Page 75 of The Greek Villa

‘Enjoy dinner with my nephew this evening.’ She smiles. ‘Believe me, it isn’t every day he invites someone to his place.’

‘Thank you. And thanks for the coffee.’

Inside, I shower and change into a lime-green shorts suit, with a black vest underneath. The colour suits my hair colour I think as I give a little twirl in front of the mirror.

I’m trying to stop the butterflies in my stomach as I glance at my watch. Dimitri will be here to collect me in twenty minutes. I debate pouring myself a drink, when the phone rings. It’s Josh.

‘Hey, sis, put the phone onto video, George wants to say hi.’

I switch to camera, and Josh lets out a little wolf whistle when he sees me.

‘Going somewhere special?’

‘No, I usually hang around like this, it’s just something I threw on,’ I joke.

George appears then dressed as a pirate, and brandishes a sword in front of the camera.

‘He wanted to show you his outfit. I’ve just collected him from a pirate-themed party at one of his friends’ houses after nursery.’

‘Did you have fun, George? You look amazing.’

‘Yes, thank you. And I won a prize in musical statues,’ he tells me proudly, lifting up a small gold whistle that he proceeds to blow loudly.

‘Lucky you. I’m glad you had a good time. I hope you will come and see us again soon when I’m back in England.’

‘We will, won’t we, Daddy?’ he says, turning to Josh.

‘We certainly will.’

George waves, then dashes off, swishing his sword.

‘Good luck with getting him to bed, after all that sugar.’

‘Oh, I know.’ He laughs. ‘He’s got a couple of hours to work it off though, I’ll let him run around the garden.’

‘Of course, I keep forgetting we are two hours ahead.’

I tell him all about my impending date with Dimitri.

‘Brilliant, I think you should go for it.’

‘You do? I texted Evie earlier and she told me the same thing.’

‘Why not? You’re always there for everyone else. It’s about time you had a little fun. I know you helped Evie get through her marriage slump, and you have always given me nothing but good advice. Maybe it’s time to concentrate on your own happiness.’

‘Thanks, Josh, and I know you’re right, but a long-distance relationship is hardly ideal is it? It’s the last thing I was expecting to happen.’

‘Just go with the flow. I know it wasn’t exactly Greece, but I moved hundreds of miles away to be with Zoe. Love can conquer anything, if it’s meant to be.’

‘Do you really believe that?’ I ask doubtfully.

‘I do as it happens, yes.’

Zoe pops into the room then, and says hi and chats for a second, before dropping a kiss onto Josh’s head, and saying she will go and prepare dinner. I don’t think I have seen them look as happy as they are in a long time.

Five minutes after finishing the call, Dimitri is tapping at the front door. I open it and his eyes widen.

‘Wow. You look beautiful. But then, you always do.’

---