Page 73 of One More Time

She playfully slapped his arm. ‘Stop it, you’ll make me blush.’

‘I’m honoured I still can bring that shy rosiness to your cheeks, Mrs Wilson.’

‘I love you, Mr Wilson.’

He flashed her another cheeky grin. ‘You’d better.’

After lounging for another half an hour, they decided to venture out. Wandering hand-in-hand, they both breathed in every sight, sound and smell. Passing an elderly couple on a bench facing the ocean, Grace admired how the man’s eyes were closed and his smile was wide, and the woman’s were eyes open and her smile was dreamy. They appeared so happy, so in love. An equally ancient dog sat at their feet, his head on his paws. Greece seemed to have a cathartic effect on all that were here.

Above, women were busy hanging washing on balconies and at tables behind alleyway shops, men were smoking and drinking coffee. Pomegranate, cypress and olive trees lined the path, as did shops selling delicate pottery, sculptured statues, beautiful silver jewellery, and so much food that Grace didn’t know where to look. Stopping at a little hole in the wall, she ordered two spanakopita. Standing off to the side of the queue, she passed one to Charlie then took a bite of the traditional cheese-and-spinach-filled pastry.

Eyes wide, she met with Charlie’s. ‘Wow, this is delicious.’

‘Mm-hmm.’ He ate his in one bite, the flaky crumbs sticking to his lips. ‘I concur.’

‘Shall we head down to the beach before it gets too hot, Charlie?’

‘Sounds like a perfect plan, my sexy wife.’ Charlie slipped his arm around her shoulder.

Dropping her towel onto one of the sun loungers Charlie had hired, Grace left him to relax on his and wandered toward where the frothy surf was kissing the white sandy beach. She stopped just shy of where a wave scurried up, leaving foam in its wake. This was the very instant she’d been dreaming of for most of her life – dipping her toes in the Mediterranean Sea on the shores of Santorini. It was such a momentous moment that she almost needed a drum roll to go with it. Step by step, she strayed forward. The warm sea lapped over her feet and crept up her legs as she gradually made her way in. Once she was waist-deep, she decided to dive beneath a gentle wave. The delicious tingle of salt water cooled her skin as she rose to the surface, and the water brushed her long sandy-blonde hair from her face. Resting back, she floated on the gentle waves, her eyes sweeping over the perfect blue sky. Being here was awakening something deep inside of her, a piece of herself she’d tucked away while she’d devoted her time – her life – to work and family. And it felt so good, like coming home to herself, after so long away.

When she was ready, she swam lazily back to shore, her stroke just enough to keep her head above water.

As she neared Charlie, his smile was slow and sexy. ‘My wife is like a Greek goddess.’

‘Oh, Charlie, I am not.’ Clutching her towel, she wiped her face.

Charlie didn’t take his gaze from her. ‘Seriously, Grace, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.’

‘As long as you think so, that’s all that matters to me.’ Settling down onto her sun lounger, she leant in and met his lips. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too, Grace.’

Their next few hours were spent laying beneath a blue-and-white striped umbrella, until hunger had them searching out some lunch. After eating, then wandering through the markets, they decided to go into a bookshop set off the main street. The doorbell jingling behind them, Grace breathed in deep – there was nothing better than the smell of books. They took their time choosing one each, then gradually made their way back to their villa, where they made love overlooking the endless ocean.

Showered and dressed, they headed back out for an early dinner. They chose a taverna by the sea, where a young waitress with jet black hair slicked back into a bun at her nape led them to a table.

‘I’ll be back soon, to take your order.’ Her accent was rich and evocative.

Grace acknowledged her with a smile. ‘Thank you.’

Five minutes later, she swished back to their table, placing water and two glasses into the middle. ‘Are you ready, or would you like a little more time?’

‘I think I know what I’m having.’ She peeked over her menu. ‘How about you, Charlie?’

He looked ever so perplexed. ‘There’s just so much to pick from.’ He looked to the young woman. ‘Can you suggest something for me?’

‘Are there things you don’t like?’

Charlie screwed his face up. ‘Anchovies.’

The waitress giggled. ‘Okay, well how about you try our special for today?’ Her green eyes matched the pretty turquoise rings adorning her fingers, and her myriad bangles jingled as she poised her pen, ready to take their order. ‘Chargrilled lamb chops and Greek salad.’

As Charlie pondered, Grace chose the honey-drizzled haloumi for her starter, and the salt and pepper baby squid and fried aubergine for her main, and Charlie got the baked feta and olives for entrée and the waitress’s suggestion of the daily special. It didn’t take long for their food to arrive, and just like the picturesque scenery surrounding them, the cuisine was full of sensual promise. They ate and talked, talked and ate, in between sips of sweet red wine, at the little mosaic table with the water lapping at their feet. Just before sunset, they finished their feast off with a slice of nutty sweet baklava and a glass of ouzo before paying the bill and joining the rest of the holiday-makers awaiting the glorious show. Cuddled up on the beach, they watched the day bow out to night, the sky turning glorious shades of apricot, purple and pink before black velvet gave a backdrop for glittering stars. The gentle breeze blowing through her loose hair was warm and caressing, as were Charlie’s lips as he brushed a kiss over hers, a fleeting touch, nothing more and nothing less.

Wrapped in his arms, Grace snuggled closer to him. ‘I feel like I’m twenty-two, and we’re falling in love all over again.’

‘We’ll never be finished falling in love, my beautiful Grace.’