Page 35 of All You Need is Greece

‘So, at the weekend I was thinking, maybe I could show you a good time in Malia.’

‘Malia?’

‘Yes, strictly as friends,’ he quickly adds. ‘Perhaps it would do us both good, two people seeking a little fun after heartbreak.’ He places his hand on his heart and I can’t help smiling. A Saturday in Malia sounds really good.

After the morning feeds, and clean ups, Judith allows us the rest of Saturday to do as we please and she and Lars stay around the rescue, catching up on any admin work. There are usually quite a few volunteers around who like to walk the dogs at the weekend too.

‘Do you know, I like the sound of that. I’ve been wanting to go into Malia. As long as we are not too old for the nightlife.’

‘Old?’ Artemis looks indignant, before admitting that he prefers quieter places these days, but thinks a night in Malia might just be a lot of fun.

‘That’s settled then. I’ll dig out my best dress for Saturday,’ I tell him.

‘And your swimming costume, we could go to the beach first. I liked that black one you wore at Star Beach,’ he says cheekily.

‘Just friends, remember,’ I remind him.

Artemis nods in the direction of Nicos and Tania, and I lift my hand and wave. He doesn’t stay to chat to his old friend, and now I know the reason why.

‘Did you know Artemis had gone off with Nicos’s fiancée?’

I’m chatting to Judith in the kitchen, helping her to clear up after the evening dinner.

‘I did.’ She folds a tea towel and places it on the table. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘I’m just curious, that’s all. Do you think he is a womaniser?’ I ask as I place some cutlery into a drawer.

‘I never said that exactly, I know he was married for a long time,’ she tells me. ‘But obviously, as he is very recently separated, I just thought that you should know. His distant past has absolutely nothing to do with me. I can see how devilishly handsome he is.’

‘He told me he and Nicos were once friends,’ I reveal. ‘I kind of get the impression he has regrets about what has gone on in the past between them.’

She places some glasses into a solid wooden kitchen cupboard.

‘He actually told you that?’ She turns to face me.

‘He did. Well, not in so many words, but he tells me he thinks he is a nicer person these days,’ I say, but Judith doesn’t seem so sure.

‘You might be right,’ she says eventually. ‘And truthfully? I don’t actually know Artemis too well, only from what Yolanda has told me about him. I do know she loves him dearly, despite once saying that she thought his good looks were a curse. And she has made no secret of the fact that she thinks his ex was a gold-digger.’

‘She said that?’

‘Yes. Oh, they got along perfectly well at first, for years apparently. His wife was a busy beauty therapist and earning good money. Over the years, though, it seems she would work less and less, only doing a couple of facials a week or a set of nails, before swanning off to the beach with her friends, preferring to spend Artemis’s money. This is, according to Yolanda,’ she adds.

‘Well, I don’t suppose I know Artemis very well either, but I just kind of get the feeling he’s a good guy deep down, despite being cursed with those good looks. I’m going out with him on Saturday actually, once the chores are done.’

‘And why not?’ She smiles. ‘You are only young once, just be careful, that’s all I’m saying. Especially as you told me you are only recently single yourself. It would be foolish to rush into anything else. Sorry, you can tell me to mind my own business if you like, I won’t be offended.’ She smiles once more.

‘I would never do that. And I know that the situation is beyond complicated.’ I sigh. ‘Artemis is fast becoming a good friend, and that’s all. It’s nice to have a local show me around.’

For some reason, I don’t tell Judith that Artemis is going to take me to some busy bars and show me the nightlife of Malia.

Just then Hannah arrives home after being at the bar chatting to Panos, who has walked her home.

‘Hi, how was your evening?’ I ask.

‘Lovely.’ She sits on a chair and draws her knees up to her chest, before wrapping her arms around them, and smiles. ‘We have so much in common. We both love books, nature and, as it turns out, chess. We played a game this evening that lasted for over two hours. It’s nice to have something that doesn’t present a language barrier too.’

‘That’s lovely. Do you fancy a frappé?’ I gesture to the coffee machine that has a cold coffee setting.

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