Page 49 of All You Need is Greece

‘I think I will have an ouzo, loosen me up a bit,’ says Doll, tapping into my thoughts.

‘Good idea, but just the one,’ says Michael. The thought of ouzo makes me blanch so I order a soft drink, thinking I will save myself for a glass of wine with dinner later. The interior of the restaurant has a large wooden ship’s wheel displayed on its white walls and fishing nets draped along, a nod to the village’s fishing history.

Finishing our drinks, it’s almost eight o clock when the Greek restaurant owner announces the dancers, and the restaurant bursts into applause as they make their way outside.

Doll and Michael give a little bow as some Cuban music strikes up. Already the diners are clapping their hands together in anticipation.

‘Oh, how exciting,’ I say to Hannah as I sip a drink. ‘I can’t wait to see how much money they make for the rescue. I hope people don’t mind me passing a hat around.’

‘I think that’s perfectly acceptable. They are going to get quite a show. In fact, I’ll do it,’ says Hannah as she sips her cola.

‘You will?’ I’m stunned.

‘Sure. Maybe we could join forces. You do the inside tables, I will do the outside,’ she suggests. ‘We have two hats after all.’ She laughs, removing her straw fedora that she is wearing this evening with a long, black broderie anglaise dress, a pink cardigan thrown over the top.

Michael and Doll work their way through a set of fast-moving songs, as Judith shakes her head in awe and wonders where they get their energy from.

‘Aren’t they just wonderful.’ She claps her hands together. ‘I love watching people dance. I used to enjoy a bit of a dance myself, you know, especially a waltz,’ she says with a faraway look in her eyes. I exchange a glance with Lars then, and he winks.

When Doll and Michael finish their last energetic dance, everyone is on their feet. The diners from surrounding restaurants also had a view as they danced in the middle of the square and the applause rings around the centre of the village. Even the church bell, right on cue, rings its hourly bell, as if in appreciation of the show. Michael and Doll take a bow before they embrace each other in a lingering hug.

Hannah and I are on our feet, whilst the crowd are giddy with excitement, and work the tables, proffering our hats. Notes and coins are happily dropped in, with expressions of gratitude.

A while later, Doll and Michael emerge, having slipped into the restaurant bathroom and changed into some comfortable clothes that they brought with them.

‘I propose a toast,’ says Judith, raising a glass. ‘Good health to us all, and I hope you two dazzle people with your dancing for many years to come. To Michael and Doll.’

‘To Michael and Doll,’ we all say as we raise a glass. Just then, the owner of the taverna approaches.

‘Are you here next week? I think maybe you are good for my business.’ He smiles, glancing around the packed-out restaurant.

‘Oh, I’m sure your food is the real crowd-pleaser,’ says Doll modestly. ‘At least I hope it is, I’m starved.’ She laughs.

At that moment a waiter appears with a meze of starters that includes a selection of mouth-watering looking food. Platters of stuffed vine leaves, meatballs in a tomato sauce, pork ribs, soft pitta breads and a selection of creamy dips look wonderful. Deep-fried calamari and whitebait are set on the table with lemon slices and a huge Greek salad.

‘Mmm. Why does food taste so good when someone else makes it?’ I scoop some hummus into a soft, warm pitta and devour it.

‘And that it happens to be Greek food. The fruit and veg is so much nicer here, grown under the sun,’ Judith reminds me.

‘I suppose so.’

The conversation halts a little as we all dive into the wonderful food, as plate after plate arrives at the table. I’m already stuffed, but as everything is so delicious, I manage a bit of everything.

‘It’s a pity I can’t dance. I think I need to work off the million calories I have consumed this evening. Maybe I’ll have a super long walk in the forest tomorrow,’ I say, although I don’t regret eating a single mouthful.

‘All the food you have eaten is healthy,’ says Lars, just as a waiter arrives and asks if we would like some dessert, which we all politely decline, the table piled high with almost empty plates.

‘I really cannot thank you enough.’ Judith turns to our marvellous dancers. ‘And I am so excited to count the money from this evening,’ she says, which is safely tucked inside her large handbag. ‘It seems people were very generous.’

It’s easy to see why Michael is so keen to dance; I imagine the reaction from an appreciative audience is quite addictive.

‘Hardly surprising,’ says Hannah, finishing off the last of some lemon and oregano potatoes. ‘Everyone commented when I passed the hat around on how fantastic you both were.’

As I watched Hannah earlier, chatting confidently to the customers, I felt a sudden surge of pride towards her.

‘Right. Are we ready to leave?’ asks Judith. ‘Although, of course, you may prefer to travel back together,’ she says to us all. ‘But I have an early start tomorrow, and I’m a little tired. It’s been quite a long day.’

‘Maybe another drink then we’ll follow?’ suggests Michael, and Hannah and I agree.

---