Outside in the balmy evening we sip our beers and take in the lights as they slowly come on in the bars and restaurants, a faint sound of music from somewhere. The sea is slowly darkening, with lights from boats gently dancing across the water. A plane is heading towards the airport, reminding me that there will soon be an influx of holidaymakers on the island.
‘I’m not sure I could ever get tired of this view.’ I sigh, content with food from Phoebe’s and feeling more and more mellow with every sip of beer.
‘It’s pretty special, isn’t it, but maybe we take everything for granted, even living in the most beautiful place.’ He takes a sip from his bottled beer and gazes across the rooftops.
‘Maybe. I know that we don’t always appreciate what is right in front of us, that’s for sure,’ I agree. ‘So, have you always been in the building trade?’ I ask, attempting to find out a little more about him.
‘Yes. It was a natural thing for me as my father was a builder, and I would help him when I was young. After school, atweekends, I learned everything from him. I am sure I am not as good as him though.’
‘Now you tell me,’ I joke.
‘Don’t worry, I am good. Of course, but my father is a master,’ he says proudly. ‘He has retired now.’
‘Does he fancy coming out of retirement? When the tourist season starts?’ I joke.
‘When I say he has retired, I mean from the building work. He will also be taking tourists on the boats when the season starts.’
‘Worth a try. So, what happens when the season ends?’ I’m intrigued to know.
‘We finish building projects, paint our houses, do a little sea fishing. When the real winter sets in we play cards and see more of our families. Well, most people do. I never refuse a building project in the winter though, although it can rain quite a bit.’
Dimitri explains that for a lot of people a summer income has to last throughout the winter months. ‘So, if the tourists don’t come, it can be a hard winter, but everyone helps each other out.’
That’s the nice thing about village life, I guess.
An hour later, I stretch out my arms and yawn.
‘That is, I believe, my cue to leave,’ says Dimitri, standing. His silhouette looks so good in the faint light on the balcony, his hair touching his shoulders, those broad shoulders, that full mouth. It’s definitely time for him to leave. I walk him downstairs from the upper floor.
‘Goodnight. See you in the morning,’ he says as I see him outside.
‘Goodnight. And thanks for the beer.’
‘The pleasure was mine.’ He smiles and as he strolls off I think of how much of a pleasure it was for me too.
TWENTY
Early the next morning, I head to Thea’s bakery and buy up lots of the morning’s fresh offerings as I think it’s time for me to go on a bit of a charm offensive.
The builders are already at the house, but no sound of drills or hammers can be heard yet. Taking a deep breath, I knock on the doors up and down the road, offering pastries and cakes. Phoebe’s estranged friend smiles and embraces me, which comes as a surprise.
‘Do you speak English?’ I ask her and she tells me she speaks a little.
‘Sorry about the noise. When the villa is finished you are invited to a party, with the other neighbours. Will you tell them that?’
‘Nai, nai.Do not worry. That house has been a sore eye.’
‘An eyesore,’ I correct her.
‘Ah, I see. Eyesore,efcharisto.’
The other neighbours have congregated outside, and the older ladies whisper to each other.
‘Okay,’ says the oldest lady. ‘We come to your party. Maybe I teach you how to make the best cheese pie,’ she says proudly, which brings verbal protest from Phoebe and two other women.Just then the couple with the young children walk past and wish us all good morning.
‘You are renovating the house I see,’ says the pretty dark-haired lady, who looks around my age.
‘Yes, although we are starting a little later in the morning now, sorry about the noise,’ I tell her and she waves her hand.
