Page 63 of The Greek Café

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Takis heading this way. He stops in his tracks when he sees us in an embrace, then turns back towards the hotel.

After my shower, I sit and read for a while when Zeta sends me a message asking how I am and if I am still up for visiting the wholesalers with her tomorrow rather than today. I tap out a reply telling her I am looking forward to it. I also think of Mum and how she has also recently had a fall. Best I don’t tell her about my tumble though. I don’t want to worry her. It also highlights to me that living alone means I need some friends here I can call upon. Although I am quickly learning that there is a lovely community feel here; I am thrilled to be slowly becoming a part of it.

THIRTY-TWO

On the outskirts of town, we head into a cavernous showroom. Zeta advises on the coffee machine that is used at the hotel, despite an enthusiastic salesperson attempting to sell me one that costs one thousand euros more. I feel a tingle of excitement as I pile a trolley with a panini maker, a soup maker for the cooler weather and some stylish grey crockery. A lot of the smaller items I need, I can order online.

‘You are welcome to store your things at the hotel until you open,’ Zeta offers kindly as we head to her large car. ‘In case of break-ins.’

‘Thank you, Zeta, that makes perfect sense. Better to keep temptation out of the way, I suppose.’

We drive back to the hotel along the coast road, passing strips of beach and gentle waves of foam crashing onto the beach.

The beaches are almost deserted apart from a person here and there, stretched out on a towel, or having a picnic beneath the shade of a tree. I spot an elderly Greek man heading towards the water for a swim and smile when I think I will be spending my free time doing the same thing.

It’s a serene and relaxing scene and a far cry from the bustling tourist beaches, lined with sun loungers and busy beach bars.

It’s August now and the intense heat of the afternoon sun means the pool will be filled with swimmers back at the hotel. We are also well into the school holidays, which means things are busier than ever. Much as I am enjoying my work at the hotel, I am longing for quieter times watching the sunsets, drinking chilled wine and reading my favourite books at the end of the day.

It is late evening when I spot Phoebe enjoying a cold drink at the hotel bar.

‘Phoebe, hi. It isn’t often we see you in here,’ I say.

‘Kalispera, Erin. I was hoping I would run into you. I am about to see Zeta. About a job.’

‘A job?’

‘Yes, here at the hotel,’ she tells me. ‘I cannot stand the café in Rhodes for a minute longer.’ She sighs.

‘Gosh, are things that bad?’

‘Awful. I barely have time for a break, and my boss, she does not treat me right,’ she says angrily.

‘Oh dear, that’s not good.’

‘Do you know, yesterday she told me to take two hours away from the café to look after her daughter.’

‘And I am guessing that isn’t in your job description?’

‘You guessed right. And her daughter is a spoiled brat.’ She shakes her head. ‘And this morning, she had me lifting five-litre bottles of oil into the café from the storeroom, because her husband had gone missing. He is always off somewhere.’

‘That’s not right; you could injure yourself,’ I say, thinking of how easily that can happen. Thankfully I am none the worse after my tumble yesterday, and my back is holding up well.

‘Exactly. Anyway, I told her how I felt and she laughed. Laughed! I walked out in the middle of a very busy service. The smile soon vanished from her face,’ she says with satisfaction.

‘Let’s hope you get the job here then. Good luck.’

‘Thanks.’

Right on cue, Zeta walks past and calls Phoebe into her office.

‘See you later?’

‘Sure, I’ll wait around. We can have a drink together.’

I take the time to have a chat with Mum, who is walking much better now.

‘It’s been lovely having Douglas here,’ she tells me. ‘I have been proper spoiled, waited on hand and foot. I might even pretend my ankle is bad for a little longer.’