Page 67 of Not My Greek Wedding

‘You did this too?’ I stroke the mirror frame, then automatically check my reflection, wishing I had reapplied some lipstick.

‘I did, with some driftwood from the beach we visited today, actually.’

‘You are very talented. Have you thought about selling your work online until you find some premises?’ I ask. ‘Although maybe you would need to put some more pieces together first.’

‘You mean like these?’ He opens a cupboard that is crammed with objects that range from small dishes to larger fruit bowls. A wooden jewellery box encrusted with sea glass catches my eye.

‘That is so pretty,’ I tell him. ‘All of your work is amazing. How do you make these?’ I ask, stroking one of the bowls that is pleasing to the touch.

‘On a lathe,’ he informs me. ‘My grandfather left it to me after he died. It is in a garage, which is currently my workshop. He enjoyed making things as a hobby when he was not out on his fishing boat.’

‘What a lovely skill to pass on. Although your hand carving of the faces and the tree is also seriously impressive.’

‘Thank you,’ he says. ‘I appreciate that.’

‘Do you mind me asking, will you be selling the tree?’

‘I will be, I suppose,’ he says.

‘Then may I buy it? I think it would make a lovely gift for my friend’s fortieth birthday.’

‘But, of course, and thank you.’ He smiles. ‘I am flattered that you would give it to someone for an important birthday.’

I ask him the price, but he tells me we can sort it out another time as he slips it into a box and I place it in my bag.

Glancing at my watch, I can see it is very late in the afternoon, so think I ought to be on my way. There appeared to be no one else at home when we arrived, but I imagine his parents will return home shortly, after being out on their yacht for the day. Their yacht!

‘I have had a wonderful time today, Andreas, but I ought to be heading back,’ I say, draping my bag across my shoulder. ‘Thanks for showing me your work, you really are very talented.’

‘It is nice to have an appreciative audience.’ He smiles as he leads me from the bedroom.

Walking along the landing, we hear giggling from the other side of a bedroom door.

‘Is someone home?’ I ask as we pass the room.

‘Probably my brother.’ Andreas rolls his eyes. ‘Maybe we will leave the introductions for another day though,’ he says, raising an eyebrow.

‘Maybe that’s for the best.’ I smile, feeling pleased that he would like to see me again.

It really has been the most unexpected day, and I enjoyed myself far more than I could have imagined. We reach the top of the stairs, when suddenly the bedroom door swings open, and my heart stops. Because there standing in the doorway, with a blonde woman in tow, is Christos.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Time seems to stand still for a moment as I glance from Christos to Andreas in utter confusion.

‘Mia, what are you doing here?’ asks Christos, looking completely shocked.

‘She is here with me,’ says Andreas, a puzzled look on his face. ‘Wait, you two know each other?’

‘We have actually met, yes,’ I tell him. ‘At the nightclub,’ I add, wishing that the ground would swallow me up.

‘I see,’ says Andreas, staring at his brother.

I can feel the heat creeping up my cheeks as Christos looks at his shoes and scratches the back of his neck.

‘Is there something you are not telling me?’ says Andreas, glancing between us both suspiciously. ‘Only I have seen that look on my brother’s face before.’ He almost spits the words out as he glares at Christos.

‘What? No, not really,’ I say, my heart beating wildly. ‘Christos has just shown me some of the sights.’

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