‘Kalispera. So, you buy the house?’ She smiles as I introduce her to my friend.
‘I did,’ I tell her, praying I have done the right thing. I console myself with the fact that I have enough money to pay for a roof and maybe a ceiling. That must be the biggest spend I will face, surely?
She nips inside her home and returns suddenly with a crucifix. ‘To keep the house safe,’ she says, placing it on a window ledge. ‘But, of course, I will also check everything is okay, after you leave.’ She smiles.
‘Thank you, that is very kind.’
‘Do you have the builder?’ She nods towards the house, and I tell her about asking Thea’s nephew.
‘Nai, he is a good boy.’ She smiles approvingly. ‘I also know people if you need.’ She speaks her words carefully, trying hard to master the English language, which is generally good with just one or two grammatical errors.
Two old gents wearing flat caps stroll slowly by then and wish us akalispera. Phoebe says something to them in Greek, and they smile and wish me good luck as they move on.
‘Is it just old people on this street?’ asks Evie, glancing around.
‘Maybe not,’ I say, looking over her shoulder at a bloke who has just walked out of a house opposite with a gorgeous chocolate-brown Labrador. She turns to see the good-looking bloke dressed in a tight black T-shirt and denim shorts, who appears to be striding towards us.
‘Kalispera,’ he says, placing the sunglasses he is wearing on the top of his head.
‘Kalispera,’ I reply, painting on my brightest smile while unconsciously standing straighter.
‘You are the new owner?’ he asks, glancing up at the currently not so attractive villa.
‘I am.’
The delightful dog jumps up at me then, and I give it a friendly stroke.
He nods slowly. ‘And the work, you will do some of it yourself?’ he asks doubtfully.
‘Well, some of it, obviously. But this is just a viewing trip. I’m hoping Thea at the bakery will help me recommend some builders. She mentioned her nephew being a builder.’
‘He is indeed.’
‘Oh, do you know him?’
‘I do. I am the nephew.’ He smiles a gorgeous smile. ‘My name is Dimitri, I am pleased to meet you. Both.’
‘Pleased to meet you too. This is my friend Evie.’
‘Oh, and this is Prudence.’ He introduces the delightful brown dog.
‘Ah, she’s adorable,’ I comment as she wags her tail wildly. ‘I love her name.’
‘She is actually my aunt’s dog, named after a deceased relative we were all fond of.’
He takes in the state of the house then.
‘Surely you are not staying here?’ he asks in surprise.
‘No, of course not, we are in some apartments around the corner. So, what do you think? Can you help? Do you have a lot of work on at the moment?’ I bombard him with questions, keen to get things started as soon as possible.
‘If I say I am not busy, you will say I am bad builder. If I am too busy, you will worry it may take some time. I am not sure what to tell you.’ He smiles, a most delicious smile.
‘Maybe just tell me the truth. Can you do the work or not?’
‘Of course. I usually work with my friend Yiannis, he is a little older but very experienced. Sometimes I call in some local labourers if it is a big job, or one that needs doing quickly.’
He eyes the exterior wall and I ask him about the crack.
