Page 40 of The Greek Café

‘Nai, sorry. I mean yes. I must remember to only talk in English to non-Greeks if I want to get better at it.’ She smiles.

‘Your English is fine, believe me.’ Her efforts make me a little ashamed that I only know the odd few words in Greek. ‘So where do you work?’ I ask.

‘In Rhodes near the harbour. The café is very busy. I miss the peace and quiet here.’ She looks around the tranquil setting. ‘And I enjoyed talking to the walkers who would stop and chat. The restaurant in Rhodes is far too busy for that,’ she explains, sounding regretful.

‘I was worried a café here would not be busy enough,’ I confess. ‘But I have since found out it isn’t far from the coastal path. With a little bit of advertising, I think it could be profitable.’

‘I think so too.’ She smiles. ‘People who follow the coastal path often head into this area for some shade beneath the lemon trees. If you enjoy walking, the walk from Psaropoula Beach near Rhodes town towards Kritika is very nice,’ she informs me. ‘Or Seven Springs.’

‘That is good to know, thank you. And if I need staff in the future, I will be sure to let you know.’

‘You will?’ Her eyes light up. ‘I make good baklava. And lemon drizzle cake.’

‘Two of my favourites.’

‘Although, Ireta’s lemon cake is better than mine,’ she admits.

‘Do you live in the village?’ I ask.

‘I do. Across the road from Ireta actually. My name is Phoebe. Please may I give you my number?’

‘Of course.’ I smile. ‘I mean, the café won’t be ready for a few months, and I may not need anyone initially. But of course, I will bear you in mind.’

‘That is all I ask. Thank you.’ She joins her hand together as if in prayer.

When I learn that the coastal walking continues for many miles, it fills me with enthusiasm. It may be useful having a local working at least part time, in case there is a language barrier, confirming to me that I really ought to brush up on a few more Greek phrases. It also means I can nip out if I need to. I get a feeling she would be an asset to the café, given her experience. Everything is beginning to feel real, and dare I say, falling into place. I cannot wait to get on with things.

Later that evening, it is impossible not to laugh watching Kai rotate his pelvis and declaring he is ‘all shook up’ as he takes centre stage in the lounge bar.

It is actually meant to be Queen night, but after the lady last night thinking Kai was Elvis, he has decided to go with it.

His toned physique is squeezed into a white jumpsuit with flared trousers studded with diamanté. In his black wig, he almost looks like a young Elvis standing up there. No wonder my aqua aerobic ladies seem to be swooning when I walk past their table.

Some of the younger crowd are sipping cocktails and scrolling on their phones, so it appears not everyone is as enamoured by Elvis, but the Apollo Hotel prides itself on having something for everyone. I am sure the disco will be more their thing, which starts in around an hour.

I am sitting on a barstool nursing a lemonade, smiling at Kai up on the stage, when Summer approaches having finished the kids’ disco. She is wearing her hair in pigtails and a purple cropped top and shorts combo, with a white trim.

‘Kai looks amazing, doesn’t he?’ she says as she glugs down some water. ‘He looks so confident out there.’

‘Do you fancy him then?’ I ask.

‘Funnily enough, no. I mean, there is no denying his looks, but I don’t see him in that way,’ she tells me.

‘I feel the same. I think Kai is the kind of guy who could have anyone he wanted, which means you could never entirely trust him,’ I say, as he flashes a smile at a passing waitress.

‘Anyway, I have noticed someone else around here, who quite takes my fancy,’ I say, as I picture the handsome face of Takis.

‘Oh yes, who is that then?’ Summer asks, her eyes widening.

‘The bloke at the bar the other night. Takis,’ I tell her. Even saying his name out loud feels nice.

‘Well, I could hardly blame you,’ agrees Summer. ‘Although I am not sure I could ever go out with someone so good-looking.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ She nods firmly. ‘They would always have women making eyes at them, which I am not sure I could put up with,’ she admits.

I wonder whether she has been hurt by someone like Kai. Then I remember her telling me that she has never had a serious boyfriend, so perhaps not.