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‘They went out on their boat trip yesterday. He took her to his favourite cove where they swam and relaxed on the beach, before heading over to his brother’s restaurant in Pyrgos for dinner. I think he likes her. I think he likes hera lot, and I think Miranda likes him, too. I know I’ve only known Giorgos for a few months, but I’ve spoken to Stefanos, and he said it’s the first time he’s taken someone to meet his family since Anya.’
‘I have to admit, they did look really happy together at the Greek dance night.’
‘I agree. I really hope she doesn’t go back home with Roger. He doesn’t deserve her. He’s had his fun – did Miranda tell you that he bought a bright red Porsche because it was hisgirlfriend’s favourite car? – and now that Bella’s ditched him, he comes crawling back and expects Miranda to just welcome him with open arms.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Suzie, smiling when Heidi rolled her eyes in disdain. ‘I’m sure Miranda will make the decision that’s right for her.’
‘I hope so. I see Kat isn’t with you… again.’
Suzie sighed. Katerina had steadfastly refused to step foot in the taverna since Maria had arrived, relying instead on Suzie to make the regular trips to satisfy her caffeine addiction. She had to admit she’d been worried when, in the middle of one afternoon, Katerina had suggested she might like to try one of Amber’s peppermint teas, and she couldn’t help but laugh when Katerina declared that it tasted like something from the local swamp.
‘She’s spending a lot of time over at her studio, painting and glassmaking.’
‘Well, as long as her pictures don’t turn out like those depressing canvases in the room at the back of the gallery, I suppose that’s okay.’
Heidi took a step back so that a clearly very happy Stefanos could deposit two mugs of rich, dark Greek coffee on the table in front of Suzie and Christos. After murmuring a brief ‘Kalispera’, he headed into the restaurant to take an order from a recently arrived couple, unconcerned that he was the only member of staff diligently carrying out his duties, and not even batting an eye when Heidi dropped into the seat next to Suzie.
‘You know, I’m thinking of giving up my skincare business. In fact, I’m thinking of ditchingallof my businesses. None of them have worked out like I hoped they would, and what happened with Miranda and her friends last week has freaked me out a bit. What if I’d caused them serious harm? I’d never forgive myself. No, I think I’ll just stick with being the best waitress in Oia,’ she declared, ignoring the arrival of a group of men who were hovering at the door waiting for someone to acknowledge them and show them to a table.
‘Sounds like a…’
Suzie’s phone buzzed and when she glanced at the screen, she was surprised to see that it was Holly. She was about to excuse herself so she could talk to her in private, when Christos abruptly scraped back his chair, his eyes fixed on the recently arrived men. When Suzie glanced over her shoulder, she realised they were the guys from the yacht.
‘Is that the guy you saw taking photographs?’
Now that Suzie could see him at close quarters, she was certain he was the ginger-haired photographer she’d seen pointing his lens at her when she was sitting on the balcony the day after their Greek dance night. Her phone buzzed again, but this time she declined the call.
‘Yes, it is.’
Christos jumped from his seat, his face thunderous, his fists clenched at his sides. Giorgos looked up from his coffee cup in surprise, his expression morphing into concern when he saw Christos and he strode across the veranda to join them.
‘What’s going on, Christos?’
‘Suzie saw that guy over there taking photographs of her and I reckon it’s the same guy who messed up the bookshopandtook the video of me at the gallery!’
Heidi gasped. ‘You mean he’s… he’sHolsHacker?’
‘Yes, and I’m going to have a few harsh words with him.’
‘No, please, Christos,’ Suzie began, reaching for his arm. ‘It doesn’t matter, it’s—’
‘It matters to me.’
And before anyone could stop him, Christos marched towards the table where Stefanos was in the process of handed round menus. It took a few moments for the group to realise that Christos was standing at the head of their table, his face a deceptive mask of calm, with Giorgos standing on his right, clearly making sure that things didn’t get out of hand. Suzie exchanged a glance with Heidi, and they quickly scrambled to join them.
While everyone spent a few seconds staring at each other in curiosity, Suzie felt her phone buzz in her pocket for a third time, and when she surreptitiously glanced at the screen, she saw that Holly had sent her a text that simply said ‘Call me’ with three exclamation marks. She hesitated for only a moment before returning her phone to her pocket so she could give her full attention to the drama that was unfolding in front of her.
‘You!’
Christos pointed at the ginger-haired guy who was the only one of the party still reading the menu and oblivious to the fact that their table was surrounded by the taverna’s staff and their friends.
‘I think he means you, Eddie.’
Eddie took his time closing his menu before raising his eyes to meet Christos’ gaze, a rather insolent smile playing around his lips.
‘What’s going on?’
‘Youknowwhat’s going on!’ said Christos, clearly struggling to keep his temper under control.
