Chapter 28
Thank goodness I’d packed nearly everything I needed last night.
I wasn’t taking a huge case as I had no idea how long I’d be staying.
I’d arranged with Jo and Emma that they would pack up and send anything I needed if I was going to be there longer than a few days. It could be weeks or even months.
I heard the beep of a car outside and looked out the window to see the girls were waiting for me.
‘Makis, are you up?’ I knocked on the guest room door and could hear feet padding across the carpet.
He leant on the door frame. ‘Hey! What time is it?’
‘It’s 8.30, I have to go or I’ll miss the flight. I left you to sleep while I got myself ready. Have you got everything you need? You know what to do with the key when you leave. And, all being well, I’ll see you in Amarissa in a week or two?’
His eyes never quite met mine, but I’d clearly woken him and he was probably still coming round. He leant across and gently kissed my cheek.
‘Wish me luck!’ I shouted over my shoulder as I closed the kitchen door behind me and dragged my case down to Emma’s car.
I slammed the boot shut and jumped in the back seat. I was just about to fasten my seatbelt when Jo spoke.
‘There’s Jacqui.’
I jumped back out of the car and practically flung myself into her arms.
‘Good luck, my darling.’ She hugged me tightly. Her hugs were just like Mum’s and while once that might have upset me, I loved the fact that it made me remember. ‘Are you excited?’
‘Can’t work out if I’m excited or crapping myself to be honest.’
She laughed.
‘As the song says, love is all around. It’s not just in romantic love, it’s in the love of friendship, even in the nature that surrounds us; the countryside; the seaside.
It’s in the sunlight on a glorious day. You have so much love in your life, Michelle.
You just have to open your eyes to it and realise that you’re worthy. ’
‘Honestly, Jacqui. I can’t thank you enough. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I’d have ever realised what I wanted.’
‘Just remember how Demetri makes you feel.’
I thought about what she said. Demetri made me feel like I could take on anything, and then he would celebrate it with me. He was my supporter, my encourager and my motivator. He made me feel seen and heard.
‘Michelle! Look. It’s Makis.’
Makis was running towards the car with his phone in his hand. I buzzed the window down.
‘Michelle, my contact said he can see me at midday, but you’ll be in mid-flight. What shall I tell him?’
I glanced at my watch. We were already cutting it fine. I didn’t have time to discuss this now.
‘You know my feelings on it, Makis. We discussed everything last night. You know I have many questions.’
‘I do,’ he replied, expectantly.
‘Do what you need to do for me please. Emma, put your foot down. I have a plane to catch. Bye, Makis, and thank you.’
He looked deep into my eyes.
‘Goodbye, Michelle.’
He made it sound so final that a little shiver ran down my spine.
I brushed it off knowing I was in a funny mood and probably seeing things that weren’t there.
I’d be seeing him in a couple of weeks and all being well, we’d be laughing about it over a glass of Retsina whilst sat in a bar in Amarissa.