‘What happened is that someone has rightly recognised your talent,’ he says. ‘I am so happy for you. And now, let us find somewhere to celebrate.’
Around the corner is a small bar with football shirts all over a wooden ceiling, once more with a stunning vista.
‘Not quite as glamorous as the last place, but shall we grab a beer?’ suggests Andreas. ‘The sun will be setting shortly, so we are lucky to get a seat anywhere around here at this time.’
‘This is perfect,’ I say as we head inside.
It isn’t long before the bar is crowded out with visitors hoping to bag a seat to watch the legendary sunset.
‘You know, I think we ought to toast both of us actually,’ I say to Andreas when our beer arrives.
‘You do?’ says Andreas.
‘Yes. You have the beach workshop and I have a singing contract, which feels weird when I say it out loud.’
‘Well deserved. And, yes, perhaps we ought to toast our respective future careers,’ he agrees. ‘Not everyone has the opportunity to do what they truly desire.’
‘To us,’ we say as we tap our glasses together.
There is a hush in the bar as the sun begins its descent and the view from up here is nothing short of spectacular.
The sky fills with a rainbow of colours, and as the sun begins its final descent, the surrounding buildings seem to be bathed in an orange hue, giving it a truly magical feel.
‘This is perfect.’ I sigh, resting my head on Andreas’s shoulder as we watch together, lost in a moment that I will remember forever.
When the conversation in the bar resumes, I feel slightly embarrassed to have leaned on him like that, but he didn’t seem to mind. At least I hope he didn’t. Watching the sunset here has been the most extraordinary way to end one of the most exciting days of my life.
‘Would you like a coffee before we leave?’ offers Andreas.
‘No, thanks, I will be awake half the night if I do, but you get one if you like.’
‘I am okay.’ He smiles. ‘Perhaps it is that I don’t want to leave just yet,’ he says and it occurs to me that I am in no hurry to leave either.
His eyes meet mine and as he leans closer, I prepare myself for his kiss as a waiter drops a glass on the next table and it crashes to the floor.
‘Although maybe we ought to get going,’ he says. ‘There are so many people here this evening, the roads may get busy later on.’
‘Of course,’ I tell him. I suddenly feel a little tired anyway, no doubt coming down from the adrenaline rush I experienced earlier when I sang at the restaurant.
I have to stop myself from drifting off to sleep on the journey home by chatting to Andreas, and taking in the surrounding landscape that has been plunged into darkness. As we leave the lights of Oia, the road becomes even darker, the only light from passing villas or the occasional bar or restaurant.
It is almost eleven when Andreas drops me off at the apartment.
‘I can’t thank you enough,’ I tell Andreas as we stand beneath a sky studded with bright stars. There is still a buzz from the restaurants across the road; the sound of chattering and laughter ringing out can be heard. ‘I would never have thought of looking for a job here in Santorini.’
It makes me think that contacts can be invaluable when it comes to securing any type of work.
‘I was happy to help, although you were only hired because of your talent. Believe me, Mikail only hires the best people,’ he tells me.
‘Thank you.’
‘So would you like a lift to the airport tomorrow?’ Andreas offers.
‘Surely you can’t keep taking time off from the shop?’ I say.
‘My cousin is more than happy to work,’ he reminds me.
‘It’s kind of you to offer, but I have a hire car that I can drop off at the airport,’ I explain. ‘I will be travelling back on the same flight as Irene and Patsy, so I will take them to the airport too.’
