Page 23 of The House Swap

‘So, you’re expats then,’ Keira chipped in, smiling sweetly. ‘I did wonder if you were,’ she added, mimicking Sue. ‘It’s always easy to spot Brits abroad.’

Sue didn’t seem offended by the comment and Poppy wondered if Keira’s sarcastic jibe had gone over her head. On first impressions, she seemed to be the type of person who liked to talk rather than listen.

Up close, Poppy could see that the woman’s tan had the polished look of effort rather than just spending time outside in the sun, and her glossy blonde bob appeared to move with her head, suggesting it had been blow-dried then heavily lacquered into place.

‘I’m Poppy and this is Keira,’ she introduced, not wanting to come across as rude. She didn’t bother giving their surnames as Sue had.

Ian gave a friendly nod, before speaking for the first time. ‘You’ve picked a quiet month to come here.’

‘We prefer it like this,’ Sue added. ‘August was chaos. Couldn’t move for tourists. We always say October onwards is when you actually get Crete.’ She smiled expectantly, waiting for agreement.

‘Have you lived over here long?’ Keira asked.

‘We moved here three years ago,’ Ian told her. ‘But we have holidayed here for years.’

They had yet to pick up the menus Nikos had left them with, but when he returned, they ordered without looking.

‘A carafe of the house white please, Nikos. And we’ll have our usual saganaki starter to share, then I’ll have the lamb kleftiko.’

‘And the sea bass for me,’ Sue said, picking up the menus and handing them back.

Poppy had thought that after they ordered they might all continue with their own conversations, but it wasn’t to be the case.

‘Have you tried the saganaki?’ Sue wanted to know. ‘You’ve got to have it here,’ she urged when Poppy and Keira shook their heads. ‘It’s basically fried Greek cheese. Sounds unhealthy, but it’s gorgeous. You have to try it. They do it properly here.’

‘Sounds fab,’ Keira said, ‘But I’m stuffed. In fact, we’ll probably head back in a bit.’

She shot Poppy a look that told her she was ready to leave whenever Poppy was.

They still had quite a bit of food left on the table, though, and just under half the carafe of wine. They could tolerate the company for a little longer. Besides, Sue and Ian were only being friendly.

She listened politely as the couple went through the story about how they had decided to make the move abroad after Ian took early retirement. They were childless – through choice, Sue was keen to point out – and they both loved the sun, so it made perfect sense.

Sue did the lion’s share of the talking, with Ian chipping in, sometimes finishing her sentences.

‘I’m just going to nip to the loo,’ Poppy excused herself, as soon as there was a dip in the conversation.

They were nice people, but they were a little overbearing.

She took her time, touching up her make-up, knowing she was being a bad friend leaving Keira to deal with Sue and Ian alone. Guilt crept in. She should go back.

As she stepped through the door into the restaurant, a man at the bar glanced in her direction. Their gaze locked, his lips curving into a smile that quickly widened into a grin as he recognised her.

Poppy’s breath hitched. It was him, the guy she had bumped into at the mini-market.

She honestly hadn’t expected to see him again after his lukewarm response.

‘Hi.’

‘Hey, you,’ he greeted back.

‘You decided to check this place out then?’

‘I decided I deserved a beer,’ he told her, as a paper coaster was placed before him and a pint of Mythos placed on top. ‘Can I get you a drink?’

‘I’m actually here with a friend,’ Poppy said, pointing to where Keira was watching, eyes on stalks. ‘You’re very welcome to come over and join us.’

He looked hesitant. And if she wasn’t mistaken, a little disappointed. ‘I don’t want to gatecrash.’