Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
On the outskirts of town, we head into a cavernous showroom.
Zeta advises on the coffee machine that is used at the hotel, despite an enthusiastic salesperson attempting to sell me one that costs one thousand euros more.
I feel a tingle of excitement as I pile a trolley with a panini maker, a soup maker for the cooler weather and some stylish grey crockery.
A lot of the smaller items I need, I can order online.
‘You are welcome to store your things at the hotel until you open,’ Zeta offers kindly as we head to her large car. ‘In case of break-ins.’
‘Thank you, Zeta, that makes perfect sense. Better to keep temptation out of the way, I suppose.’
We drive back to the hotel along the coast road, passing strips of beach and gentle waves of foam crashing onto the beach.
The beaches are almost deserted apart from a person here and there, stretched out on a towel, or having a picnic beneath the shade of a tree. I spot an elderly Greek man heading towards the water for a swim and smile when I think I will be spending my free time doing the same thing.
It’s a serene and relaxing scene and a far cry from the bustling tourist beaches, lined with sun loungers and busy beach bars.
It’s August now and the intense heat of the afternoon sun means the pool will be filled with swimmers back at the hotel.
We are also well into the school holidays, which means things are busier than ever.
Much as I am enjoying my work at the hotel, I am longing for quieter times watching the sunsets, drinking chilled wine and reading my favourite books at the end of the day.
It is late evening when I spot Phoebe enjoying a cold drink at the hotel bar.
‘Phoebe, hi. It isn’t often we see you in here,’ I say.
‘Kalispera, Erin. I was hoping I would run into you. I am about to see Zeta. About a job.’
‘A job?’
‘Yes, here at the hotel,’ she tells me. ‘I cannot stand the café in Rhodes for a minute longer.’ She sighs.
‘Gosh, are things that bad?’
‘Awful. I barely have time for a break, and my boss, she does not treat me right,’ she says angrily.
‘Oh dear, that’s not good.’
‘Do you know, yesterday she told me to take two hours away from the café to look after her daughter.’
‘And I am guessing that isn’t in your job description?’
‘You guessed right. And her daughter is a spoiled brat.’ She shakes her head. ‘And this morning, she had me lifting five-litre bottles of oil into the café from the storeroom, because her husband had gone missing. He is always off somewhere.’
‘That’s not right; you could injure yourself,’ I say, thinking of how easily that can happen. Thankfully I am none the worse after my tumble yesterday, and my back is holding up well.
‘Exactly. Anyway, I told her how I felt and she laughed. Laughed! I walked out in the middle of a very busy service. The smile soon vanished from her face,’ she says with satisfaction.
‘Let’s hope you get the job here then. Good luck.’
‘Thanks.’
Right on cue, Zeta walks past and calls Phoebe into her office.
‘See you later?’
‘Sure, I’ll wait around. We can have a drink together.’
I take the time to have a chat with Mum, who is walking much better now.
‘It’s been lovely having Douglas here,’ she tells me. ‘I have been proper spoiled, waited on hand and foot. I might even pretend my ankle is bad for a little longer.’
‘Mum, that’s awful.’ I laugh. ‘I’m glad you are on the mend – and that you and Douglas have been getting along so well.’
It feels reassuring that Mum has met someone, even as a friend, now that my future is here in Greece. For now, at least.
‘Hopefully by next month I will be up for the beginners dance class at the community centre.’
‘No bungee jumping then?’
‘Not for the foreseeable.’ She smiles. ‘And I have always wanted to learn how to dance the Viennese waltz. It’s my favourite dance on Strictly.’
We wind up our chat just as Phoebe heads towards me. She has a smile on her face.
‘I take it went well?’ I ask.
‘Yes. I start tomorrow at the pool bar.’
‘Brilliant, well done. Talking of bar, are you ready for a drink now to celebrate?’ I ask.
‘Lead the way.’
When we are seated at an outside table with our cold beers, she asks, ‘So what have you been up to today?’
‘Buying some equipment for the café. It all seems real now,’ I say, a burst of excitement running through me.
I can’t recall the last time I felt excited by anything back home. Unless you count a bargain bundle of laundry products from the TikTok shop.
‘The kafenion already looks wonderful,’ says Phoebe. ‘I can’t wait to see the inside.’
‘I have been looking at some furniture for the apartment. What do you think of this?’
I show her the stone-coloured sofa that doubles as a sofa bed, and a rather glamorous blue crushed velvet wing-backed chair.
‘Wow. I love it. Especially that chair.’
‘There is a lot of white and taupe so I thought I would give the room a pop of colour. I am getting this rug too.’ I show her a picture of a stripy coloured rug.
Heading across the reception with Phoebe a little later, I notice Takis seated on a bar stool with a stunning brunette and having a drink together. He throws his head back and laughs at something she has just said.
He catches my eye and smiles and I smile back, before he returns his attention to his female companion.
I suddenly think of how the expression on his face changed when he saw Kai hugging me outside of my apartment. Although as he is now sitting with his girlfriend in the bar, I wonder why he would even care. Or why I should either.