Page 82 of The Greek Café

‘No, thank you. I will be on my way soon. I just wanted to congratulate you on your opening day.’

I walk Takis to the door

‘And I think it is high time I took you out to dinner,’ he says, his eyes locking with mine. ‘Just the two of us.’

‘I would like that.’ I hope he can’t hear the sound of my heart hammering in my chest.

‘I will be in touch,’ he says.

Back inside, Phoebe is piling empty paper plates into a bin liner.

‘You have done enough,’ I say, taking the bag from her. ‘Relax.’

‘It is no trouble,’ she insists. ‘Where is Zeta?’

‘She had to get to the hotel,’ I tell her.

‘She is probably checking on something; she has really high standards, doesn’t she?’ says Phoebe.

‘She does,’ I agree. ‘Although she is always fair.’

‘I realise that already. And that if you work hard you are fine.’

‘Exactly that. I was lucky enough to work with some wonderful people at the hotel,’ I tell her as I think of Summer and Kai. ‘I am still in contact with them. I hope I will be for a long time.’

‘Maybe you will.’ She smiles. ‘They say some people are destined to be in your life forever.’

FORTY-ONE

A few hours later, the guests have drifted off, a few of them linking arms with Ireta and giggling as they walk.

I check my supplies in the fridge for tomorrow, when I hope I will have some paying customers call in. Cheeses and hams for paninis. Check. Local sausage and halloumi. Check. Salad leaves and tomatoes. Check. Milk for the coffee machine. Check.

I place a stand with chocolate bars and biscuits on the counter, along with the pretty plant pot Ireta has made and kindly gifted to me. The fridge has been stacked with bottles of water and soft drinks.

I make myself a cappuccino, successfully this time following Phoebe’s guidance, and I sit with it and reflect on the afternoon. I met so many nice people today, and I cannot help but smile when I think of the effect Zeta had on the local women.

I lock up and take myself for a walk, before Kostas, the boy I met earlier, returns.

I take a cut through a forest path that leads me to a stretch of beach. The rolling sea welcomes me as I walk nearer; the sounds of the soft ebb and flow of the tide is soothing as it slides over the shingle and sand. The brightness of the afternoon sun has softened to a pale golden light, the horizon soft and cloaked in colours of pink and lilac.

I slip out of my sarong and feel the water wash over me as I submerge my body. I’m surprised to find it is a pleasant temperature despite the hour, maybe after the long summer months and the still recent high temperatures. It feels glorious and I swim until I can feel the burn in my upper arms. I feel invigorated when I climb out and dry myself off.

I think of the day’s events as I turn onto my back and look up at the slowly fading light. I never expected so many people to turn up, and I can’t help smiling when I think of Ireta and her home-made ouzo. I feel blessed to have met so many wonderful people, some who have quickly become friends. I think of how thrilled I was to see Takis, even though he could only stay for a short time, and daydream about where he might take me on our date.

I grab a peach tea from a beachside shack a little further along the beach, and by the time I arrive back at the café it is almost time for Kostas to arrive.

He arrives at precisely seven o’clock, his guitar slung over his shoulder.

‘Kalispera.’ He smiles a little shyly.

Kostas and his friends hadn’t stayed too long this afternoon, although they had a drink and ate a little of the food. Ireta told me that she overheard one of the boys saying that the café looked cool.

‘I don’t bring my microphone, but I think it will be okay.’

‘I’m sure it will be. Would you like a drink?’ I offer.

‘Just some water would be good.’