Page 5 of The Greek Café

I briefly think of James then, and the moonlit walks we would take together along the sand as the sun began its descent. Maybe the beauty of Rhodes can fully heal the heart that was broken after I was last there.

I walk with her as far as the shops on the small high street, realising I need to buy some sunscreen. It costs a fortune abroad.

Mel suddenly stops at a bakery and gazes in the window at a huge sticky bun filled with cream. They are the last of the day’s bakes and have been discounted in price.

‘I could eat one of those before I get home,’ Mel says wickedly. ‘I have stopped buying treats at home in order to avoid temptation.’

‘Isn’t it rather defeating the object if you eat them when you go out?’ I tease. ‘Although it can be our little secret.’ I wink.

She heads inside and reappears with a bag containing four of the delectable-looking buns for herself and her family, as I had declined the offer of a cake.

I suddenly find myself thinking of Greek orange honey cake, and squares of sticky baklava from local bakeries and it makes my mouth water. I am really doing this and even though my stomach still churns slightly at the thought of travelling alone, my Greek adventure awaits.

I’m nervous to return, worried that how it ended with James will have spoiled the place for me, but I intend to try and fully embrace it.

FIVE

I nip over to say goodbye to Mum on the morning of my flight, after confirming details of my arrival with the hotel manager. Zeta was thrilled that I would be heading over so quickly.

Mum hugs me and tells me to have a safe trip and that she’s pleased to see me going off having an adventure.

‘It will do you the world of good getting away for a while and Greece is such a wonderful place.’ She sighs.

‘You’ve been to Greece?’ I ask Mum in surprise. We had a couple of trips to the South of France when I was a kid, but our holidays were mainly to the Yorkshire coast in a caravan park.

‘Yes.’ She smiles as she recalls a memory. ‘With a group of girlfriends. I thought I had told you that before.’ She looks puzzled.

Maybe she did mention it fleetingly, although I don’t remember a conversation about it. Mum has never spoken much of her life before Dad, but then, I don’t suppose I have ever really asked.

‘I bet Rhodes has changed a lot since I went,’ she says with a sigh. ‘I stayed in a tiny hotel near a beach and the village had just two tavernas. The staff there did Greek dancing and tried their best to entertain us. Especially Alexandro,’ she says, with a faraway look in her eyes.

‘Oh, Alexandro, was it?’ I raise an eyebrow.

‘Yes.’ She smiles. ‘He took a bit of a shine to me, but it seems he was expected to marry a local girl,’ she reveals. ‘I got the feeling he was under pressure to marry as their mutual families were great friends.’

‘So, you had a holiday romance?’ I tease.

‘Not even that really, although we did go for a moonlight walk one evening along the beach and shared a kiss,’ she tells me. ‘He told me he would never forget me, but his life was there, and mine was here. If he hadn’t been expected to marry someone else, I may even have been tempted to stay in Greece,’ she says wistfully. Then she smiles. ‘And the following year I met your father. I think of Alexandro from time to time, and hope he ended up as happy as I did.’

‘Do you ever regret not staying?’

Mum laughs. ‘It was a bit of a one-horse town, to be honest. In fact, not even that; it was just a village. I’m sure I would have grown bored soon enough, and the novelty would have worn off. Besides, your dad was the one for me, so it seems my life was never meant to be in Greece,’ she told me firmly.

‘And I don’t suppose I would be here if you hadn’t met Dad,’ I note.

‘Exactly.’ She reaches over and squeezes my hand.

It makes me think of those sliding door moments in life, and how things can end up on a completely different trajectory, based on one decision. Mum is probably right though. She has always enjoyed being sociable and trying new things. I don’t think she would have settled in the village, despite the apparent charms of Alexandro.

I’m enjoying our chat, but soon enough the doorbell rings and Douglas arrives to collect her and take her to the theatre to watch The Phantom of the Opera. They drop me back home as it’s on the way and I check and double check my bag and passport, trying not to acknowledge the feeling of nerves dancing around in my tummy.

I’m pleased Mum won’t miss me too much, which is largely down to Douglas, of course. I’m happy she found a companion after Dad died, as I would hate the thought of her feeling lonely. I know he won’t replace Dad, but it’s lovely for her to have someone to meet up with socially. I also realise that we sometimes forgot our parents had a life before marriage and kids, and I resolve to talk to her more about her early life. I’m sure she has many stories to tell.

As I drop a bikini into my case, along with several other swimming costumes, I think of how – while Mum and her friendship with Douglas is more a friendly companionship than romantic relationship – we can make friends at any age, if we are open to it, and that means love can find us too when we least expect it.

Truthfully, though, I am not sure I can be bothered with the potential heartache of becoming involved with someone again. I thought my ex wanted the same things as I did; he gave a good impression of that being the case – in the early months at least. He went cold when I suggested he move in with me. I mean, he didn’t have to commit to buying a place together, but he clearly didn’t even fancy taking the next step. He broke my heart, as I truly thought he was the one, even after he didn’t pop the question in Rhodes. When he dumped me, it really pulled the rug out from under me.

After we parted ways, I refused to get that close to anyone again. Maybe this opportunity has come along at exactly the right time and given me the chance to get back to my old self rather than just going through the motions.