Page 42 of Summer in Greece

‘Tomorrow?’ She smiled. ‘That would be a nice birthday treat.’ Perhaps she was moving things along a little too quickly, but she only had a week.

‘It’s your birthday?’ he asked, of course he did, she knew he would. He peered into her eyes. There was a promise, a question, a secret, and laughter. ‘Then I must present you with something memorable, if you’ll allow me?’

‘Really, Harry, I came away this week because I didn’t want a fuss. It’s just a birthday, a day in which I spoil myself a little and remember my childhood.’ Despite the words, parts of her tingled slightly, and judging by his smile, her eyes gave her away. She couldn’t remember the last time she had flirted, or felt so hot. It was a good feeling. Exciting and silly and frivolous all at the same time. Although she was only playing with him, it made her heart race and her body sing with romance.

He laughed joyfully, and she wondered if he felt the same, that thrill, an unspoken question.

‘Sounds intriguing. I wonder what you have in mind?’ she said, narrowing her eyes slightly, sending the message, she was interested.

‘Somewhere special to eat; then we have a festival in the next bay, Vourkari, tomorrow night. It’s the name day of my very good friend, Ipomoni.’ She frowned. ‘Ee-pom-on-ee,’ he explained. ‘It means patience. It’s his name day so we all celebrate with him, all his family and friends, and all the other people named Ipomoni, all over Greece . . . Greeks all over the world, actually. It’s like everyone’s united in one big birthday party.’

‘I like the concept of everyone celebrating together.’ But was Harry inviting her to more than a festival? His eyes were treacle-toffee brown and just as warm. Suddenly, Shelly realised she would like to know him better.

They ate at the shore taverna, drank wine and watched the sunset. The lighthouse caught her attention. The light was on now, hazy in the dusk miasma. His hand touched hers while they were talking. She didn’t pull away but looked deep into his eyes.

‘I hope you’re having a good time,’ he said. ‘Tell me about your favourite dive.’

‘That’s a tough one.’ She closed her eyes for a moment, then recalled a moment of utter bliss, clear water, and shocking beauty. ‘The Red Sea, perhaps. Both the reef and the wrecks were exceptional.’

‘Never been, though I’ve always wanted to. Work gets in the way, you know?’

‘I know. The reefs are shallow enough to snorkel, and that’s what I prefer to do there. It’s the greatest wonderland.’ She narrowed her eyes, seeing the spectacular underwater seascape all over again. ‘Lots of sea horses, don’t you love them? It’s breathtaking, you must go.’

He nodded. ‘Yes, I think I must.’

*

The next morning, he met her for breakfast. ‘Happy birthday! I’ve managed to get the key for the Britannic museum,’ he said. ‘Or at least the beginnings of it, we hope. I thought you’d be interested to see what we’ve gathered so far. The work’s spasmodic, funded by small change left from the annual Tourist Development Grant for the Cyclades islands.’

‘It’s relying on tax-payers’ money?’

‘No, it comes from the European Union, but Kea’s bottom of the list. Santorini and Mykonos top, and almost every other Cyclades island lay in between.’ He shrugged. ‘We need a sponsor if we’re ever going to get it opened to the public.’

‘What about crowdfunding? Surely there are enough fanatical First World War navy aficionados that would be interested in chipping in a few bob. Have you thought about opening a web page? After all, it can’t need that much money once it’s set up – can it? A building, a couple of part-time staff in the season. I don’t know.’

‘Me neither. There’s an abandoned enamel factory just off the port road, it would be perfect for the museum. But what we really need is something from the wreck that people would come halfway around the world to see, or perhaps interact with.’ His eyes narrowed as he spoke and she could see he was passionate about it.

‘Most things can be seen online these days. You mean, like the ship’s wheel?’

‘Perfect, or the prize of finds . . . how about the ship’s bell, the big one that was over the crow’s nest?’

‘Wow, that would be something!’

He grinned, enjoying her enthusiasm. ‘But it’s all up in the air, as they say. The dive centre takes up every minute of my day. Never found the time to look up how we’d fund a museum. You can’t imagine the hours I work.’

‘Ha, really! I set up my own veterinary surgery, don’t forget.’ She smiled at him. ‘I know how difficult these things are. Never enough hours in the day, are there?’

He laughed. ‘You’ve got that right!’

‘You work so hard to maintain a dive school, but when was the last time you dived for pleasure?’

He scratched the back of his head and squinted sideways. ‘Mm, two months back we had a client and nobody available to take him. But diving just for fun – for me – perhaps two years ago.’

She grinned at him, in their shared understanding. ‘About the museum, brainstorming’s pretty good, at least you get to see who’s really interested and enthusiastic.’ She took a breath. ‘I could give you a hand when I get back home. I mean, I don’t have to be here to help set up a website and I’ve just finished my latest online study. You could have it up and running by the time I come back.’

‘You’re coming back?’

An intense moment passed between them. ‘Possibly, for the turtles.’ She saw a question in his eyes as they met hers. And maybe for you, she mused, but didn’t say. Her eyes narrowed as a soft smile dusted his mouth. He knew – and she was glad, they were on the same level.