Page 57 of Not My Greek Wedding

‘Don’t worry, I understand.’

‘But at least let me pay for the taxi,’ he says, following me outside into the street.

I protest, but he pays the driver in advance as I step into the taxi, one of several in a nearby rank.

As we head off, I wonder whether Christos will bother contacting me again. Perhaps the stars are just not aligning for us to spend the night together, and maybe there is a reason for that.

I put that to the back of my mind as I think of Irene, wondering what I might find when I get there. I hope her injuries are not too serious, although Patsy did sound a little stressed. Poor Irene. It must be frightening spending time in an overseas hospital.

Despite the situation, I try to enjoy the journey, the roads quiet in the evening. We drive past a café at the top of a hill, the outside threaded with lights. A few people are drinking coffee at outside tables, their quad bikes parked up nearby, probably after a day out exploring.

Half an hour later, having driven through the serene, mountainous landscape, we are approaching the town, when I call Patsy and tell her I will be there shortly.

‘Oh, Mia, you are an angel. It will be so good to see you,’ she tells me gratefully.

I thank the taxi driver, and after enquiring at the hospital reception desk, I locate Patsy sitting at the bedside of Irene, who is sleeping.

‘How is she?’ I ask Patsy, who stands and gives me a hug.

‘We are waiting for the result of an X-ray,’ she says anxiously. ‘It seems her heart rate was very high, although the doctor did say that may just have been down to the shock of the fall. At least, I think that’s what he said.’ She frowns. ‘He spoke so quickly some of it may have been lost in translation.’ She sighs.

‘I’ll see what I can find out. In the meantime, I will go in search of coffee, you look like you could use one,’ I tell her.

‘Thank you. I don’t think I want to sleep until I know she will be alright, so I might need it to keep me awake.’

After locating a drinks machine, I am striding along a corridor, when I spot a familiar face walking towards me.

‘Andreas? What are you doing here?’ I ask in surprise.

‘I have just driven a friend here. He injured his ankle during a game of football, thankfully it isn’t broken.’ He pulls a face.

‘Gosh, that sounds painful.’

‘For the team too, as he is our best striker,’ he tells me with a wry smile. ‘Actually, I am about to leave, as my friend’s partner is here with him now. Will you be needing a lift anywhere?’ he offers.

‘Thank you, but I think I want to find out how Irene is doing first.’

I tell him about Irene and Patsy being here after Irene’s fall.

‘Ah, the ladies you were with the other evening.’ He nods. ‘I am sorry to hear that. Is your friend going to be okay?’ he asks sincerely. ‘I am in no hurry, so I don’t mind waiting, if you need taking home.’

‘Actually, if you are in no rush, I wonder if you could ask the doctor exactly what is going on? Patsy seemed a little confused earlier.’

‘Of course. I will be glad to be of help.’ He smiles.

Back on the ward, a doctor is happy to speak to Andreas on Patsy’s behalf. The pair speak quickly, and I dearly wish I knew a little Greek.

‘Well?’ Patsy asks anxiously when the doctor leaves.

‘It is as you said,’ says Andreas. ‘The doctor thinks her blood pressure is raised because of her fall. She was a little shocked but thankfully nothing is broken. She will be kept in overnight for observation.’

‘Thank you, Andreas, that’s the bit I wasn’t sure about, although I know he said something about sleeping.’ She nods. ‘Talking of which, why is she so sleepy, have they sedated her?’ Patsy ponders, by which time the doctor has moved on to another patient.

‘I am not sure but maybe they have given her something to help her relax. It seems to be working, as her blood pressure appears to be going down,’ says Andreas, glancing at the machine she is hooked up to.

‘Have you had medical training?’ I ask curiously.

‘Hmm, not really, although I did once consider becoming a doctor. I helped to look after my grandmother too, and learnt a little basic knowledge, including reading blood pressure,’ he tells me. ’That was before I discovered I preferred making sculptures. In preference to being a doctor, I mean, not to looking after my granny,’ he jokes.

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