by Mandy Baggot
‘Just for our benefit? How flattering,’ Nicholas joked.
‘It’s a bit like having a novelty alarm clock waking you up in the morning,’ Freya explained.
Nicholas was looking at her and he took hold of one of her hands.
‘I’m not going to kiss you,’ he stated simply.
‘No? Oh, OK, that’s fine - unusual end to a date, but fine,’ Freya told him.
‘I’m not going to kiss you because I think at the back of your mind you still think I’m not serious,’ Nicholas explained.
‘It’s OK, honestly,’ Freya said, trying hard to hide her disappointment.
‘I do want to kiss you. Believe me I’d like nothing more than to kiss you right now,’ he admitted with a deep breath.
Freya just looked at him, watching the rise and fall of his chest, looking at his lips and wanting them to kiss her. She inched forward, unable to stop herself; she wanted to feel his mouth on hers.
‘No. I can be strong. I can do this. I’m not going to kiss you,’ he said with a satisfied nod as he straightened himself and moved slightly away from her.
‘That’s OK, you don’t have to kiss me, because I was going to kiss you,’ Freya said.
Nicholas took hold of her other hand and held both of them together.
‘If we kiss now I don’t think I’d be able to stop there and I don’t think it’s right - not yet,’ Nicholas spoke seriously.
‘And here I was thinking all the gentlemen were extinct,’ Freya replied.
Nicholas smiled.
‘So I guess I’ll be going back to my lonely room, to my single bed - alone,’ Freya commented, picking her handbag up from the floor of the car.
‘And I guess I’ll be going for a cold shower. Listen, you’ve got my cell number. Call me tomorrow,’ Nicholas told her.
‘You mean today,’ Freya said, looking at her watch.
‘Yes I do,’ Nicholas whispered.
He kissed her hands.
‘Call me,’ he repeated.
‘I’ll see you,’ Freya responded.
She opened the car door, took one last look at him, taking in just how good he looked and then she shut the door behind her.
The car pulled away leaving her stood outside the Calypso Apartments and Freya watched it head off up the road in the direction of Villa Kamia. She took a deep breath, feeling slightly giddy. What had just happened to her life?
Sixteen
Beep Beep.
Freya opened one eye as her mobile phone started to vibrate on the bedside cabinet. God, she felt awful. Who was texting her? What time was it? She sat up and looked at her watch. It was 9.50am. It couldn’t be! Surely she couldn’t have slept through the bonking bunnies upstairs.
R u ok? Call me
It was a text from Emma. Freya had promised to call her first thing and tell her about last night. She was probably worried she hadn’t heard from her.
She called Emma’s number.
‘Hello,’ Emma answered.
‘It’s me. Are you at the office?’ Freya enquired.
‘Yes I am.’
‘Are you busy?’
‘Not yet. In fact this morning I’ve had time to read the newspapers. Did you know Greece now gets the daily English papers almost before they get them in England? And today they’re quite a good read,’ Emma told her.
‘Oh?’ Freya enquired.
‘Yes, there’s a good photo too - of Nicholas Kaden,’ Emma said.
‘Right, well shall I come round? I’ll just get showered and dressed and I’ll be there in twenty minutes.’
‘It’s a photo of Nicholas Kaden and you outside Harry’s Place and you’re holding hands,’ Emma exclaimed.
‘Mmm OK. Shall I make it fifteen minutes?’ Freya suggested, getting out of bed and holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder.
‘What happened? Why is he holding your hand? The amount of chilli and laxatives Lorraine was going to put in his food should have had him doubled up and incapacitated. What were you doing at Harry’s Place,’ Emma continued.
‘It’s a long story. Look just give me ten minutes or so and I’ll be there,’ Freya said.
‘They’re asking people to contact the newspaper to name you. They’re describing you as his new love interest,’ Emma carried on.
‘God no, I’ve heard enough. Ten minutes OK and I’ll tell you everything,’ Freya insisted.
‘I’ll put the coffee machine on,’ Emma replied.
Freya showered and dressed as quickly as she could while still trying to figure out in her head exactly what had happened the night before. She had dated Nicholas Kaden. It had been good and he had held her hand. Had she imagined it? The inside pages of English tabloid The Daily News told her not.
‘I look awful,’ Freya announced as she stared at the photograph in Emma’s paper.
She had arrived at Emma’s office a few minutes before and now had the English paper in front of her, together with a hot cup of coffee.
‘I agree it isn’t the best photo of you, but you’re sort of smiling,’ Emma remarked, looking at the paper over Freya’s shoulder.
‘Grimacing more like. It was horrendous, it felt like there were a thousand cameras,’ Freya announced.
‘So what happened? When I spoke to you last night everything was arranged. You were going to give him the date from Hell and teach him a lesson for taking up a bet to go out with you,’ Emma reminded her.
‘I know, but it all went wrong right from the start. He got besieged by fans at the apartments and then he’d organised a car to take us to Harry’s Place for dinner. It was fantastic. There was a big table set up in the courtyard with candles and flowers and he’d ordered every dish from the menu and there was a mandolin player,’ Freya explained as she recalled the previous night.
‘Very flash. So that made you forgive him for taking bets on you did it?’ Emma questioned.
‘No of course it didn’t, but he was being really nice to me and being interested in me and he was telling me about his life and then we almost had a fight. I told him I knew about the bet,’ Freya spoke.
‘Go on. I can’t wait to hear what he had to say for himself,’ Emma urged.
‘Well, the upshot of it all is that it wasn’t a fake date. There was no bet, well there was, but he didn’t accept it. He asked me out for real, because he actually likes me,’ Freya informed her excitedly.
‘Let me get this straight in my pregnant head. It was a real date and he likes you. Well what about what Gene and Bob said?’ Emma asked her.
‘He said they had made the bet, but he’d told them he wasn’t interested because he’d already decided he wanted to ask me out,’ Freya concluded with a smile.
‘And you believe him?’ Emma queried.
‘I know what you’re thinking. That he’s charmed me and taken me for a mug. That’s what I would be thinking if you were telling me all this, but you weren’t there. He was genuine, he was nervous about things, he wanted everything to be perfect, like you would on a first date - and he’s asked me out again tomorrow,’ Freya told her.
‘You didn’t sleep with him did you?’ Emma questioned.
‘No! Em, are you OK? Did you get out of bed the wrong side or are those hormones causing problems again?’ Freya asked her.
‘I’m sorry. I’m tired that’s all,’ Emma answered with a sigh.
‘Can you not take some time off work? I really don’t think you should be working night and day in your condition,’ Freya told her.
‘I don’t have a choice. We need cover at the restaurant, I’m working again tonight,’ Emma informed her.
‘You can’t! Look at yourself. You’re washed out. I’ll do a shift tonight instead,’ Freya told her.
‘Don’t be silly, you’re on holiday,’ Emma replied.
‘So? You need a break. I can remember how to waitress. It is just waitressing isn’t it? I mean I wouldn’t have to cook would I?’ Freya checked.
‘No just waitress a
nd clear tables but it’s OK, I can manage,’ Emma insisted.
‘I’m not going to take no for an answer. Clear it with Mr and Mrs P and I’ll be there whatever time they want me. God knows what I’m going to wear though, nothing of yours will fit me,’ Freya told her.
‘I am sure Mrs P will have something,’ Emma assured her.
‘It’s going to be a traditional costume isn’t it?’ Freya remarked.
‘I don’t think she has those anymore, staff kept complaining. Look are you sure you don’t mind?’ Emma spoke.
‘I’m sure I don’t mind. It might be fun,’ Freya said and she took a swig of her coffee.
‘Do you think your parents might call you? You know, if they see you in the paper,’ Emma asked her.
‘If they do it will be because they’re unhappy about it. Thank God they didn’t name me,’ Freya announced.
‘But what if they find out who you are? I mean they’re bound to find out, that’s what newspapers do,’ Emma reminded her.
‘Who’s going to tell them? No one knows, only you. I have changed quite considerably since I was eighteen. I have to admit, stupid as it may sound, having all those photographers outside the restaurant shocked me. I didn’t think it would be like that. I was static like a traffic cone,’ Freya told her.
‘What d’you think Russell will think of the picture?’ Emma asked.
‘I think he’ll wonder what Nicholas Kaden is doing with someone so large and plain,’ Freya responded.
‘So how was it left with you and Nick?’ Emma questioned.
‘He told me to call him today. Do you know, he wasn’t at all like I thought he would be - what I assumed he would be. He was funny and interesting and down to earth,’ Freya spoke.
‘And what happened at the end of the night?’ Emma asked her.
‘Nothing. He dropped me off at the apartments and we said goodnight,’ Freya stated.
‘With tongues?’ Emma asked.
‘No. He didn’t kiss me,’ Freya told her.
‘What?’
‘He said he thought I still believed the bet thing so he said he wouldn’t kiss me to prove he was genuine. Either that or I ate too much garlic sauce and he was just being polite,’ Freya remarked.
‘God that sounds really romantic, in a restrained kind of way,’ Emma said.
‘It feels strange though. I mean yesterday I hated him and today…’ Freya began.
‘Go on,’ Emma urged.
‘Today I just can’t wait to hear his voice again,’ Freya admitted with a swallow.
Emma looked at her and Freya returned her gaze. Then, as if reading each other’s minds they screamed at the top of their voices and Freya jumped up from her chair and grabbed hold of her friend. They jumped up and down madly until Freya suddenly stopped and looked at Emma.
‘Oh bugger!’ she announced.
‘What?’ Emma asked.
‘I’ve got no story to sell Shooting Stars magazine for your wedding fund. I mean I could tell them about Bob and Gene, but they aren’t high profile enough for anyone to be really interested,’ Freya stated.
‘It doesn’t matter. It would never have worked out. Yiannis and I can get married after the baby is born. I just have to come to the terms with the fact that some things just don’t happen the way you want them to,’ Emma told her.
‘No, maybe not, but you deserve your plans to work out. I’m going to think of something, leave it to me,’ Freya said with a nod.
‘So what do you have planned for the rest of the day?’ Emma enquired.
‘I’m going to stare at my mobile and hold myself back from calling him,’ Freya spoke.
‘Good plan. You don’t want to appear too keen,’ Emma agreed.
‘No, so I thought I would give it ten minutes or so and then I’ll call him,’ Freya announced with a grin.
Emma laughed and then, just as quickly, her expression changed as she caught sight of something outside the office.
‘Freya, there are people with cameras, large cameras with zoom lenses and everything, outside the office,’ Emma stated.
‘Yeah I know. They followed me here from the Calypso. See the short guy with the beard and the blue t-shirt? He’s from Channel Nine in America,’ Freya told her.
‘Oh my God, you’re kidding me,’ Emma exclaimed, peeking outside.
‘Can I go out the back way?’ Freya asked her.
Seventeen
Freya left by the back entrance that led up an alleyway and ended up coming out near Banas Restaurant. She went in, ordered a coffee and sat at her favourite table.
It was now nearly 11.30am and she wondered if it was too early to call Nicholas. They had nearly been apart for twelve hours. Perhaps she should wait and see if he called her. She took a sip of coffee and it nearly burnt her mouth. She picked up her phone, found Nicholas’ entry in the contacts book and taking a deep breath she pressed ‘call’.
It rang several times and then someone picked up.
‘Hello.’
Freya was momentarily taken aback at the sound of a woman’s voice on the end of the phone.
‘Oh hello, is Nick there please?’ Freya asked.
‘Who’s calling?’
Freya then recognised the voice as that of Martha Wilson aka Roll Lady.
‘This is Freya Johnson. Perhaps you could help me. I’m thinking of selling my breakfast tomorrow and I thought I would give Nick first refusal. Do you think that would be something he’d be interested in?’ Freya began sarcastically.
There was no reply from Martha but Freya could hear rustling and hushed voices.
‘Hello.’
At the sound of his voice Freya’s stomach contracted. That served to remind her that a) she really did feel an attraction towards him and b) she hadn’t actually had any breakfast yet.
‘Hi Nick, it’s Freya,’ she managed to say.
‘I was hoping it would be you. Guess where I am,’ Nicholas asked her.
‘Um, let me think. You’re on top of a tall building dressed in nothing but dark trousers and a dirty white vest, covered in sweat, a machine gun around your neck - oh and you’ve got bare feet,’ Freya spoke.
‘Jeez, I'm starting to get concerned about this Bruce Willis obsession. Have you actually seen any of my movies?’ Nicholas asked her.
‘I’ve seen a couple but I might have to revisit them to refresh myself. I am definitely thinking of renting Katie does Kansas,’ Freya replied.
‘Perhaps we could watch that one together,’ Nicholas suggested.
‘Kinky.’
‘Stop that Miss Johnson, I’m in a wet suit - a very tight wet suit,’ Nicholas told her.
‘I am envisaging it. Tell me you have flippers on,’ Freya said.
‘I do - OK I admit, I don’t - but I wasn’t lying about the wet suit. I’m over in Kouloura,’ Nicholas told her, speaking of the small bay near Kassiopi.
‘It’s lovely there, really tranquil,’ Freya responded.
‘It was, until we arrived. So where are you?’ Nicholas enquired.
‘I’m at Banas, just having a coffee. There’s a couple of guys from Channel Nine tailing me around. I’m having to hide behind the menu every time they walk past,’ Freya told him.
‘You’re kidding me? Do you want me to organise someone to be with you?’ Nicholas asked her.
‘God no! I mean that would be three people following me about then,’ Freya said.
‘I’m so sorry. Just try and pretend they aren’t there,’ Nicholas spoke.
‘There were more photographers outside Emma’s office earlier. One of them had a camera I would kill for, top of the range, only just come on to the market. It seemed a total waste to be using it to try and photograph me,’ Freya told him.
‘How many were there?’
‘Um, seven? Eight? Plus me, makes nine. Did you see a British paper today? We made page seven,’ Freya announced.
‘Did they get my good side?’ Nicholas asked.
‘No, yo
u had your trousers on remember?’ Freya joked.
‘I’m sorry about the photographers. Once they latch onto something there’s no stopping them,’ Nicholas told her.
‘It’s OK, I am a master of disguise,’ Freya replied.
‘So are you busy tonight? Do you want to do something?’ Nicholas asked her.
‘Tonight? I thought we were going out tomorrow. I’ve got a notepad here organising everything,’ Freya fibbed.
‘Oh tomorrow’s still on. I just thought, if you hadn’t got plans, we could meet up tonight,’ Nicholas told her.
‘Well I didn’t have plans up until about an hour ago, but now I’m working,’ Freya said.
‘Working? Taking photos?’ he queried.
‘No, waitressing. Emma’s a bit off colour at the moment so I said I would do tonight for her,’ Freya informed him.
‘Waitressing where?’ Nicholas asked.
‘At Petroholis Restaurant at the harbour. Emma’s boyfriend owns it with his parents. They do fantastic meatballs,’ Freya told him.
‘Sounds good. Hey Martha, could you make a dinner reservation for us tonight? About 8.00pm at Petroholis Restaurant,’ Nicholas called to his assistant.
‘Oh my God no! Don’t do that, it isn’t fair,’ Freya exclaimed.
‘Is it the only way I am going to get to see you tonight?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well then you leave me with no choice. I shall see you later tonight. Make sure you’re wearing a proper traditional waitress outfit though, like in the movies. I want to see stockings and a frilly apron,’ he teased.
‘And you can call me Katie,’ Freya replied.
‘See you tonight,’ he ended.
‘Bye,’ Freya said and finished the call.
Freya smiled as she put the phone back down on the table. It had been a good conversation and proved that she hadn’t imagined the night before and he definitely wanted to see her again.
She took another sip of her coffee and then ducked her head down onto the table as she caught sight of the Channel Nine crew heading up the road towards the restaurant.
Her mobile phone began to ring and she turned her head to see who was calling. The name ‘Russell’ was flashing on and off. God, what did he want? She hoped he had got her message telling him their relationship was over. She pressed ‘ignore’ and sat up, just in time for flashes to go off in her face. People were pointing and calling, their faces pressed up against the window.