Page 81 of The Greek Café

‘Yes. I would like that. Efcharisto, thank you,’ he says warmly.

‘Okay, and spread the word to any other budding musicians.’

I feel happy to give this young man an audience that may build his experience. I will make sure Ireta spreads the word too. Maybe, eventually, he could get gigs in the town bars when he gets more practice. It might even be the beginning of a musical career. I guess we all have to start somewhere.

I tell Phoebe I am nipping upstairs for a moment with Zeta, when the door opens and in walks Takis.

He scans the room and waves when he spots me.

‘Takis, you came.’ I smile broadly.

‘I was determined not to miss the big day.’ He returns my smile.

He kisses me on both cheeks, and I can feel the eyes of the villagers on us. Mainly the women I notice, which is hardly surprising. When he walked through that door in his chinos and crumpled white linen shirt, I half expected to hear a choir of angels. It was as if everyone in the café had paused to look at him. The sleeves on his shirt are rolled up halfway, showing off his strong forearms. He is a delight to behold.

‘My darling Takis.’

Zeta greets her nephew with a kiss, as Phoebe approaches and offers him a drink.

He accepts a glass of chilled Prosecco.

‘I was about to show Zeta upstairs,’ I tell him. ‘You are welcome to join us.’

‘Lead the way.’

‘You have very good taste,’ says Zeta as I show her and Takis around.

‘Thank you. And your gift will take pride of place here.’

I place the vase on my blonde wooden unit, its shades of stone and blue with a swirl of yellow matching the décor perfectly.

‘I agree,’ says Takis, leaning on a door frame and taking in the king-sized bed in my bedroom. ‘It looks really good.’

Watching him staring at my bed has my face flushing.

‘I will miss you working at the hotel,’ says Zeta kindly after I have shown her around.

‘I will miss it too. Unless I am so busy in the café, I won’t have a chance to think. I can but hope.’

‘Thank you for showing me your apartment, Erin; it looks wonderful – please don’t be a stranger at the hotel.’

‘Of course I won’t.’

We head downstairs and Zeta tells me she will head back to the hotel.

‘I don’t think some of the village women really want me here, judging by some of the looks I received.’

‘You noticed? I was wondering if you might have upset someone.’ I raise an eyebrow.

I had observed some of the women looking Zeta up and down, and whispering to each other behind their hands.

‘Just the usual jealousy,’ she tells me. ‘Maybe because half of the men in the village wanted to marry me when I was younger.’ She laughs. ‘But I had no desire to marry. They still feel threatened, although I can’t think why.’ She smiles as she passes a mirror and pats her immaculately styled hair, before touching up her lipstick.

She takes the short drive back to the hotel, and I cannot help but smile when I head back inside the café.

‘Thank you for coming today, Takis, I appreciate it. Can I get you something to eat before it disappears?’

I am happy that the food is going down really well.