Chapter 21
AVLAKI
‘Do you know how long it is since I have driven a car like that?’ Stathis asked Kostas, adjusting his sunglasses as they walked along the stone beach.
He didn’t wait for any response before carrying on.
‘I think it was when I was seventeen. I was drunk. My friend decided to “borrow” a car and we took turns spinning it around a factory car park.’ He chuckled. ‘Good times.’
Kostas had his hands in the pockets of his shorts, head down.
He had ridden the motorbike back here and Stathis had driven Faye’s terribly old car, which was probably a good thing as his advisor had not packed light for motorbike transportation.
But, after the airport interaction, Kostas still felt out of sorts and he wasn’t sure exactly what it was in reaction to.
Faye’s fears about her daughter? How he had immediately responded to that?
The anger he’d felt thinking someone was trying to cause harm?
Perhaps all of those things. All of those feelings. Feelings.
‘So, I am here,’ Stathis said. ‘Like you asked. And we are walking into the potential site now so that I can convince you what a bad idea this is. The path is right here, between this bamboo.’
Kostas lifted his head, letting the sun hit his face before the stalks of greenery did. ‘Your job is to advise. I will listen, but I do not have to agree.’
‘Kosta—’
‘What?’ he asked. ‘Please, tell me what your problem is, Stathi.’ He went to spread his arms wide, indicating the surrounding area, but hit leaves as the track narrowed.
‘There is nothing here, right? A few tavernas on the beach. Two hotels. It is crying out for something more, something better. You know, rich people want luxury, blue skies, sunshine and the ocean, that is all. The sea is perfect here, the sky is perfect here and I can give them the luxury and somewhere to moor their expensive boats.’
‘And, as I have mentioned many times before… sustainability… carbon footprint. It is my job to make sure there is only positive press linked to your name, your brand. Look at where we are walking. Nothing but bushes and trees.’
‘For every tree we tear up we can plant two more. Somewhere else. Anywhere else.’
‘I do not think it is going to be as simple as that,’ Stathis told him as the track opened out a little, started to ascend.
‘Make it as simple as that. Let’s just start doing something instead of talking about all the ways it can’t be done.’
He took a breath, walked on and up, tried to stabilise.
Was it his imagination or was his scar hurting today?
Maybe it was talking about it with Faye, or maybe it had so much learned pain memory it was sometimes difficult to distinguish what was current and what was just remembered.
Whatever it was, he just felt off-balance and that was nothing to do with this changing terrain.
‘OK, well, let’s get to the centre of the site,’ Stathis suggested.
* * *
‘Endaksi, so, all this would be gone. This whole section levelled. And this would have to be excavated so the marina could be built,’ Stathis explained.
He had the plans open on his iPad but Kostas wasn’t looking.
He was taking in the area, imagining, trying to see his vision come to life in his mind.
The paths were rough, hunks of stone interspersed with tree roots and earth, perilous in places.
Cicadas clicked from the branches, a lizard slithered across the dry ground for sanctuary in the shade and then, more muscle memory, remnants from his childhood biting at him.
Suddenly aware of an itch on his arm, he slapped his bicep and killed a mosquito.
‘The kind of machinery we need, I think we would have to make sure they have everything on the island at our disposal a long way in advance. The same with the workforce. We don’t want to start and have any delays.’
‘No,’ Kostas said. ‘We bring everything from Athens. Including the workforce.’
‘What?’ Stathis exclaimed. ‘That’s going to cost so much more and logistically it’s—’
‘That’s how I want it,’ Kostas stated. ‘I told you this before, Stathi.’ He put his hands on his hips.
‘I know, but I didn’t think you were serious. I kind of thought it was a joke.’ He took off his sunglasses.
Kostas took a step towards his advisor. ‘You thought it was a joke?’
‘Yes, I mean, Kosta, you would be doubling the costs, maybe more, I don’t see that—’
‘Well, perhaps you should put those glasses back on and look. But, let me be clear. Nothing I have said to you about this project is a joke. If I have amended the plan, if I have asked for certain requirements, this is what I want. Are we straight on that?’
Stathis nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ Kostas walked on, past Stathis, continuing up the hill.
‘But I should warn you, Kosta,’ Stathis called. ‘Someone has attempted to build on here before and the outcome was not good.’
‘What do you mean?’ He stopped walking, turned and faced him, dust in the air as his trainers scuffed the ground.
‘There’s no easy way to say this.’ Stathis sighed. ‘And perhaps I have been putting off saying it because I hoped that you would change your mind about the location.’
‘Tell me.’
‘The project was not entirely the same as you are planning. But, like with your idea, there was a plan for a marina.’ Stathis paused before continuing.
‘There were protests. And campaigns for environmental protection. Here there are people who care greatly about these things, and even people who do not care can also get very loud when there is a bandwagon to jump on.’
Kostas straightened up, rolled his shoulders. ‘So, we change their minds. I mean, look, there is no one here but us! Does anyone really walk here? Revel in the natural “beauty”? We talk to the right people, we reassure them that this is a positive change.’
‘And where is our evidence of this?’
‘What do you want me to say, Stathi?’ Kostas asked, frustrated. ‘You are meant to be the one overcoming the difficulties. What would you do?’
‘I have already told you that. Find another location.’ He sighed. ‘But, other than that, I would make sure that when questions are asked that we have all the answers. That you are prepared to make necessary compromises when they are needed and, in my opinion, they will be needed. And…’
‘What else?’ Kostas asked him, slapping another mosquito on his forearm.
‘You need to reconsider the machinery and the workforce. If there’s one way to get people onside it’s the promise of employment for locals.’
Kostas was already shaking his head. ‘I cannot do that.’
That idea was hurting him. This was the backbone of the whole project, the foundation of everything he was trying to achieve. This was recompense for what had happened before. To his father.
‘Well,’ Stathis said. ‘You need to decide what your priority is. Is it making this venture as successful as it can be? Making money for your future and the future of any family you might have? Or is it more about making a temporary grand splash? Reminding people that even though you have retired from basketball, you are still relevant?’
‘Still relevant?’ Kostas hissed. ‘What is that supposed to mean?’
Stathis held his hands up in surrender. ‘Do not shoot me. These are the kinds of questions you are going to get asked. We need to firm up your motives, that is all.’
‘My motive, as far as anyone else is concerned, is to create a desirable five-star resort here in Corfu, to give back to the island I was born on,’ Kostas stated firmly.
‘Then you will have to back this up with actions… until, I guess, the last moment… when there will be certain difficulties beyond your control that require staff of your own personal choosing and more complex machinery,’ Stathis replied.
‘Good, Stathi,’ Kostas said. ‘That is good. Then we are on the same page.’
‘I do not know if we are on the same page, Kosta,’ Stathis admitted, walking closer to him. ‘I do not even pretend to know what book you are really writing, but I will do what I can to help you with the story.’
‘With a happy ending, I hope.’
‘As always, I will do my best,’ Stathis said, and then he smiled. ‘Come on, I will take photos. We will imagine and create the vision for this Petsas Palace. We need to walk further up this never-ending hill and then take a look.’
Kostas nodded. ‘OK.’
Petsas Palace. It definitely had a certain ring to it.