Uttering the words, I wish I could stay here for a while longer, and discover all of the things the island has to offer. But I guess there is plenty of time for that in the future. Maybe I’m feeling it now because I am in such engaging company, something I have come to realise getting to know Dimitri, away from the villa build.
‘Of course. We have all the time in the world.’ He smiles.
Driving back to the village, I feel refreshed by the day out today, and still feel enchanted by the tiny chapel, with the almost hidden staircase. I admire the surroundings once more, still hardly able to take in that this could be something I do regularly, driving out to the hills.
‘I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed today, thank you so much,’ I tell Dimitri as he drops me off outside the holiday apartment.
‘Believe me, the pleasure was mine.’
He moves in closer to kiss me, I am certain of it this time, and I feel my skin tingle in anticipation.
But I’m ready this time; to hell with the consequences, I think to myself. I’m about to close my eyes, when Dimitri is almost flattened by Prudence, who has jumped up at him.
‘Prudence, here. Here.’
Dimitri follows the voice and his eyes widen in surprise.
‘Auntie Lena, what are you doing home? I didn’t think you would be back until tomorrow.’
I smile at the fact he still calls his aunt ‘auntie’, before remembering I used to call Jack ‘uncle’ too, which always amused him as I grew older.
‘I was feeling homesick,’ she jokes.
‘Really?’ He looks surprised.
‘No.’ She smiles. ‘Although I wasactuallysick. Nothing more than a virus I think, or a cold,’ she reassures him, noting his concerned look. ‘But I wanted my own bed.’
Dimitri told me his aunt and her husband had been away on a month-long cruise and then stopped off in Thessaloniki for a friend’s wedding.
‘I was about to take Prudence out, although she has had an hour this morning on the beach,’ he tells his aunt. ‘And where are my manners. This is my friend Claudia.’
Friend, that is exactly what I am.
‘Claudia! So pleased to meet you. Phoebe has been telling me all about the work on the house. It is looking good.’
‘Thank you so much, it’s good to meet you too. Your nephew and his team have been working very hard.’
We chat for another minute or two, before Dimitri strolls off, the intimate moment between us vanished. He tells me he will collect me later to take me to the airport.
Inside the apartment, I close my eyes and try to imagine Dimitri’s lips on mine, holding me in his strong arms.
Maybe it was a good thing Prudence appeared when she did. Because I can’t imagine how I would feel to be leaving this evening, knowing we had shared a thrilling kiss.
TWENTY-SEVEN
As I watch the sky grow darker from my window seat on the plane, I can feel my eyes grow heavy. I’m sitting next to an older gentleman, who after a pleasant hello has plugged his headphones in and is watching a movie on his tablet.
An hour into the flight, after thinking about his goodbye hug at the airport, I dream vividly of Dimitri. We’re in the holiday apartment and he’s smiling at me as he brings me coffee in bed. I stretch my arms out above my head, his side of the bed still warm, the white cotton sheets wrapped around me.
‘Mmm, thanks, coffee, just what I need.’
‘Milk and sugar with that?’
‘What?’ I’m pulled out of my delicious dream by a smiling cabin crew member brandishing a coffee pot.
‘You did say you wanted coffee.’ The blonde lady in the navy uniform smiles.
‘Yes, yes, thanks.’ I sit up and rub my eyes. ‘Although on second thoughts, maybe a hot chocolate. It’s probably a little late for coffee.’
