Page 47 of Not My Greek Wedding

We take a trip to Red Beach, which is pretty much as Lulu said, an unusual red beach made by volcanic eruptions. The rocks are rich in iron which gives them the red colour, our guide informs us. After taking a walk around and snapping some photos, we are soon making the journey back to Perissa.

‘I loved every minute of that,’ says Lulu as we drive along the mountain roads. ‘I know it’s a tourist trip, but at least you get to see how the locals live in the villages. I’m not sure I could live in a village though,’ says Lulu. ‘Everybody knows your business.’

‘I think there is a strong sense of community though,’ I argue. ‘And I wouldn’t mind having a couple of goats in the garden. Maybe even a bee hive to make my own honey.’

I surprise myself by thinking it would be a genuinely lovely thing to do. I could make my own goat’s cheese too. But as I don’t even have a place of my own, I probably have more chance of flying to the moon.

TWENTY

By the time we are dropped off in Perissa, the main street is filled with people strolling along or eating in restaurants and the sound of music can be heard gently playing from bars. The lively atmosphere is in complete contrast to the stillness of the mountain villages we have just left.

Back at the apartment, Lulu begins to place some clothes into her suitcase. ‘I can’t believe I’m heading home tomorrow.’ She makes a sad face. ‘I would definitely enjoy spending more time here.’

‘I’m so glad you came and put yourself first for once,’ I tell her. ‘And we can really enjoy your last evening here.’

‘Thanks, Mia. For one so young, you talk a lot of sense.’ She smiles. ‘And I’m so looking forward to hearing you sing once more this evening,’ she says kindly.

‘Thanks, I am looking forward to it.’

Lulu has persuaded me to go along to the Oyster Bar for the karaoke evening tonight, and despite a slight feeling of nerves at the thought of singing in public again, I actually feel quite excited.

‘And maybe it’s a good thing that I have a later flight home tomorrow so I can enjoy a cocktail this evening,’ she adds.

‘Sounds good to me.’

Bryn and Ash are coming along too, as are Irene and Patsy. Bryn has struck up a rather charming friendship with Irene, who tells me they have been texting each other, Bryn updating her on his adventures such as paragliding, her telling him what she and Patsy have been up to.

‘I’m just nipping to the shop on the corner for some milk,’ I tell Lulu, noting the empty carton in the fridge. ‘I could murder a cup of tea right now, I will be back in two ticks.’

‘Okay. I’m going to do most of my packing now, so I can relax tonight,’ she replies.

The local convenience store has its shutters down, so I walk further along the front past the bars and cafés, and take a right turn to another, larger supermarket. I recognise at once a car parked outside.

‘Mia, hi. How was your day?’ asks Christos as he emerges from the shop carrying a bottle of ouzo. The sight of him sets my pulse racing.

‘It was wonderful, and so nice to get a glimpse of the real Santorini.’ I tell him briefly about the villages we drove through and the places we visited.

‘I’m glad it was worth letting me down for.’ He gives a wry smile.

‘My friend goes home tomorrow. I wanted us to spend her last day together,’ I explain once more.

‘I am teasing,’ he says as he climbs into his car.

We chat for a few minutes more, and I am slightly disappointed that he doesn’t suggest another date. But then, he has had rather a lot of time away from the club of late, despite having a trainee manager.

‘You look good,’ he says, before glancing at his watch. ‘Look, I have to be somewhere now, but maybe I can see you again before you head home?’ he asks, and my heart soars.

‘I’d like that.’

‘I’ll be in touch soon.’ He raises a hand and winks before he roars off.

Walking back to the apartment after purchasing the milk, I relive the day we spent together on the yacht.

As I swam in the gorgeous clear water and sipped champagne on deck, it gave me a glimpse of a life I can only dream about. And I am finding it hard to stop thinking about that kiss and how it made me feel, despite telling myself he is not someone you could ever be serious about, not with his lifestyle. I idly wonder where he is off to, with his bottle of ouzo?

I feel flattered that he has taken an interest in me though, Mia Green, twenty-eight-year-old aspiring social media influencer, when he could have his pick of women.

I’m almost back at the apartment, when I spot Irene and Patsy having a natter with Bryn and Ash in a café.

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