Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
‘So, you are really going then?’
A few days later, I am eating breakfast with Kai, when he lets me know that he will moving to Australia the following week.
‘Yep. I will be there for their summer, rather than returning to the winter months in the UK,’ he tells me.
‘Ah, so this is why you have a permanent tan – you like to chase the sun.’
He flashes his brilliant smile.
‘Something like that. You could have come with me if you hadn’t bought the café,’ he says as he tucks into his scrambled eggs. ‘We could have had a blast. Some of the beaches there are something else.’
‘Tempting as that sounds, I’m not sure I could cope with all those snakes and spiders.’ I give a shudder.
‘I thought you didn’t mind spiders?’
‘I don’t really but they have dangerous ones in Australia. Do you think you might settle there?’ I ask him as I eat my usual yoghurt, fruit and honey. This morning, I add a croissant as I feel more hungry than usual.
‘I guess we have to settle somewhere eventually.’ He shrugs. ‘But at my tender age, I have no idea where.’
‘Love sometimes determines that,’ I tell him. ‘So many people stay in the place they discover their true love.’
‘Is that what you hope might happen here in Greece?’
He nods his head towards the pool area where Takis is walking. Takis lifts his hand and waves.
‘What do you mean by that?’ I protest, but mildly.
‘Oh, come on, I’ve seen the way you glance at him.’ He raises an eyebrow. ‘I can understand why though. I would, if I was that way inclined.’
‘Kai!’ I throw my paper napkin at him. ‘You’re terrible. And also mistaken. Zeta told me that Takis has a girlfriend.’
‘But if he didn’t?’
‘I came here to work,’ I remind him. ‘I don’t need any added complications in my life, thank you.’
‘If you say so.’ He flashes that mischievous grin. ‘Anyway, I must be off. Nearly time to get ready for my aqua class.’
‘You mustn’t keep your adoring audience waiting,’ I tease.
‘Too true. I’m definitely in there with one of the ladies. Catch you later.’
I glance at my watch as I finish my orange juice. Fifteen minutes until the kids’ pool opens.
‘Busy morning I, see?’ Takis glances at the empty pool.
‘It’s early,’ I remind him, although in fact there are fewer numbers of children in the pool as we ease our way out of the busiest month of the holiday season and children have drifted back to school.
‘This is the calm before the storm,’ I tell him. ‘I am mentally preparing myself.’
Takis is wearing navy shorts and a white T-shirt that hugs him in all the right places. Do his shoulders look even broader today? Sunglasses on, he looks so good I wish I could be out on the open water with him in his boat, rather than up a ladder watching over an empty pool.
‘Well, don’t work too hard,’ he teases as he walks away. ‘See you later.’
He doesn’t mention the evening out with Zeta and despite myself, I can’t help feeling disappointed.
As it is so quiet, for now at least, I pull my phone from my pocket and order a beautiful bouquet for Zeta.
As I put my phone away a family heads towards me with two excited-looking toddlers carrying a crocodile and flamingo lifesaver respectively. I plaster a huge smile on my face and say good morning to the adorable-looking family.
I can’t help but think of Takis and his comment about married life. Maybe he has just truly never met the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Yet didn’t Zeta say that he was saving for a future with his girlfriend? I guess these days that doesn’t necessarily mean marriage though.
I have an early evening swim before I retire to my room and read. It is a little after seven when I receive a phone call from Athena. My heart stops when I hear what she has to say.
‘I’m on my way,’ I say, dropping my book onto the outside table.
‘You think it was kids?’ I sigh as I eye the broken window and the smashed glass over the floor inside the café. Athena had noticed it when she was going for an evening walk.
‘I am not sure. I don’t think it would be children from the village,’ Athena says. ‘They are excited for the café to open.’
‘Yes, I got that impression,’ I say, thinking of the chats with the boys on the bikes.
‘It may have been people passing through. Maybe even an accident, someone throwing stones that caught the glass, or perhaps a ball?’
‘I guess so,’ I say as I open the door to the café.
Athena helps me to clear up the glass and dispose of it as I have a look around.
Nothing inside has been disturbed, although there isn’t anything that could be taken.
It seems Zeta was right about not leaving anything of any value in the café before the opening day.
‘Please don’t worry,’ says Athena. ‘I am certain it was an accident; everyone I know is excited to see the café open once more.’
‘Thanks, Athena, that reassures me.’
I call Jack, who says he can be here within an hour to replace the pane of glass.
Ireta arrives and reinforces what Athena has told me.
‘Perhaps I should think about installing an alarm,’ I say.
‘It is usually peaceful here,’ says Ireta. ‘I never had any problems when I had the kafenion, but I suppose an alarm will give you peace of mind.’
I try not to feel anxious about the incident. It was probably an accident, as everything else, including the lovely plants in the rear of the garden, are undisturbed.
Jack arrives and swiftly replaces the glass.
‘Probably kids,’ says Jack. ‘And more than likely an accident. I bet they scarpered when the window cracked.’
‘That seems to be the general opinion,’ I tell him. ‘Thanks for coming over so quickly.’
‘Not a problem. Oh, and I have arranged to take my wife out tomorrow evening,’ he tells me as he packs away his tools.
‘That’s lovely, Jack. And don’t forget to pop in when the café is open. The drinks are on me, of course.’
‘I certainly will; have a good night, love.’
Ireta and Athena escort me back to the hotel even though it is still light.
It is a beautiful evening and we stroll along an adjoining area of forest, wishing a good evening to the occasional dog walker, or couples taking an after-dinner stroll together.
The forest feels like both a cooling sanctuary from the heat, and a pleasant place to take a walk in the evening.
‘Thank you, ladies,’ I tell Ireta and Athena at the hotel. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’
‘That would be nice, thank you,’ says Athena.
We take a seat at an outside table, and sip a Metaxa brandy as a nightcap, watching the sun go down.
It is almost dark by the time we finish our drinks.
‘Will you both be okay walking back?’ I ask.
‘Nai,’ says Ireta, raising her walking stick. ‘I have my protection.’
‘It is completely safe walking around here,’ laughs Athena. ‘Although I feel extra protected now.’
We finish our drinks and I say goodnight to my new friends before I head to bed. I try not to let the broken window worry me. I know that the crime rate is low here. I climb into bed with my book, and before I know it, I am out like a light.