Page 24 of All You Need is Greece

‘And I appreciate you looking out for me, I really do. But I’m not planning on falling for him. As I say, I’m recently single myself. It just feels nice to dress up and be taken out.’

‘Of course. I understand that. I’m glad we had this little chat.’

Judith is so lovely. Already I can tell she is the type of person you could confide in and tell just about anything, and it would go no further. Tania is so lucky to have her as an aunt. I would have loved an aunt like her to talk to when I was growing up, especially as Mum had her own problems and wasn’t always present.

My thoughts turn to the drive to the restaurant in the hills that Artemis suggested, up near the monastery. Would it be wise to carry on seeing him? I wonder. I think about it, but ultimately decide that a friendship between us can’t do any harm. And the more time I spend with other people, the less my head is filled with thoughts of Marco. And that can only be a good thing.

The next day, the sun is shining once more and Artemis calls me to confirm if I would like to take a drive to the restaurant near the monastery this evening.

‘Do you think we should?’ I ask him, getting straight to the point about his very recent split. ‘As you are so recently separated. I don’t want to be implicated as the other woman in a divorce case.’

He’s quiet for a minute before he speaks. ‘Maybe it will not come to that. Things are complicated between me and my wife.’

‘So you complicate things even more, by taking me out?’

He lets out a deep sigh. ‘I can understand your concern but I really think, this time, my wife and I will stay apart. We are not good for each other.’

‘Then you must understand, I’m not looking for romance. It’s only fair I get that out in the open right now.’

‘Me neither. And maybe I would be a fool to jump into a new relationship too. But I do enjoy your company,’ he tells me honestly. ‘Is there anything wrong with that, if we are both free? Besides, I really want to try the restaurant. I have heard many good things about it.’

I stop myself from asking whether he can afford it, given what Judith told me about his financial situation. I will make sure we split the bill.

‘Well, alright. Maybe you could do with a female friend, maybe even a little advice. Not that I’m really qualified for that.’

‘Any ladies in my life tend not to be friends,’ he says, and I can imagine him grinning at the other end of the phone.

‘Well, maybe it’s time to change that.’

‘I will collect you at seven thirty.’

‘Okay, see you later.’

The day passes with its usual routines; the sun shines in the sky, beaming down on us as we work hard and walk the dogs. I’m told the winters here can be quite cool in the hills, but it can get extremely hot in the summer months. Judith told me the temperature in early August this year was stifling. Apparently, there had even been a fire at the rescue due to the heat started by a campfire that was abandoned. Some of the volunteers helped to get things in order, rebuilding the donkey shelter, and Lars it seems paid for the wood, which Judith was truly grateful for.

Artemis arrives at seven thirty to collect me as arranged, and exchanges pleasantries with Judith outside, as she is just returning from Tania’s house.

‘I am not sure Judith thinks much of me,’ says Artemis as we sit in the car about to leave.

‘I can’t imagine Judith thinking badly of anyone,’ I say in her defence, as she is such a wonderful person, and has been so kind to me already. ‘Maybe she is just looking out for me, she probably knows about your on-off relationship with your wife. She is your mother’s friend after all,’ I remind him.

‘That could be true,’ he muses. ‘Although I am sure my marriage is definitely over this time. The longer we are apart, I have no desire to be with her again.’

As we drive, I glance up at the vast granite monastery that is bathed in soft, golden sunlight and watching over the valley like a beacon in the sky. Olive trees stand in straight rows sloping down the hills, with nothing else in sight, apart from the odd farmhouse dotted about.

After a while, the landscape changes to smoother roads and taller, softer trees and village houses appear, some with goats or chickens in the garden. As we climb even higher into the hills, with a landscape of nothing but olive trees once more, we approach a white building with a sign outside that tells us we have arrived at the Olive Garden restaurant, beneath the monastery. We approach the tall, black-metal gates, and announce our arrival at an intercom and the gates are opened, allowing us into the gravelled car park. The entrance to the building is strung with fairy lights, and even from outside it looks expensive.

‘Wow, this place looks amazing,’ I say as we park up, and I take everything in.

‘So do you,’ he says, his eyes flicking over my short floral dress, my long chestnut hair let loose this evening.

The courtyard is dotted with pots of colourful flowers and tall grasses in terracotta pots.

Inside, the restaurant is plainly furnished yet stylish, with lit candles in black sconces displayed on white rough stone walls. Colourful artwork adorns some of the walls, adding a touch of modern to the traditional décor, dark beams across the ceiling. A friendly waiter shows us to a table near a window that gives a beautiful view across the valley below. I spot the church in the distance and can make out the tiny squares of pastel houses clinging to the hillside in the village.

‘It’s really lovely here. I hope the food is just as good,’ I say, feeling suddenly famished. It has been such a busy day I barely stopped for lunch, just grabbing some fruit with a little yoghurt.

Artemis orders some bottled water and a glass each of a nice Merlot.

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