A phone call!

MARINA

Quickly! We just saw a patrol car at the edge of the village.

PETRA

CHRISTOS! The army are coming! Get out! Get out now!

Christos comes bounding down the stairs.

CHRISTOS

What? Where?

ARETI

Please, they’re just around the corner.

The rumble of a diesel engine overwhelms their voices. Marina looks over and sees the patrol car approaching. She grabs Areti’s arm and leads her away. They both quickly look back at Christos but he has already disappeared out the back window.

As the jeep pulls up Areti and Marina calmly walk away. Their hearts in their mouths as several paramilitaries get out and encircle the house.

Areti and Marina make it to the corner of the street then head for the main road as the house is ransacked behind them.

Areti and Marina see Greek Officers and Paramilitaries sitting in a coffee shop,  sipping coffee as if this was just another day for them. There is a sound of a shot somewhere and everyone runs and takes cover. Areti and Marina bolt back to the house.

OUTSIDE AYS GIANNIS HOUSE – DAY – 1974 – A FEW DAYS LATER

Areti watches her father talking with a man. She looks over and smiles at the man’s daughter who is the same age as her. The girl smiles back at Areti and for a moment the pair aren’t afraid.

ARETI (VOICE OVER)

It was all mayhem, families were torn apart, communities were torn apart, no one really knew what was happening… there was fear too. I kept telling myself, the whole family is ok, it will all be ok. But it wasn’t.

During the population exchange Turkish Cypriots gave dad their house keys.

Years later I was visiting Dad in hospital when an elderly man stopped me. I had no idea who he was till he spoke. He was an old Turkish Cypriot neighbour. He told me that Dad had looked after their cows and made sure they got them back during the exchange.