Page 25 of All You Need is Greece

‘You never really told me much about yourself, as I recall.’ Artemis fixes me with his deep brown eyes. ‘Only that you were single.’

‘What would you like to know?’ I ask.

‘I’m not sure. What interests you?’

A waiter arrives then with our drinks and some bread in a basket.

‘I’m not sure I have a lot of interests. I’ve been thinking about that recently, actually, especially as I seem to be surrounded by talented people at the rescue.’ I take a sip of the delicious red wine, before diving into the topic I’ve held off on a little with him. ‘I was engaged, up until recently. I was content enough with my job, my home and being with my fiancé. Gosh, that makes me sound really dull.’ I laugh.

‘Not at all. So you were engaged? What happened?’ He takes a piece of bread and butters it.

‘I’m not sure. I thought being engaged would lead to settling down and getting married, but it appears my fiancé had other ideas.’

Suddenly I’m telling him how much I wanted marriage, and how Marco is so firmly against it.

‘Yet he bought you a ring?’ He frowns slightly.

‘I know. Figure that one out. Although maybe he did mean it at the time, and just went cold on the idea after a while. I suppose that can happen.’

‘And there was definitely no one else involved?’

‘No. At least I don’t think so.’ I frown.

That thought had never really occurred to me, yet he does meet lots of women at the restaurant. But no, surely not. It was me who broke things off, and Marco seemed heartbroken when I did. It was always a mystery to me why Marco was so set against marriage, given that his own parents had been happily married for thirty-five years.

‘Well, I am a great believer in things working out just the way they should if they are meant to be.’ He raises his glass and I do the same.

‘Cheers to that. And to happy ever afters.’

We dine on the most delicious casserole, rich with red wine and herbs and crunchy oregano roasted potatoes. We finish with coffee and a delicious custard pie, called agalaktoboureko, drizzled with syrup.

At the end of the meal, I offer to split the bill but Artemis won’t hear of it.

‘But it’s pretty expensive,’ I protest, but he urges me to put my money away.

‘Really, I insist. Maybe I have a little more money now that I am no longer married. My wife liked to spend a lot,’ he says, as he settles the bill and we head out of the restaurant.

It’s just after ten thirty when we drive home, the full moon casting a gentle glow over olive groves and a feeling of peace and serenity. Under any other circumstances, I would be thrilled to have enjoyed such a lovely evening, anticipating how the night might end. I’m not sure why I feel that can’t happen. I’m single after all but Judith’s comments have given me doubts. And I feel a strange loyalty towards Marco, especially since I opened up about things to Artemis, which is ridiculous, I know.

‘You are quiet. Are you okay?’ asks Artemis, piercing my thoughts.

‘Yes, I’m fine, really. I’m just thinking of how different it is here. It’s so peaceful,’ I say, not wanting to ruin the evening talking about my ex.

The road home after an evening out back home has the sound of noisy traffic and party revellers, the smell of fast-food restaurants drifting onto the pavements. Here, there is barely a sound.

Outside the rescue, Artemis opens the car door for me, and we stand outside beneath the stars.

‘I had a lovely evening, thank you. That restaurant really was wonderful,’ I tell him.

‘So did I.Kalinychta, Beth. I hope to see you again.’ He kisses me lightly on the cheek.

‘I hope so too. And next time, no arguments, I’m paying,’ I tell him firmly.

‘So there will be a next time?’

‘If you like.’

‘I like. See you soon.’ He smiles, and then he’s gone.

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