Page 89 of The Greek Café

The young man steps into the café and when he spots Phoebe, his relief is obvious.

‘Nicos,’ she says, a shocked expression on her face. ‘I did not expect to see you here.’

‘Are you okay?’ he asks her.

‘Yes, I am fine. What are you doing here?’

‘I saw you leave the village earlier, but not returning. And then the storm started,’ he says quietly.

‘Were you watching me?’

‘Not exactly.’ He shakes his head. ‘I was working outside, bringing some things into the garage. I saw you across the road, carrying a bottle of wine.’

‘Did you think I was lying somewhere drunk?’ She half smiles.

‘I don’t know what I thought. It is very bad out there. I was worried about you.’

His eyes meet hers, and I glance at Takis.

‘I think you two need to talk,’ I say. ‘Takis, would you like to take a drink upstairs?’

I almost stumble on the wet stairs in my haste to escape the rain, and Takis takes hold of my arm.

‘We do not need any more accidents today,’ he tells me. His touch ignites something in me once more, as I have come to expect.

I push the key in the door and invite Takis to sit down.

‘Hang on.’ I place a furry throw on the sofa first. His top half is dry from his weatherproof jacket, but his jeans are soaked.

‘I’m sorry, I don’t have any men’s clothes here. But would you like to borrow a pair of my lounge pants?’

‘Do you think they would fit?’ he asks doubtfully.

‘I buy them quite large. I like them roomy, for those evenings I indulge in a pizza,’ I let slip.

I hand him the sweatpants and he heads into the bathroom to change. He emerges a few minutes later, looking much more comfortable.

‘Maybe they are not quite your colour,’ I say, smiling at him wearing the pale-pink pants.

‘Oh, I don’t know,’ he says, grinning. ‘And they do say real men are not afraid to wear pink. It looks as good as I remember in here,’ he adds, glancing around. ‘You really do have good taste.’

‘Thank you.’

‘And I love the view from that window in the daylight hours.’

‘It’s amazing, isn’t it? I am looking forward to seeing it change throughout the seasons.’

I take a seat on the sofa next to him, and we quietly gaze out of the window, sipping our ouzo, watching the occasional lightning flash light up the sky.

I have lit my one and only large church candle and we sit watching the light flicker, casting shadows on the wall. Outside the sky lights up with another flash of lightning, but it feels like the storm might be subsiding.

‘Are you alright?’ I ask Takis gently. ‘That was very brave of you today, including climbing onto the roof.’

‘You are welcome. Sorry I got a bit distracted at the beach.’

‘There is no need to apologise. You were a huge help. I am not sure we could have managed without you.’

He takes a sip of his ouzo.