Page 78 of The Greek Café

I sit for a short while just taking it all in, before taking a taxi to a shop just outside Rhodes town.

Driving along the coast road, I glance at the views outside and a slow smile spreads across my face. It is hard to imagine how anyone could ever tire of this.

Arriving at the store, I wander around, looking at an assortment of pretty cushions, soft throws and colourful rugs. I am thrilled to hear that the shop offers a delivery service, and that any purchases can be dropped off later in the day. It reminds me that I really ought to be thinking about purchasing a small car.

After picking out some delightful things, including a stripy rug in shades of blue and yellow, I take myself off for a wander through some more shops. I soon spot some handmade leather sandals, and after trying on a pair, I decide to treat myself.

Back home in the late afternoon, it isn’t long before my things from the store have arrived. By the time I have set everything out, I glance around with satisfaction.

The room looks simply beautiful. The stone-coloured sofas look relaxed yet luxurious, adorned with a cream fur throw and cushions the colour of the ocean. My haul today included a small bookcase, where I can display some books and a candle. I want to take my time on the finishing touches, but I am thrilled that it already feels like home.

My bed arrives and I make it up quickly, before flopping onto it exhausted. I could have asked someone to help me assemble it, I suppose, but if I am to live here alone, then I guess I ought to get used to doing such things. Luckily, I learned quite a bit from my dad, who was quite the handyman.

I FaceTime Mum.

‘Ta-da, what do you think?’

I walk around the apartment with my camera and Mum claps her hands together in delight.

‘Oh love, it looks wonderful! Douglas, come and have a look.’

Douglas appears and nods with approval. ‘You have done a great job there, Erin; it looks lovely. Time to book a flight over there soon; what do you think?’ he asks Mum.

‘We will do it this afternoon, now that we have picked out the dates.’

‘Brilliant, I will get the room sorted at the hotel; there are plenty available.’

‘Wonderful. I can hardly wait.’

‘Me neither, Mum.’

‘And good luck with the opening day. We will be thinking of you, lots of pictures please.’

‘Of course.’

I toss and turn for a while, thinking of the things I need to do before the launch party, before I finally feel my eyes grow tired. I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow is a busy day.

I take the short walk to the village shop, purchasing some milk before I enter the café downstairs. I find Ireta and Phoebe, despite my protestations, busy cleaning and setting out the tables and chairs.

‘Thank you so much, ladies, it smells wonderful in here. I think you deserve a break.’ I lift the milk. ‘Time to have a practice with the coffee machine.’

The sleek silver machine looks nothing like the one I used at my aunt’s café, and I peer at the buttons, before I fetch the instruction booklet. I open a bag of fresh coffee beans from a box and pour them into the grinder.

There seems to be a hundred buttons, and a touchscreen that looks like it might be able to order my groceries and play music. Maybe it can.

Things start off well enough, the milk in the jug frothing gently, before making a sound like an aircraft about to take off. The foam in the jug begins to rise and overflow, before spilling over like a washing machine flooding with detergent, as it cascades onto the counter.

‘Oh dear, I’m sure that can’t be right.’ I grab at a cloth before switching the machine off.

‘I see you have not practised.’ Phoebe raises an eyebrow as she rushes to my side, a smile on her face.

‘How did you guess?’ I grab reams of blue cleaning roll and wipe up the foamy mess. ‘Although I have been rather busy. I obviously thought it was simple to do.’

‘It may look complicated, but really it isn’t,’ she says, before switching the machine back on, demonstrating how much milk to use and pressing one or two buttons.

‘I think you simply put too much milk in the jug.’ She laughs. ‘The drinks are all pre-programmed. Just press the button for the one you want.’

Eventually I serve up three delicious cappuccinos that we enjoy with a caramel biscuit.