Under a Greek Spell

by Simone Hubbard

  Helen makes me jump as she gets back to the table just as I’m putting my phone down.

  ‘Have you heard from Mum and Dad at all today?’ she enquires unsuspectingly.

  ‘Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. They were having lunch at the harbour in Santorini. Oh, and there were a couple of Mum’s infamous text message mix-ups. She reckons they help with “on-deck whores” and Dad’s having withdrawal symptoms from “wolf”, which turned out to be golf. Also, she asked if we can try and book them in for a round of golf on Friday.’

  ‘Friday? I thought they were due here on Saturday?’

  ‘Oh, that was the other thing she mentioned. The itinerary has changed because of weather issues.’

  ‘Oh dear, I hope they’re not encountering rough seas. That won’t be pleasant on a clipper boat. Maybe we could fix up a spa day here if Mum doesn’t fancy the golf – and if you’re up for it?’

  ‘Yes, that sounds like a plan,’ I reply as enthusiastically as I can. I can’t help thinking that I might want to spend time with Costas if things are still going well. ‘Oh, I’ve just remembered. I also had a text off Richard this afternoon.’

  ‘Oh yes? And what did he have to say for himself?’

  ‘Apparently he’s now island-hopping around Greece with his mate.’

  ‘Oh, really? But he couldn’t do anything that exciting with you?’

  ‘Exactly. He’s really annoyed me.’

  ‘So you’ve replied, “Bully for you, Richard. Have a nice life. Now sod off and let me get on with mine.”’

  ‘I’ve not replied yet. I didn’t want to wind myself up any more than I already was. He can wait until tomorrow. In fact, let’s take some photos of us having a good time and post them on Facebook. See what Richard – and James, for that matter – think of that.’

  ‘I wouldn’t think it would make a jot of difference. The pair of them seem oblivious.’

  ‘Yes, I think you’re right. So let’s not spoil our night talking about those two waste-of-space idiots.’

  The atmosphere in the restaurant is very relaxed; on stage, a man and a woman are singing. The food is excellent. Helen decides that we’ll have another drink, so she tries to catch someone’s attention. Of course, the person whose attention she catches is Costas – un-bloody-believable. He’s not even serving our area but Helen summons him over.

  ‘Evening, ladies. I hope you are enjoying your evening. Would you like some more cocktails?’

  Just hearing him speak gets me hot and bothered.

  ‘Oh yes, thank you. The first two were very nice. Maybe we could try something new.’ Helen amazingly manages to reply without passing comment on either the incident or the cocktail choice.

  ‘Do you know which ones, or should I surprise you?’

  I can see her weighing him up. I think he’s won her over, judging by her fluttering eyelashes and her reply. ‘We’ll let you surprise us.’ Helen smiles and … gushes, I think the term is. I don’t know what’s come over her. As soon as he’s gone, she turns to me. ‘I don’t know where I’ve been for the last fifteen years, Steph, but I wish I’d been to somewhere in Greece. Some of these Greek men are just so sexy. Take our waiter, Costas, for example. He’s gorgeous. Those simmering dark brown eyes, his lovely olive skin, his dark hair, that sexy stubble, his…’

  ‘Yes, Helen, I get the picture. But maybe you should think about someone a bit closer to your age? We don’t want you to be accused of cradle snatching.’

  That may have been a bit catty but Helen bounces back with a brilliant line. ‘Actually, Steph, I think you’ll find men prefer the more mature woman.’ Before I can get another word in, she carries on. ‘Anyway, I was actually thinking about you. I think he’s got a soft spot for you.’

  ‘And how have you reached that conclusion, Miss Marple?’

  ‘Oh, just from the way he couldn’t take his eyes off you when we were here last night. I have an amazing radar system, Steph. That’s why I can do my job standing on my head with my eyes shut.’

  ‘That’s absolute nonsense. I hadn’t even noticed him until you pointed him out. He’s just doing his job, which is being nice.’ I’m not sure how convincing I sound.

  Helen gets the last word in as always. ‘I’m just saying, he’s very handsome and if we could clone him into a model that’s about ten years older I might be interested.’

  My ears suddenly prick up. ‘Er, did you just say you might be interested?’

  ‘I might have done. Why?’

  ‘I thought you told me this afternoon that you’re in a relationship.’

  ‘Yes, I know, but maybe…’

  Helen is saved by Costas, who’s back with two fizzing cocktails adorned with fruit and umbrellas. He’s looking very proud of himself. ‘So, ladies, this is my very own personal recipes. The hotel has kindly allowed me to introduce my own selection of cocktails here. So now I would like to present the newest addition to the menu: Under a Greek Spell. I have heard that Prosecco is very popular with the ladies so I have make my own Prosecco-based cocktail.’

  Helen smells and tastes it. She declares it’s delicious.

  ‘And what about you?’ Costas looks me directly in the eyes.

  I feel like the air is charged with electricity and that we’re the only people here. Everyone else fades into the background. I take a sip and the bubbles seem to go straight to my head. I feel enchanted. ‘Oh yes, thank you, it’s magical…’

  Costas seems happy. He returns to the bar, leaving me in my fantasy world.

  ‘Steph, Steph, earth to Steph, are you having a dessert?’ Helen waves her hand in front of my face.

  I’m lost in the moment and half listening to the singers. ‘No, I’m fine,’ I reply in a dreamy voice.

  ‘Oh my God, are you ill?’

  ‘No, I’m just not hungry.’

  ‘Well, this is a first! Are you sure you’re all right?’

  ‘Yes, I’m fine. It’s probably the cocktails.’

  ‘Oh yes. What was it? “It’s magical, please whisk me away for a night of passion…”’ Helen takes great delight in teasing me. I have to remain unfazed or else she’ll be at it all night.

  ‘You’re just jealous because he fancies me and not you.’

  ‘You know what, Steph? For once you’re right. I am jealous and, if I were you, I’d bloody well make the most of it.’

  ‘Okay, Dear Deidre, I’ll bear your invaluable advice in mind. But for now, can we please enjoy the entertainment?’

  ‘I’m just saying…’

  ‘Yes, I know, and I appreciate that you’re looking out for me, so thank you.’ I’m not sharing my secret with Helen because the next thing she’ll be doing is texting mum. Then they’ll be looking at wedding venues and looking at wedding outfits. Oh my God the thought of it all makes me shudder.

  The man who’s been singing announces that the last song of the evening is ‘For Shirley’. A couple of dancers appear on stage, as well as more singers and a couple of violinists. The noise in the restaurant dies down. The singers begin and the violinists and dancers join in the performance. Everyone in the restaurant seems to have stopped eating and become transfixed by the entertainment. I keep catching the chorus: ‘I believe when I fall in love, with you it will be forever…’ My heart is pounding like mad as I listen intently to the rest of the song.

  The singing stops and there’s silence for a few seconds. Then rapturous applause breaks out. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. I search for Costas and spot him over at the bar. I know from the expression on his face that I’m Shirley and that he asked the performers to dedicate the song to me. I’m moved almost to tears, but I can’t let myself go because Helen will be on to me.

  She breaks into my train of thought. ‘That was amazing! Lucky Shirley,’ she says.

  ‘Yes, lucky Shirley,’ I re
ply. Lucky me!

  We decide to call it a night. I tell Helen to go ahead. The singers are packing up; I want to know what that song was so I go up to the stage and ask one of the women. She tells me it was written by Stevie Wonder and that they’ve based their performance on a Josh Groban version. I thank her. At the same moment, I feel my phone vibrating in my bag with a message.

  Hope you like song

  Sweet dreams. x

  I text back:

  Loved it

  See you tomorrow. x

  As I walk through the restaurant, I hear the chorus of my earworm Little Mix song playing in the background, which makes me smile.

  It suddenly seems very relevant. I do feel like I’ve been drinking a secret potion and I’m now Under a Greek Spell…

  Chapter 12

  Helen

  I’ve had a much better night’s sleep without Steph assaulting me. I’m going to be having breakfast at my first hotel of the day, but I need a hot drink before I leave. There’s a nice selection of teas in the room, which I’m working my way through. This one’s Lime and Ginger. That should help bring me round after the cocktails from last night. I collect my laptop and head to the balcony to enjoy the early morning peace and quiet. I love this time of day, before everyone else is up and about. The birds love it too. They’re all singing, and one keeps hopping on to the balcony looking for stray crumbs.

  Today I’m visiting three family-run hotels that have been put forward to be included in next year’s brochure. There’s only space for two so I’m going to mark them on a points system. I catch up on my emails and messages and remember that I never replied to James. I’m fed up with this ridiculous situation I’m in. I feel like something has changed in the last few days. I want a proper relationship. I want someone who wants to spend quality time with me, not snippets here and there. And certainly not someone who is more than likely two-timing me.

  Hi James

  Shame I got to hear

  about Florida from Daniel

  first. Must say I quite like

  Mykonos – very laid back,

  especially the Mykonos

  Gold, soon to be Bronze!

  See what you mean about

  Selena. Expensive taste

  in jewellery as well it seems.

  Helen

  Let’s see what his reaction to that is, although I’m past caring.

  There’s only a handful of guests having breakfast in the restaurant across the way. I can see Costas, the waiter from last night. He really is good-looking. I’m sure he likes Steph, but for all I know, he could be married with a family.

  I go back inside and get ready. I’m wearing a nice light-grey trouser suit today with a plain white blouse and my Laura Ashley floral silk scarf to add some colour. Steph is still dead to the world. I close the door quietly as I leave but, quite honestly, I think Steph would sleep through a pop concert.

  There’s a guy on the reception desk who seems to be free, so I make a beeline for him. His name badge says ‘Nikos’.

  ‘Kalimera, madam. How can I help?’ he asks.

  ‘Kalimera. I want a taxi into town.’

  ‘Unfortunately, the taxis are very busy this morning. Most of them will be at the airport waiting for two flights from the UK. If I call one now, it will probably be here in about half an hour. If you are just going to town, though, we have a shuttle bus leaving at ten o’clock, or, if you need to go now, I can recommend the local buses.’

  ‘I suppose I could just take the bus. Where in town does it stop?’

  ‘It ends at the square. You can’t go any further.’

  ‘Okay, thanks, you’ve been most helpful. Which way is the bus stop?’

  ‘At the end of the road and then cross over. The stop is right opposite this road. Have a good day, madam.’

  ‘Thanks, I will. You too.’

  I make tracks for the bus, making a mental note to update my list and add the helpful Nikos. The staff here are friendly and they seem genuine, which is an added bonus.

  I walk in the direction of the bus stop. It’s still early and, thankfully, it isn’t too hot yet. I’ve got reasonably sensible shoes on, for a change, so I can at least walk a few metres without being crippled. After a few minutes, a bus arrives. It doesn’t look very roadworthy and I’ll be surprised if it makes the journey into town. I get on and hand over my €20 note. The driver looks positively pained.

  ‘You not have coins?’ he asks, quite abruptly.

  ‘No, I’m really sorry, I only have this.’

  ‘Well, I will give you a lot of change or you can wait until we reach town and I change this at the kiosk.’

  ‘Yes, that’s fine, I’ll wait.’ I smile apologetically. I look for a seat but it’s clearly standing room only. Cheeky sod, he should be letting me ride for nothing if I’ve got to stand.

  We bump along and I admire the bits of countryside that I can see framed by the cloudless blue sky. As the bus halts at each stop, more people are getting on and not many are getting off. This must be rush hour. I’m getting quite squashed and now I can’t see anything. After what seems like eternity, the bus slows and turns round. The driver waits for everyone to get off before he beckons me to follow him to the kiosk to change my note.

  ‘Your €18 change.’ He hands me the money. He’s clearly not amused. Just in case I haven’t got the message he adds, ‘We prefer the exact money for the bus.’

  ‘Okay, thanks, I’ll remember that.’ Well, he won’t be winning a customer-service award any time soon, that’s for sure.

  I haven’t got a clue where I’m going. I find the taxi rank but there are no taxis there, which is no surprise after what Nikos told me. I decide to have a wander and see if I can find the hotel myself. There’s plenty of shops but nothing is open and there’s no one about to ask. I carry on wandering down a narrow street. After a couple of minutes, I pick out a little church. I’m pretty sure it’s the one that Steph took photos of yesterday. An elderly couple are unlocking the door. I approach them.

  ‘Excuse me, do you speak English?’

  ‘A little bit,’ the woman replies. ‘How can we help?’

  ‘I’m trying to find the Hotel Niko. I have a meeting there in half an hour.’

  ‘The Hotel Niko?’ she laughs. ‘This is my daughter’s hotel. We go there in a few minutes to help her and her husband with the breakfast. You can walk there with us if you would like. It is only ten minutes walk from here.’

  ‘Well, I might as well. I’ve got plenty of time.’

  She beckons me into the church. ‘My name is Eliana and my husband is Nikolaos.’

  ‘I’m Helen.’ I shake their hands.

  ‘We just light candle and say prayers. Please take seat.’

  I assume they’re caretakers at the church. The old lady is tidying up some flowers. A tinge of sadness comes over me. The flowers are the same colours as Steph’s wedding bouquet. It’s such a shame that she and Richard couldn’t work out their differences. Mind you, it’s a pretty major difference. Mum and I thought Richard would come round, but, as each week goes by, it’s looking more and more unlikely. And now he’s well and truly wound Steph up with his Greek island-hopping trip. Honestly, it beggars belief.

  Nikolaos removes the candles that have burnt out. I assume one is Steph’s from yesterday. They now each light a candle and kneel to say a prayer. I feel quite humbled. When they finish I ask if I can light one.

  ‘Of course. We will wait outside.’

  I pop one of my euros in the box. I pick up a candle, light it and say a prayer. Top of my list is sorting out my relationship with James – well, more like my situation with James. I realise that this prayer could take quite a long time and I really need to get a move on. Maybe I’ll come back another day.

  Nikolaos and Eliana are waiting patiently outsid
e talking to a woman who seems to be the town’s answer to stray cats. She’s probably Michalis’s mother! At least I can smile about it all today. For some reason, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Everybody is so laid back here that I wonder if it’s rubbing off on me.

  As we walk along a narrow road, Eliana tells me about her family. She says they’ve always owned the hotel that I’m about to do my assessment on.

  The Hotel Niko comes into view. It’s small and well presented although it’s not the sort of place that I’d normally stop in. I’ll have to try to maintain an unbiased view. Eliana goes to find her daughter. I cast my eye around the hotel and get my first impressions, which are good. It’s whitewashed, with blue shutters on the windows. The restaurant is perched just above the beach. Eliana returns with her daughter. She smiles as she approaches me.

  ‘I’m Helen Collins. I’m here to discuss your hotel being included in our family-run hotels brochure next year.’

  ‘My name is Xena. Welcome to our hotel. I am very pleased to meet you. You have already met my mother and father.’

  ‘Yes, I gave up looking for a taxi and ended up wandering to the little church.’

  ‘Oh yes, the taxis are in demand this morning at the airport. There is a London flight and a Manchester flight due. Most holiday people will be on the tour buses but some independent travellers need a taxi.’

  ‘Well, it did me good to have a little stroll around the town. I was planning to start with breakfast and then I’ll have a wander about, if that’s okay with you?’

  ‘Of course. Follow me.’ Xena leads me to the restaurant and hands me a menu.

  ‘This is a traditional Cycladic breakfast. There are many different local breads, pastries and buns. Our home-made bread of the day is Greek olive oil bread with olives and rosemary. We also have my sister-in-law’s home-made fig preserve. Then we have a selection of cheese, including kopanisti, which is made on the island. There is some louza, which is dry salted pork. Also our home-made yogurt and honey, and fresh fruits of the season. If you would like, my husband will cook eggs, however you would like, and of course we have teas and coffee.’