Page 71 of The Greek Villa

‘The operation was a success apparently. She will be there for several days. It was nice watching Phoebe reconnect with her old friend. Your aunt went with her to visit earlier.’

‘That is good to hear. All those wasted years.’

‘That’s what Phoebe said. I think it brought it home to her.’ We spend a moment in silence, in our own thoughts. ‘So how was your day at the harbour? I’m keen to know.’

‘Busy, thankfully. And I have also taken on a job to refurbish an old restaurant that someone has bought in the countryside. I’m looking forward to doing that, although it will be after the summer season has finished.’

‘Sounds good. Gosh you will hardly have a minute to yourself.’

‘It’s okay, the restaurant owner knows it will not be ready until next autumn, he is in no rush. It will be a slow project as it is little more than a ruin.’

He tells me the village in question hasn’t had a restaurant for many years, and the word is the locals will welcome it very much. He also tells me that two overseas buyers have bought two of the village houses that have fallen into disrepair.

‘There is hope that the small villages can be brought alive again, and I am grateful because it is a steady income for me.’

‘That sounds wonderful. I am really pleased you have the work, Dimitri. I can definitely vouch for your hard work.’

I glance around my cosy home.

‘This was quite easy. And a pleasure for me, as the homeowner is rather attractive.’

I always knew the attraction was mutual, but even so his comment has me feeling a little flustered.

I’m about to stand, when Dimitri pulls me gently by the wrist down next to him.

‘Why do you always run away from me?’ he asks. He is so close, I am sure he must be able to hear the sound of my heart beating like a drum.

‘Do I?’ I stutter.

‘You do.’ He leans back then, lacing his hands behind his head, and studying me. ‘I wonder what you are afraid of?’

‘Afraid? Who said I am afraid of anything?’ I smile nervously, before grabbing my wine and taking a glug.

‘I’m not sure, I was hoping you might tell me. I know nothing about your personal life really, only your job,’ he says, holding my gaze.

I think of how Dimitri told me everything about his ex, and I divulged nothing about my ex, but I find it just too humiliating to discuss. Then I remember that Dimitri’s ex is, in fact, back in town.

‘And what will happen if I don’t run away and stay right here?’

Dimitri moves closer then, and this time I lean into him. Just as the shrill of the smoke alarm in the kitchen makes me jump to my feet.

I am greeted by the sight of smoke spiralling from the pot, and when I lift the lid, I smell the unmistakeable aroma of burnt meat.

‘Oh no, how has this happened? I only checked it ten minutes ago,’ I say, cursing the timing of the smoke alarm.

I realise then that I had turned the heat up earlier and forgot to return it to a simmer.

‘Maybe I have had a narrow escape, if you have added this.’ He raises an eyebrow, pointing to the jar of mixed spice.

‘Oh no. I tasted it earlier, then added more of what I thought was cinnamon. That is a mixed spice that I use for baking fruit cakes.’

‘May I?’

Dimitri grabs a spoon and dips it into the casserole.

‘Actually, not as bad as I thought.’ He laughs. ‘It is like a lamb-flavoured Christmas cake,’ he says and I can’t help laughing.

‘Oh dear. Shall we order a pizza then?’ I say, not wanting the evening to end.

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