Page 52 of The Greek Villa

‘What are you smiling at?’ he asks, bringing me back to the present.

‘Oh, nothing really, just thinking of how much I enjoy being here in Greece. It always feels like I have come home.’

‘You soon will be. At least, to your holiday home.’ He smiles.

‘I know. It still doesn’t seem real, it feels like a dream.’

‘Then you are very lucky. Not everyone has the chance for their dreams to come true.’

I think about his comment as we drive. He is right, of course, not many people are lucky enough to see their dreams come to fruition. And along with my home here, I think I may also have the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and feel truly thankful.

TWENTY-FOUR

‘Thank you again, Dimitri, for a lovely day yesterday.’

It’s late afternoon, and I stifle a yawn as I have been awake since very early this morning, just as the sun rose.

‘It was my pleasure. Remember the bathroom arrives on Thursday, and we will start work right away.’

‘Do you do the plumbing?’

‘No, Yiannis is the plumber, unfortunately, but I can have everything ready.’

‘Surely he isn’t ready to return to work?’

I recall him doing a little work the other day, but plumbing requires a lot of bending and crouching sometimes in awkward places.

‘He will do what he can, but do not worry, my father who has plumbing skills is going to help too. Yiannis knows he must take things easy.’

‘If he’s sure, that would be a great help.’

‘He is. Even though my father is enjoying his retirement, I think maybe my mother wants to get him out of the house a little more, from under her feet. Although he does help his friend on his boat.’

‘What does he do usually with his day?’

‘He goes to the bar, plays dominoes with his friends, does a little walking in the hills. Sometimes a little fishing. In fact, he does what a lot of people do around here when the tourist season ends. Including myself when I am not working. Apart from playing dominoes, that is.’ He pulls a face.

I must admit I have never really seen the appeal in that myself, but I guess it’s a way of connecting the people to each other in the village, especially the older people.

‘Well, I am grateful for the help. I hope he isn’t letting his friend down on the boats.’

‘It’s fine, he will disappear when things get really busy though, like the rest of us.’

I notice him smiling as he takes a piece of kitchen roll and steps towards me.

‘May I? You have a little something on your cheek.’

He stands so close, I feel lightheaded and I try to ignore the bolt of electricity that shoots through me as he gently wipes something from my cheek. He remains close, looking into my eyes, and I am sure he is going to kiss me, when I lose my nerve and break away.

‘Gosh thanks, was it chalk? I don’t want to be walking around with that on my face,’ I manage to mutter.

‘Yes, it was,’ he says, which makes sense, as I had a piece of chalk behind my ear earlier, marking up some spaces on a wall.

I make my way to the garden, wondering what might have been had I not broken away, as Dimitri picks up some tools, and continues his work.

By Thursday every room in the house has been sanded and painted, brushed and cleaned, and now the new bathroom suite has arrived.

‘Are you carrying on with the work?’ I ask as Dimitri looks a little tired.