Page 41 of All You Need is Greece

‘Maybe it is because the end of the holiday season is approaching. People want to make the most of every minute. So is Malia what you expected?’

‘Kind of, yes. And it’s probably quite tame at this hour. I’m not sure if I would like it a few hours from now.’ I pull a face.

‘Maybe not.’ Artemis smiles. ‘But as the night is still young, do you fancy a game of crazy golf?’

‘That sounds like fun. Lead the way.’

We play the golf, laughing at my useless attempts as Artemis smoothly lands each shot in the holes.

‘Have you had a lot of practice at this?’ I ask him later as he thrashes me.

‘Not really.’ He shrugs before laughing. ‘Okay then, yes, I have,’ he admits.

Walking on, some noughties dance music is playing in one of the bars, evoking a load of memories.

‘Come on.’

I drag Artemis to the bar that the hens have just descended on.

A barman offers us shots and, in one moment, I knock back an ouzo. Artemis refuses. As the music pumps louder, I give in to another one.

‘Fancy a dance?’ I gesture to a small dance floor, where the hens have just arrived and are going for it on the dance floor.

‘No, but please, be my guest.’ He smiles, pointing to the dance floor.

Emboldened by the drinks, I stroll towards the dance floor as my favourite song strikes up. The hens cheer in welcome, and start dancing with me and I laugh and enjoy myself, throwing my head back without a care in the world. Artemis is watching me from a bar stool, talking to the guy behind the bar. After a couple more dances and chatting to my friends, I join him.

‘Oh, I really enjoyed that.’ I ask the barman for another ouzo. ‘I haven’t let my hair down like that in a long time.’

‘I would maybe be careful with the ouzo,’ Artemis advises as he sips a beer. ‘It isn’t known as firewater for nothing.’

‘Oh, I’m fine, really. I’m in the party mood,’ I tell him, sipping my drink and singing along to the music. I notice the barman exchange a glance with Artemis, but I’m so loosened up it doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

We spend another hour in the bar, and at times the floor feels like it is moving beneath my feet, but I put it down to the music and the neon lights. Suddenly, in the middle of a conversation when I sit back down, I don’t feel too good and ask Artemis if we can leave. When I stand, my legs feel a bit like jelly.

‘Oh dear.’ When the fresh air hits me outside, I want to be sick.

‘Are you okay?’ he asks, linking my arm through his to support me as we go.

‘Truthfully? No. I feel ill.’

‘Come on.’ He walks slowly with me as I concentrate on my breathing.

I’m aware of the people around me, and flashing lights, and feel as though I am in a dream, as I grip tightly on to Artemis.

‘Where are we going?’ I mutter as the noise recedes away from the strip, the further we walk.

‘My cousin has a bed and breakfast close by,’ he tells me. ‘Perhaps she has a room.’

I’m picturing a comfortable bed, cool, crisp cotton sheets and, at this moment in time, can think of nothing better.

A couple of minutes later, we arrive at a villa down a quieter street, and before long I’m in a room with white sheets on the bed and pine furniture. I am desperate to lie down. Maybe if I just rest my head for a moment…

TWENTY-ONE

I open one eye, slightly disorientated as the sound of ringing permeates my skull. It takes me a minute to realise it is a church bell ringing outside. When I’m fully awake, I stare at the shape in the bed next to me. Artemis.

I sit bolt upright, as my head rings as loudly as the church bell, and gulp down some water from a bottle on the bedside table. Artemis rubs his eyes and sits up too.

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