Page 33 of The Little Greek Guesthouse

‘Of course not,’ he said dismissively. ‘You’re just doing up the house, no problems.’ Nina let out the breath she’d been holding. He was local, surely he would know if they were accidentally causing some harm.

‘That’s what I thought. I mean, I understand why some people wouldn’t like the idea, but it’s just one little hotel and it won’t do any harm. To be honest Metalios could do with something to liven it up. And a few tourists will bring in a bit more money, won’t they, so I don’t –’

Vassilis chuckled, pulling her to him. ‘No need for all these worries,’ he said, soothingly. ‘What you’re doing is a good thing for the village, bring in just a little tourists, just a little more business for everyone. This is exactly what Metalios needs.’ Relieved, Nina relaxed in his arms, allowing him to distract her as he pulled her in and kissed her slowly, sensually, until her head was spinning and she couldn’t think of anything else if she wanted to. Which, right now, she didn’t.

‘Hey,’ Theo called from the next room. ‘Why am I not hearing no hammering or such?’

They snapped apart and Nina stifled a giggle as Vassilis winked at her. ‘I take you out at the weekend, yes?’ He leaned in, brushed her neck with his lips. ‘You and me time,’ he whispered.

Nina couldn’t wait.

When Vassilis had gone, she showered and helped Theo make gyros. Comfortably dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, she felt refreshed, clean and cool after a satisfying day’s work. Theo smiled as she helped him chop and fry.

‘Your cooking lessons paying off, I see,’ he said.

Nina crunched a bit of cucumber. ‘Maria’s softer than she lets on.’

He snorted. ‘If you say so.’

He smiled and asked about her day and ate the food with almost his usual enthusiasm, but he still seemed flat. Pushing away his almost empty plate, he sighed, rubbing his hands over his face.

‘That was delicious,’ she said. He smiled, lips stretched tight, eyes dull. Nina reached across the table and placed her hand over his. ‘You okay, Baba?’

‘Of course.’ His attempt at a smile was a little more convincing this time. ‘I’m always okay, and here in this beautiful place with my beautiful girl – even better. Just tired, is all,’ he said. ‘Tired old man.’

Nina squeezed his hand. ‘You’re not old. Maybe you’re working a bit too hard? Why don’t you go and rest, and I’ll wash up.’

And Theo, who would usually insist on helping, who would usually grumble and tease about the standard of her dishwashing and flap around the tea towel in some overly dramatic display of good-humoured exasperation, simply nodded and sloped off to the courtyard, his shoulders stooped.

Nina washed up, trying to shake the niggling concerns about her dad. He was tired, wasn’t he, like he said; nothing more to it than that. A bit of rest and he’d be just right again.

She could almost convince herself.

Tired herself, she decided to head to bed when she’d finished. She went to fetch her bangle and say goodnight to Theo, but the bracelet wasn’t where she’d left it. Nina dampened down the panic that spiked in her as best she could; there would be an explanation. Theo must have moved it. Realistically, what else could have happened?

‘Baba?’ she asked, trying to keep the tension out of her voice. ‘Did you move my bangle?’

He turned around, dragging his gaze from the sea view, nodded. ‘I put it in your room. Safekeeping.’

He smiled, and she kissed him, relief flooding through her.

‘Great, thank you. I’m going to bed.’

She took the stairs two at a time, still a little shaken, imagining already the feel of the smooth, solid metal in her hand, the bracelet that had touched her mum’s skin soon to be resting on her own, the symbo5l of her parents’ love.

But when she reached her room, no matter how carefully she looked, the bracelet wasn’t to be found.

‘Baba,’ she called. ‘My bracelet isn’t here.’

He appeared in the doorway, frowning. ‘But I . . . I thought I had . . .’ He sighed. ‘Stupid old man, I will help you look for it.’

They searched the house together, every surface, every drawer, under every piece of furniture. Nothing. Nina tried to stay calm, but her head throbbed with a near-panic; it couldn’t be lost, not this, of everything she owned. The one thing that truly connected her to her mum, the one thing she remembered her wearing, day-in and day-out. The thing that made her feel as though she was still here, somehow, guiding Nina by the hand, embracing her and cheering her on. It couldn’t be gone. It just couldn’t.

But it was.

‘Baba, think. Where might you have put it?’ She tried to stay calm, to quell the distress that rose in her.

He held his palms out, shoulders high and tears standing in his eyes. ‘I – I am certain I put it in your room.’