Page 85 of Never Too Late to Date

‘That’s one of the benefits of being a local. Most people who happen upon the place stop at the tables below; not many climb the stairs to find out what’s up here. The restaurant’s owned by the mother of Irene, one of the bar staff. She makes all the food fresh each day.’ Suzie held her hand up. ‘And before you say it, I knew you’d be starving after work and that climb. So, I’ve ordered us a series of small plates.’

‘Fan … bloody … tastic.’

Having a friend who understood even your most basic needs was a major win.

‘But drink first. Two Aperol Spritzes on their way.’

‘You’re on. Are we celebrating something?’

‘Dolly making it through her operation?’

Vicky had introduced her friend to her dog a couple of days ago. She could tell that Suzie was nowhere near as much of an animal lover as her, but her friend had been genuinely pleased she was happy, and that went a long way.

‘That’s as good a reason as any.’

The waitress appeared at the top of the stairs with their drinks and a big bowl of olives.

‘Ooh, lovely.’

Vicky could barely stop herself from shoving a whole handful into her mouth.

They positioned themselves facing the sea and sipped their drinks. Vicky sat back and sighed with pleasure.

‘Most men I know seem to hate this drink. They say it tastes like cough mixture.’

‘And do we care?’

‘No, we do not.’

The selection of small plates appeared one by one, and the waitress moved another table over to accommodate everything and explain the meze menu.

‘We have tiropita, cheese pies, dolmades, vine leaves stuffed with rice and mince, gavros, small fish, gigantes, butter beans in a tomato sauce, taramasalata, fava made with split peas, and of course fresh psomi, or bread. Let me know if you need more of anything.’

Vicky couldn’t wait to get stuck in. But before she could reach for the bread and smother it in taramasalata, Suzie laid a hand on her arm.

‘This is on me. I really do want to thank you for being there for me when I came back from Athens in such a state, and this is the best way I could think of.’

‘Spot on. You’ve certainly got to know me well in a short space of time.’

‘I’d like to think so.’

‘But now can I eat?’

‘Vevaíos, get stuck in.’

After a few mouthfuls to calm the hunger tiger in her stomach, Vicky looked up at her friend, who’d not yet put anything onto her own plate, but was three quarters of the way down her drink.

‘So, how are things going now? Any more from Gianni or Christian?’

‘Gianni and I have been texting a bit, and I’m hopeful that he’s almost ready to meet up. And to be fair, Christian has stayed away from the bar since he came in that first night.’

‘You sound a little disappointed by that?’

‘God, no, I’m relieved. I’m more worried that he doesn’t seem to be in any particular hurry to leave.’

Vicky raised her eyebrows in her friend’s direction.

‘Stop it!’