Chapter 18
The beach was quiet, as she remembered it always. It seemed that only the locals knew about it.
It was just a small sandy cove, edged on both sides by large rock formations. On one end, there was a small cement pier that the locals used sometimes for line fishing. Others came to scrape the sand in the shallows with sharp tools to get just enough clams for their ouzo. It was a popular spot among the savvy locals for getting molluscs of different kinds.
Urchins sat on the mossy rocks on every surface and crevice, and even though it was formally illegal to harvest those, the locals occasionally came to get a couple at a time, as a rare treat, mindful to never do it often or in large quantities to allow the population to survive.
As soon as Emilia and the others arrived on the beach they laid down their things on the fine golden sand and scanned the seafront with their eager eyes. A man was lying on a straw mat at the end of the pier stretched out like a starfish, and a quiet couple was lying on the sand in the distance. Even further away, there was another man sunbathing on his own, and those were all the visitors on the beach at the time.
Seagulls cawed overhead and the cicada song was at full swing in the tamarisk trees. The sea murmured softly as it lapped on the sand, and it served as the most seductive welcome. The place was just bliss, a magnificent concerto of the senses.
Pleased to find the place so peaceful, they went into the sea and enjoyed a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water. For Emilia, it was like recapturing an old paradise of decades ago, when she was a small child, enjoying summer with her family. A torrent of happy memories flooded her mind as she swam.
A little later, once they started swimming back toward the shallows, Elise gave a lopsided smile and said to Emilia, ‘See? You wanted a swim too, and you didn’t know it. Happy now we suggested it?’
‘Yes! Thank you. Indeed, it’s been a long time…’
‘You must have memories from this place…’ said Chloe, her eyes warm when she turned to her.
‘Yes, actually, my family enjoyed many swims here when I was young.’
‘Oh, how lovely… It is precious to be in places that hold such memories of joy with people we love. Especially if they are no longer with us,’ said Chloe.
Emilia was surprised by the statement. It was true, but so amazing to hear it from someone so young. Before she could reply, the little girl spoke again.
‘You know that places have energy, don’t you?’
‘Yes, I guess it’s true. I know I feel all gooey swimming here again after so long.’
‘It’s the energy. You gobbled up enough of it back in the house too. Enjoy it. It’s making you stronger, Emilia,’ piped up Elise as she winked.
‘Stronger? In what way?’
Chloe pointed toward the rocks. ‘Look! What is this man doing?’
Emilia pressed her lips together. It was the man who’d been lying alone on the sand earlier. He had gone to the rock formations now, and he was looking around. He held something she couldn’t make out in one hand and a small plastic container in the other. ‘Oh. He must be a local. He’s after the urchins. It’s full of them down there.’
‘Urchins? You mean the things with the spikes? Ugh! Why is he after those?’ asked Chloe.
‘Well, they are very tasty, that’s why.’
‘People eat them? And what about the spikes?’ Chloe’s eyes were wide like wagon wheels.
Emilia couldn’t help but let out a giggle. ‘They don’t eat the spikes, obviously. You crack their centres and eat what’s inside.’
‘Euch! What’s inside? Can’t be very nice!’
‘Actually, they’re quite delicious, Chloe…’
‘Eeewww! You eat them, too?’ continued Chloe, her voice amplified to a shriek this time.
It made Emilia giggle again. ‘I had them a few times when I was a child. You eat them with olive oil. They’re yummy, despite the odd sight they make... My uncle Thanassis used to get them from the rocks for us sometimes, when my family visited here. Aunt Irini would bring out a big tray of meze with ouzo. And other than clams from this beach, the tray often included a small bowl of maybe four or five urchins as well… Just enough for one each or so.’
Elise pointed toward the rocks with her chin. ‘So, is this what this man is looking for?’
‘Yes, I am quite sure, judging from what he’s holding. If he were after squid, for example, he’d be holding a net.’
‘What about crabs?’ asked Elise.
‘Again. Net…’ said Emilia. The conversation had caused her a unique sense of gaiety. Those two were so uplifting. She never thought talking about her loving family members that had long passed away would bring her so much joy. For so many years, every memory she had of them would be one from their last days. They were dark like ink and felt sticky like goo. It was much better to reminisce on the days when they were happy and healthy.
Moments later, they were all back on the sand and sitting on their towels. The sun was hot but felt wonderful. A soft breeze caressed their skin. It was just bliss.
‘Can we go to the rocks? I’d really like to see those urchins up close. Not to take any. Just to see. I don’t think I could eat them. Euch!’ said Chloe.
Elise stood upright and rubbed her hands together, ready to oblige the request. Once again, Emilia admired this girl’s sprightliness, then stood as well to join them.
When they reached the rocks, the man greeted them with a smile. ‘Hi, ladies! A wonderful hot day, isn’t it?’
‘Hi! Yes, very hot!’ they all said in unison, then giggled, getting into the water up to their ankles to get a little closer to where he stood. The man was in his mid-twenties, very handsome and rather muscular, his body tanned. Dark straight hair, thick brows, a Roman nose and a square chin completed the image of a man that might as well have fallen out of a firefighter calendar. It didn’t help he was scantily clad. Of course, you’d expect him to be shirtless on the beach, but it wasn’t just that. He wore his shorts-style swimsuit quite low around his hips, making Emilia stare. How well sculpted are those hips anyway?
He was the exact type of man, at least when it came to physical appearance, that Emilia used to drool over when she was young. Oh my! He looks just like that Hollywood star… Eric Roberts. Oh, what a heartthrob he was when he was young! Just as she thought that, she felt a dull stub in her side and realized Elise had just elbowed her.
‘Yum, right? Go, Emilia! All yours!’ she heard her whisper in her ear and it made her titter.
‘Oh, shush!’ she whispered to her as the young man turned his focus back to the rocks. ‘He’s too young for me.’
‘Not if you use Esmera’s gift he’s not!’ she retorted, and, this time, gave her a shove, sending her forward toward him.
A sharp pain caught Emilia’s breath in her lungs. ‘Aaaooowww!’ she exclaimed, looking down at her foot. It had landed smack bang on an urchin. ‘Noooo!’ she screamed, causing the girls and the young man to clamour around her in a second.
Before she knew it, he had put her arm around his heart-stoppingly bulging shoulders and was half-leading her and half-lifting her to the pier to sit at the base. Then, he went to his towel that he’d left on the sand and came back in seconds with a tiny plastic bottle.
‘This is olive oil. I can dab some on your foot, if you like. It will soften the skin so you can pick the spike. Sorry, I don’t carry anything suitable for that…’
He apologised, which was preposterous, since this wasn’t his fault, and he had the courtesy to offer the olive oil as it was.
Before she could voice her opinion, Chloe spoke first, her hands on her waist. ‘So! You did come for the urchins! You have the olive oil with you so you can eat them!’
‘Hey! You’re one clever girl! Yes, I admit, I do enjoy the odd one with a bit of olive oil. Never too many, mind you…’ He lowered his voice a notch and added, ‘It’s illegal really. We have to be careful with what we take from nature. And thus, we should take from the rocks a little at a time and not too often, so we can let the poor urchins survive…’ He put up a finger, teacher-like, and it made him dead cute. He had a slightly foreign accent, which also added to his charm, but as curious as Emilia was she didn’t want to ask him. Besides, her mind was occupied now by something else…
He had called them ‘poor urchins’, just like Aunt Irini used to refer to them on the rare occasions when she’d see too many people look for them around the rocks on any given day. She’d always felt so protective of them. To hear this stranger refer to them in the same manner warmed her heart. ‘Thank you for the olive oil, that’s very kind of you to offer,’ she said. I live… close by. I am sure I can find a pin at home to pick it, no problem.’
‘Will tweezers do?’ interjected Elise.
‘Yes, of course. That would work too. I have stepped on them many times, I should know!’ the young man said with a little laugh.
Elise’s face brightened. ‘Great! Give me a sec!’ Without waiting for a reply, she sprinted along the short distance to their towels.
Intrigued, they all waited as they watched her fumble in her clothes for a moment, then return with the vigour and the speed of an Olympic athlete in a matter of seconds. Without panting in the least, she held tweezers between two of her perfect, red manicured nails and handed it to the man. ‘Here you go. Pick away, stranger!’
He took it, smiling, albeit looking quite surprised. Emilia felt the same bewilderment as to why someone would carry tweezers about their person. But she didn’t voice it. She was too busy watching the young man take a little olive oil from the bottle to pour it into his palm. In a velvety voice, he then asked her, ‘Will you allow me to rub the oil on your foot?’’
She nodded, feeling a little dazzled by his good looks, and he moved to hold her foot, then lift it, while she watched, mesmerized by the spiky ends of his short hair that edged his tall forehead. His eyes were brown and speckled with gold, sparkling when they caught the sunlight.
A couple of minutes later, after a few uncomfortable moments of sharp twinges and—literal—stabbings of pain, the tiny spike end was out, and Emilia, relieved, was offered the stranger’s gentle hand so she could stand. Just as gently, he looped his arm around hers and accompanied her and the girls back to their towels.
The three sat looking up at him for a few moments as he towered over them. It got awkward, then everyone spoke at the same time.
He laughed and offered his name. It was Stefan. The accent told her with certainty that he was a Greek living abroad, and she guessed his Greek name was ‘Stefanos’, but she didn’t want to ask as she now watched him talk to the girls. For now, she was just happy to take in his pleasant, open smile.
Is there an end to this man’s charm? she asked herself and wondered again if it would be worth pursuing something with him. Her mind was muddled, her heart screaming. Andreas is who you should be thinking of! Stefan was born twenty years too late! she heard her conscience bellow from within the dark crevices of her soul.
But then, she remembered Elise’s earlier words. She had suggested she use the gift to claim this young man. Could I? Her mind began to whirl as she considered both options, but it seemed impossible to decide anything on the spot. Just as she allowed herself to focus back on the conversation, she realised Stefan had squatted before them. Elise was making introductions. He was repeating everyone’s name as it was offered to him.
Then, out of the blue, he stood again and said, ‘Well, I know better than to disturb three lovely ladies on a girls’ day out!’ With an irresistible smile, he continued, ‘Once again, it was a pleasure, ladies!’ Maybe, I’ll see you again some other time. I come here often. This beach is the best kept secret of Adamas, don’t you think?’
‘Yes, it is… I totally agree,’ said Emilia, amazed. Her aunt had often referred to this beach in these exact words too. What is it with this man?
‘I am sure we will meet again soon!’ said Elise with a cryptic smile.
‘And don’t hesitate to knock on our door up there if you don’t find us on the beach!’ added Chloe, turning to point toward Aunt Irini’s house that crowned the rock face behind them, the curtain on the bedroom window billowing softly in the breeze. ‘Emilia inherited this house from her aunt. She just moved in!’
Emilia was shocked. She couldn’t believe the little girl had just pointed to the house and told him all about it, too. And why did she say ‘our’ door?
Stefan’s voice returned her thoughts to the present as he replied to Chloe with a smile and a simple thank you. Turning to Emilia, he added, ‘I am sorry for your loss, Emilia. And, I hope you will enjoy your new home. It certainly is beautiful, and the location is fantastic.’
Emilia, still shocked by Chloe’s tactlessness, cleared her throat and smiled, then thanked him for his kind words and also for his gallantry earlier. He gave a humble little smile, and, with one last wave, he was off, walking back toward the rocks, as if he didn’t have a single care in the world.
Unlike Emilia. Turning to Chloe as soon as he was out of earshot, she couldn’t help but vent her vexation. ‘Chloe, what you did earlier wasn’t right. I’ll thank you not to point my home out to strangers, let alone invite them to visit me! Do you realize I haven’t even moved in yet? And let us not forget you girls are virtual strangers to me, too. I literally just met you both!’
Chloe’s face crumpled, the look in her eyes sad when she responded. ‘But, I… I could tell you liked each other. I was only trying to help you see him again, that’s all.’
That made Emilia feel sorry for having scolded her so harshly. But before she could speak, Elise did.
‘It’s okay, Chloe. Emilia knows you meant well, but remember, this world is not all perfect. Strangers can be dangerous. Emilia is just concerned, that’s all.’
‘What do you mean by “this world”? Is there any other?’ asked Emilia, throwing out her arms.
Elise gave an impish grin. ‘You’re astute. I like that. We are going to get on like a house on fire, I can tell.’
As Emilia gazed astounded, Elise tuned to Chloe and raised her arm, exposing her palm. Chloe did the same, then tapped Elise’s palm in a high five and giggled.
Uh-oh. What did I just sign up for with this quirky duo? Goodness help me!’