Page 70 of The Greek Café

‘Too true. I’m definitely in there with one of the ladies. Catch you later.’

I glance at my watch as I finish my orange juice. Fifteen minutes until the kids’ pool opens.

‘Busy morning I, see?’ Takis glances at the empty pool.

‘It’s early,’ I remind him, although in fact there are fewer numbers of children in the pool as we ease our way out of the busiest month of the holiday season and children have drifted back to school.

‘This is the calm before the storm,’ I tell him. ‘I am mentally preparing myself.’

Takis is wearing navy shorts and a white T-shirt that hugs him in all the right places. Do his shoulders look even broader today? Sunglasses on, he looks so good I wish I could be out on the open water with him in his boat, rather than up a ladder watching over an empty pool.

‘Well, don’t work too hard,’ he teases as he walks away. ‘See you later.’

He doesn’t mention the evening out with Zeta and despite myself, I can’t help feeling disappointed.

As it is so quiet, for now at least, I pull my phone from my pocket and order a beautiful bouquet for Zeta.

As I put my phone away a family heads towards me with two excited-looking toddlers carrying a crocodile and flamingo lifesaver respectively. I plaster a huge smile on my face and say good morning to the adorable-looking family.

I can’t help but think of Takis and his comment about married life. Maybe he has just truly never met the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Yet didn’t Zeta say that he was saving for a future with his girlfriend? I guess these days that doesn’t necessarily mean marriage though.

I have an early evening swim before I retire to my room and read. It is a little after seven when I receive a phone call from Athena. My heart stops when I hear what she has to say.

‘I’m on my way,’ I say, dropping my book onto the outside table.

‘You think it was kids?’ I sigh as I eye the broken window and the smashed glass over the floor inside the café. Athena had noticed it when she was going for an evening walk.

‘I am not sure. I don’t think it would be children from the village,’ Athena says. ‘They are excited for the café to open.’

‘Yes, I got that impression,’ I say, thinking of the chats with the boys on the bikes.

‘It may have been people passing through. Maybe even an accident, someone throwing stones that caught the glass, or perhaps a ball?’

‘I guess so,’ I say as I open the door to the café. Athena helps me to clear up the glass and dispose of it as I have a look around. Nothing inside has been disturbed, although there isn’t anything that could be taken. It seems Zeta was right about not leaving anything of any value in the café before the opening day.

‘Please don’t worry,’ says Athena. ‘I am certain it was an accident; everyone I know is excited to see the café open once more.’

‘Thanks, Athena, that reassures me.’

I call Jack, who says he can be here within an hour to replace the pane of glass.

Ireta arrives and reinforces what Athena has told me.

‘Perhaps I should think about installing an alarm,’ I say.

‘It is usually peaceful here,’ says Ireta. ‘I never had any problems when I had the kafenion, but I suppose an alarm will give you peace of mind.’

I try not to feel anxious about the incident. It was probably an accident, as everything else, including the lovely plants in the rear of the garden, are undisturbed.

Jack arrives and swiftly replaces the glass.

‘Probably kids,’ says Jack. ‘And more than likely an accident. I bet they scarpered when the window cracked.’

‘That seems to be the general opinion,’ I tell him. ‘Thanks for coming over so quickly.’

‘Not a problem. Oh, and I have arranged to take my wife out tomorrow evening,’ he tells me as he packs away his tools.

‘That’s lovely, Jack. And don’t forget to pop in when the café is open. The drinks are on me, of course.’