‘After sunrise I had to bid the rest of the bookworms adieu. It’s always the readers you have to watch out for. They’re the ones who can go all night long with their surprising amounts of stamina. And even better, the stragglers promised they’d return tonight. We’ll see – that might have been the cocktails talking.’
I smile at the thought. Yes, the launch might have been a party for some, but for others, it was an introduction to Epeolatry, a place they can now visit and feel a sense of belonging. A place they feel welcomed and among friends, new and old. ‘All’s well that ends well,’ I say.
‘And you two, did you have an early night or …’ Always fishing is my gran. I wait for Georgios to rescue me from answering but he’s avoiding Gran’s eye. What’s that about then?
‘We had a relatively early night,’ I confirm.
‘I better head off.’ Georgios paints a smile on his face that doesn’t go near his eyes. ‘I need to touch base with Joe before he changes his mind and submits his book elsewhere.’
He gives me a chaste kiss on the cheek and takes his overnight bag. ‘Thanks for letting me stay, Evie. Goodbye, Floretta.’
‘That was weird,’ Gran says. ‘What’s up with him?’
‘I don’t know. He couldn’t look at you. What do you think that’s about?’ I’m reminded that he wanted to discuss something with me before he showered but changed his mind then too. I’d been too caught up in his presence to dwell on it.
A sinking feeling hits. Is his grandfather going to sell and he doesn’t know how to tell us? The loss would be catastrophic, not just of Gran’s cash, but her hopes and dreams along with it. Gran doesn’t even know this is a possibility. I hadn’t wanted to worry her any further but it looks like I may need to be straight with her in case there’s magic she can pull out of her hat if the worst does happen.
‘Gran, we need to chat.’
Chapter 27
We sit on the love swing and I tell her about Yannis’ threats to sell the property.
I expect she’s going to rant, and wail and hold her head in her hands, but instead she remains serene. ‘Don’t let it worry you, Evie. I’ll speak to Yannis myself.’
‘But—’
She taps my leg. ‘It’s fine, truly. We made enough money last night to tide us over for a bit. I’ll fix the rent arrears today and have a chat with him.’
I’m bamboozled by her reaction. Is she notlistening?‘Why are you so calm? What if it’s too late and he decides to sell anyway?’
‘He won’t.’
I frown. ‘How can you be so sure?’
She closes her eyes and lifts her face to the sun. ‘I just am. Now is there anything else, because this night owl needs a nap? This glorious sunshine is making me downright lethargic.’
The dots aren’t connecting. ‘What about the restraining order – aren’t you forbidden to see each other?’
She opens her eyes with a sigh. ‘No, I had a good old chinwag with the chief of the Hellenic Police last night. He understands us a lot better now and I told him I’d let bygones be bygones when it comes to Yannis.’
Why is she so relaxed? Is it that she’s had a late night and any of her worries are too taxing for the light of day?
‘OK.’ I can’t quite hide the dubiousness from my voice but if Gran’s not concerned then I should trust in that. ‘If you say so.’
‘Why don’t you go and do something fun today? The bookshop can wait. Almost everyone in town was here last night so I don’t expect we’ll have many customers. I’ll open later this afternoon.’
‘If you’re sure?’ A day out sounds like just the tonic after the craziness of the launch. Mondays are usually quiet in Bibliotherapy.
We make a promise to meet later for dinner.
I text Roxy and arrange to meet at the beach. As I’m slipping into my swimwear the phone rings.
I check the display and see it’s The Precinct. Now what?
‘Mom, Posy. How’s things?’
‘What are you wearing?’ Posy says scrunching up her nose.
