Chapter 15
HOTEL MARGARITáRI, AVLAKI
Kostas paced the living area of his suite, every step fuelled with more annoyance verging on anger. His phone was to his ear but wasn’t connecting until finally…
‘Parakaló.’
‘Poú eísai? Where are you, Stathi?’ Kostas bit as he went towards the balcony doors.
‘You got my email?’
Kostas heard Stathis yawn and that angered him even more as he stepped out onto the balcony. ‘Yes, I got your email. I am hoping you wrote it on the plane to Corfu. What time do you land? Because you did not say that in the email.’
‘Have you read the email?’
‘Is this an automated service? Some AI robot you’ve programmed to make responses for you? Yes, I’ve read the email! Now tell me you’re either landing here, or taking off from Athens.’ He leaned on the balcony wall.
‘You should consider Lefkada, Kosta.’
Kostas closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. How many times did he have to say the same thing? He was furious now. Why wasn’t Stathis listening to him? His teeth were so tight together they were starting to hurt.
‘Kosta?’ Stathis said. ‘Did you hear what I said?’
‘Yes! Yes, I fucking heard what you said! But it seems to me that you still have not heard anything I have said to you.’
‘There is land in Lefkada so much more suitable for your project, Kosta, perfect in fact. Yes, they already have a two-thousand-square-metre marina but there is no complex alongside that. We could fly—’
‘Ochi!’ Kostas roared, the word firing out into the night air and echoing around the gardens.
He had said it so harshly his own chest hurt, heart thumping a furious beat.
There was silence on the other end of the line and Kostas knew that his outburst was not only unprofessional but also so emotionally transparent it burned. He needed to be calmer. Clear.
‘Kosta, my job is to best advise you, remember?’
‘I realise,’ he answered. ‘But Stathi, let me make this plain. I am not looking for the best location in Greece for the plans. I am looking for the best location in Kerkyra. And I believe we have found that.’
‘Kosta—’
‘No. I do not want to hear anything else except for you to tell me that you will be here on Corfu tomorrow.’
There was silence for a short time and then: ‘If that is what you want.’
‘Tell me what time you will arrive and I will arrange transport.’
‘Kosta, are you certain that—’
‘Ta léme.’ He ended the call with the ‘see you’ then took a breath, swallowing down the heaviness in his chest. Anxiety.
No, not anxiety. That word was as weak and pathetic as the feelings people claimed overran them.
There was no place for anything like that in his world.
Looking out over the gardens and the dark skies, only small lights from the complex illuminating flowerbeds and the pool, he sought stability.
But what he really noticed was another light on…
in Faye’s office. Distraction. That was exactly what he needed to erase the awkward conversation with Stathis from his mind.