Page 51 of The Greek Villa

I have no idea why I am asking him this. Maybe I am just curious as to whether some relationships can end amicably, unlike my last one.

‘In different circumstances, maybe we could have been. But even though she did not share an interest in my hobbies, she did like my friends. One in particular, it seems.’ He pushes his empty plate away, and leans back in his chair.

‘Oh no, I’m so sorry. That must have been difficult.’

‘Yes, but it was almost ten months ago now. We have managed to remain civil despite everything, mainly just through social media, but I would not call us friends. Maybe I was kidding myself about it being forever as really we did not have much in common. Beauty alone is not enough.’

So she was beautiful?

I am wondering what happened to his friend but don’t dare to ask, when he speaks again.

‘As for my friend, he moved away so I don’t see him these days,’ he tells me, his jaw tightening slightly. ‘And their relationship did not last either. Anyway, it is all history now.’ He shrugs.

I quickly change the subject, getting back to movies as I don’t want Dimitri delving into my last relationship too much, asking me if I am still friends with my ex. I mean, there was my six-year relationship, of course, but there is barely any interaction with him these days, even on Facebook. It makes me wonder how people feel when a partner remains friends with their ex. Would they always be wondering if there could be a chance of igniting a flame with them, especially if their current relationship hits a rough patch?

‘As we both enjoy movies, we ought to go and see one,’ says Dimitri, thankfully moving on from talk of exes. ‘There is an open-air cinema not far from here. Maybe next time you come over, we could go and watch a film?’ he offers. ‘They have subtitles.’

It occurs to me then that my next visit will not be for another month, and then only for a long weekend, using Monday as a work from home day, working from the apartment.

‘You might not be single next time I come over.’

‘When will that be?’

‘A month from now, just for a long weekend.’

‘I definitely won’t be.’ He shakes his head.

‘Oh.’

‘I am joking.’ He laughs. ‘I will be working on your house, remember, then down at the harbour. I will have no time for anything but sleep.’

‘You will definitely carry on with the build when the summer season begins?’

‘But of course. Only for a few hours in the evening when the boat tours have finished. The labourers will probably be glad of the work too, they like the extra cash.’

The thought of things being actually finished, or close enough next time I visit, makes me almost burst with gratitude.

‘You don’t know how much that means to me. I thought things wouldn’t be ready for months,’ I tell him gratefully.

‘Have faith.’ He smiles. ‘And Yiannis is feeling better every day. Things will speed up as soon as he is able to work again.’

We finish our delicious meal with coffees and a waiter brings some chunks of watermelon to round things off nicely and a tiny bottle of raki, which I sensibly refuse, remembering how strong it is. Walking back to the car I feel my spirits lifted by the wonderful day spent with Dimitri, along with the possibility of soon seeing my dream home become a reality.

The cricket matches are long over as we walk back through the park and couples are sitting having picnics and young families are playing football with children and I reflect on what a lovely day it has been.

‘Thanks for bringing me here today, Dimitri, and for taking me to your friend. I can’t wait to see the finished balcony.’

‘You are welcome. It has been a lovely day for me also.’

‘What would you normally do on a Sunday?’ I ask, thinking of my own Sundays back home, usually a train trip into town with a friend, or Sunday lunch at my parents’ house. Sometimes Evie and her husband invite me to a pub to have Sunday lunch with them, which is always lovely, catching up with the latest things in the lives of sixteen-year-olds. It gives me kudos in the office when I can talk to some of the younger staff about current trends.

‘Sunday is normally a day the family get-together, with my aunts, uncles and cousins. My mother is quite relaxed about that as long as we catch up at some point in the day. I will join them for a drink at the village pub later. You are welcome to join us.’

‘Thanks, Dimitri, but I’m pretty tired. I am going to call my own parents, then I will probably have an early night. My father is always especially keen to know how work is progressing on the villa. Then I might browse some furniture online.’

‘Of course. Well, if you change your mind, you know where I will be.’

Driving back to Roda, the traffic is busy once more, and Dimitri puts the radio on and his car is filled with Greek music. I close my eyes and picture us both sitting at the water’s edge at the harbour, eating and chatting, the sound of the crashing sea in the background. The music takes me to another place, and as we sit at traffic lights I’m daydreaming about walking along a beach with a handsome man. I can’t make out his face at first,but when we stop and he tilts my face towards his, moving in for a kiss, I can see that it’s Dimitri.

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