Page 76 of The Greek Café

‘Lovely,’ I tell the waiter.

He fills our glasses, as a different waiter appears with a basket filled with an assortment of breads.

‘The service here is amazing,’ I comment, as, right on cue, someone arrives to take our food order.

We enjoy our mouth-watering food; the beef in my stifado is melt-in-the-mouth, and in a rich, tangy sauce. Takis opts for a creamy moussaka, and Zeta for a sea bass in a fragrant lemon sauce with some steamed vegetables. We share a Greek salad from a bowl in the middle of the table.

‘I can’t remember the last time I came here. I had forgotten how good the food is here,’ says Takis as he tucks into his moussaka.

‘I am glad you suggested it. It is nice to see my old friend Eduardo,’ says Zeta.

‘Didn’t you date him once?’ asks Takis, a playful smile on his face.

‘Briefly, not long after his wife died,’ she confirms. ‘He wasn’t ready for a relationship. Neither of us were. But we had a nice time. And we stayed friends.’

‘You say you haven’t been here for a while,’ I say, turning to Takis. ‘So you haven’t brought any dates here?’

He places his wine glass down as Zeta gives him a sideways glance.

‘Zeta, please, as you have finished your meal, may I steal you for a moment?’ asks Eduardo, who has suddenly appeared at her side.

‘Of course. I will be right back,’ she tells us.

‘So?’ I say to Takis.

‘So what?’

‘Are you dating someone?’ I ask him directly.

‘Why are you so interested?’ he asks.

‘I was just curious.’ I shrug. ‘As I saw you with a woman in reception.’

‘Ah yes, that would be Sophia.’ He nods. ‘She works on my uncle’s boat doing tours. She is a friend, nothing more. So no, I am not dating anyone.’

‘You’re not?’ I feel relieved yet puzzled. ‘Why does Zeta seem under the impression that you have a girlfriend?’

Takis refills his glass, before ordering another bottle from a passing waiter.

‘Been talking about me, have you?’ He raises an eyebrow and I will myself not to blush.

‘Not especially.’ I shrug.

‘Maybe Zeta would like me to still be with my last girlfriend,’ he sighs.

‘So she was fond of her?’

‘My mother and Zeta are both very fond of Anna, my ex,’ he explains. ‘Admittedly, we have been on and off several times over the years, and I think people believed we would eventually settle down and marry.’

‘And you didn’t?’

‘I did want to at one time,’ he tells me honestly. ‘Maybe I convinced myself it was the right thing to do.’

‘Did you grow up in the village across the road from the café?’ I ask.

‘No, I come from a village a little further along the coast. My mother still lives there; my father has passed away,’ he tells me.

‘Sorry to hear that,’ I say. ‘And you definitely don’t want to marry Anna?’ I ask, even though I already know his views on marriage.