Epilogue
Six months later
The sun was still warm for early January, and Suzie’s heart burst with love when she looked at the three besotted men in front of her being photographed with the tiny baby she adored.
Christian, Panos and Kat’s father, Sebastian, took it in turns to hold their beloved granddaughter, Anastasia, passing the precious bundle on with a look of real regret on their faces at letting her go, even for a few minutes.
It would be so different watching a girl grow up, mused Suzie.
She’d hardly dared to hope that the baby would be a girl, and she’d never have voiced her wish aloud, but the chance to buy pink things, and maybe sit down and sing or paint together in a few years’ time, was so exciting.
Her boys had hardly sat still for five minutes, let alone completed a picture, so desperate were they to be outside or fighting each other with sticks.
A wink from Christian brought her back to the present.
The photographs were endless, and Kostas, as godfather, was trying his best to hurry things up, scurrying from one group to another, and making sure everyone was ready for their big moment.
Charlie’s parents were up next for their official shots; his smiling mother stepped forward with her grandson, Dimitris, in her arms, as besotted with him as they were with Anastasia, and even managing a smile for Charlie’s father, a miracle in the light of their bitter divorce.
Babies really did bring people together.
Having a double christening had cut down on the organising for Kostas, as the guest lists for the two couples were virtually identical.
And he’d had a stroke of luck with the post-church venue when Sofia had offered the roof terrace of her partner Adonis’s hotel for the celebration, as it was low season and they’d decided to close for a month after New Year.
Every guest had brought along a favourite dish, and the table was groaning with everything from bekrí mezé, the drunken pork stew she adored, to galaktoboúreko, the dessert made with layers of golden-brown filo pastry, sprinkled with melted butter, and filled with creamy custard.
It had been the boys’ favourite when they were young, and she couldn’t wait to introduce Anastasia to it.
Vicky joined her by the table and handed her a glass of wine.
‘Yamás!’
‘Yamás! And thank you so much for making the galaktoboúreko. I’d never have managed it. My mother-in-law used to do the honours when she was alive, even though she hated me, God rest her soul, but she loved the boys deeply.’
‘It was my pleasure.’
Vicky nudged her to look over to where their men were sat, heads bent together.
Alex had a pen in his hand, and a piece of paper was spread out on the table.
Dolly, as an honorary guest, with a sparkly bow attached to her collar, sat peacefully in the vet’s lap, a place the little dog loved to be – as did her owner, if truth be told.
Christian was waving his hands like crazy.
Suzie let out a sigh.
‘Oh God, they’re talking about the goats again, I know it. What are they dreaming up now?’
Christian had bought an old place up in the hills, near to Panos and Lydia, and was in the process of turning it into an organic cheese farm, choosing goats this time instead of the cows he had back in Cornwall.
Goat’s cheese was popular all over Greece, and Suzie had to admit they were a lot cuter than cows.
Alex was his trusted animal adviser, and they both loved nothing better than spending their spare time up to their knees in muck.
Vicky took a big swig of her wine.
‘I’m so pleased that they’re friends.’
‘Me too.’
‘And it means we don’t have to hear about smelly goats day and night. I noticed there’s a new interiors shop opened in town, near that wine bar we like. Fancy a trip there in the week?’
‘I’m in.’
‘I’m almost finished with the house, just a few more bits and pieces, and it will feel totally mine.’
‘Yay. You’ve worked so hard to get it looking good.’
‘Thanks. Talking of work, how are you feeling about loosening the reins and letting Kosta take over the bar permanently?’
Suzie looked over at her younger son, in his element in the middle of the group.
‘Surprisingly OK. He’s grown up a lot in these past few months, and now he’s got Manoli by his side; he’s so much happier. I’m still going to do the odd shift – it’s been my bar for so many years, I couldn’t walk away completely – but I’ve got other priorities now.’
Vicky took her friend’s hand. ‘Both our lives have changed so much. Look at how far we’ve come since we ran into each other that day at the beach party. Not to sound sickly, but we’ve both found love … something neither of us thought was in our stars at this stage of our lives.’
Suzie did a mock vomit.
‘Stop it. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, we’ve both found love, plus we’ve found each other, and that’s just as precious. I don’t know what I’d have done without you at times…’
‘Or I you.’
‘See, that’s better.’
Vicky held up her glass. ‘Here’s to friendship.’
Suzie responded with all the love in her heart for her newest and best friend.
‘To friendship!’