Chapter 14 #2
‘Me too. He seems obsessed with knowing how we’ll react on seeing each other.’
Christian turned and gave her a look that made her feel as though she was standing on the pavement stark naked.
‘And how will we react?’
Suzie ignored the question and dragged him to an outdoor table at the nearest bar. Sitting side by side would surely be easier than having to make eye contact. Easier on her poor beleaguered body suffering all kinds of memory shocks anyway. She waved over the waiter.
‘What’s your poison?’
‘An espresso, please.’
Suzie ordered her usual cappuccino plus Christian’s espresso in Greek and added a side of spanakopita. She’d not been able to eat any lunch, and now she was ravenous.
‘It’s so strange to hear you speaking perfect Greek.’
‘It’s not perfect, believe me.’
He reached for her hand under the table.
‘Why did you go, Suze? One minute you were there, the next you were gone.’
It was imperative she keep the conversation light.
‘I can’t believe you even noticed.’
‘Of course I noticed.’
‘One woman among many?’
He put his hand on her chin and turned her face towards him.
‘You were never one woman among many, and you know it.’
This wasn’t getting them anywhere. Just the touch of his skin on hers was agony. She turned away and stared out into the street, trying to lose herself in the bustle of Athens on a Saturday afternoon.
‘As I’m sure you heard, I did the Shirley Valentine thing, went on holiday to a Greek island, fell in love with a native, got married and now have two grown-up sons.
And although it didn’t work out for me and Panos, I absolutely adore my boys.
And I’m still very happy with my life on the island, running a bar. ’
The last bit wasn’t quite true. She was gabbling, trying to distract him. Anything but answer his question.
‘Yes, I did hear what had happened, eventually, although it took a while.’
The sadness in his voice took her aback.
‘I tried to track you down as soon as you disappeared, but it was a lot more complicated in those days. No social media, no mobiles. Once I found out you were married, I left well alone.’
The idea that he’d tried to track her down made her heart tighten in her chest. She’d always assumed that for him it had been more out of sight, out of mind.
‘I’m sure you didn’t miss me too much. You had Kim the make-up artist to console you.’
Why had she said that?
His face was all confusion. ‘Who?’
‘Long blonde hair, big boobs. You were virtually on top of the woman, snogging the hell out of her, the last time I saw you. At least she deserves to be remembered.’
Christian raised an eyebrow in her direction.
‘Well, you certainly seem to remember her clearly.’
She’d walked into that one.
‘You were probably off your head at the time.’
‘Ouch. That’s harsh.’
‘But, admit it, possibly true.’
Christian threw back his espresso in one mouthful.
‘OK, I’ll give you that. But people can change, you know. You wouldn’t believe how healthy I am these days. I’m a reformed character.’
For a moment, at least, they’d moved away from the heavy stuff about her reasons for leaving. She could let her heart rate come down below health-risk level.
Christian took a battered packet of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket.
‘Only got one vice left. I allow myself one a day as a treat. Do you mind?’
‘I suppose not as we’re outside.’ Suzie turned to look at him. ‘Poor you, just the one vice.’
‘Well, I could always add another couple if you insist.’
His eyes bored into hers, and for a moment she was nineteen again, watching those eyes darken as he pushed her over the edge to oblivion. She blinked to get rid of the picture, praying she wouldn’t blush.
The waiter’s arrival with a large piece of spanakopita was a welcome break. Suzie broke it up into several sections.
‘Do you fancy a piece?’
His eyes were full of amusement again as he took a long drag on the cigarette.
‘No, you’re OK. You could always eat, couldn’t you? In any situation. And there were times when you were particularly hungry, do you remember?’
She knew exactly what he was referring to. After sex, she’d always been keen on a snack. But she wasn’t going there.
‘Nope, no idea what you’re talking about.’
Christian’s lazy smile almost made her choke on her food.
Spinach and feta pie over, Suzie glanced at her phone.
‘We’d better be going back soon. Frank will send out a search party.’
Christian held up his hand for the waiter.
‘Two brandies please.’
‘What are you doing? I thought you were going to ask for the bill.’
‘You always used to like a glass just before we went on stage.’
Something else he’d remembered.
‘OK, but then we really must go.’
‘Yes, Miss.’
Back in her dressing room, Suzie only had a minute to herself before Giannis strolled in, carrying a collection of bags.
The plan had gone out the window. She’d spent an hour flirting outrageously with an old boyfriend instead of preparing for her performance, and the warm feeling in her stomach wasn’t just the brandy.
Giddy, her mother would have called the state she was in.
But it had to stop now. She was letting her emotions get the better of her and putting everything she’d carefully built at risk.
Accepting that Christian was just a pleasant memory was the only way to go.
‘Hey, Mama. Good day?’
‘Yeah, nice and quiet. You?’
Giannis put his booty down on the table.
‘I got the stuff you wanted, and I got Kat a gorgeous dress.’
He pulled a sleek blue number out of the bag and held it up.
‘Do you think it will fit?’
‘Fit who?’
She hadn’t listened to a word he’d said.
‘It’s for Kat! Are you sure you’re OK?’
He leant over to kiss her on the head.
‘Are you upset because you’re leaving behind the glamorous world of showbiz and going back to the bar?’
He’d given her something to hold onto.
‘Yes, you’re right, Gianni mou. I am feeling a little sad. I just want to get home now. As soon as I’m off stage, let’s go. I’m not going to bother with the after party. I’ll come straight back to the dressing room, and we’ll get a cab to the port. Just wait for me here.’
‘OK, Mama, your call.’
It seemed like only minutes later when the knock came for her to go on stage. Her mind was all over the place, but she was set on a French exit and no goodbyes. It was easier all round.
The standing ovation for her last performance went on for several minutes, and there were tears in her eyes when she left the stage.
It had been a wonderful experience. Everyone was gathered in the wings watching each other to mark the end of the tour.
Finally, Christian took to the stage with his band.
The crowd went wild, as did everyone backstage.
After three encores, the band was finally allowed to leave. The talk all around her was of the after party. Christian mimed drinking from a glass as he passed her.
‘See you in there.’
Suzie nodded, although she had no intention of going.
Delayed briefly by Carol and Teresa, who wanted to talk about Christian’s performance, and then by Frank, wanting to witter on about nothing, she eventually slipped away and made for the dressing room.
As she came round the corner, ahead of her she saw a man going into her room.
For a moment, she could have sworn it was Christian.
But she must be mistaken, surely. Her heart was in her mouth as she ran to open the door.
Facing her were two angry men, arms crossed and in poses so similar it shocked her to the core.
Giannis spoke first.
‘What the hell is going on, Mama?’
Christian’s eyes held none of the warmth they’d had in the bar.
‘I want the truth. Is this man my son?’
Her legs went from under her before everything turned black.