Page 13 of The Greek Café

‘It’s a shame we are not heading downhill, then we could just roll down,’ I say, clutching my full belly, and she roars with laughter.

‘Let’s explore a little more and decide if we want a taxi home later,’ she suggests.

Strolling alongside the mediaeval city walls, it is easy to imagine it in times gone by, the Greeks battling invaders from around the world. The castle above stands proudly overlooking the cobbled streets, and a mixture of shops and cafés line the castle walls. It makes for a stunning merging of the ancient and modern world.

‘This is the street of the knights,’ Summer tells me as we walk along. ‘I read about it on the plane whilst researching local tourist attractions.’

Glancing at the stone buildings with metals grids on the windows and the ancient cobblestone road underfoot, it continues to feel like we have stepped back in time. A sign points to a museum, that we both agree we will visit whilst here in Rhodes.

Moving on, we pass handcarts selling traditional Greek gifts of honey, olive oil, and bags of dried herbs. An artist is displaying his work on a cloth laid down on the floor, and gestures for us to take a closer look.

His watercolours are impressive and include paintings of traditional Greek houses with blue doors with cats sitting on the doorstep. There are pictures of the harbour with pretty fishing boats in pastel colours bobbing on the water. A painting of two old Greek men chatting on a bench overlooking a fishing boat, nets strewn on the floor, catches my eye. There is something so authentic about the piece that I decide to buy it for my mum, who loves paintings of people in everyday settings.

Throngs of people are enjoying being outside in the warm evening, perusing the various stalls, and a young boy pulls his parents towards a creperie stand, the sight of a giant pancake being prepared and offered with chocolate sauce hard to resist.

‘There are so many pretty things here.’ Summer runs her fingers over a brightly coloured scarf on a stall. ‘But I had better limit my spending, until payday at least,’ she says sensibly. ‘Some olive oil soap might be nice though.’

She selects two geranium-scented soaps, and after paying the stallholder, she hands one to me.

‘Thank you, Summer, you didn’t have to do that.’

‘I wanted to. You have been so friendly to me since I arrived here. Some people think I am a bit much.’ She laughs.

‘You are who you are,’ I say, linking my arm through hers. ‘Anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend.’

‘Thank you.’ She beams, giving my arm a little squeeze.

We eventually head back towards the harbourfront, where the twinkling lights of the nearby boats dance on the water. Strings of white lights adorn some of the seafront restaurants, where couples gaze at each other lovingly over bottles of wine. I guess a place like this could bring out the romance in anyone. Even though my own didn’t last.

An hour later, both of us stifling yawns and having walked off our dinner, we decide to grab a cab to the hotel from a nearby taxi rank.

‘Thanks for this evening, I really enjoyed it,’ says Summer when our driver drops us off at the hotel.

‘Thanks for suggesting it. I had a great time too,’ I say.

As we say our goodnights and head to our respective accommodation, something tells me I am going to like it here. Especially after noticing the handsome Greek man at the bar.

Takis.

It doesn’t feel like a coincidence that I’ve spotted him again, and from the way he’s looking at me now, I can tell he’s thinking along the same lines.

TEN

I wake at sunrise once more and head through the hotel grounds until I am on a stretch of beach, with no one around. I drop my sarong and towel onto the sand and stride towards the glistening water in the early morning sun.

The water is cool at this hour, and takes my breath away slightly, as I plunge beneath it and quickly feel its soothing effect. I have read all about the benefits of cold water, but there is no way I could tolerate an ice bath. I am not a seal.

I push through the water feeling exhilarated with every movement. I am careful not to swim too far out, as there is no one around at this hour, even though there are no undercurrents and it is perfectly safe. I guess it comes from being a lifeguard.

Goggles on, I dive beneath the water, and spot a shoal of silvery fish. As I re-emerge, and walk across the sand enjoying the feel of it beneath my feet, I notice a speedboat heading towards the beach.

After the boat stops at the edge of the sea, a Greek man of around my age climbs out and strides along the sand before wishing me a kalimera. Oh my goodness, be still my beating heart. It’s Takis.

‘Kalimera,’ I reply, before quickly towelling myself dry and wrapping my sarong around me. I suddenly feel a little exposed, even though I am on a beach, so hardly likely to be covered up.

He carries on walking to the edge of the beach, before he turns and looks over his shoulder with a slow, easy smile.

I watch the tall, broad-shouldered Greek walk along, his phone to his ear, before he disappears out of sight. There are no bars or cafés along the beach, so I wonder if he is heading up to the hotel again?