Page 41 of The Greek Café

‘Anyway, I think the more you travel, it becomes harder to settle down. I am finding that already,’ says Summer. ‘Hardly the foundation for building a relationship.’

‘I get that,’ I tell her. ‘But you are so much younger than me. Maybe nature tells us when it’s time to think about settling down and putting down roots.’

‘When the biological clock starts ticking, you mean?’

‘I’m not sure,’ I admit. ‘Mine’s ticking away like a time bomb, yet here I am embarking on a new adventure. I guess life just happens.’

I imagine Takis would have the most gorgeous-looking kids. Gosh, what is wrong with me?

‘Maybe you’re right. I definitely think that things come to us when the time is right.’

The crowd bursts into thunderous applause when Kai finishes his set. Even the younger audience members put their phones down and join in the clapping.

‘Well, that went down a storm,’ I tell him when he joins us at the bar and orders a beer that is quickly placed in front of him.

‘Thanks,’ says Kai, as he takes a glug of the bottled beer. ‘Do you fancy a little less conversation, and a little more action then?’ He winks and Summer and I simultaneously groan.

‘Why, are you lonesome tonight?’ I ask.

Summer giggles. ‘You have got me all shook up.’

‘I can’t help falling in love,’ says Kai.

‘Let’s hope you don’t get hurt. This is the Apollo, not Heartbreak Hotel,’ I say and we crease up with laughter.

We exhaust the Elvis jokes, before we head off to our respective accommodation. Before that, though, I take myself outside to a quiet area of the hotel that has tables and chairs overlooking an ornamental lake. It is still pleasant even though it is after ten, the summer evenings becoming increasingly warmer as the days go by. I find myself looking up at the sky that is studded with white stars and feel lucky to be here. I am looking forward to my day off the day after tomorrow to head out on the boat with Takis. I wonder if he might give me some input on the café renovation – maybe even lend a hand? But perhaps that is a ridiculous notion.

TWENTY-THREE

I find Jack and his team plastering the walls of the café downstairs, when I arrive at the site on my lunch break the following day. By the end of the week, work will start on the replacement windows. I have it in my plans to have shuttered windows downstairs, painted in the traditional cerulean blue.

‘Morning, guys, I thought you might like come coffee. Frappes, of course.’ Just before noon, the sun is already hot.

I also have a selection of croissants and chocolate cake left over from the breakfast buffet.

‘Perfect timing,’ says Jack, placing his trowel down. His two Greek workers thank me politely.

‘We are literally finishing up here in ten minutes. When the plaster has dried, we can do a blasting of the floor. I take it you won’t want this covering up,’ he says, tapping his foot on the tiled floor.

The large terracotta tiles are perfect for a café, so it will just need a good clean to spruce up the stained areas and discoloured grout.

‘Yes, I think the tiled floor will be very practical,’ I tell Jack. ‘It should be fine after a jet wash.’

I can already picture the café open for business, as the work downstairs is quite minimal. A new customer toilet will be added, along with the windows. Other than that, it will barely need more than a lick of paint. And of course, the kitchen equipment, to include the all-important coffee machine.

I will take my time over my accommodation upstairs. I can’t wait to shop for beautiful things to create my own little sanctuary in the lemon grove.

I walk outside and breathe deeply, and as I listen to the sound of birdsong all around me, I visualise waking up each morning to the same delightful chorus.

‘We will be back in a few days,’ says Jack when I prepare to head back to the hotel. ‘We are finishing up on a villa extension a few miles from here. Cheers for the breakfast, love.’

I watch them leave, walking to their truck parked in a layby just off the forest path. The tyre tracks from the small digger have been smoothed over after the garden work.

A couple of teenagers on bikes cycle past, and one of them points to the building and says ‘kafenion’ to his friend. I wonder if they are locals and remember the café when Ireta had it? Perhaps they met up with their friends there. Maybe I will sell milkshakes and pancakes to appeal to the younger population in the village. Other than the hotel, which they don’t frequent, there is little else in the area around the village. I feel proud to maybe add a little something for the locals to enjoy. If everything goes according to plan.

I have an uneventful but busy afternoon at the hotel, and soon enough I am waking up the next morning to the sun once more bathing my bedroom in light. I follow my usual routine of make myself a coffee and taking it outside to enjoy on my balcony.

I shower and dress, ready to head downstairs and meet Takis in the lobby at ten o’clock. I am considering grabbing something from the buffet, when I spot Takis in reception, and I catch my breath. At his side is a cooler bag.