The Greek Villa: A beautiful and utterly addictive summer holiday rom com

Chapter 27

As I watch the sky grow darker from my window seat on the plane, I can feel my eyes grow heavy. I’m sitting next to an older gentleman, who after a pleasant hello has plugged his headphones in and is watching a movie on his tablet.

An hour into the flight, after thinking about his goodbye hug at the airport, I dream vividly of Dimitri. We’re in the holiday apartment and he’s smiling at me as he brings me coffee in bed. I stretch my arms out above my head, his side of the bed still warm, the white cotton sheets wrapped around me.

‘Mmm, thanks, coffee, just what I need.’

‘Milk and sugar with that?’

‘What?’ I’m pulled out of my delicious dream by a smiling cabin crew member brandishing a coffee pot.

‘You did say you wanted coffee.’ The blonde lady in the navy uniform smiles.

‘Yes, yes, thanks.’ I sit up and rub my eyes. ‘Although on second thoughts, maybe a hot chocolate. It’s probably a little late for coffee.’

I take my drink and avoid eye contact with the bloke next to me, who thankfully seems engrossed in his film. I hope I wasn’t talking in my sleep, or even snoring.

I stay awake for the next couple of hours, thinking about my house in the village, and how much I enjoy being there, and how much it has been enhanced by getting to know Dimitri. But even if he wasn’t there, I love the place, and after an initial blip with the complaints about the noise, I have come to know some very lovely people in the street.

Besides, apart from some jokey flirtation, there hasn’t really been a hint of anything romantic between us until just recently. I definitely think things have shifted between us now though, as there have been a few moments when I felt something pass between us.

I am certain we would have kissed again today, had Prudence not interrupted us, and what then? Would we have gone inside, and spent the last evening in my bed together? Is that what he would have liked, some conquest to brag about to his mates at the bar, not long after I boarded a flight? I push those silly thoughts from my mind, telling myself that Dimitri is not that sort of man. Or is he? How could I possibly know, having only recently got to know him?

I feel a little relieved that things didn’t go any further between us, despite what I now know to be a definite mutual attraction. All the determination I have felt about not letting another man into my life is just so difficult as I feel such a strong pull towards him. Why could Yiannis not have been the only builder on the job, I ask myself, before silently laughing.

I concentrate on thinking about the soft furnishings for my home then, excited to show my parents when they come out for a visit, Oh and little George. How he will love to splash about in the sea and take the little train into Sidari and through the villages that I always enjoyed doing as a child when we holidayed there. Josh and I would enjoy stopping for ice cream at cafés in mountain villages and listening out for the tinkling of the bells that would signal the sight of the mountain goats.

The flight passes uneventfully, with me treating my mum to some heavily discounted perfume. I’ve already bought Dad some packets of Greek tomato and herb seeds for his greenhouse, which I think he will be thrilled with. I also treat little George to a toy aeroplane that makes a taking-off sound when it’s pushed along.

‘Did you have a nice holiday?’ asks the bloke next to me, who has finished watching his movie.

‘I did thanks, did you?’

‘Oh lovely, although it was more of a viewing trip. My wife and I have been looking for a holiday home, but haven’t managed to find the dream place in our price range. Anyway, it seems one has been reduced greatly after a year on the market, so I’ve been to check it was still in good condition which it was, so it looks like we will make an offer.’

‘That is wonderful, I’m so happy for you.’

We chat about our respective holiday homes; his is a little further north near Kassiopi.

‘I would have liked to have done some work on a house, but I’m a bit older now, and don’t have the energy to renovate,’ he tells me, and I think of my dad saying the same thing. ‘That’s the thing about life. You don’t always have the money when you’re younger, but all the energy in the world,’ he reflects. ‘I have a decent pension now but it’s the other way round.’ He smiles. ‘Seize the day whilst you’re young, if you can. And try and save for a decent pension,’ he sensibly advises.

I think about his comments as I walk through the airport to find a taxi. Seize the day while you’re young. Maybe instead of worrying about relationships and cheating boyfriends, I ought to start doing exactly that. Life is for living, and tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.

‘You shouldn’t have done that, but thanks, love.’

Mum takes the gift gratefully, spraying a little perfume onto her wrist and admiring the scent. Dad as I predicted is delighted with his seeds and looking forward to growing some huge Greek tomatoes.

‘So where’s Josh?’ I ask.

‘He’ll be here shortly, they were up early to take George to the park.’

‘I bet it’s been lovely having them here.’

‘Oh, it really has. Right, tea or coffee?’ asks Mum, before heading into the kitchen.

‘Coffee, please. I’m still tired after the flight, I think I need the caffeine.’ I stifle a yawn.

It’s Sunday, so at least I didn’t have to log in for work.

‘I take it I’ve missed breakfast?’ I make a sad face as I take in the faint smell of bacon after one of Dad’s Sunday breakfasts.

‘’Fraid so. The kitchen closes at ten.’ Dad glances at his watch. ‘Although I suppose I could make you a bacon sandwich.’

‘I was only joking, but if you insist. Who can refuse a bacon sandwich?’

I show my parents pictures of the house, even though I’ve sent them updates, and Mum claps her hands together. ‘It’s looking wonderful, isn’t it. I can hardly wait to come for a visit.’

‘It looks good, the builders have done a decent job,’ agrees Dad. ‘If I was a few years younger, I would have definitely given you a hand, but I’m not great with heavy lifting.’

‘I wouldn’t expect you to, Dad, and it’s money well spent. A holiday home in Roda, for all of us,’ I say and Mum can’t keep the smile from her face.

I’m enjoying my bacon sandwich when the front door opens, and the whirlwind that is George comes charging into the room.

I give him his little plane, and he immediately runs off to play with it in the long hallway with the wooden floor. Mum bustles about in the kitchen and we are all sitting around drinking tea, me devouring my bacon sandwich, to the sound of the aeroplane noises and George mimicking the sound.

‘So,’ I say to Josh, dunking a biscuit into my tea as Mum throws me a look that tells me it’s not a very polite thing to do. ‘What’s your news then?’

Josh and Zoe exchange a look as I await the announcement of what I am sure will be their pregnancy news.

‘We’re moving house.’

‘Yes, you mentioned that when I spoke.’

I’m wondering how that is big news, although I am a little surprised given the financial situation my brother told me they were in.

‘The good news is we’ve found a place that could be perfect. It’s around a forty-minute drive from here.’

‘You’re really coming back up north?’ I ask him excitedly.

‘We are.’ He looks at Zoe and she curls her hand around his. ‘We’ve found a gorgeous Victorian semi on the outskirts of Manchester. In fact’ – he pauses for a moment – ‘we’ve put an offer in.’

‘That’s fantastic! And are you both happy about that?’

I glance at Zoe, who is grinning from ear to ear.

‘I’m more than happy.’ She says and I throw my arms around them both.

‘What’s brought this on?’ I ask, when we come out of our group hug.

‘Where to start?’ says Josh.

‘Let’s just say, we are both burnt out,’ Zoe answers honestly. ‘The cost of living down south, not to mention the mortgage, is just astronomical. It makes financial sense to move up north. We can both find similar jobs in Manchester, but we will have money in the bank after our house sale.’

‘And you never know, the painting might take off. I sold my painting for three hundred pounds at that gallery I told you about,’ Josh tells me proudly.

‘You did! Well done, Josh, that’s fantastic.’

I feel so proud of my brother, who looks a lot less stressed since the last time we met up.

‘And I can see how it makes financial sense moving up north. Wow, I can’t believe it. It will be so good having you closer, and I will get to see George a bit more too. I’ll babysit any time you want, and George can have sleepovers.’

‘You’ll have to fight me first,’ Mum says with a big smile. ‘I’m already thinking about colours for decorating the guest room. It’s wonderful news, isn’t it?’ she says, looking absolutely thrilled.

‘The best news ever,’ I agree.

We head out that evening to a pub for dinner, and as I eye the rather limp-looking salad that accompanies my lasagne, I long for a Greek salad.

Back home, Dimitri sends me a picture of my finished balcony in his friend’s workshop, with his friend standing proudly beside it and I almost squeal with excitement. He tells me it will be installed before my next return.

I can hardly believe that my holiday home is a whisker away from being completely ready, to head over and spend time there whenever I like, as can my family. It’s been such a good day. Soon enough my dream home will be finished and my brother will be living less than an hour’s drive away from here. It’s been a day of such wonderful surprises!