Page 59 of The Greek Villa

‘I could get used to this,’ I say with a sigh as we drive on, the window open and Greek music playing on the radio. ‘I’m really not looking forward to the weather at home. My brother told me it’s raining.’

‘Are you close to your family?’ he asks as we drive around a bend without any fencing along the road that looks down across the valley, which makes me feel a little nervous.

‘I am. Especially my parents as I live so nearby, but I was close to my brother growing up. I still am actually, even though he lives down south now.’

‘My older sister moved away too. I stayed around here because I get regular building work, both renovating property and new builds in the surrounding area. She lives in Corfu Town now,’ he tells me. ‘But she visits fairly regularly, much to the delight of my mother. And me. They cook up a feast in the kitchen when they are together.’

I ask him whether things are still very traditional in the sense that women do a lot of the cooking.

‘With the older generation, maybe yes, it is true. But many of my friends like to cook, as do I. Maybe next time you come over, I will cook for you.’

‘Thank you, I would like that. Can you make those fried potatoes and eggs for breakfast then?’

‘So you will be staying for breakfast?’ He swings his head around and I want to die of embarrassment.

‘Well, I mean, you know any time of day, that would be nice.’

I decide to be quiet for the rest of the journey, and just admire the scenery as we drive along the country roads. As we climb higher, a brown tourist sign soon points us in the direction of the ruins of the Byzantine castle called Angelo Castro. As we approach the castle, it looks as though it is perching on the clouds.

‘Good job I didn’t wear my high heels then.’ I step outside the car and point down at my white trainers.

‘It is not as daunting as it looks, the steps up are large and flat,’ Dimitri tells me, before heading to a small kiosk to pay the entrance fee.

The old stone steps are flanked by ancient olive trees and the constant trill of cicadas as we make our way up the steps is soothing to the senses. As we climb higher, the ascent easy –Dimitri was right about the flat steps – the view becomes more and more stunning. When we arrive at the top, I turn and take in the panoramic view below that is simply breathtaking. A sea of blue, emerald and every shade in between, is lapping a small sandy beach and a valley beyond filled with trees has pops of colour from vivid red flowers on shrubs. A white boat glides along against the outline of distant hills, and the sight of it all almost takes my breath away.

‘That’s Paleokastritsa,’ Dimitri informs me, following my gaze.

‘Down there?’

‘Just there.’ He takes my arm and gently points it out. As he moves closer, I take in his scent, his closeness and feel my own heartbeat thump. If he tried to kiss me now, I’m not sure I would be able to resist.

For a few seconds, I just stand and gaze, then snap away with my camera phone, marvelling at the stunning vista below.

‘Shall we have one together?’ suggests Dimitri.

‘Sure.’

He takes his phone from his pocket, and moves in closer to take the perfect selfie. When he shows it to me, we look like a happy couple relaxing in the sun and I have to admit I think we look pretty good together.

‘That’s lovely, will you send it to my phone?’

He fires the picture across immediately, and I can’t resist sending it to Evie.

We take our time, exploring the castle ruins, climbing over rocks and reading the information boards. I can’t help smiling at a teenage girl positioned on a wall, head thrown back and posing with the dramatic background as her friend takes a photo, no doubt for a social media account. I saw a café down below, just off the car park, and realise I am dying for a frappé. A text popsthrough from Evie in response to my photo, full of love hearts, and makes me smile.

‘I think it’s time for a drink soon, but first let me show you something.’

Dimitri leads me to a crumbling stairway, partly obscured by trees, and takes me by the hand, leading the way as we carefully descend the steps. A few seconds later, I am stunned to discover we are standing inside a tiny chapel cut into the rock. It has white walls and a small altar, even one or two religious artefacts on the wall.

‘Oh my goodness.’ I glance around taking it all in. It feels so cool down here, away from the burning heat. ‘A church, it’s beautiful. It’s so tiny.’ I touch its white, cool walls thinking of all the people who have been here over the centuries.

‘Maybe it was larger at some point, but this is all that remains now, as a visitor centre. Much of the castle was destroyed in the Byzantine wars.’

As we descend the steps back towards the car park, I tell Dimitri how much I have enjoyed the castle visit.

We enjoy a drink at the café, overlooking the valley again, and I catch another glimpse of the sea stretching out into the distance. Glancing at my watch, I suggest we leave the visit to the monastery for another day.

‘If you wouldn’t mind. I don’t want to be rushed getting ready this evening for my flight,’ I explain.