Chapter 29
The airport was quiet, thankfully. I had so many thoughts whirring through my head. It had been a while since I’d been abroad and I was feeling a little apprehensive about that, let alone what would happen when I arrived in Amarissa.
I’d been feeling quite smug that it didn’t appear as if the seats next to me were taken, so I was gutted when a tall young man who I would have placed in his mid-twenties smiled at me and seated himself in the middle seat.
He said that if no one took the aisle, he’d move over to give us both more room.
Finally, the cabin crew were prepared for take-off, according to the nasally sounding captain, who was so quiet that people could hardly hear his voice.
They went through their safety precautions, which made me smile – since I was a little girl I had always watched these avidly.
It had been a while, so I wanted to pay attention just in case I needed to remind myself of the brace position.
As I glanced around, I found it bizarre that so many people took no notice whatsoever.
People were reading the in-flight magazine, chatting to their fellow passengers or had headphones in, even though they’d been told not to.
I grew up at a time where if anyone in a uniform told you to do something, you did it.
And you could only imagine how malleable I would be to someone in a fluorescent jacket. That was the height of authority.
The plane taxied round the airport and headed for the runway, slowing down almost to a standstill before finally speeding up again and almost pinning me back in my seat.
And just like that, we were off, up and away. As I watched the fields and roads of Cornwall disappear before me, and then the vastness of the sea, I took a great big sigh.
‘That good, eh?’ My fellow passenger grinned.
I smiled back sweetly, secretly hoping that he wasn’t going to be a talker and think that we were going to chat all flight long.
We had a good few hours ahead, and when I was in the airport I’d picked up the hardback copy of a book I’d been intending to get for a while.
It was the latest in a series of romance novels and I’d read all the others.
They were escapist women’s fiction according to the publisher and the author quotes on the front described it as ‘full of heart and humour’, and ‘unputdownable’. Perfect for my mood right now.
‘Something like that.’ I got the book out of my handbag and plonked it on my lap, trying to indicate that I might have other ideas.
‘Sorry. I know this might sound ridiculous for a big strapping lad like me, but I’m a bit scared of flying and talking to people takes my mind off it. You don’t mind, do you?’
It must be horrible to fly when you feel like that, so of course I took pity on him.
‘Of course not. Are you heading to Rhodes on holiday or for work? I’m Michelle, by the way.’ I thought if we were going to be fellow passengers and spend the flight nattering, it was only polite to share my name.
‘Nice to meet you, Michelle. I’m Darren. Work actually. I’m a marine biologist and I’m doing a research trip.’
My mum had always taught me never to judge people, and to have an open mind always; however, I had not been expecting him to say that’s what his job was.
If you’d have asked me to guess I might have said he was an accountant.
We chatted for a while about what he did on a day-to-day basis and he was really incredibly interesting.
The flight was literally flying by and when the flight attendant asked if we’d like any drinks or snacks, Darren refused to let me pay for my coffee, saying it was his way of thanking me for my company. What a lovely young man he was.
‘So why Rhodes?’ he asked. ‘Holiday?’
‘Ah, now there’s a question.’
‘You sighed again, so there’s clearly a story there. My guess, and I hope you don’t mind me making one, is that it’s romance related.’ I smiled at his correct assumption. ‘Want to talk about it?’
‘Honestly? I don’t know if I do. But thanks for the offer.’
‘My mum always says I’m a good listener. You could try me. After all, you’ll never see me again after about three hours, so it’s not like you’re going to tell me something we’ll ever be discussing again or that I’ll tell to anyone else.’
He made a good point. I only intended to cover the main points about going out there to follow my dreams, without elaborating too much. I had only just met him after all. However, he was indeed such a good listener I ended up pouring out the whole story.
‘So, this Makis, who tried to kiss you…’
‘Don’t remind me.’ I put my head in my hands and he laughed.
‘He’s in your house now?’
‘Yep, that’s right.’
‘And you’re sure you can trust him?’
‘Yes, I am actually. He’s really nice. Suave, smooth, kind, considerate, nice company, makes the effort to do things for me.
’ I smiled, thinking about how well we’d muddled along together in the same house.
Then I remembered again that he’d tried to kiss me and how, for a moment, I’d forgotten that he wasn’t his brother.
I could feel my face start to get warmer.
‘It sounds like you like him, like him.’
‘Oh, not like that. He’s just Demetri’s brother, that’s all.’
‘OK, if you say so. And this Demetri. What’s he like?’
I sighed dreamily.
‘He’s lovely. Quiet, handsome, sweet, smart, thoughtful.’
‘Sounds to me like you’re talking about two people who look the same but are quite different. Are you in love with them both?’
‘Oh gosh, I’m definitely not in love with Makis.’ There was no hesitation from me. I felt like there was so much more I could say, but was conscious that I didn’t want to come across as a total loon and totally overshare. ‘Can I let you in to a little secret?’
‘God yes, I love me a good secret.’
‘I’m going out to tell Demetri I love him and to try and work out how we can continue our relationship somehow.
Whether that means me spending some time here and some time at home, and maybe him coming back at some point too, I don’t know.
His mother is, or should I say was, terminally poorly so he won’t need to stay forever.
I’m going to do all I can to save our relationship. ’
‘Wow! That’s exciting. So are you going to surprise him? You know where to go?’
‘Yep, his brother has told me where the house is and given me the details of a local bed and breakfast if I should need it. Although hopefully, I’ll be able to stop with Demetri.
Well, that’s my plan anyway. I know it’s quite loose, but it was on a bit of a whim.
I just decided that I needed to do it. My grand gesture and all that. ’
‘And what about your intuition? What does that tell you?’
I thought about what an interesting question this was. I wasn’t really one for trusting my own judgement outside of a work situation. At work I felt totally in control. As I closed my eyes and pondered the question, I knew exactly what my answer was.
‘It’s telling me to go get my man.’
Darren grinned at me.
‘I really admire you, Michelle. I hope it all works out for you; I really do. Go get him.’
* * *
We parted company at Rhodes airport, Darren off with a driver from the company that was funding his research and me to my hotel by the port, before the ferry journey the following day.
That night, I ambled around Rhodes old town for a while, taking in the architecture, and then headed back to the hotel, choosing to have dinner there rather than in town.
I still felt a bit self-conscious eating on my own, even in the UK, let alone in a country where I didn’t know the language.
Although that might be something I would need to address if I was going to be spending a lot of time in Greece.
I woke the following morning to sun pouring in through my bedroom windows, and felt excited that I would soon be seeing Demetri again.
The boat was due to leave around 10.30 and should arrive at Amarissa around three hours later.
I’d have time to have a light breakfast in the hotel courtyard before heading to the port.
Once I arrived on the island, it was apparently just a short walk into the nearby village, where I might be brave enough to grab a bite to eat before seeking out the address that I probably should have memorised just in case I lost it.
Fishing boats, sleek yachts, and cruise ships filled the bustling port, while the sea gently lapped against the ancient surrounding stone walls.
The sounds of humming engines and chatter of excited travellers filled the air.
The queue for the crossing to Amarissa was moving quickly and, after handing over my luggage to the crew, I found a vacant seat at the rear of the boat.
I was so focused on getting the boat on time, and not feeling seasick, that I’d forgotten to enjoy the stunning scenery along the journey.
I paused to take it all in as the small ferry made its approach towards land.
As Demetri had told me, the waters were indeed crystal clear and as we got nearer, I could see a small wooden jetty.
There were a few people stood on it, clearly waiting for the passengers.
A little bit of me wondered again whether I should have messaged Demetri to tell him I was coming, but then it would only have been a half surprise.
Only his face when he saw me would tell me whether I’d done the right thing or not.
I was starting to feel a little nauseous.
Unsure of whether I was hungry or nervous, I decided to find my way around as quickly as I could.
The captain said goodbye to everyone who departed, and a very nice young man helped me heave my luggage onto the jetty, also wishing me goodbye afterwards.
At least I presumed he was saying goodbye.
I really wished I’d stopped to buy a Greek-English dictionary after all, although both Jo and Emma both told me I could just use Google Translate.
The hot midday sun was beating down, and I was glad that I’d picked up some suntan lotion from the airport.
I took off my lightweight cardigan and applied it to my chest and shoulders.
Popping the bottle back in my handbag, smiling, I headed off up the jetty, wheeling my bag behind me.
While trepidation was building within me, my intuition was telling me I was doing the right thing by being here. I almost felt like I’d come home.