Page 52 of All You Need is Greece

‘Is that why you came out here?’

‘Maybe.’

I don’t want to give too much away, until I am clear of his intentions.

‘Anyway, you still haven’t told me exactly why you are here?’

‘I told you I missed you.’ He sips his strong black coffee. ‘I mean, I know we had parted, but I always caught a glimpse of you, almost every day. When you weren’t around, I felt empty. I noticed you sometimes, walking along, your tumbling hair bouncing and wished things were different,’ he says, baring his soul. ‘I began to wonder how I would feel if I ever saw you out and about with another man.’ His eyes reach mine, and I take in his handsome face. The thick, stylish dark hair and olive skin, strong jawline and striking blue eyes that seem to look straight into my soul. ‘I wasn’t sure I could bear it. For some reason, I never thought it was a permanent split. I always imagined us getting back together.’

‘I’m not sure how that could happen, given our differing viewpoints about certain things,’ I say, and he goes a little quiet.

‘So what happens now?’ I ask, drinking him in.

‘Well, that rather depends on you.’ He stirs his coffee.

‘On me?’

‘Yes. Look, Nicos and Tania will be home in around an hour, but can I take you to dinner this evening?’

‘Yes, I would love that. Have you booked somewhere to stay?’ I ask, unaware of any hotels in the immediate vicinity.

‘Yes, an Airbnb a couple of miles from here, on the road towards Koutouloufari. I’ve already discovered a cute restaurant there on Google.’

‘It’s not Italian, is it?’

‘No. I would be far too critical, I know that.’ He smiles.

The restaurant he works at back home, Little Italy Trattoria, was founded by his grandfather andnonna, before his parents took the reins. It is authentically Italian and many of the old family recipes are still used in the restaurant today.

‘I really must get back to work now, Marco, but I can’t wait to see you tonight.’

‘Me neither.’ We stand and he circles his arms around my waist as he moves in for another kiss. I feel like I’m drifting along on a floor of cotton candy, when he waves goodbye, telling me he will collect me at seven this evening. Even though a part of me wonders what we could possibly have to say to each other that hasn’t already been said, I can’t wait to feel him in my arms again.

‘How did it go with Marco?’

Hannah and I are walking the dogs in the late afternoon, as the sun is filtering through the trees on the footpath.

‘Confusing,’ I tell her truthfully. ‘It was wonderful to see him. Don’t get me wrong, he can still make my pulse race. And we shared some wonderful kisses.’ I find myself smiling, as I relive that first kiss.

‘Yet it was confusing?’ She looks puzzled.

‘I know that sounds crazy, but I am just wondering what has changed, although I guess I will find out this evening. He’s taking me out for dinner.’

‘I’m sure all will become clear. He’s flown all this way to see you, after all.’

‘I guess so. He told me that even though we had parted, he missed seeing me around. Maybe he’s been harbouring thoughts of us getting back together, and me coming around to the idea of not getting married.’

‘And you?’

‘I have absolutely not changed my mind about that.’

‘Well, I hope everything goes well at dinner this evening. As I said, I’m sure he hasn’t come all the way out here for nothing.’

We climb uphill a little until the distant sea view captures my heart once more. The scent of pine seems stronger now that autumn is almost well under way, and I breathe deeply, thinking this place really is good for the soul.

‘Did you know, pine trees emit a scent that is proven to give us a feeling of well-being,’ says Hannah as we walk. ‘I heard about that in a nature programme.’

‘I can imagine. I always feel good after a romp through the forest. I joined a women’s walking group once, but I never kept it up. I think I was too tired after my long days in the supermarket. People are even guiding groups of people through the forest these days, to sit and breathe. Forest bathing, they call it.’

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