‘How long are you here for?’ he asks, seeming to direct this question more at Evie I can’t help noticing.
‘We leave the day after tomorrow,’ I tell him, wiping my mouth, having finished the tasty chicken snack.
‘You are only here for a short time?’ He seems surprised.
‘Yes, it’s a bit of a whistle-stop tour to show Evie the house and sort out some builders,’ I explain.
‘But soon enough you will be a regular visitor to the café, now you have bought a villa here, won’t you, Claudia?’ says Evie.
‘I’m not sure about being a frequent visitor, however delicious your food is. This place isn’t good for my waistline,’ I tell Kostas with a smile.
‘Ah, but I only use fresh ingredients. Healthy. We Greeks live long lives.’ He winks.
Evie can’t seem to take her eyes off Kostas as he chats to a waiter who has just emerged from the café, after clearing up. The young man says goodnight, before firing up his moped anddriving off into the night. I notice the little looks exchanged between Evie and Kostas and think it is maybe a good thing we are leaving the day after tomorrow.
We finish up and stand up to leave, the only sounds in the street now coming from the occasional passing car, or people saying their goodnights from a bar at the end of the road.
‘Kalinychta, ladies.’ Kostas takes our hands and shakes them. His hand lingers a while longer in Evie’s, his gaze fixed on her.
We take the short walk home and I can’t resist taking a detour past the road with my house, and it’s completely silent. A few stray cats cross our paths as we walk, streetlights gently illuminating the road. It’s so quiet, it is just possible to hear the sound of the waves from the beach, and I dream of the day when I can sit on my newly installed balcony and relish those sounds, the voile curtains gently fluttering in a warm breeze.
‘You okay?’ I ask as we approach the holiday apartment, noting Evie has barely said a word.
‘Yes, I’m fine, just a little tired. It’s so gorgeous here, isn’t it?’ She sighs. ‘I’m so envious of you.’
‘Well, it’s lucky I have two bedrooms. You know you will be welcome over anytime.’
‘I know that. And don’t you worry, you won’t be able to get rid of me.’ She smiles and despite our close friendship, I do hope Nick will be joining her. I’m buying a huge sofa bed for the lounge, so the girls can join them too.
‘I’m pleased about that.’ I link her arm as we walk. ‘I’m sure you will all love it here,’ I say as I glance up at the silvery moon in the clear night sky.
FOURTEEN
‘What do you fancy doing today then, after I’ve met with Dimitri? I was thinking we might go into Sidari, I remember that beach bar you liked.’
‘Sounds good.’ Evie has been chatting to Nick on the phone this morning and seems in a brighter mood.
‘How’s his golf weekend going?’ I ask.
We’re sitting on the balcony, drinking orange juice and eating croissants and some Greek yoghurt.
‘Pretty eventful apparently. One guy got disqualified from the event for cheating, and another ended up in hospital after drunkenly falling down some steps outside the clubhouse and breaking his ankle.’
‘Oh no. Who knew golf could be so dangerous?’
‘I know. At least he called me though, which is a first when he goes away.’ She laughs and I wonder when they became so disconnected, even though I never got that impression when they said goodbye at the airport.
‘Right. I won’t be long.’ I glance at my watch as I finish my breakfast and cross the road to Thea’s. Dimitri is already standing inside in his work gear, chatting to Thea, ready to head off for the day.
‘Kalimera,’ he greets me warmly.
‘Kalimera,’ I say, returning his smile.
He takes his phone from his pocket and shows me some figures that, thankfully, are not as eye-watering as I expected.
‘I can make a start on the roof soon. But I am afraid I will need a little money upfront for materials,’ he tentatively asks. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’
I hesitate for just a split second, having read back home that it is not something that is encouraged.
