Chapter 30
The cobbled path from the small jetty was steep and unlevel and it was hard work to keep going while dragging my luggage behind me, although when I turned around to see how far I’d got, the view across the sea took my breath away.
I could absolutely see how Demetri would have missed this picturesque place.
It really was stunning. Sandpiper Shore was pretty but this was in a whole new league.
As I looked around, I spotted a large flat rock and sat down to take in the vista.
After a few minutes, I continued my journey into the main village, which according to what I’d read online would hopefully only take me another ten minutes, although in the heat might possibly be a little longer, especially if I kept stopping to take in the view.
Eventually the road began to level out and my heartbeat wasn’t quite as racing as it had been.
It was only a short walk along another cobbled road before I began the descent into the village where Demetri lived.
My stomach was definitely rumbling so I thought that food would be the first option when I reached the village and as the descent into another small bay began, I felt a sense of calm. It was as if my heart knew that everything was going to be OK.
As I turned a corner and walked down another hill, I glimpsed the shimmering sea ahead and was drawn towards it, as if a magnet was pulling me.
The narrow path between buildings seemed to lead towards a small waterfront.
Again, smiling to myself, I wondered why neither Demetri nor Makis had never mentioned what a hilly island they’d been brought up on.
Maybe they didn’t notice any more. The views made up for the hills though; it was truly glorious to look at – all of the whitewashed buildings with blue tiled roofs, some shuttered up to keep out the heat of the day and others with windows wide open, letting in the fresh air.
The brightly coloured petals of cerise bougainvillea and lush green foliage adorned the white of the buildings, creating a really vibrant contrast of colour.
I reached a beautiful tiny church, again whitewashed but with a royal blue domed roof with a gold cross at its apex.
I wasn’t a particularly religious person, in the past almost being angry with religion for allowing two people who I loved so deeply to die.
Taken them from me. However, the door was open and I decided to be brave.
It was as if a strange force was pushing me to take a peek inside.
As I walked towards the front of the small aisle, I noticed that the scent of spicy incense filled the air.
Lit candles appeared to have been planted in a small sand-filled box at the front, slowly burning.
To the right of the box was a pile of unlit candles and almost by instinct I was drawn to take two and light them, standing them upright in the sand.
There wasn’t a soul around but I got the strong feeling that I wasn’t alone, even though I couldn’t describe why.
I took a step back and bowed my head, taking a moment in the silence to remember my wonderful parents.
Their faces swam before me and my heart hitched.
Something told me to look up, remembering an expression my lovely mum used many times during her life – that people missed out on so much by not looking up.
As I raised my head towards a stunning stained-glass window, I noticed a beam of light had lit up the room, leaving rainbow iridescence all around the white walls.
I wasn’t sure if I’d ever seen anything so pretty yet also felt so spiritual.
It was as if I was getting a message from heaven, from my parents, to tell me that I was doing the right thing; I was in the right place.
That feeling and the beauty of the light spurred me on and I headed out of the church and further towards the waterfront, where I was greeted with the golden sands and even more turquoise sea.
I took a deep breath, my body and even my soul maybe acknowledging the beauty I was experiencing.
I was beginning to think this island really was something very special, magical even.
That’s when I noticed the hubbub of excitable voices and raucous laughter coming from a nearby taverna.
It was the type you might see on a picture-perfect postcard, tables with red and white checked tablecloths and a vase of flowers at the centre.
At the rear of the seating area, there was the hustle and bustle of what appeared to be a large family meal taking place, with everyone all trying to speak over each other.
Beautifully behaved small children sat on a separate table, tucking into a feast. My stomach rumbled loudly again, as if it was reminding me to eat and the aroma of the food filling the air was making my mouth water.
A man caught my eye from behind the bar area, and he waved me over. Bravely, I headed his way and he greeted me with a huge beam.
‘English?’ he enquired. Smiling, I nodded.
I always wondered how people knew who was English and who wasn’t.
It must be a skill. Although there probably weren’t that many blonde Greek women.
I began to question myself at that point, wondering if I was making stereotypical assumptions.
‘Would you like to eat?’ He passed me a menu.
‘Here, let me find you a table away from my noisy family.’ His English was impeccable.
‘Could I sit over there please?’ I pointed to a table at the edge of the restaurant which overlooked the beach and the small selection of shops that I’d also spotted dotted around what appeared to be the village square.
‘Excellent choice. Then you get to share the beauty of Amarissa island. Have you been here before? On holiday? Visiting friends?’
‘Thanassis! Are you bothering customers?’ A beautiful woman walked towards us carrying a jug of iced water and practically shooed him out of the way.
‘I am so sorry. My husband, he is so nosy. You would think he might at least have offered you a drink before giving you an inquisition. Get in the kitchen where you belong.’ She placed the jug on the table, grabbed the tea towel that had been draped across her arm, and flicked him on the leg with it before putting it back in its original place.
He called out in fake pain and rubbed his leg, grinning.
She laughed and kissed him on the cheek, whipping the menu from his hands before he scurried away.
‘Please, come this way.’ She led me to the table I’d pointed to and I pulled out one of the chairs.
The woman poured a glass of water for me, the clink of the ice against the glass music to my ears.
She passed me the menu, smiling broadly.
‘Welcome to Amarissa. If this is your first time to our island, we hope it won’t be your last. Most people arrive as strangers but leave as friends.
This is my wish for you. Now I’m not sure what you are in the mood for, but I can recommend either the chicken or halloumi gyros, flatbread, with tzatziki, and a few chips on the side.
Very popular and it is my husband’s speciality, but please don’t tell him that. His head is already very large.’
I laughed. This friendly stranger had already made me feel so welcome to the island that it almost brought tears to my eyes. I shut the menu without even looking at it and handed it back to her.
‘Chicken please. That sounds perfect. And could I have an Americano with hot milk please?’
‘Coming right up.’ She smiled and walked away.
If everyone here was as friendly as this couple, then it really was looking like I was in exactly the right place. Maybe I could have a future here after all.
* * *
Stuffed from a deliciously mouth-watering meal, I sat and watched the world go by from my little spot by the seafront.
There hadn’t been much going on when I’d arrived but while I was eating I noticed that it was getting busier and busier.
I was looking forward to having a walk around the village, to walk off the calories that I’d just put away.
I knew that I was putting off the inevitable and needed to summon up some of the courage which had been in abundance when I’d left the UK.
It seemed to have diminished since I’d arrived in Greece and I was overthinking and imagining every possible scene when I’d surprise Demetri.
Had I made the right decision, and would he be pleased to see me?
When I waved towards the couple who were behind the bar area, they appeared to have a friendly squabble about who would come over to me.
They were both laughing loudly. Their easy and fun relationship was certainly refreshing to see.
Eventually, the woman – who then introduced herself as Callie, short for Calliope – brought me my bill which I wanted to settle with a card payment.
But she said that the internet didn’t seem to be working properly, so I used up some of the euros which I was now glad I’d got from the airport.
I thanked her for her hospitality, happy that she hadn’t asked for any more information from me about my visit and why I was there.
I meandered around the small village square.
There was a small bakery, from which the most delightful smell of freshly baked bread emanated; what looked like a gift shop; brightly coloured fruit and vegetables placed on tea chests outside another shop; and another with soft leather handbags and belts galore.
I would definitely get Demetri to bring me here another time when I wasn’t feeling so overwhelmed by the task ahead of me, which was now starting to make me feel a little apprehensive, rather than the original excitement.
When I could put it off no longer, I pulled the address from the slip of paper I’d tucked into the pocket of my phone case.
With the scrap of paper in one hand and my phone in the other, I sat down on a bench in the village square and started to key the address in to Google Maps.
Not long now until what I hoped would be the starting point of the next chapter of my life.
My heart flipped in equal parts excitement and trepidation again as I stood to take the next steps towards the bravest thing I think I’d ever done.
I looked up and said a silent prayer that I would shortly be seeing Demetri.
However, I hadn’t realised it would be quite so soon.