It would be great to have fresh juice back home and I wonder if I might be able to find a machine on Amazon.
‘One day, I will take you to the store to buy the machine,’ she offers, her English far better than Yiannis’, although not perfect. Maybe we can help each other, and I will learn more than the usual morning and afternoon greetings, as well as please and thank you.
She asks us a little about our life, taking an interest in our work and Evie’s two children.
‘No children for you?’ she asks, pushing some biscuits towards us. I feel rude declining, as I don’t want to spoil my meal later, so take one out of politeness. My goodness, why do theytaste so good? Evie happily polishes two of them off, much to the delight of Phoebe. My friend is one of those people that can eat anything and never put on an ounce of weight. Even after she had the twins, she was soon back to her pre-pregnancy weight.
‘No, not yet,’ I tell her, wondering if I ever will become a mother. It’s not something I have yearned for up to now, but who knows further down the line? Women are choosing to have their families later these days, I tell myself.
She asks if we have plans for tomorrow and tells us she will be going to church in the morning. ‘It is a beautiful church. I will pray for good luck in your new house,’ she tells me, and I thank her.
Half an hour later, we stand to leave, and Phoebe wishes us a good evening.
‘She’s a nice lady, isn’t she?’ says Evie as we walk back to the apartment.
‘She is. I wonder whether she might be a bit lonely, but then there seem to be plenty of people in the street she chats to. I noticed the woman of a similar age across the road as well.’
‘I’m sure she has friends. Didn’t she say she has church in the morning? She must have some friends there, surely?’
‘I’m sure you’re right. Maybe it’s just genuine Greek hospitality she is showing us.’
A few doors along, a young couple emerge with a tiny baby in a pram and a toddler and smile warmly at us, so it seems there are not just older people living here, which feels nice.
Back at the apartment, we change into dresses and head off along the main street as the sun begins to set behind the hills. It’s a little quiet, but a few families and couples are enjoying the start of the better weather and stroll along dressed smartly in summer bright colours, skin gently glowing from a day spent on the beach.
Boards outside restaurants offer up fresh fish dishes, beef stifado, and home-made moussaka. A colourful beach kimono in a shop window catches my eye, but I bought one similar last time I was here, so I rein myself in. I could happily buy clothes every time I step into a shop, but I have so many I will save my shopping for interior soft furnishings, once the renovation is complete. I dare to imagine how it might look and feel a tinge of excitement.
Kostas from the gyros café and the lady from the clothes shop I frequented on my last trip are having a chat outside a shop and approach us as we pass.
‘Welcome back, ladies,’ says Kostas warmly.
‘Thank you.’ I can’t help noticing the way Kostas looks at Evie and she looks a little coy, glancing at him but saying very little. I tell them excitedly all about my new house purchase.
‘That is wonderful!’ The lady from the shop claps her hands together. ‘We must have lunch in the cooler months when the shop is quiet and I can close it for an hour or two,’ she says, and I thank her, feeling grateful that I have made another friend already.
The new restaurant we have chosen is already half full, mainly with locals, but we are lucky enough to get a table overlooking the beach, as a family with two small children leave.
‘I still cannot believe you have bought a house, here, you lucky thing,’ says Evie as we sip some cold water, along with some olives a waiter has placed in front of us.
‘Neither can I.’ I gaze dreamily across the water and sigh. A boat is gliding along in the background, its twinkling lights on deck illuminating the rapidly darkening sea. It’s a world away from back home, the calmness being a perfect antidote to the bustling city and noisy traffic. I love both of these settings though, and can hardly believe that I will have the opportunity to flit between both worlds.
We share a bottle of crisp, white wine, and our delicious meze arrives. There’s hummus and tzatziki dips,dolmadesin tomato sauce, along with chicken skewers, and halloumi bites. There is also a tasty-looking Greek salad and some olive bread.
‘What was that with Kostas?’ I ask, biting into a salty piece of halloumi.
‘What was what?’
‘I saw the look you gave each other.’ I raise an eyebrow and she fiddles with her napkin.
‘I’d say you’re imagining things.’ She laughs, taking a glug of her wine.
‘Okay fine.’ I dive into my food.
‘Although, actually, I do find him attractive. We chatted a bit last time I was here,’ she reveals casually.
‘Did you?’
‘Yeah. Remember the day you weren’t feeling too well?’