Page 43 of The Greek Café

Presently, the rock formations of the caves appear up ahead. Surprisingly there isn’t another boat in sight, despite it being a popular tourist spot.

‘Shall I drop anchor here?’ he asks, as the boat nears the caves, the shimmering blue-green sea looking tempting as the sun beats down.

‘Perfect.’

Takis peels his T-shirt over his head, revealing a rather impressive six pack, before stripping to his swim shorts. I follow suit, revealing my tiny white bikini, before I am handed a snorkel and we climb down the ladder of the boat.

The water is not quite as warm as I expected, as it isn’t quite midday, but after a few seconds it feels good. I follow Takis’s lead, diving below the water and spotting shoals of pretty fish darting amongst rocks. Far more than I saw at the beach near the hotel, along with colourful sea plants. It feels magical.

After snorkelling for a while, Takis gestures to the caves.

‘Shall we swim inside the cave?’ he asks. ‘The colours of the water are quite amazing there. It is only possible on a day like today, when the sea is calm.’

‘In that case, let’s do it. After you,’ I tell him.

It feels instantly cooler inside, although the sun filtering through the cave openings gives the water the most beautiful shade of turquoise, streaked with emerald. The cave walls are reflecting the light, giving it a soft glow that feels almost like something from another realm.

‘Wow,’ is all I manage to say, as I take in my surroundings.

‘It is quite something, isn’t it?’ His voice echoes around the cave.

‘It’s beautiful.’ I nod. There is a stillness and sense of peace that I find mesmerising. Not a sound can be heard apart from the gentle ebb and flow of the water as it splashes against the walls of the cave.

We enjoy our surroundings for a while longer, chatting and swimming, before we climb the ladder to the boat. I relish the feeling of the warm sun washing over me as I dry off on deck.

‘Do you get in the water with all of your guests?’ I ask Takis as he lays a cloth over a storage box as a makeshift table.

‘No,’ he tells me. ‘But then bookings are usually a small group. People rarely book a lone trip.’

‘So you were keeping me company?’

‘I told you. I want to ensure the customer has a good time. Maybe I am hoping for a five-star review.’

‘You will have to wait and see. The trip isn’t over yet.’

Dried off and sitting in the sun, we enjoy our delicious picnic. Slices of spanakopita, stuffed olives and slices of ham and cheese sit alongside fat juicy peaches, slabs of honey cake and strawberries. There is also a bottle of fizz. It feels so indulgent sitting here in the sun, enjoying the delicious food, that I don’t want to go back to the hotel.

Takis pours us each a drink into a plastic champagne flute.

‘Don’t worry, I will not be drunk and in charge of a boat,’ he says, lifting the bottle. ‘Zero alcohol.’

‘Good to know. And it’s delicious,’ I say, raising my glass. ‘These alcohol-free drinks have come a long way since the early days when they tasted like pond slime.’

‘You have drunk pond slime?’

‘Of course, you mean you haven’t?’ I chuckle wryly.

The food is delicious, and we sit on deck, the gentle sway of the boat almost lulling me to sleep after my lunchtime feast. I can feel my eyes become heavy as I turn my face to the sun.

‘Would you like a siesta?’ Takis offers. ‘There is a bed downstairs.’

‘I’d better not.’ I sit up straight. For a second I imagine Takis sliding in beside me, his hands exploring my body and kissing me deeply. What the heck?

I glance at my watch. ‘Actually, maybe we ought to be heading back.’

‘Of course.’ He smiles. ‘You are the customer.’

I remind myself that is exactly what I am. A paying customer. Takis is charming in his work as he is with all of the customers. I need to get a grip and stop acting like a teenager with a crush.