Page 37 of All You Need is Greece

‘Lemon drizzle. Fancy a piece?’

‘Ooh yes, please, it’s my absolute favourite. It seems you are a woman of many talents,’ I comment.

‘Not really. And when it comes to baking, I just follow a recipe, you can’t really go wrong then,’ she says modestly, placing a generous slice of cake onto a plate beside me. ‘I’ll give you the recipe, if you like.’

‘Thanks, but I’m not sure it would turn out like this.’ I sink my teeth into the fluffy, moist sponge. ‘Oh my goodness, that really is delicious.’ I enjoy every mouthful of the lemon cake. ‘And I am pleased things are working out for you with the upcycling.’

‘Thanks. I have to earn a living, so thought why not give it a go? I emailed some photos to the shop, and they snapped it up and are even interested in purchasing more pieces I might have. It’s nice to have the income, even if it is a little sporadic.’

‘You’re lucky you have a talent that you can use anywhere in the world.’

Thinking about it, I don’t think I have a particular talent for anything. I can’t draw, knit, bake or even play chess.

‘I don’t think I’m particularly talented, it’s all about finding the thing you are really interested in.’ She shrugs. ‘And remember, necessity is the mother of invention. I had no choice but to find something that could earn me a little money, and as I don’t speak Greek, the opportunities out here are limited.’

Talk turns to socialising and evenings out, and for a minute I think of how much fun it would be for Artemis and me to go out for the evening with Tania and Nicos. Before remembering that they have a history, that is. Even so, I tell her that I will be heading into Malia later with Artemis.

‘That sounds like fun. I suggested it to Nicos once, but he definitely didn’t fancy it,’ she tells me. ‘We compromised by going for lunch and spending the afternoon at the beach, which is really gorgeous. Malia is so much more than a party destination, though, there is a lot of history there if you look for it.’

‘Sounds lovely, and I do love the beach. I might go for a swim as the weather is still so warm, although I’m sure Judith would be horrified.’

‘Crete does stay warm late into the autumn usually. But I remember visiting Judith before at this time of year when I was younger, and she was worried about me catching a cold! I couldn’t believe it, after the UK.’

Talking with Tania reminds me of when I discovered the joy of the seaside with friends, the year we left school and spent a glorious summer – one of the warmest Augusts on record – swimming, having picnics and generally just mucking about. One of the lads from school had a tent, and we camped in the sand dunes overnight, before being chased in the morning by the council workers who were clearing the beaches and told us we shouldn’t have stayed there all night.

I don’t have any memories of trips to the beach with my parents, even though we were only a short bus ride away, but I push those thoughts away. Dad had a car once that fell to pieces after six months and I recall them arguing about it, Mum saying if he’d spent more on a decent car rather than down at the pub, then we might be okay. That was the evening she stuffed a few things in a bag, and we spent the evening at one of her friends’ houses. She explained the bruise on her cheek to people by saying she had walked into a door, but it wasn’t long after that that they finally broke up. I vowed that if I ever had children, I would be certain to spend the day at the beach with them, eating ice creams in the hot sun or flying kites on a breezy day, creating memories I hoped they would hold on to for the rest of their lives.

As we chat, I wonder whether Tania might mention the relationship between Artemis and Nicos, but she doesn’t, so neither do I.

‘Right, I must be going. Thanks for the coffee and that wonderful cake, Tania. Would you mind if I went and said hi to Annie and Smudge before I leave?’

‘Of course I don’t mind,’ she says, leading me through the kitchen into the rear garden. I laugh at the sight of the dogs playing tug of war with a large tree branch, dropping it instantly and racing over when we enter the garden.

‘Hello, you two.’ I bend down and pet them both, before Annie runs around in circles and Smudge tries to leap into my arms. Tania tries unsuccessfully to calm him down before rolling her eyes and laughing.

‘Oh gosh, it’s like having a wayward child, but he is just irresistible and the two of them really are the best of friends. Plus, they keep each other occupied, which is good, otherwise I could never get anything done around here.’

I play for a little while, throwing the ball for the dogs and running along with them.

‘Right, that’s my daily exercise done,’ I say, getting my breath back. ‘I’d better get off. Bye, Tania.’

‘I might bring the dogs on a walk with the other dogs tomorrow, and join you,’ she says, when I head through the front gate. ‘You can tell me all about your date.’

‘I will do. See you later, thanks again.’

Back at the rescue, I shower and change. Artemis messages me just after one o’clock, telling me he is on his way. I feel a little surge of excitement as I think about swimming in the sea, maybe sipping a cocktail on the sandy beach that Tania described, or indulging in one of those massages.

‘What are you going to do with your Saturday then?’ I ask Hannah as I apply a little waterproof mascara. My skin has taken on a light glow, so mascara and a slick of pale pink lip gloss is all I need.

‘Not sure.’ She shrugs. ‘I might go for a walk later, or do some reading. Maybe I will just hang out here with the animals. Eric seems to be in a good mood today.’

‘I thought you might have headed to the bar?’

‘No, Panos will be working anyway.’ She dismisses the idea. ‘Saturday can be busy with tourists to the church.’ She smiles but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes and I wonder whether all is okay between them. I don’t have time to chat now, though, as I hear the sound of a car pulling up outside. It’s Artemis.

‘Have a nice day,’ says Hannah as I grab my beach bag.

‘You too.’ I feel the urge to give her a hug and she gently pats my back.

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