Page 10 of All You Need is Greece

‘I’ll give him road rage. He nearly bloody killed us! Fancy driving like that, on these roads,’ I rant. ‘Anyway, I only raised my fist. I could have been far more impolite.’

I’m marching towards the car, Hannah flapping her hands and telling me we might get murdered, which, although dramatic, makes me back off a little. As I slow, my anger starts to dissipate and I stop, about to turn around, when the door of the car opens and out steps the most drop-dead gorgeous man I think I have ever seen.

‘I’m so sorry,’ says the man, dressed in a light-blue suit and white shirt, holding his hands up. He has large brown eyes and a chiselled jaw, and looks as though he has just stepped off a catwalk.

‘You ought to be more careful,’ I say; my rage has completely subsided and Hannah gives me a knowing look and raises an eyebrow.

‘Of course, apologies once more,’ he says earnestly. ‘I guess I am so used to these roads being quiet. It is nice to be away from the city and be able to really drive this car.’ He gestures to his sleek, silver BMW. ‘Please, let me buy you both a drink to say sorry.’

‘Hmm. Well, we were just heading to the bar actually,’ I say nonchalantly. This guy is seriously hot.

‘And where are my manners.’ He shakes hands with us both. ‘My name is Artemis.’

SEVEN

Panos isn’t at the bar when we arrive, but a young woman is serving the few customers up here. She must be his sister, though, as she looks exactly like him. After Artemis orders our drinks – a beer for Hannah, wine for me and Artemis – the young woman brings the drinks over and introduces herself as Helena.

‘You look so much like your brother,’ I can’t help commenting. ‘We met him the other day walking the dogs.’

‘Yes. We are twins.’ She smiles.

Hannah glances around the bar, and I wonder if she is disappointed that Panos is not here this evening.

‘Where is your brother now?’ I ask, as I feel on Hannah’s behalf.

‘Just taking something to my grandmother’s house. He will be here shortly,’ she says, before disappearing back to the bar.

‘So, do you live here?’ I turn my attention to Artemis.

‘No, but my mother does and I grew up here. I came to visit her today, to bring her something.’ He takes a drink.

‘That’s very kind of you.’ Such a handsome man has such a big heart.

‘I’ve been visiting my mother more often recently, as she had a fall earlier in the year. She has been out and about a lot with her new friend, determined to live life to the fullest. Last month they went into Heraklion to watch an expensive show at a theatre.’

He looks slightly uncomfortable before continuing, ‘But I do worry that she is doing too much. And being out here… It’s nice, but she is so far from anything. I live on the other side of Hersonissos, close to the main harbour.’

‘It is a gorgeous place. I’m not sure I could live here either, though. It’s a bit too quiet for me, except for the barking!’ I say. ‘Although the rescue is the perfect place to spend a few weeks, away from everything.’

‘You are trying to get away from everything?’ He takes a sip of wine.

‘Not exactly. But they do say a change is as good as a rest.’ I’m not about to spill my guts to this guy.

‘It is quiet up here,’ says Artemis. ‘But there is plenty of action down in Hersonissos.’ He holds my gaze for a moment. ‘If you like, I could show you around sometime.’

‘Sounds good. Will your wife be joining us?’ I gesture to his wedding ring, and he lets out a deep sigh.

‘We are separated.’ He slides the gold band up and down his finger. ‘Yes, I wear the ring because I thought we might make up. But I do not think she is coming back.’ He drains the last of his drink and orders another one.

‘But you hope she will?’ Hannah asks, averting her gaze from the bar area, where she has no doubt been keeping an eye out for Panos.

‘No. Well, to be truthful I’m not sure,’ he says. ‘There have been lots of weekends away with her girlfriends lately and it seems she wants to be single again.’ He shrugs as Helena brings over his fresh glass of wine.

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for Artemis, and my mind drifts to marriages and Marco before I can stop myself.

‘Maybe it is good for me. Now I am free to talk to beautiful women whenever I please.’ He leans in closer and I can smell his expensive aftershave. ‘You have something in your hair,’ he says. Then, ‘May I?’

He extracts a leaf from my hair that had floated down from a nearby tree, and smiles. I can see how easy it would be for any woman to fall under this guy’s spell. He has such a confident way about him and there is no denying his good looks.

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