‘No offence taken,’ I assure her. Even though she’s right. I am young and I have an irregular income, which is a situation no one really wants to be in. I think it is maybe time for me to start really thinking about my future.
We order food, and talk and eat until the last of the diners have left the restaurant. When a waiter begins to stack chairs onto nearby tables, I think it might be time to order two taxis.
‘I hope to see you soon.’ I hug my oldest friend when the taxis arrive together, and try to hold back a tear in my eye. ‘I am so happy I was able to be a part of your wedding.’
‘I’m so glad you came.’ She hugs me a tiny bit harder. ‘I will Zoom call you soon, I promise.’
‘I look forward to it, and I can’t wait to see the wedding photos.’
We say our goodbyes before our taxis head in opposite directions, and I suddenly feel overcome with exhaustion. It will be straight to bed when we arrive back at the apartments as I have an early start in the morning. As I stifle a yawn, I realise I am really looking forward to my day out with Andreas.
Even so, I check my phone one last time to see if I have any messages from Christos, but he is keeping his distance.
‘Are you sure you are okay?’ I ask Irene as we step out of the taxi. I noticed her nodding off a little on the short journey back.
‘Just tired. I think it was all those drugs they gave me at the hospital.’ She smiles.
‘So no nightcap then?’ asks Patsy.
‘Not for me.’
‘I’m joking,’ says Patsy. ‘I’m tired too. I think all these late nights are catching up on us.’
‘Not to mention sleeping in hospital guest beds,’ says Irene to her cousin. ‘Thank you for being there for me. Both of you.’ She turns to me. ‘I feel blessed to know such wonderful people.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ I tell her as we link arms and walk into the apartments together. I also wonder why a part of me hopes that Christos will not contact me again, and remove the dilemma I face. At least until I have got to know Andreas a little more.
TWENTY-SEVEN
The next morning, I wake early and check my phone. There is still nothing from Christos, and I wonder whether he was just after a quick bunk up the other night when he came here. Even if we had ended up sleeping together, would he have bothered to contact me again afterwards?
I get myself ready, choosing shorts and T-shirt for my day on the beach, along with a straw hat. Before I know it, it is time to head downstairs to meet Andreas outside. It occurs to me that I am really looking forward to seeing him, and although there are not quite butterflies dancing around inside me, a gorgeous warm feeling has taken its place.
‘Kalimera,’ he says with a smile. ‘You look quite nautical,’ he comments as he appraises my navy-and-white striped T-shirt and white shorts.
‘Well, we are going to the seaside I guess.’
I hop into the car and we make our way to a place called Akrotiri. We stopped there briefly on the Jeep tour, but only near the lighthouse. I am looking forward to discovering a little more of the area today.
‘So tell me a little more about your singing?’ asks Andreas as we drive. ‘Were you ever professional?’
‘Well I did get paid for performing, so technically yes. Although I would call it more semi-professional, I guess. I had gigs here and there, but no agent or anything like that.’
‘You have a beautiful voice,’ he says kindly. ‘At least what I heard of it the other night, but I was a little drunk I think.’ He turns to me with a cheeky grin.
‘Charming, I must say,’ I reply, and he laughs.
‘No, but seriously. It is wonderful to use a talent to make a living, although maybe I ought to take my own advice.’
‘The sculpting you mean?’
‘Yes. I’m a grown man, yet I seem to be blindly carrying on working for my father,’ he says.
‘Then maybe it’s time to think about yourself, although I know it isn’t always that easy. Especially if you are involved in the family business.’
‘I think my father sees my sculpting as more of a hobby, even though he would still give me the money for a studio to work from, if I asked him.’
‘And you don’t want his help?’
