Under a Greek Spell

by Simone Hubbard

  ‘Gosh, what an amazing choice. I’ll order an omelette and a pot of Earl Grey tea and I’ll help myself to some of the rather tasty-looking buffet selection.’

  Xena goes off to the kitchen with my order. She attends to other guests and then arrives back with my pot of tea. I help myself to the home-made yogurt and honey as well as some of the bread and the fig preserve. Everything is presented well and is protected from the flies and birds. The atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxing, and I can hear the sound of the sea in the background.

  I help myself to the ‘Kosmikós Cocktails’ menu, which is lying on the bar. The menu is pretty extensive; it includes some titles that are funny and some that are quite rude.

  Xena arrives back with my omelette and notices me flicking through the menu. She goes rather red. ‘I apologise. That is my son and nephew’s cocktail menu, for their friends. It should be behind the bar. They think they are like Tom Cruise from the film Cocktail. I can bring you the one for guests, if you like?’

  ‘Yes, that would be good. But you can leave this one with me.’ I love learning about cocktails and this one is an eye-opener.

  ‘Okay, I bring it over.’ Xena scurries off in a fluster and leaves me with the hilarious menu.

  I’m not sure how she’d react to someone asking her for a Slippery Nipple, especially this early in the day. As for some of the others, I think she’d faint. I’ll make a note for future reference; you never know when you might fancy a Naked Waiter or a Titanic Uplift.

  Xena returns with the normal drinks’ menu and puts it discreetly on the table just as I’m scribbling in my pad the words ‘Naked Waiter’ and ‘Titanic Uplift’. Poor woman, she probably thinks they’ve blown the whole brochure thing. I find it all quite amusing, and certainly better than yesterday’s fiasco, when I needed to sample a menu of cocktails just to numb the memory of that awful place.

  When I’ve finished my delicious breakfast, Xena clears my plate away. ‘I have asked my son to show you around the hotel while I finish with the breakfast service, if that is okay with you?’

  ‘Absolutely. I’ll wait here and finish this tea.’

  ‘I’ll send him out. He has been helping with the cooking.’

  After a couple of minutes, a person who I assume is Xena’s son appears. My goodness, my day just got a whole lot better! Someone must have heard my request for an older version of Costas because he’s here. He looks serious and sultry, with gorgeous deep brown, almost black, eyes. His black hair has that just-got-out-of-bed look. He’s also got sexy designer stubble. Wow.

  I stand up as he extends his hand to greet me. I’m sure I feel an electric charge as we shake hands.

  ‘I am Costas. You must be Helen. Is James following on?’

  Well that didn’t take long. What should have been a pleasant experience has suddenly wound me up like a spring. I take a sharp intake of breath and bristle at the mention of that name. ‘No, James is not following on. If you must know, he’s getting a villa project off the ground in Florida. So I’m afraid you’ve got me instead.’ My reply is rather snappy, which I instantly regret. After all, this guy isn’t to know that he’s just waved a red rag in front of a bull.

  ‘Sorry. It has been James that I have seen in the past, that’s all. I was also wanting to clear the air with him.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, we had a disagreement last time he was here… Anyway, it can wait until I see him again. When you are ready, I will show you around.’

  ‘After you,’ I gesture.

  ‘We have seventeen guest rooms…’

  ‘Oh, I thought it said twenty in my information.’

  ‘I was just about to say that there will be twenty by the time the hotels reopens next spring.’

  ‘Is that guaranteed?’ I ask a bit sarcastically.

  ‘You have my word. If need be, I will come and finish them myself,’ he replies, quite sternly.

  Costas might be drop-dead gorgeous but, my God, he’s a bit serious. I can’t help myself. ‘Oh, so you do up hotel rooms as well. A man of many talents…’

  He unlocks the door of the first room. ‘My family and I have done all the work throughout the hotel. I hope you like it. Each room is different. We try to mix modern with authentic Greek touches and the bathroom toiletries are made by my mother and grandmother.’

  That’s me told. Obviously, he is a man of many talents. The room is fairly basic but it has a modern look. The built-in wardrobe space is more than adequate. There’s a nice big mirror and a chair to sit on for doing hair and make-up. It’s clean and there’s a good-sized bathroom, which has a modern shower, a toilet behind frosted glass and a double vanity unit that is very impressive for a small hotel. There’s a small TV, a kettle and a little fridge.

  ‘I like these toiletries. I’ve used them at the Boutique Blue, where I’m staying.’

  ‘Yes, I introduced them when I worked there. They have been very popular.’

  ‘Oh, so you’re not there any more?’

  ‘No, I have a new job. It will be…’ he stops mid sentence and looks a bit upset, ‘…a new start.’

  ‘Well, I hope it works out for you.’ I decide to move the conversation on because this clearly isn’t a topic he wants to talk about any further. Then again, he doesn’t seem to be the chatty sort anyway. ‘I assume you’ve somewhere to make the toiletries?’

  ‘We have indeed. It is a workshop and we have the items on sale there as well. I’ll show you, if you like, before you leave.’

  ‘I’d love that. It sounds like I might need my purse.’

  ‘Yes, I think you are right.’ I’m not sure if I detect a slight chink of humour in his voice before he moves on. ‘Now, please have a look at the view.’ He opens the wooden shutters to reveal a small balcony with a view of the courtyard at the back. There’s a water feature in the middle of it, lots of plants in brightly coloured ceramic pots and plants growing up and around a couple of informal seating areas. There are also some wicker tables and chairs. Part of the area is covered and a couple of olive trees provide shade as well.

  ‘You’ve created a beautiful little oasis.’

  ‘Thank you, but I cannot take much credit for it. It was my grandparents who did this. I did help a little with the heavy stuff.’ For a minute I think he’s going to smile but it doesn’t quite happen. ‘I will show you one of my favourite rooms.’

  He opens a door to reveal one of the sea-facing rooms. It’s similar to the first room in layout and decor but the view is spectacular. It overlooks some pretty gardens as well as the golden, sandy beach, and flows right down to the gorgeous blue sea.

  ‘Wow, this is amazing! Who wouldn’t want to wake up to that view? Or the courtyard? Or the gardens?’

  ‘I am glad you like it. It is good to meet people who appreciate the love that has gone into it.’

  There are also a couple of cabanas on the edge of the beach that I hadn’t spotted from the restaurant. ‘Those cabana’s are a nice idea.’

  ‘Yes they are my brother’s contribution. He has an eye for detail.’

  ‘Well you’re clearly a very creative family.’

  ‘Thank you, you are most kind,’ he answers looking a bit awkward at receiving a compliment.

  Costas goes on to show me the informal lounge area downstairs, which contains a bar. This area leads to the indoor restaurant, which has doors that open out on to a bijou terrace with a few tables and chairs. Finally, he shows me into the kitchen, where he introduces me to his father Stavros. He’s just about finished making the breakfasts. Eliana is washing up and Nikolaos is drying the dishes and putting them away.

  Stavros shakes my hand. ‘Miss Collins, I am very pleased to meet you.’ Like his son, he seems a bit familiar to me. I’m beginning to have this déjà vu feeling with everyone.

  ‘Please, call me Helen. I’m pleased t
o meet you too, and thank you for the lovely breakfast.’

  ‘You are very welcome. It was no trouble. Now, would you like to try a coffee from my new machine? And then we can all have a chat. My wife is very embarrassed about the cocktail menu. It is my son’s fault.’ He shoots a disapproving look at Costas, who shrugs and shakes his head.

  ‘How was I meant to know that Miss Collins would look at it?’

  Ooh, I need to deploy a distraction tactic immediately as I detect some father-and-son friction. ‘I’d love a cappuccino. Please don’t worry about the cocktail menu. I’ve made a note of a couple of them just in case I ever need some inspiration.’ I raise my eyebrows and smile.

  Stavros looks relieved. ‘Please have a seat in the beach-bar restaurant and I will bring us all some coffee,’ he suggests.

  I follow Costas to the restaurant. I can usually read people quite well, but I haven’t a clue about Costas. I don’t know if me snapping about James has put him on his guard or whether it’s something else. I decide to proceed with caution.

  ‘So, you’ve had a disagreement with James. Nothing too serious, I hope?’

  ‘As you would say in England, it is all water under the bridge.’

  I try another tack for breaking the ice with the Mr Cool Costas. ‘Do you know many of our English sayings?’ That will throw him – a complete change of subject. I could be wrong but I’m sure the corners of his mouth are breaking into a little smile.

  ‘I know a few,’ comes the reply. ‘I worked in Stratford-upon-Avon a few years ago.’

  ‘Oh, that’s a lovely part of the UK. I was reviewing hotels in the Cotswolds just last week. I always try to stop off in Stratford on my way home. Were you working in a hotel?’

  ‘Yes, I did a hotel and management course and my placement was at the Stratford Hotel.’

  ‘Well, fancy that. I bet our paths have crossed. My company has featured the Stratford for at least fifteen years.’

  Our conversation is interrupted as Xena joins us. It’s a relief, actually, as Costas still seems quite guarded.

  ‘I hope you have liked the hotel, Miss Collins.’

  ‘Oh yes, definitely. I love all your personal touches, especially the toiletries. Do the guests have a go at making anything?’

  ‘Not at the moment, but maybe it is something we can think about in the future. It was something that James suggested to Costas.’

  I’m once again suddenly jolted out of my idyll.

  Costas, too, has flinched at the mention of James.‘Yes, I have to agree it was quite a good idea of his to involve the guests and to mention it in the brochure blurb.’

  ‘He’s full of good ideas,’ I mutter under my breath.

  ‘Oh, good, our coffee is here,’ Xena says cheerfully. I think she’s realised that mentioning James is causing tension.

  Stavros joins us and I pull my file out. My head is whirring, trying to understand what’s gone on between James and their son. But there’s work to be done. We plough our way through all my boring paperwork, chatting about their expectations and my company’s expectations, which are huge. There’s loads of red tape to get through and, unsurprisingly, Costas doesn’t fully appreciate all the stringent health and safety requirements. But I think they’ve understood what I’ve been saying, and Xena and Stavros have shown enthusiasm for the work involved.

  ‘I think I’ve covered everything. I have a couple of other hotels to visit and I’ll let you know in the next few days whether you’ve been successful or not. Does anyone have any questions?’

  Stavros replies, ‘No, I think you have covered everything…’ He looks like he’s going to say something else but he falters.

  Xena sees this and comes to the rescue. ‘We did not know if we should say, but the Hotel Giorgos is my brother’s hotel. I am praying that you like both our hotels. With the economy as it is, we are really wanting to be in your brochure.’

  ‘Well, thanks for being so honest. I hope you are both successful.’

  ‘Thank you so much, Miss Collins.’

  ‘No problem. It’s been lovely to meet you.’

  ‘Do you still want to see the workshop before you go?’ Costas asks. He takes me by surprise; I thought he’d had enough of me.

  ‘Yes, if you don’t mind. I just need to book a taxi first.’

  ‘We will ring for taxi, you go with Costas and have a look at the workshop,’ Xena says.

  I follow Costas, who is already halfway across the courtyard. He clearly doesn’t want to engage in any small talk with me. He opens the door to the workshop and I’m hit by the fragrance of many different perfumes.

  ‘So, here is our workshop. Today my grandmother is making some soap.’

  ‘Hello again, Helen.’

  ‘Hello, Eliana. Don’t you ever stop?’

  ‘Not very often, dear. My grandson is a slave driver,’ she replies laughing.

  ‘This is amazing! Look at all these beautiful products.’

  ‘We use our own herbs in some of them, like this lavender bath melt.’ Costas passes one for me to smell.

  ‘Oh my goodness, that’s divine!’ I gasp at all the delightful colours and take in the mingled scents. This shop is every girl’s dream. There are plates of bath melts stacked up to look like mouth-watering cakes – some have names like ‘Pina Colada Bath Sundae’ and ‘Lime and Coconut Sundae’. Then there’s soaps in their individual glass jars, also looking good enough to eat and sounding scrumptious too, with ingredients such as apricots, honey and almonds.

  ‘You know, James was right to suggest opening this workshop up to your guests. It would be a fantastic selling point.’

  Costas looks embarrassed. ‘I apologise for what I said before. He is your colleague and it was not right for me to discuss personal matters with you. It was James who suggested putting the hotel forward to your company in the first place. Please ignore what I said.’ He clears his throat and changes the subject. ‘I did not know your company was starting villa rentals in Florida.’

  ‘Yes, and I wanted to be the one to go there myself. But you know what? I’m glad I’ve come to Mykonos instead.’

  ‘Really? And why is that?’

  ‘I’m not sure. I can’t put my finger on it. I suppose I feel at home here. It’s weird. I’ve never felt like this before.’

  The studio door opens behind us. It’s Xena, come to announce that my taxi is on its way.

  ‘Right, well, I’ll buy a couple of these gift sets for my mum and sister. They’ll love them.’

  ‘I will sort those out for you,’ Xena offers.

  ‘I am going outside until your taxi arrives. There is only so much of this perfume smell that I can take in one day,’ Costas exclaims, wafting his hand over his nose.

  Xena takes my money and pops my purchases into a bag. She adds something else in there as well. ‘And this a gift for you, Helen.’

  ‘No, I couldn’t possibly accept that.’

  ‘Yes, you can. Now, please. I have no daughters to appreciate these lovely creations. You are also welcome to come back and make some soaps of your own. I can see you would love an afternoon here.’

  ‘That would be really good. I think my sister would love it too.’

  ‘Your sister – is she called Shirley?’

  ‘No, she’s Stephanie. Why?’

  ‘Oh, nothing, it is just that someone called Shirley came here yesterday with my younger son and you remind me of her.’

  ‘I think we do have someone stopping at the hotel called Shirley because there was a song dedicated to her last night in the restaurant.’

  ‘Anyway, Helen, please come back with your sister. Eliana will help you make some soaps to take back to England.’

  We walk back out into the bright sunshine. Nikolaos and Stavros appear from the kitchen to say goodbye. I’ve only been here for a coup
le of hours but I feel like I’m part of the family. They each give me a hug. As the taxi pulls up, Costas appears and opens the car door for me.

  ‘It was nice to meet you, Helen.’

  ‘Yes, likewise. I’ll perhaps see you when I come back to make my soap.’

  ‘I am afraid not. I was only here to help my parents with the visit today. Enjoy the rest of your time in Mykonos.’

  ‘Oh, I will, thank you.’

  As the taxi pulls away, I wave goodbye. I realise I feel disappointed that I won’t see Costas again. For some reason, despite his cool and serious manner, I liked him very much.

  Chapter 13

  Stephanie

  Unsurprisingly, the mix of cocktails last night helped me sleep soundly. I also had quite erotic dreams about Costas, so it’s probably a good job that the beds have been separated. The room is still in darkness. I reach out for the cup of tea that Helen has left for me – ages ago, judging by its lukewarm temperature. I slowly peel myself away from the comfy bed and spot a note on my bedside table.

  Hopefully will be back a bit earlier than yesterday. Will text when I’m on my way.

  Helen. x

  I can have a leisurely breakfast and maybe an hour by the pool, then meet Costas to go on this mysterious boat trip. I feel a bit reckless and nervous but my gut instinct tells me I’ll be fine.

  I do my usual faffing about what to wear for the day and decide eventually on shorts and a T-shirt over my bikini. I manage to get my contact lenses in a bit more easily this morning and don’t look like I’ve been crying for hours. I shove everything that I’ll need for the day into my bag. It’s becoming quite cumbersome. I’m envious of those people who can trot about all day with one little bag and look like nothing they do is too much effort.

  I amble through reception. There’s quite a lot of people congregated with their suitcases, looking like they’re going home. Elena is on duty again at the restaurant.

  ‘Good morning. Would you like the same table as yesterday?’ she asks in her bright cheery voice.