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Chapter 24
Lili arrived at the beautiful Bella Venezia, a small boutique hotel in a thriving quarter of Corfu Old Town. A five-storey former gentleman’s residence, it was in a quiet street close to the harbour. She was looking forward to exploring the area. The taxi she had taken to the hotel had driven through the town and given her a glimpse of what was in store. But for her first day in Corfu, she had other plans.
On arrival, Lili received a glass of cool kumquat juice – the oval orange citrus fruit that Corfu was famous for. It didn’t take long to check-in. She was pleased her flight had been so early; it meant she had arrived in time for breakfast outside on the terrace. Tables were laid out in the shade of orange and lemon trees.
She had been lucky to get a room at short notice. She had booked the hotel online when she was in the departure lounge, waiting to board her flight. There were very few vacancies in Corfu Old Town for seven nights. It had cost her more money than she had intended to pay. There was a range of much cheaper accommodation in the beach resorts along the coast – but she had her reasons for staying at this one.
After breakfast, she freshened up in her small but modern and comfortable room and then approached the reception desk in the foyer to hand over her key before she set out.
Dimitris, the concierge, greeted her by name. ‘Ah, Miss Skye! Your guide is waiting for you in the lounge.’
Lili smiled. The staff had been so helpful on her arrival. They’d asked what her plans were and suggested a guide to show her the sights. At first, Lili had been reticent. Her reason for staying there was to visit the British Cemetery in the town, and she didn’t need a guide to show her the way. She would be able to find it herself; it was marked on the Old Town street map and was walkable from the hotel. However, someone who could speak the language and tell her the history of the island might come in handy, so Lili had accepted.
The guide only asked for a small donation at the end of the tour, so she could hand over as much, or as little, as she wanted. Lili had looked up the going rate for a tour guide. She didn’t want to take advantage, especially as the guide had been recommended by the lovely staff at the Bella Venezia.
Lili stepped into the comfortable lounge area to find a slim older man in his sixties, wearing a cream suit and a Panama hat. According to the concierge, he was a retired professor who enjoyed showing foreigners around his native Corfu.
He came forward as Lili approached. ‘You must be Lili.’ He shook her hand as he offered a friendly smile. ‘I’m Spiros.’
He spoke with only a wisp of a Mediterranean accent. Lili felt guilty for not attempting to look up some basic words and phrases in Greek. Despite spending her early years there, she felt like a typical tourist who was too lazy or inept to find out about any of the local customs or learn a little of the language or culture. Although, to be fair, it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision to travel there, so there just hadn’t been the time.
Lili had the small pocket guidebook she’d picked up at the airport to hand. ‘Would you mind if we started at the British Cemetery?’
‘Of course. Right this way.’ He extended his arm toward the entrance.
Lili followed him out of the door and down the concrete steps to the street. It surprised her when he stopped in front of a silver BMW parked outside by the kerb. He opened the passenger door. She had assumed it would a walking tour of Corfu Old Town.
Spiros caught her expression. ‘Ah – you thought it was a walking tour.’
Lili nodded. ‘I don’t mind, though,’ she blurted, not wanting to offend the nice Greek man. ‘It is rather hot out.’
He smiled. ‘My sentiments exactly. But I didn’t bring the car because it is, as you say, rather hot.’
Lili noticed he hadn’t broken out in a sweat, and he was wearing a suit. Lili in her sleeveless polka dot dress and sandals, hair tied back in a ponytail, could feel the perspiration running down her face just making her way down the steps to the car.
‘My friend, Dimitris, the concierge, mentioned that you wanted to go to the British Cemetery. That’s why I brought the vehicle – otherwise it’s a bit of a walk.’
Lili didn’t mind walking, but maybe not in this heat – and it was only mid-morning. She wasn’t sorry he’d driven. ‘Thank you.’ Lili smiled at Spiros and got into the car.
He shut the door behind her and climbed into the driver’s seat, turning on the engine and ramping up the air-conditioning.
Lili felt a cool breeze on her face and was thankful that the old BMW had air con. She turned to her guide. ‘I want to visit the British Cemetery, but as we’re going by car, would you mind taking me to the beach first?’
‘Shall I wait while you return to the hotel to collect your bathing suit and towel? I can suggest a quiet, most beautiful cove in—’
‘Oh, er no, I’m not intending to go swimming or sunbathe.’ Lili hadn’t meant to interrupt him, but she already had somewhere in mind. She couldn’t pronounce it, so she showed the old gentleman her precious sheet of paper from social services and pointed at the Greek name. ‘Do you know it?’
‘Of course.’
‘I’d like to go there first, please.’ Lili had fancied stopping off at the beach on her way in the taxi from the airport that morning, but she’d wanted to check into her hotel and have breakfast first.
Lili caught his expression. ‘What is it?’
‘There are pretty coves on the island to see. That is just one long stretch of waterfront. I’m afraid you may be disappointed.’
Lili shook her head. ‘I can assure you I won’t be.’
He didn’t look convinced.
