Chapter 17 #2
‘Now you’re really pushing the boundaries of good taste,’ he told her dryly, though he made no attempt to switch the music off.
And as he flipped the indicator, taking a turn from the main coast road into Analipsi, Leo Sayer continued to blare through the speakers, and Poppy noticed that Jem was fighting to hide his smile.
The taverna was everything he had promised.
Set back from the main square and nestled close to a little church, welcoming strings of warm fairy lights looped across the entrance. Inside, a handful of tables were occupied, the conversations low and intimate as traditional Greek music played in the background.
As the waitress led them to a table for two, Poppy’s stomach rumbled. The air was rich with appealing aromas, and it made her realise she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
‘This is lovely,’ she said after they had sat down and were left to peruse the menus. ‘I like the vibe.’
Jem seemed pleased by her reaction. ‘It’s the best place I’ve been,’ he agreed.
They were ready to order food when the waitress returned to take their drinks orders, and after opting for a small carafe of white wine, they agreed to share tzatziki and pitta bread as a starter, with Jem then choosing swordfish, while Poppy picked a seafood pasta.
Over drinks, as they waited for the food to be cooked, she told him about her visit to see Sue and Ian.
‘I found Sue a bit much when I first met her, if I’m honest,’ she admitted. ‘But I misjudged her. Yes, she’s a little loud at times, but she’s friendly and she means well.’
‘She and Ian are good people,’ Jem told her. ‘They helped me a lot after Dad died, keeping an eye on his villa, and running a few errands for me when I was trying to deal with all the legal stuff while back in the UK.’
‘That was nice of them.’ Poppy sipped her wine. ‘Did they know your dad well?’
‘Yes, they were friends long before Sue and Ian retired here. They told me they got to know Dad when they used to come to the island on holiday. He was the one who persuaded them to buy a place out here. I think they used to spend a lot of time together.’
‘They must miss him,’ Poppy commented. ‘I think they are hoping you might stay.’
‘I know. They keep dropping hints.’
‘Is that an option?’ she asked.
‘I don’t think I want to move here permanently,’ Jem said, his tone thoughtful. ‘My life is back in Devon.’
‘You’re from Devon?’ Poppy repeated, realising he had never said where he lived.
‘Yeah. I have a close-knit group of friends there. Besides, I have a portfolio of work in the area. If I came here, I would have to start over.’
‘What kind of things do you take photos of?’
‘Anything and everything. I do a lot of wedding and corporate events, and some real estate too. That’s what pays the bills, but it’s also what I’m trying to get away from.’
Jem paused as their starter arrived, thanking the waitress. As he took a piece of pitta bread from the basket, broad shoulders moving beneath the linen shirt as he tore it into strips on the side plate, he continued with his answer.
‘Landscape photography is where my heart is and I’ve been getting some of my stuff into local shops over the last couple of years. I also recently started working with a company who furnish holiday lets and they’ve been buying some of my stuff.’
As he spoke about his passion, Poppy found herself studying him.
Dark curls fell into his eyes when he leaned forward, and brushing crumbs from his fingers, he reached up in mild irritation to shove them away. And his eyes, earthy green and watchful, were almost golden in the candlelight.
There were moments when his expression sharpened, when his gaze held hers a fraction too long. Not threatening, but intense, and it made her pulse skip.
‘I know there are opportunities for all of that here,’ he said, ‘but it would take time to build the contacts, whereas back home I have already been through that difficult stage and I’m starting to make a name for myself.’
‘It sounds like it makes sense to stay in Devon.’
Jem nodded. ‘That’s kind of where my head is right now. I could keep this as a holiday rental. It’s another option I am looking at. Added income, plus, of course, I have a second home in the sun.’
‘And that way you don’t lose touch with Sue and Ian. They’ll be happy.’
‘They will. That reminds me,’ Jem said, changing the subject. ‘She said something about dinner at theirs on Sunday night, and that you’re going?’
‘Yes, I’m going.’
‘I can come and pick you up.’
It was very kind of him, but Poppy couldn’t expect him to do that, especially when he lived right next door to the Pritchards. ‘You don’t have to go out of your way. I can arrange a cab.’
Jem’s mouth curved into a smile, green eyes settling on her face. ‘I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to.’
Her heart bumped a little at his words and she smiled. ‘Okay. Thank you.’
She was having such a lovely evening, it didn’t even occur to her until they were in the car for the drive back that she had forgotten to ask Jem how he had known where Tom’s villa was.
Boosted by his easy-going company, plus the courage of white wine, she posed the question now, as casually as she could.
‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course.’
‘The other night, when you drove me and Keira home. You didn’t ask for directions.’
If Jem was offended that she had asked, he didn’t show it, though he did hesitate briefly, his brow creasing slightly as though replaying the memory, before he answered.