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

Chapter 28

The following weeks seem to drag, as I literally cross the days off on a desk calendar I have at work. Some of my colleagues teased me when I bought it, asking who on earth still has that kind of thing, but I like to cross the days off as it makes it feel more tangible and satisfying somehow, seeing all the crossed-out dates.

My office friends are more than impressed by the villa renovation so far and tell me how envious they are.

‘I’ve never been to Greece, it looks dreamy,’ says our office apprentice, flicking through my phone pictures. ‘And so does he,’ she says, her eyes falling on the photo of me and Dimitri on the steps of the Byzantine castle.

‘That’s Dimitri,’ I tell her.

‘The builder?’ Her mouth falls open.

‘The very same.’

‘Oh, he’s fit,’ she says, her eyes lingering on the photo. ‘Is he single?’

‘He is, as it happens. But I don’t think he is the type to get involved with someone he’s working with.’

‘Shame, hey,’ she teases. ‘Although you have been out together?’ she says as she hands me back my phone after viewing the pictures.

‘It was just a trip to a castle, he was showing me around the area a little. We’re just friends,’ I tell myself.

‘In that case, maybe I’ll come and pay you a visit soon, so you can introduce us,’ she says with the cheeky confidence of an eighteen-year-old before adding, ‘I’m joking, he’s too old for me.’ Which I was thinking myself.

Even if I wanted to, I can’t see how we could possibly have a future together. I’m not sure he could deal with the wind from the Mersey for one thing, and I certainly can’t up sticks and move to Greece so easily, especially following Brexit.

I’m here in England, he’s there in Corfu, and I don’t care what people say about long-distance relationships; they rarely work. I selfishly kind of wish he would disappear after the build, never to be seen again, but his aunt lives nearby and as they are pretty close, I’m sure I will run into him from time to time. We could be friends though, I guess. I gaze out of the window and wonder exactly what it is I want. And every time I do that, annoyingly a picture of Dimitri flashes into my mind.

‘So how’s everyone in Corfu?’

A few days later, I’m out for dinner with Evie at a new Italian place in the city centre.

‘You wouldn’t happen to mean Kostas, would you?’

‘Not at all, I meant your new neighbours.’ She flicks me on the arm with a napkin.

‘Sorry.’

‘You should be. I’ve told you, me and Nick couldn’t be happier,’ she tells me, and I believe her.

‘They’re fine, really lovely, actually.’

I tell her about the little party and the gifts they gave me.

‘Ah, how sweet.’

‘It really was. The people there have good hearts and Phoebe tells me they are happy to see the house looking good once more.’

‘And how are things going with Dimitri?’ She takes a forkful of lasagne as she awaits my reply.

‘Dimitri and I are friends, nothing more.’

‘Is that why you sent me a photo of the two of you together at the castle?’ she asks knowingly.

‘I just thought it was a nice photo, with a stunning vista.’ I shrug.

‘Yeah, right. Oh, and the two of you look really good together.’

‘Oh, Evie, it’s all so complicated.’ I sigh. ‘I can’t deny a physical attraction between us, and actually we have almost kissed, but somehow something has always stopped us. Which got me thinking, maybe it isn’t meant to be.’

‘That’s your trouble.’ She takes a sip of mineral water. ‘You think too much. Sometimes you ought to just go with your heart, and enjoy the ride. And don’t talk about what happened in your last relationship,’ she continues as I am about to speak. ‘Anyone can fool you over the internet. You have got to know Dimitri these past weeks, you even know some of his family.’

‘I know, and you’re right, of course. I suppose it’s just the physical distance between us. It stops me from getting too involved. I don’t think I could deal with having my heart broken again.’

‘I get that, but don’t be miserable out of fear of getting hurt. Have some fun, you would be mad not to.’ She grins. ‘Just have faith that things will work out just the way they are meant to.’

‘When did you become so wise?’

‘Maybe it’s being friends with you for so long. Anyway, this time, I think you should take my advice. What will be will be,’ she says firmly. ‘It doesn’t mean you should stop living because you fear being hurt again, that would be leading a very small life.’

‘That’s me told.’

Over dessert, a creamy panna cotta, I bring the subject round to Josh and how I am looking forward to him moving closer.

‘That’s so great, isn’t it? If George has a sleepover at yours, maybe we could take him out somewhere?’ she suggests. ‘I really miss visiting farms and funfairs since the girls have grown up. These days it’s just lifts to horse riding, or collecting them from friends’ houses late at night.’

‘George would love that, although it still isn’t too late for you to have another little one you know.’

Evie looks horrified. ‘Absolutely not.’

I mull over our conversation later, and realise Evie is right in so many ways. I can’t stay in a cocoon avoiding romance, even though I am perfectly happy on my own. At least I was.

But that was before Dimitri came along, and turned things upside down. And I don’t just mean my villa.