Page 14 of The Greek Café

I linger on the beach for a few minutes more, feeling exhilarated after my swim. Not to mention glimpsing a real-life Greek Adonis once more.

There is a sunrise yoga class here on a Monday morning; I might head down and join. I used to enjoy yoga once upon a time, but after my long shift at the leisure centre, I never felt like doing much in the evenings when I got home. And of course there are always the early morning swims to enjoy.

My apartment back home is already beginning to feel like a million miles away, although I know I can’t stay here in Greece forever. Time to just enjoy one day at a time.

With five minutes until the aerobics class, Zeta delivers a message to me saying that Kai won’t be down and I will have to do the class alone.

‘He has migraine,’ she says, tapping her head. ‘I told him to close his curtains and rest, and hopefully he will be okay later.’

‘No problem,’ I tell her. I have done so many classes back home, I don’t really need him here, although I imagine Kai’s absence will disappoint one or two of the ladies.

The aerobics session was a blast, and afterwards one or two women commented on how much they liked my choice of music, a medley of songs from various decades to suit all ages.

‘That brought back a load of memories,’ a blonde lady tells me as she climbs out of the pool. ‘My eighties clubbing days came right back to me. The Haçienda in Manchester. Gosh, those were the days.’ She smiles warmly. ‘Make sure you make the most of your youth.’ She wags her finger at me.

‘Youth’ is stretching it a bit, but I take her point.

‘I will. Glad you enjoyed the music,’ I say, her comment reminding me that time really does fly and we must make the most of our days.

Class over, I head to my room, where I think I will take my lunch break on my balcony and read a few chapters of a book I brought with me and enjoy a cooling drink.

Cutting through reception, I see Takis again and wonder if he works here in some capacity.

His tall, good looks seem to be attracting a few admiring glances. Hardly surprising, with his black hair that touches his shoulders, well-trimmed goatee and square jaw. He throws his head back and laughs at something Zeta has said, revealing perfect white teeth. I am sure I just felt my ovaries twang. Zeta is touching his arm as she speaks, an adoring look on her face.

‘Hello again.’ He smiles as I walk past, even though I do not really need to pass reception to get to my apartment.

‘Hi.’

I am thinking of something interesting to say, when he turns back to Zeta to continue their conversation.

Who is he? I wonder to myself, although I know one thing for certain: I could get used to seeing him around the hotel.

With thoughts of the mysterious Takis, I bump into Kai leaving his accommodation as I am about to climb the stairs to mine.

‘Are you feeling better?’ I ask. ‘Zeta told me you weren’t feeling well.’

‘I’m okay now.’ He smiles. ‘I think I overdid the beers last night – don’t tell Zeta though; she thinks I had a migraine.’ He pulls a face. ‘Which is not a huge lie, as I do get them occasionally,’ he says, trying to justify his fib.

‘What’s it worth to keep quiet?’ I tease.

‘Not sure?’ He narrows his eyes.

‘Maybe you could put on a dress and take my place at the Abba night? It’s tomorrow evening, and I am still worried about it.’

‘You still stressing about that?’ He grins. ‘Honestly, you really shouldn’t. This is a mid-range hotel, not Las Vegas.’

‘Suppose.’ I manage a smile. ‘And I have a rehearsal this afternoon, so hopefully that will make me feel better.’

‘There you go then. Right, I’d better crack on. Thank goodness I am on duty at the kids’ pool. They will be tooled up with swimming rings and arm bands,’ he says. He heads off, taking a glug from the water bottle he is carrying as he goes.

The day passes quickly, and soon enough the sun is beginning to set. Shift over, a few of us are sitting around having a meal. When the others leave, I decide to stay and enjoy a drink at the pool bar with Kai. He tells me all about his ex who will not stop texting him.

‘I think she thought we had a future together,’ he confides. ‘Although I never gave her that impression.’

‘Are you sure about that?’ I think of James and how I wish he had told me a little sooner that he did not want to settle down.

‘Positive. Anyway, I’m off now; I’m done in. You walking back?’