‘Umm. Thanks for the lift.’ I want to berate him for scaring me silly but good manners have been engrained in me. My legs shake like a newborn foal’s as I make my way to find my friends who reserved an outside table.
As my sandalled feet hit the volcanic ground I connect once more to this earth and my heart resumes its usual rhythm. It’s a stunning winery overlooking a jaw-dropping view of the caldera and the never-ending blue of the sea.
We booked wine tasting in the hopes we can stock their wines at Epeolatry in the future. The village of Megalochori is known for its vineyards, which are famous for producing Vinsanto, a sweet style of wine. Roxy is big on collaborations and has schooled me in the art of networking like this. Highlighting how beneficial it can be for business. It requires a fair amount of peopling, but needs must and all that.
Georgios and Roxy are sitting at a table snacking on olives, chatting away as if they’ve known each other forever yet this is the first time they’ve met in person.
Roxy wears oversized spectacles, a white shirt and a beige knee-length skirt, as if she’s a serious businesswoman, albeit with a penchant for ostentatious eyewear. In comparison Georgios is dressed in casual beachwear, his rippling muscles evident under the thin fabric.
‘Hello, hello.’ I take a seat.
Georgios leans over and pecks me on the cheek. Roxy gives me an exaggerated wink.
‘Sorry, I’m late. Gran’s … not feeling well.’
‘Is she OK?’ Georgios asks, concern in his voice while Roxy pours me a glass of wine.
‘Self-inflicted. At almost eighty-four she still hasn’t learned to say no to late-night drinks.’
Roxy shakes her head. ‘She’s iconic.’
‘She’s definitely not boring. Never fear, she’ll be cured soon enough with a bit of hair of the dog—’
‘A bottle of Crazy Donkey and a gyros with extra garlic,’ they say in unison provoking laughter.
‘It really is a Santorini hangover cure?’
‘Sure is,’ Roxy says. ‘Never fails.’
‘Everyone knows it to be true,’ Georgios says with a grin.
‘So,’ Roxy launches straight in. ‘We were chatting about Lucy and the order of events for the launch. We need an emcee, and I’m guessing you don’t want to be that person?’
‘You guess correctly.’ I bite into an olive that tastes of rosemary.
‘OK, then I’m happy to do that. Probably best if I know exactly what I’m dealing with when it comes to the talent.’ She zeroes in on Georgios.
‘What do you need to know about her?’ I ask.
There’s a devilish glint in her eyes. ‘Our main man Georgios is probably best answering this question since he’s got history with Lucy. So …’ Roxy takes a notebook and pen from her handbag and adjusts her supersized glasses that engulf most of her face; just like always they suit her. ‘Would you say your relationship with Lucy was more of the … platonic kind?’
His lips twitch. ‘Excuse me?’
She holds her notebook to her chest and gives him a ‘be straight with me’ look. ‘From an emcee perspective, I need to be kept abreast of any potential hiccoughs that may arise. Forewarned is forearmed and all of that.’
I hide a smile. She’s so transparent, but I’d like to know the answer myself so I keep my lips pressed firmly together while Georgios squirms. What if he’s not the kiss-and-tell type?
‘We don’t have all day, Georgios. There’s wine that needs drinking. Don’t be shy – you’re among friends.’
The poor guy shakes his head as if he can’t quite believe he’s having to explain himself like this. There must be more to it because he really is stalling. I have to use all my powers of relaxing the mind and my facial muscles so I don’t appear so obviously interested. And why should I care about his past? So what if we’ve shared a few illicit kisses. Big deal.
‘There’s nothing between us of a personal nature, never has been and never will be. I edited her latest book.’
‘And?’
‘And what?’
‘Can you tell us a bit about that process? Who signed her, did she visit the office, was there a party, a book launch …’
