Page 39 of The Greek Villa

‘Thank you. Oh, I hope Yiannis is going to be alright, thank goodness that mattress was there to break his fall.’

Maybe someone was watching over him as I was going to place the mattress into the skip this morning, but never got around to it.

Phoebe appears outside then, fussing and asking if there is anything she can do.

‘Not unless you know another builder. Or maybe say a prayer for me when you go to church. Because if this house is going to be finished anytime soon, I think we are going to need a miracle.’

That evening I pour myself a glass of wine and the tears I have been holding in all day fall freely. When Evie calls, I tell her all about the build.

‘Oh my goodness! I hope Yiannis recovers quickly. What a nightmare though.’

‘I know. The season will be fully up and running soon, and I’ll have a half-renovated house.’ I take a slurp of wine. ‘And, actually, he will be okay. Dimitri called earlier telling me he has a slipped disc, so it’s strong painkillers and plenty of rest.’

‘How bloody inconsiderate of him,’ she says, making me laugh.

‘Oh, I know I sound selfish, Evie. I think I’m just panicking. He was a little slower than the other builders, but definitely the driving force with his years of experience. Saying that, I did meet a bit of a silver fox at the bar the other night who once worked as a builder. Maybe I could try and coax him out of retirement.’

‘Ooh interesting, I’m sure things will work out, try not to worry. Anyway, I just called to tell you about a night away with Nick. We booked a lovely hotel, and I even invested in some new underwear. It was wonderful, just what we needed. Thanks again for reminding me that marriage needs working at from time to time.’

‘I’m so glad things are working out, although I knew they would. You and Nick are made for each other.’

‘I know, and I can’t believe how stupid I was, drinking in all the attention from Kostas. Just as well I never did anything stupid. We’re going to try and get away once a month, or at least go out for dinner. The girls have been rolling their eyes at us, saying we are like a couple of teenagers, but I think they are pleased really.’

‘I’m certain they are. There’s nothing kids want more than their parents to be happy. Anyway, I’m off to watch a YouTube tutorial on how to render the outside of a house,’ I say only half-joking. The days are ticking away and it’s a pretty big job.

Dimitri calls me an hour later and tells me that Yiannis will be out of action for at least the next couple of weeks. Even then, he won’t be able to climb any ladders or get involved in any heavy lifting or working.

‘That’s awful, I hope he isn’t in too much pain. But I won’t lie, this has got me really worried about the build,’ I tell him.

Dimitri gives a deep sigh. ‘I know, but I promise we will work quickly. I have to tell you though that the labourers have only one more week before their family restaurants opens.’

‘And you don’t know of anyone else who needs a job?’

‘Not really, as I say all hands are on deck for the tourists soon. I know that my father has no desire to work these days as he is enjoying his retirement, apart from helping his friend on the tourist boats sometimes. It is less hard work, I suppose.’

I think of my own father then, and my brother. I realise I’m getting desperate when I even imagine Phoebe brandishing a saw and a spirit level.

This can’t be happening! Once more I wonder what I was thinking buying a villa online without viewing the interior. I’ve watched enough of those house-buying programmes to have known this. I could end up ploughing all of my inheritance into this project, I think to myself as I feel my stress levels rise. Why couldn’t I just be content with coming over here and renting the holiday apartment?

I calm myself down by breathing deeply and telling myself that at least the roof is almost in place, so the house will be protected from any sudden downpours of rain. The kitchen has already been demolished and disposed of, awaiting delivery of some new units tomorrow. Dimitri assures me they will take him no more than a day or two to install, but the main problem now is the ceiling above the room that will be the lounge. It will be alright, I tell myself. Everything will be just fine.

‘Really, that is not a big job,’ Dimitri tells me, when I mention it, but I think he really is just trying to stop me from becoming hysterical. The outside rendering is still unfinished – the other huge job which was being overseen by Yiannis. Suddenly it all feels like an impossible task and despite my best efforts at being positive, I pour myself another glass of wine and sob my heart out.

It probably wasn’t my best idea to walk around to the villa after two glasses of wine, to fully take stock of the situation. At least the rear garden is looking nice though, I think to myself as I push the gate open, thinking the flaking paint could do with another coat. The wooden bench set against a wall could probably do with a coat of paint too, maybe in the same colour.

I sit down and glance up at the house, glancing at the scaffolding in place ready for a job that will be completedgoodness knows when. Not for the first time, I wonder why on earth I even thought about buying a renovation project. But then, sitting here in the balmy evening close to the ancient olive tree, I can already feel my senses being soothed. I have already made friends here and can’t think of a nicer place to have a holiday home. I tell myself that everything will be alright in the end and conjure up some positivity that I normally have tons of.

I stand to leave, when a spider the size of a saucer scurries towards me and my scream echoes around the neighbourhood as I jump onto the bench. A few seconds later, the back gate bursts open and in strides Dimitri.

‘Claudia, are you alright? I was just walking past, and I heard a scream.’

‘Yes, yes. It was just the size of that thing.’ I look through my hands and point to the walled area of the garden, but of course the spider has long gone.

‘Was it a snake?’ asks Dimitri unperturbed.

‘A snake? You’re telling me there are snakes?’ I ask, horrified.

‘Yes, but they are all pretty harmless. Nothing to worry about. So, it wasn’t a snake?’ Dimitri asks.

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