Page 68 of The Greek Villa

I pull up at a roadside truck stop in the middle of nowhere and buy some fresh peaches and a slice of watermelon, along with a bottle of the island’s kumquat liqueur. I can’t say I have ever really tried it, so will sample some later poured over ice.

The owner of the wooden stall thanks me, and drops a small bunch of grapes into a brown paper bag, free of charge. I take a photo of the scenery below from this viewing point and a photo of the old Greek man, standing proudly beside his stall.

As I continue driving, my mind keeps flicking back to the sight of Dimitri with his beautiful ex. Thea told me they were no more than friends. Dimitri told me they could hardly even be called that, but had manged to remain civil to each other. Even so, they looked close when I saw them.

As I approach the beach at Paleo, as it’s known by, I can see that it’s very busy. Large tourist coaches inch their way down a tiny road lined with tourist shops and ice-cream kiosks as they make their way to a car park. If anything is going to distract me from thinking of Dimitri, it’s the sight of the blue water. I give up hope of ever finding a place to park when, miraculously, someone pulls out of a space in a parking area near the beach. Ideftly park, and cross the road to a restaurant that overlooks the water.

It’s bustling with diners, and I consider grabbing a takeaway gyros from a kiosk and taking it to the beach, when a waiter appears and guides me to a table where a young couple are settling their bill. It seems the Greek gods are smiling on me today as I’m so lucky to have this table, that is directly overlooking the small, crowded beach.

Beyond the sand, people are floating in the blue-green water on pedaloes, or swimming. I glance up at a paraglider in the sky as a boat guides them safely into the shore. In the distance, at the top of some mountains, I can make out the outline of the castle, and can almost hear the crickets as I recall climbing the steps to the summit.

Sitting here, dining on the most delicious sea bass and a Greek salad, just watching the world go by, I can’t help but feel blessed. I hope that next time I come over, I will be accompanied by my parents and enjoying a meal together at a seafront taverna.

Settling down onto a sunbed, which thankfully there are still a few left of as most people seem to be in the restaurants, I pay the sunbed guy and stretch myself out, slipping my sundress over my head. If anything is going to clear my mind, it’s lying here in this glorious sunshine listening to the gentle sound of the waves caressing the golden sand. I’m almost dozing off, when I hear my phone ringing in my bag.

‘Hello?’ The signal isn’t too great here, but I can just about make out Dimitri’s voice.

‘Hi, did enjoy your first fright in the mouse?’ Crackle, crackle goes the phone line.

‘What?’

‘The house. How was your first night?’

‘Oh, the house!’ I’m laughing now. I’m still missing words, but we should just about manage to have a conversation.

‘I had the best sleep.’

‘The vest what?’

‘The best sleep.’

‘Oh good. Where are you now?’

‘I’m on a beach, watching some boats.’

‘You are watching some goats,’ he says and I roar with laughter.

‘This is useless. I will text you.’

‘Test me?’

‘Hang up, Dimitri. The signal is awful.’ I realise I am almost shouting as a man on an adjacent bed gives me a funny look.

I tap out a text telling him where I am, and then inviting him for dinner tomorrow evening at the house. I will make him the casserole from the old cookery book I found in the drawer.

There’s no immediate reply, and I wonder whether or not I have done the right thing.

Fifteen minutes later, having glanced at my phone at least half a dozen times to see that he still hasn’t replied, I feel so stupid. Although I wonder why he was calling me in the first place. Especially now that his work at the villa is finished.

An hour later, I gather up my things and decide to head back to Roda. I am a little preoccupied as I make the journey back to the village, but when I pass the wooden stall on the roadside, the owner lifts his hand and waves.

Driving on, I giggle to myself when I think of Dimitri asking if I was watching goats. Where on earth did he think I was? Sitting in the hills somewhere?

I’m looking forward to changing and going for an evening walk with Phoebe later, stopping for a little drink and watching the sunset on the beach. I’m sure Dimitri never received my text with such a poor signal, so decide to put it out of my mind.

I’m thinking about all of these things as I pull into my road, and the first thing I can see is an ambulance. Oh no, is that why Dimitri was calling? And here was I inviting him over for dinner!

I hold my breath as I park up behind the ambulance and head over to where a small crowd have gathered. I see Phoebe near the ground and I catch my breath, but as I draw closer I can see she is crouching down next to someone. Eliza is spread out on the floor, being assisted by a paramedic, who is placing an oxygen mask over her face.

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