Page 20 of The Greek Café

‘I apologise. Maybe I chose the wrong word. I should have said I wanted something light-hearted.’ He smiles. A truly gorgeous smile.

‘Apology accepted.’

‘Well, I must be off. I need to see Zeta and check on some details for a boat tour.’

‘You take them out on that?’ I ask doubtfully, glancing at the small speedboat on the edge of the sand.

‘Of course not.’ He laughs. ‘I just call in to the hotel to take any bookings. I collect people from their hotel, and we take a larger boat from Mandraki harbour.’

I wonder why he doesn’t take online bookings, rather than calling in each day, but perhaps he likes to do things the old-fashioned way. Or maybe he likes to call in, as I recall Zeta being touchy-feely with him in reception. Some guys like the older woman. Not that it is any of my business.

‘Have a good day, Erin.’ He strides off before calling over his shoulder, ‘And if you fancy a boat trip maybe you could, you know, take a chance on me.’

‘Haha, good one.’

I glance after him as he strides towards the hotel, admiring his broad shoulders as he walks. I realise this is the first time that I’ve looked at a man like this since James, and I shake myself a little. I’m only here for three months, and life is complicated enough at the moment without adding in more opportunities for hurt.

As I enjoy my morning relaxation before work, I find myself once more thinking of the little café nestled in the lemon grove.

In my mind’s eye I picture the little café taking shape, slowly being restored to the way it once was. Maybe even nicer. I imagine walkers and travellers enjoying walks through the forest or the adjoining beach and stopping for refreshments. Serving cooling frappes and ice-cold soft drinks in my own little diner sounds like the kind of life I could get used to.

I listen to the sound of the rolling waves and smile to myself. What on Earth am I even thinking? I’m sure lots of people have daydreams when they visit somewhere as beautiful as Greece. All the same, it does no harm to dream, does it? I have little else at home, other than my mum and dear friend Mel, of course, but I know they would be the first to tell me to follow my dreams.

Gathering up my things, I head back towards the hotel to change into my uniform for my shift at the adult pool. I am already counting my blessings that I was able to come here and earning a wage means that my redundancy payout is still intact. Even though I have an idea of how it could be spent. Or maybe it is just a silly daydream.

THIRTEEN

My shift passes quickly and uneventfully, apart from, later in the day, having to keep an eye on a middle-aged guy who clearly had a lot to drink before he dived into the large, kidney-shaped pool that is surrounded by lush palm trees. He was singing at the top of his voice to a song being played over the loudspeaker, and I found myself hoping his high colouring wasn’t down to several visits to the bar.

His singing seemed to get louder, but thankfully, he soon ran out of steam, and having hauled himself somewhat ungracefully out of the pool by flopping onto the tiles, he spent the next couple of hours beneath a parasol asleep on his sun lounger.

‘Hi, Erin. How are you?’ Summer slides into the seat next to me at the outside table near the bar.

‘Good thanks. I am feeling happy and relaxed. These early morning swims are delightful.’

‘I would join you if I was up early enough,’ Summer says, ‘but it’s usually a quick shower fifteen minutes before my shift. Too many late-night FaceTime calls with some of my theatre pals.’

‘Well, I’m thinking I might just be up for the sunrise yoga on Monday morning, so if you do wake early, you could come.’

‘Possibly. Although sunset would probably be more my thing,’ she tells me. ‘I have gotten used to being more of a night owl, which is just as well given my line of work in entertainment,’ she chatters away. ‘And truthfully, I am not very good at yoga. It requires being silent for too long.’ She giggles.

She has a point.

‘Do you have any plans later?’ she asks.

‘Not particularly. I think I might go for another forest walk though; join me if you like?’ I offer.

‘Sounds good, but I have just agreed to cover the bar for someone who has come down with food poisoning.’

‘Oh gosh.’ I pull a face. ‘I bet Zeta wants to keep that quiet.’

‘It seems it wasn’t from here. If it’s true at all. I saw Amy knocking back ouzos with a hen party after her bar shift last night.’

‘Oh dear. Zeta is no fool though. If she suspects that is the case, I wouldn’t like to be in Amy’s shoes.’

‘Agreed.’

Right on cue, Zeta strides across the pool area, heads towards us and greets us.