Page 31 of All You Need is Greece

‘Breakout?’ Hannah looks puzzled.

‘Do you mean breakthrough?’ I suggest.

‘Yes, yes, breakthrough. It is the first time she has been out in a long time.’

‘Well, that’s just wonderful. Let’s hope it is the start of her recovery, getting out and about again,’ I say.

‘I hope so.’

‘We usually have a break for lunch around one,’ says Hannah, getting back to the subject of going for a walk tomorrow with Panos.

‘About twenty minutes away, on a road to Koutouloufari, there is a kiosk that makes the best pancakes. With fruit and cream. Maybe it will make up for the cheesecake.’

‘Even though Tania has offered to make you one?’ Hannah reminds him.

‘Maybe I just like desserts.’ He smiles.

‘Okay, thanks. I look forward to it.’

I say goodnight to Panos, and head inside, leaving him and Hannah alone for a moment. A short while later, I’m in the kitchen getting some water, when she enters, grinning from ear to ear.

In bed that evening, I glance out of my window and stare at the stars in the navy night sky. I tell myself I’m happy enough on my own, and of course I am, I don’t need a man to make me happy. Seeing all the couples here, though, I realise how much Marco and I worked together. We laughed, we loved, and on this beautiful evening under the bright moon, I miss him. I find myself reaching for my phone and tapping out a reply to his message.

I miss you too. Xx

SEVENTEEN

I’ve been at the rescue for just over a week and the days have fallen into an easy routine. I love being here with the animals and just wish I could take the little white terrier home with me, but I couldn’t afford all the legalities and transport costs and remind myself I am not allowed a dog in the apartment anyway.

It’s just after eight next morning and Judith is carrying a bale of straw towards the donkey shelter. The smell of disinfectant lingers in the air, as we have not long sluiced down the whole of the concrete areas around the rescue.

‘Where on earth has that man disappeared to now?’ says Judith, glancing around looking for Lars, who it seems has gone missing once again without telling Judith where he was going. Recalling the day that I saw him and Doll climbing out of the car, and entering the rescue using different routes, I glance around for Doll, but she is nowhere to be seen either. I stop myself from saying anything, as there is probably a very simple explanation.

‘Maybe Doll went with him to the shop at the bottom of the hill,’ suggests Michael.

‘Oh,’ says Judith, looking unsurprisingly a little puzzled. ‘He usually asks if we need anything when he pops to the shops.’

‘I’m not sure either of them have, I’m just assuming.’ Michael shrugs. ‘She does this at home sometimes, just vanishes. I’m sure they will rock up soon.’ He smiles, unconcerned, even though it seems a little strange just to go off unannounced.

Michael doesn’t seem to be the slightest bit perturbed that Doll might have gone off to the shops with Lars, or indeed somewhere else, so perhaps I had better rein in my inner Miss Marple.

I don’t have time to dwell on that, though, as there is lots of work to be done.

Half an hour later, a car pulls up and out step Lars and Doll, carrying two bags of shopping.

‘There you are.’ Judith gives a smile that I perceive to be a little strained. ‘I wondered where you had got to.’

‘I am sorry, my love.’ Lars kisses Judith on the cheek. ‘You were on the phone when I left, but I did ask Hannah to tell you I had gone to the village for some feta and olives. I also got some more fruit, I noticed the fruit bowl was looking a little empty.’

‘And I went to get some of these.’ Doll pulls out some bags of sweets. ‘I’ve been craving them, as I’ve been off the sugar for a while and I never even got to eat any of that cheesecake.’

I exchange a glance with Hannah, who has just joined us. Luckily Doll hasn’t discovered what became of her cheesecake.

‘I got extra for us all to share.’ Doll smiles, holding up two large bags of mixed jellies.

‘Ooh, Jelly Babies,’ says Hannah. ‘Gosh, Judith, I’m so sorry. I was meant to tell you Lars had gone out shopping,’ she continues, suddenly remembering she was supposed to pass on a message.

‘No harm done,’ says Judith, with a broad smile. ‘Especially now that we have stocked up on tomatoes, feta and salad. Thank you, Lars.’

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