‘Or we could go out?’ suggests Dimitri. ‘Unless you would prefer to stay at home?’
‘Let’s go out. I’ll open the window a little to give the smoke a chance to clear,’ I say, before grabbing my bag.
‘Sure. There’s a nice place near the beach,’ says Dimitri as he finishes his glass of wine.
We chat as we walk, but I can’t help feeling the mood has shifted, although when we are seated at a waterfront table, the stars reflecting on the water, I feel myself relax. We both order lamb kleftiko, having both missed out on my lamb casserole.
‘Do you remember me telling you about my life here, and I mean all of it,’ Dimitri asks as we wait for our food to arrive.
‘Yes, of course.’
‘It occurred to me then that I know nothing about you. You say you have no boyfriend at home, but how can I be sure?’
‘What do you mean?’ I ask, aghast.
‘I mean, people come on holiday, they think the Greek men look for a holiday romance. But maybe the women who come here do the same,’ he suggests as he picks an olive from a bowl.
‘And yet it was you who kissed me the other day.’ I’m silently fuming. ‘Unless a peck on the lips has replaced a kiss on the cheek? And you really think I have a boyfriend back home?’
‘I am so sorry.’ He holds his hands up. ‘But honestly? I’m not sure what to think. I thought we were growing closer, then you run away. Maybe foolishly I hoped you thought of me as more than just your builder.’
A waiter arrives then and places a basket of bread down on the table.
‘It’s a bit complicated.’ I sigh. ‘I really don’t have someone at home, I wouldn’t do that. But I guess I am just trying to protect my feelings.’
‘You think I would hurt you?’
‘Not exactly, but I find it hard to trust. My ex wasn’t exactly all he seemed.’
Even now, thinking about how he cheated on both myself and his now wife makes my blood boil, but I am prepared to tell Dimitri everything. Especially as he thinks I may have someone back home.
As our meals arrive, I’m about to tell him my story, when I see the expression on Dimitri’s face change. I follow his gaze to the woman with the tumbling hair who he gave a lift to. His ex, Athena, who is sitting with a group of girls. She blows him a kiss and waves, before striding towards us. She’s stunning, dressed in a short silver dress, with legs that seem to go on forever.
‘Kalispera. Are you having a nice evening?’ she asks Dimitri.
‘Yes, fine. Athena, this is Claudia,’ he says, introducing me.
‘Oh hi, good to meet you. I have heard all about your villa.’ She smiles. ‘Right, I will leave you to enjoy your food.’ She places a perfectly manicured hand on Dimitri’s shoulder. ‘Are we still okay for tomorrow?’ she asks, before she departs.
‘I have already told you, yes,’ he replies, his jaw tightening as she heads back to her table.
‘And you wonder why I have trust issues?’ I say, trying to keep my voice even. ‘Here you are, dining with me and making plans with your ex for tomorrow?’
He sits quietly for what feels like an age and I sigh in frustration, my appetite having completely deserted me.
THIRTY-TWO
‘It’s not what you think.’ Dimitri breaks the silence that’s fallen between us.
‘Oh, really?’
‘Please, I am so sorry. I have no idea why she came over. Maybe I have been foolish in driving her to see her grandmother. Please let me explain.’
A part of me wants to scrape back my chair and head off, but I am not going to be accused of running away again.
‘Go on.’ I take a glug of my white wine.
‘Her grandmother is very ill, and she lives in a remote village. Athena no longer has her driving licence, so she asked if I could drive her there, once or twice. This will be the last time.’
