Page 41 of The Greek Villa

‘You mean with Yiannis having the accident? Yes, I hear about that from Dimitri. I get the feeling he will work hard to put things right,’ he says and I wonder what Dimitri has told him. ‘So how is Evie?’ he asks, setting out some plastic tables and chairs.

‘She’s very well, just back from a romantic weekend with her husband,’ I can’t resist telling him and he smiles.

‘I am glad she is happy. She always looked, maybe a little sad,’ he says, and I can’t help thinking that he wouldn’t have minded being the one to put a smile on her face.

‘I think she had a lot on her mind. You know how it is, a busy family life and a business to run.’

He nods before wishing me a good day.

Coming out of the small supermarket with my bags a short while later, I bump into the young woman from the house at the end of the road.

‘Good morning.’ She smiles brightly. ‘I am glad I ran into you. Are you free for that coffee? You can take that look around the house,’ she offers. ‘Oh, and my name is Ria.’

‘I’m Claudia. And, yes, thanks, that would be wonderful. I’m heading to a paint shop later and I may be able to get some inspiration from your house, if you don’t mind.’

‘I would be flattered.’ She smiles again. ‘I just have to go in here for a few things.’ She gestures to the general store. ‘Then I will walk back with you.’

She reappears quickly from the shop and we take the short walk back together to her house.

‘Why did you choose to buy a villa in Roda? Are you familiar with the area?’ Ria asks as we walk.

‘Yes, we had many family holidays here. I have wonderful memories playing on the beach with my brother and with friends I made at the hotel.’

Glancing at the seafront hotel that has a different name these days, a flood of happy memories come rushing back. I was eight years old the first time we came to Roda, and I remember my mum pulling a face when the waiter served us octopus, although maybe the story stays in my mind as it has been retold so many times at family gatherings. Mum thought the calamari was a type of onion ring and almost passed out when she realised what it was. ‘My palate was never that exotic,’ she would laugh. ‘The most adventurous thing I’d eaten was a beef bourguignon on one of our cruises.’

‘Are you from this area?’ I ask as we pass the church.

‘A few miles from here, in a very quiet village. I wanted somewhere closer to the beach for our children and a little livelier for them to make friends, although it does go very quiet when the tourist season ends,’ she informs me as we approach the beginning of the road. ‘The house was at a bargain price, so we couldn’t let it go. It was maybe in the same state as the one you have bought.’

‘That is interesting. But I agree, it is all about location, which is exactly why I was drawn to the house.’

The thought that her house was in a similar state encourages me and I can hardly wait to get inside and have a look.

Ria puts the key in the door, and the first thing I notice is the bright, white painted hallway and the beautiful green and white mosaic floor tiles.

‘Is that an original floor?’ I ask, admiring it.

‘Not at all. It’s a very clever floor covering.’ She smiles at my reaction as I bend down and stroke the patterned floor covering.

‘It looks amazing, just like the real thing.’

I follow her into a lounge and gasp. It’s simply stunning with white walls once more and teal-coloured curtains. A sofa in a soft mustard-matching colour dominates the room, and a dark-wood bookcase holds a few stylish ornaments and a couple of well-placed reading books.

I follow her into the kitchen to discover gorgeous cream units and oak worktops that have a slightly curved edge.

‘Olive wood,’ she tells me before I can ask. ‘My father-in-law saves wood from old trees in his olive grove. I guess I am very lucky that my husband is a carpenter.’

‘He is? Would he like to work on my house?’ I’m half-joking, although I guess I am trying to gauge a reaction.

‘He is very busy with his work at the moment. He works for a large furniture company,’ she tells me. ‘Although, maybe when your villa is finished he might make you one or two bespoke pieces.’ She politely lets me know the idea of her husband doing any real renovating work is out of the question, and with two young children, I can’t say I blame her.

Upstairs, the style continues, mixing traditional Greek and modern. Dark wooden units contrast with pale walls, and a huge bed is covered in a pale-pink duvet cover and colourful tapestry cushions. The bathroom is natural-looking too, using neutral shades of earth and grey. A glass sink against a stone background gives it a rustic, yet cosy feel.

‘Thanks for showing me around, your villa looks wonderful. If I can get my place to look half as good as this, I will be a happy woman.’

The children are happily playing with some Duplo-style bricks and eating a biscuit as Ria pops the kettle on.

‘You are welcome, and I am sure your place will be beautiful too. Just take your time with the interior design. The main thing is getting the building into shape.’

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