Page 25 of The Greek Café

‘I prefer a bigger boat. Imagine if it broke down or something and you were stranded at sea?’

‘You really are a worrier, aren’t you?’ He cocks his head and regards me closely, his blue eyes boring into mine.

‘I suppose I am,’ I admit. ‘Over some things more than others. Small things usually. I can stress over a broken fingernail but be totally calm in a crisis.’

Soon enough, the village of Lindos spreads out in front of us. Houses are stacked like sugar cubes, the Acropolis perched high in the background. Visitors look like ants as they ascend the steps to the top.

The boat slows and gently bobs in the water as it enters Lindos harbour, the coastline curving gently into the wide bay. The water is so clear that I can hardly wait to dive into it.

Kai takes my hand and leads me down the steps of the boat. I pop my straw hat on, and we head to one of the tavernas amongst the whitewashed buildings set back from the beach.

‘Fancy lunch or just a drink?’ Kai glances at his watch.

‘Maybe something light? I don’t want to eat too much, as I fancy a swim shortly.’

Sipping a glass of crisp white wine spritzer, Kai asks me about my life back home.

‘Not a lot to tell,’ I admit. ‘Single, jobless and a mum who has a far more exciting life than me since losing my dad.’ I smile.

‘Ouch. And sorry about your dad. Hardly surprising you have forgotten how to have fun.’ He raises an eyebrow as his eyes lock with mine.

‘Maybe I have. But this place is slowly reminding me of how to recapture that and relax. And that does not include romance.’

‘You break my heart.’ He places his hand on his chest and pulls a sad face.

‘You’ll get over it.’ I roll my eyes at him and he grins good-naturedly.

I glance around at the harbour, the couples walking hand in hand, the boats and pedalos in the distance, the fabulous holiday vibe all around and home feels like a million miles away right now.

There is no doubting Kai’s attractiveness, and the fact that I know he would be up for a bit of fun. Gosh, perhaps he’s right; maybe I have forgotten how to have fun. Although there is also the fact that Kai is clearly a womaniser, confident in his good looks. He winked at the waitress who bought our drinks, and she smiled coyly at him. My ex used to do the same thing, but it was only with hindsight that I realise he always had an eye for attractive women. Little wonder he didn’t want to put down roots.

Our food arrives, freshly caught sea bream and garlicky potatoes and green beans for Kai, fish and a Greek salad for me. The food is delicious and I eat every mouthful with a satisfied noise. After finishing my wine, I can feel my shoulders relax a little more. I resist a second drink and sip some iced water as I look forward to my swim. I picture the guy at the hotel pool who had drunk far too much before swimming. Best not to take any chances.

‘So, what’s next for you after working here for the summer?’ asks Kai as he sips some water.

‘I’m not sure. I try not to think about it too much.’

The thought of not knowing scares me, although the café in the lemon grove keeps popping into my head.

‘How about you?’ I ask him.

‘I’m thinking of Australia, mate,’ he says in an Aussie accent. ‘I have a friend over there.’

‘Why am I not surprised?’ I smile.

Our waitress returns to ask if the food was okay, and Kai tells her everything here was just perfect, as he gives her a dazzling smile and presses a ten-euro tip into her hand.

‘And if I like it, I might stay, who knows? The building trade is buoyant over there, and I am a qualified bricklayer,’ he tells me.

‘I was actually going to ask you about the builder friend you knew over here.’

‘Over here?’ He looks puzzled. ‘Why, are you going to renovate a property?’ He laughs as we stand to leave.

‘I’m thinking about it,’ I tell him as we head towards the beach.

‘You are?’ He stops in his tracks and looks at me.

I tell him all about the abandoned café in the lemon grove.