‘I’ll be sure to remember that.’ I raise an eyebrow, and wonder whether he spoke in an American accent.
‘I’m dying to see what this surprise is,’ she says, reminding me that I have managed to keep the house purchase a secret. ‘You did say it was something to do with water, so I’ve been imagining all sorts. I thought maybe a boat trip to another island, but as we are only here for the weekend, I can’t imagine you would do that,’ continues Evie, trying to prise information from me.
‘Just wait and see.’ I smile, and she huffs.
I hope she doesn’t think I have taken leave of my senses. I’m even less sure she will set foot inside the place, as she likes things clean and shiny, and I know it will be anything but. She also hates spiders, but then, so do I. Maybe I will have to take some photos of the inside and show them to her.
She sings the chorus at the top of her voice and has me laughing.
‘What do you suppose that means?’ she asks, before typing into Google Translate to discover it means ‘You are my one and only’. ‘Imagine some gorgeous Greek bloke whispering that to you.’ She sighs and I remind her she is a happily married woman. ‘I am, and I know I’m lucky, but after sixteen years together it isn’t all moonlight and roses, you know.’
That’s the thing with relationships, isn’t it? It’s not like in the movies, where people seem to be in a state of constant lust. The chemical that first attracts us to each other wears off over the years. At least for most people. So, what you are essentially left with is friendship, so you need to make sure you actually like the person you are with, and share some common interests. And work hard to keep the romance alive too, I guess.
We drive along roads flanked by fields, some with olive groves in the distance. With the window down and the Greek music playing, it’s suddenly as if I am on an entirely different planet, away from work and all thoughts of the comings and goings of daily life back home neatly filed away. The roads arebordered with yellow and red wildflowers growing beneath a hot sun and a brilliant blue sky.
In no time at all, we turn into a side road and at once glimpse the beach at Roda, with its orange and white umbrellas flapping gently on the sand and I feel my stomach turn over with a mixture of nerves and excitement.
As we pull up to the apartments, Thea is getting out of her car carrying bakery supplies, and smiles broadly when she sees us.
‘It is good to see you back so soon.’ She places some boxes on top of the car and gives us both a hug.
The owner of the apartment is away right now, so had left the key with Thea for us to collect.
‘It seems we can’t stay away. We are just over for a long weekend this time though. Oh, and we must have a snack as we have just arrived,’ I tell her, following her into the shop.
Trays of cakes and bread rolls are displayed beneath glass counters and have me drooling. Sticky squares of baklava sit alongside honey and nut cake, lemon and orange cake and Thea’s speciality, fig bread. We take one of the loaves, along with a slice each of a honeyed pistachio sponge, and some bottled water from the fridge.
We head across the road and, after nipping to the small nearby supermarket for ham and salad, assemble lunch on the apartment balcony that has a glimpse of the beach.
‘Can you imagine owning a holiday home in a place like this,’ I comment as I slide a cube of salty feta into my mouth and admire the view.
‘I can. That is all I can do though, imagine. Besides, I don’t think it’s very accessible in the winter, is it? And the weather can change a bit in Corfu.’ Evie takes a glug of cold water.
She has a point, but I don’t suppose I was thinking of being here over the winter. Unless, of course, I can’t bear to tear myselfaway from the beautiful home I envisage creating, then I could take an internal flight from Athens.
‘Anyway, eat up, we need to go and collect something.’
I feel the nerves in my stomach, hoping Evie will approve of my, some might say, impulsive purchase.
‘Collect something? Is this part of the surprise you’ve been talking about?’ Evie eyes me suspiciously.
‘It might be. Actually, yes, it is.’
‘Ooh great. Let’s go,’ Evie says, finishing the last of her water and picking up her bag.
‘After that we can hit the beach if you like,’ I suggest.
‘Shall we unpack first and grab our beach stuff then?’ she asks.
‘No, we’ll come back and do that. We’re not going far,’ I say, with a little touch of mystery.
Outside, Evie expects us to climb into the car, so is surprised when I tell her we are walking. Five minutes later, we turn into the street next to a bike hire shop and I glance at my watch, my heart beating wildly. We enter the cool estate agent’s office with a marble floor and a young estate agent dressed in a blue short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers greets us with a smile.
‘Kalispera. You are Claudia?’ He recognises me from a video call and greets me with a welcoming smile.
‘I am, and this is my friend Evie.’
‘Congratulations on your purchase.’ He smiles, handing me the key. ‘I hope you will be very happy here.’
