My heart plummets. ‘And what did Georgios have to say about that?’
‘He mumbled about it being a stupid ploy to begin with and that he didn’t think it had been necessary but at least you’d been fun to hang out with. He mentioned that in future it would be good ifhecould sort his own love life out the way he wants, choosing the woman he wants without their input, because look at what the old man had stooped to. Using him as a pawn for money and him spending his summer having to think before he utters a word to make sure he doesn’t slip up.’
I knew it was too good to be true. Why did I ever believe a guy like him would be interested in a girl like me?
‘I didn’t hear the rest of it because Maria found me and told me the order was ready, and they both turned and saw me standing there. Georgios was so shocked he couldn’t speak. He slumped his shoulders and appeared as if his world had just collapsed under him. No doubt he’s coming up with some lame excuse but I wanted you to hear it from me first. I’m … devastated. You seemed so well suited. Book nerdsoulmates. I can’t imagine how he could do this. It’s so cruel, so …’ Roxy’s words fall away as I grapple with what this means.
Dizziness washes over me. I feel sort of seasick, adrift. A feeling I’m very familiar with in my regular life. Stupid me thought this magical island had changed me. Made me brave, bold and beautiful, so much so that the likes of Georgios had been interested. I feel so foolish. So embarrassed.
Sure, I’d been fake-dating him too. But the whole time I believed he really did fancy me, and for that reason I’d opened up to him. I trusted him. And I fell in love with him. To find out it wasn’t real on his part sends me into a tailspin, where I doubt everyone and everything. I’m mortified about the words he spoke to his grandfather about me. It seems so out of character, so unlike the Georgios I know, but I guess that was all an act too. I don’t know therealGeorgios.
The old Evie resurfaces, the anxiety-riddled woman so at odds with the world. I should have known this kind of love couldn’t happen to me. That this exciting, sunny, vibrant life wasn’t real. It was all make-believe. Every single date he took me on was a con. Panic rises and I find it hard to catch my breath. I gasp, as if I’m dying. Another god-awful plot twist in the Chronicles of Evie!
‘What are you doing oh – put your head between your legs, Evie! Is it a panic attack? Oh God!’ She grabs at her hair. ‘I’m so sorry!’ She pushes my head down. I close my eyes against the hurt and the pain and try to blank it all out and concentrate on sucking in oxygen.
But he’s right there, every time I close my eyes. His words, all those sweet nothings he whispered to me, they were all fake? Eventually my breathing returns to normal and I manage to sit upright again. I remain still until the head rush evaporates. Those passionate kisses – fake too?
I lift my head. Roxy stares at me with rounded eyes, pools of concern. I want to tell her I’ll be fine. It’s all OK. But I can’t get the words out. Maybe I deserve this, for lying to him? None of this feels good. It all feels so very wrong and all I want to do is pack my suitcase and flee. Get off this island and away from them all.
When I catch my breath I say, ‘Thanks for telling me, Roxy. I’m glad you did.’
Her face is twisted with sadness. ‘What will you do?’
I run a hand through my hair as my mind ticks over. ‘I’ll go home. I’ll make sure Gran’s OK and then I’ll leave, probably this weekend so I’m ready to start work next week.’
‘Nooo. Can’t you stay?’
And face him every day? I couldn’t. ‘I don’t think so, Roxy.’
She pours me a glass of water, which I accept gratefully and take small sips from. My heart is still hammering in my chest, so I focus on deep breaths to slow it down. Customers wander in and she greets them and then comes back to keep checking on me.
‘I’m going to sit outside for a bit,’ I say. ‘We can go over everything in an hour or so?’
‘Sure, sure take your time.’
I come back inside an hour later, mind made up. I will leave. I’ll book a flight for tomorrow and I’ll head back to Mom and Dad’s apartment until I get on my feet again. Gran will be OK. She’s got Zorba, Roxy and the gang of six.
Once I get on my feet, I’ll find a place to live. Maybe somewhere a bit quieter than the city. Perhaps a house in Connecticut, so I can rescue a dog of my own and have a canine friend who will love me unconditionally. I’ll become one of those reclusive dog ladies who only leave the house for walks and to visit dog-friendly cafés. I can live in a quiet little suburban bubble and read romantic comedies, play with my rescue dog who I’ll name Fido, and exist in a safe space away from all the people peopling.
Shored up by the sunshine and the fact that I will get over this heartbreak by going back inside myself, I go to find Roxy.
Behind the counter, she’s making up book bouquets. ‘OK, shall we go over your list of questions?’
She gives me a nod. ‘Yeah.’ She says half-heartedly. ‘Are you really going to leave?’
‘Yes, but I’ll visit from time to time, so don’t worry, Roxy. And you can visit me too once I find a little place.’
Roxy bites down on her bottom lip and gives me a sad smile. ‘Maybe you should talk to him first? Hear his side of it? I mean, what if I misheard or …?’
Before I can answer Gran comes running in, panic in her eyes. ‘Is Zeus in here?’ While Zeus is one of the most outgoing of all the pooches, he’s Gran’s shadow and sticks by her side. When she’s out he’ll trot in and wait to be coddled by customers.
‘No, wasn’t he with you?’ They’d gone for their usual morning walk. The last I saw of him, he’d been sunbaking whilst Gran had coffee in the garden.
‘He was, and then I went to visit Zorba. When I left he was asleep on his bed and now I can’t find him.’
‘OK,’ I say. ‘Don’t panic, maybe he’s outside in Muses under the shade of the cypress tree?’ After lunch the gang of six seem to head there for the shade and the Rent-A-Dog initiative – knowing there’s a possibility of belly rubs and walks.
I run to Muses but only see the other five dogs. Zeus is hard to miss, being the biggest one. Still, I check under the sun loungers, behind the bookshelves and down the sides of the bookshop and call his name.
