Page 18 of The Greek Café

There is no way I am getting hurt like I did last time, even though I can appreciate the qualities of a certain local Greek.

‘I will drink to that,’ says Summer, tapping her glass against mine. ‘Although I have never really been in a serious relationship,’ she confides. ‘But given the stories some friends have told me, I am quite happy to wait until the right one comes along. Maybe my gran was right when she told me that we often meet the right person when we stop looking.’

‘She might well be. Someone in my old job met their husband at the train station. She literally dropped her book near him, hoping he might pick it up. He did. They chatted and a year later got engaged,’ I tell her.

‘That is the modern-day version of dropping a hankie,’ she laughs. ‘Very Jane Austen.’

The afternoon passes quietly, and soon enough we are preparing for the Abba evening. Maybe I was worrying over nothing, as it seems all I have to do is sway along, whilst the resident singer takes the lead.

I make the mistake of peeping out at the bar area, that is already packed out with guests. I steady my breathing as I can feel my heart rate accelerate. So much for worrying over nothing. I can do this.

‘I can’t do this,’ I say to Summer as blind panic overtakes me.

‘What?’ The resident singer frowns at me. ‘This is no time to get stage fright; we are on in two minutes.’

‘But all those people.’ I suddenly feel overwhelmed. Why did I agree to this? Surely Zeta couldn’t force me to do this. I signed up as a lifeguard.

‘Erin, it will all be fine.’ Summer looks me squarely in the eyes. ‘And think of how you will feel when it’s over.’

‘I know, I know. I need to step out of my comfort zone blah blah but really, I don’t want to put myself through this.’

I can feel my palms sweating.

‘Less than half an hour out there,’ she says. ‘And think of the sense of achievement afterwards.’

I’m still not convinced.

‘Here, maybe this will help.’

Summer takes a miniature vodka from her bag and offers it to me. I knock it back.

‘I’ve had one too.’ She winks. ‘And if it’s so terrible out there then don’t do it again. I’m sure you could swap a shift with someone. Zeta doesn’t really mind who does it, as long as it is covered.’

Why didn’t I think of that before now?

I have no time to dwell on my nerves, as just then I hear the strains of a well-known tune strike up. I adjust my long white wig and shiny blue dress just as we are introduced to the stage.

Somehow, I manage to remember my basic steps, sing along a bit and the whole thing seems to pass in a blur as we launch into one crowd-pleasing song after another. There are whoops of approval at the end and a standing ovation from the audience.

‘You did it!’ Summer embraces me.

‘I did, didn’t I!’ I say proudly.

I notice Takis as we approach the bar for a drink and he raises his drink and smiles at me.

‘We meet again.’

‘Um, hi.’ I return his smile whilst pulling down the hem of my short dress that has ridden up as I sit on a bar stool.

He picks up his drink and strolls over to sit on a vacant seat beside me, as Summer chats to another member of the animation team.

He is even better looking than he was last time I saw him, if that were possible. And he smells wonderful.

‘I never asked you last night, how long are you working here?’ he asks as he sips his drink.

‘Until September. I am a lifeguard, although I am learning to be very versatile.’ I raise an eyebrow.

‘So I see.’ He smiles. ‘You were very entertaining.’