Page 25 of The Greek Villa

Watching the swimmers and the people on pedaloes, I still can’t believe I will soon be able to regularly experience this type of thing on Roda Beach, just a short distance from my own holiday home. Well, as soon as the refurbishment is finished, that is. I close my eyes and feel the warm sun wash over me, once more feeling grateful to be doing something most people can only dream about.

Back at the apartment in the late afternoon, I receive a text from Dimitri telling me he will be heading to the builders’ merchant for materials on Monday, and wishing me a safe trip home. I deposit some money into his account, batting away any feelings of caution.

‘What’s up?’ asks Evie, maybe noting my look of uncertainty.

‘Oh nothing, just Dimitri wishing us a safe trip home. I’ve just sent some money up front for some building materials for the roof.’

‘Surely you’re not worried about that? He’s Thea’s nephew,’ she reminds me.

‘No, no, of course not, you’re right.’

‘He’s pretty hot though, isn’t he?’ she says.

‘Evie, what are you like! And is he? I never really noticed.’

‘Yeah, right.’

‘Okay, there is absolutely no denying that he is handsome, but I am more interested in his building skills, thank you. I’m spending good money, I need to keep my practical head on.’

She smiles then as a text pings through on her phone. ‘Ooh it’s Nick. And he says he will take me out for breakfast when we get home, before we head off to work. Is that romantic enough for you?’

‘It’s a start. He must be missing you.’ I smile.

‘He must be. He never usually does anything spontaneous like that. In fact, he’s never usually even one for breakfast.’

‘Well, it’s nice that he’s making an effort. Maybe his ears were burning or something when we were chatting.’

The following day we take a drive into a mountain village and stop for lunch in a pretty restaurant in a picturesque village, the outside space bursting with flowers in pots overlooking a deep valley.

Later, we browse the narrow, cobbled streets of the virtually self-sufficient village, taking in the rows of vegetables growing in gardens, and cats lazing on stone doorsteps. We make sure to stock up on some Greek herbs and my favourite honey from a small local shop.

After enjoying a swim at the apartment pool in the late afternoon sunshine, it’s soon time to pack for our flight home.

Whilst Evie is in the shower, I take a walk round to my new house already counting down the days until I return. As I stand staring at it, visualising how it might look after the renovation, I feel thankful I have managed to sort out a builder.

Phoebe appears then, wishing me a safe flight, and reassuring me once more that she will keep an eye on the house.

‘Thanks, Phoebe, I appreciate that. See you soon.’

In the early hours of the morning, we trundle our suitcases out in the driveaway to load into the car.

It’s always a wrench to leave this place but soon enough I will be back and overseeing the start of the renovation project.

We take the familiar route, me really wishing I could stay a little longer, and are soon back at the airport. I don’t know why, but I can’t quell a slight feeling of unease, praying that I haven’t bought a money pit. I know that the price of building supplies has dramatically increased worldwide, but I just feela responsibility to get everything right, as I am using Jack’s money, and I want him to be proud of me. I take a deep breath and tell myself I am fussing over nothing, as we head to the departure lounge, ready to board the plane.

FIFTEEN

‘Enjoy your breakfast.’

I hug Evie and Nick, who has dropped me home after the flight. It’s just after seven in the morning as we have jumped back two hours. I’m not looking forward to going to work today, although, luckily, I did sleep for virtually the whole flight.

‘We will. Don’t go getting used to being taken out for breakfast, though, hey.’ Nick winks at Evie, and I mouth the word ‘hotel’ when Nick isn’t looking.

Back at work, I manage to get through the day fuelled by coffee, before heading to my parents’ house to tell them all about the house.

‘You’ll have no money left at this rate, booking all these holidays,’ says Dad, reading his newspaper in the lounge after his evening meal, while I tell him my plans.

‘The apartments cost next to nothing, and I have my wages as well as my windfall, remember.’

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