I take a peek and see that I was sitting on a wall directly above a load of donkey dung.
Lulu returns then, and raises an eyebrow at me when she notices me chatting.
‘Maybe your friend would like to be in the picture too?’ He turns to Lulu.
‘Let’s take a few of Mia alone, for her Instagram page, then, sure, I will get in one,’ she tells him.
‘So, are you a social media influencer?’ asks the guy from the shop.
‘I guess I am.’ I grin. ‘Although not as big as some I know. My followers are definitely growing though, so I’m happy.’
‘And do you want to be rich and famous?’ he asks me candidly.
‘Erm, maybe I do,’ I answer just as honestly. ‘Isn’t that what most people want, deep down?’
‘Not necessarily,’ he disagrees. ‘Being rich is not a guarantee of happiness, which is far more important, I think.’
‘Said no poor person ever,’ I retort and he shrugs.
I give my best pose as he takes several photos before he takes some of Lulu and I together, before handing me back my phone.
‘Thank you.’ I smile.
‘No problem,’ he says, returning the smile before he disappears.
I watch him walk off, dressed casually in chinos and a rumpled blue-linen shirt, displaying the kind of look that says understated money. Maybe he isn’t still living with his parents, unable to afford a deposit for a mortgage, then he might think twice about money not bringing happiness, or at least some sort of independence.
He has a vaguely familiar look about him but maybe he just looks similar to a lot of Greek men I have encountered, with his dark-brown eyes and well-trimmed beard.
I am staring after him, thinking how handsome he is, when he glances back and smiles, so I busy myself with my phone.
‘All sorted?’ I ask Lulu. ‘Actually, are you okay, what did you need from the pharmacy?’
‘Yes, fine, don’t worry, I just needed some painkillers. Of all the times to get monthly cramps.’ She pulls a face.
‘Oh no. I hope it doesn’t spoil your day, we can head back to the apartment if you like?’ I suggest.
‘No, I’m not going to let something like this ruin my holiday, I only have a few days left here.’ She pops two tablets from a blister pack and swallows them down with a glug of water.
‘Right, let’s explore one more street, then we can find somewhere nice to rest and have some lunch.’
‘Now I like the idea of that,’ she says, linking arms with me.
We walk full circle and end up outside the gift shop I nipped in earlier for my hat.
Outside, wind chimes crafted from wood and seashells flutter gently in the wind. Tiny windmills made from metal and wood are displayed alongside glass sea horses on wooden shelvesinside an old boat standing upright, making a unique display case.
‘Let’s make this our last stop, shall we? I barely had time to look around earlier,’ I tell Lulu, who agrees and follows me inside.
A treasure trove of jewellery and gifts greets us, many in the colours of the sea, and there behind the counter is the bloke who took my photographs.
‘We meet again.’ He grins. ‘The woman I saved from certain death.’
‘That’s a little overdramatic, don’t you think?’ I say, although I can’t help laughing.
‘She was about to disappear over a high wall before you arrived,’ he explains to Lulu, who had a puzzled look on her face.
I tell her about me almost losing my balance on the wall, and how he came to the rescue.
