Page 68 of The Greek Café

‘Really well. I am working at the Apollo Hotel for the time being, whilst the work is being done.’

‘Well, good luck with everything,’ says the lady as they stand to leave. ‘We will be sure to spread the word,’ she says kindly. ‘Oh, and my name is Rita, and this is John.’

‘Erin. Nice to meet you.’

I find myself thinking of snacks that I can sell at the café, along with some hot food and fillings for the paninis. I am lost in my thoughts, so don’t notice Takis until he appears at the café alone.

‘Kalispera,’ he says when he spots me. ‘May I?’ He gestures to the seat opposite.

‘Of course.’ I smile, once again feeling thrilled to see him, however much I try not to.

‘Would you like another drink?’

I accept his offer, and we are soon seated with ice-cold beers.

‘I can’t believe how warm it is,’ I tell him. ‘I almost feel like diving back into the water.’

‘And it is set to get warmer.’ He sips his drink. ‘So where is your friend this evening?’ He glances about.

‘Do you mean Kai?’

‘Yes. You seem to spend a lot of time together,’ he comments.

‘Have you been spying on me?’ I joke.

‘Of course not,’ he says a little tersely.

‘I’m kidding. Me and Kai spend a lot of our down time together after our shifts.’

‘So I noticed.’

I resist the urge to ask him what he means. Instead, I ask him about how his day has been, trying to ignore the crackling of electricity between us that I’m sure I’m not imagining.

‘Long,’ he says. ‘I have literally just finished, returning a couple from an evening cruise,’ he tells me as he takes a long gulp of his beer. ‘The guy proposed at Kalithea Springs. I had the champagne on ice ready on the boat.’

‘I take it she said yes then.’

‘She did.’ He smiles. ‘I suppose some people still believe in marriage.’

‘And you don’t?’

‘Not especially.’ He shrugs. ‘I have seen too many miserable marriages.’ He takes a sip of his beer.

‘That is rather a cynical view. I have witnessed a lot of happy marriages.’

I think of my parents and how happy they were until the day my dad died. And Mel and Mitch, childhood sweethearts who still adore each other.

Just then, Takis’s phone rings. He mutes the call and a few seconds later he taps out a message.

‘Nothing important?’ I ask.

‘Nothing that cannot wait. I see the café is almost finished. It’s looking good.’

‘Thanks. I still can’t believe that in a few short weeks it will be my home. My furniture is arriving just before the opening, then I will collect the things from the hotel for the café.’

‘I can give you a hand with that if you like?’ he offers.

‘Thanks. Your aunt has been very helpful with everything, from my business tax number to purchasing equipment. I can’t thank her enough, but for now, do you know a good florist?’