Page 95 of The Greek Café

‘I do actually.’

As we raise our glasses to Phoebe and Nicos, and to romance, I feel that love really is in the air this evening. And not just in a romantic sense. I have come to love everyone seated around this table.

Phoebe and Nicos walk home with Ireta to the village, and after walking Zeta back to the hotel, Takis and I stroll hand in hand through the lemon grove.

‘It really is beautiful here, isn’t it?’ I say, peering up at the white stars in an indigo sky.

‘Almost as beautiful as you,’ says Takis.

‘That is a bit cheesy.’ I laugh.

‘Still true,’ he insists.

‘Are you happy?’ he asks as we stop to admire the stars.

‘I am. And very content. When I came here to work, I never thought I would end up buying a café.’

‘I am so glad it was you and not me! But I hope that isn’t the only thing that has made you happy.’

‘There may just be another reason,’ I say as he moves closer. ‘I really do like moussaka.’

As we stand there, sharing kisses beneath the moonlight, I feel like I have come home.

‘So, do you think we have a future together?’ he asks as we enjoy the quiet. All is silent, except for the sound of the cicadas that I have grown to love.

‘I would like to think so,’ I say. ‘In fact, I would love that. But as a friend once said to me, for now, let’s just go with the flow.’

‘That is good enough for me. At least for the time being,’ says Takis, before his lips meet mine once more.

EPILOGUE

A FEW WEEKS LATER

‘This is a bit special,’ says Mum as she glances round the interior of Aphrodite’s restaurant.

‘Only the best for you, Mum. And it is your birthday next week, so call it an early celebration,’ I say.

Mum and Douglas have settled into the Apollo and have been blessed with sunny weather that is just the right temperature for Mum.

Mel is here for her long weekend too, and we spent yesterday out on Takis’s boat as he showed us the sights. Mum and Douglas enjoyed a day around the pool, reading their books and chatting with Zeta.

‘He is so fit,’ Mel said as we ate dinner last night at a taverna in Rhodes town. ‘And a nice guy too. Is that a red flag?’ She giggled as we sipped our wine. ‘Could he be too good to be true?’

‘He is definitely not perfect,’ I told her. ‘I have seen him trying to parallel park.’

As I take my seat at Aphrodite’s with Takis, Mum, Douglas and Mel, I feel incredibly blessed. It feels as though I have two families now, one here in Greece and one back home.

‘So, what are your plans for tomorrow?’ I ask Mum as we place our food order.

‘We were thinking of maybe paragliding,’ she tells me.

‘Oh, Mum, really?’

‘No, not really.’ She chuckles. ‘We are going to have a look around Rhodes old town and have some lunch. Is that gentle enough for you?’

‘It is.’ I grin.

I think of the day I explored the mediaeval old streets with Summer, and I cannot help but smile.