Among the Olive Groves

by Chrissie Parker

  Without hesitation she grabbed her bag and car keys and drove to Laganas.

  It was not long before she parked the car and was heading to his apartment complex. As she made her way to reception, she heard his voice behind her.

  “Katie?”

  The last decade disappeared in an instant and all she wanted was to feel her friend hugging her. Her Fletch. She ran to him and, not caring what happened next, threw her arms around him.

  Fletch let her, and held her tightly, allowing her to take the comfort.

  “I need to talk to you, Fletch.” She looked up at him. “Do you have time?”

  “I have all the time in the world for you, Katie, you know I do.”

  They walked in silence down the strip towards the beach. Once there, they sat on the sand, looking out over the crystal clear waters of the bay.

  “I don’t know where to start, Fletch.”

  “Start at the beginning, just let everything out.”

  Kate told him about her business in Bristol, her home, her lack of friends, the surprise birthday visit and present from her parents and finally the trip to Zakynthos, and all that she had learned while she was here. By the end of it, she felt exhausted.

  “Oh Katie.” Fletch took her in his arms, holding her tightly.

  “I want to go and see where Elena died, but I’m so scared. I just don’t want to do it on my own.”

  “Then let me take you.”

  “Why would you do that, Fletch?”

  “Because I’m your friend and I care about you, and can see how important it is to you.”

  “But we haven’t seen each other in so long. Everything has changed.”

  “I’m still the same person, Katie, I’m just older. I have no one in my life either. I still surf, I still bum around. The only difference is that I have missed my best friend. But she’s here now, and trust me, I’m never letting her go again!”

  Kate laughed. “I’m glad I found you again too, Fletch. But I can’t ask you to do this, it’s too much.”

  “I won’t take no for an answer. Come on.” He stood and held out his hand to her.

  “Now?”

  “Well there’s no time like the present.”

  ~

  The winding country lanes got narrower the closer they got to Keri. Signposts were few and far between, but every now and again one appeared confirming that they were still heading in the right direction and it was not long before they reached their destination. After parking the car, Kate froze. Was this what she really wanted?

  “Come on Katie. You can do this.”

  Fletch had already stepped from the car and was holding the door open, his hand outstretched. Trembling, Kate took hold of his hand, allowing him to pull her gently from the safe haven of the vehicle.

  Turning, she stared out across the scrubby ground that ran all the way to the edge of the cliff. The horizon was filled with deep azure blue waters, the Ionian Sea. It stretched as far as the eye could see, eventually merging with the sky.

  Looking down, Kate noticed Fletch was still holding her hand.

  “I’m with you every step of the way,” he reassured her.

  Slowly, step-by-step, they edged closer to the precipice. Kate took in her surroundings, the stony scrubby ground underfoot, the bent and gnarled trees that were dotted about the clifftop, a mixture of unkempt waving grass that merged with what looked like thick heavy gorse. It was exactly how Angelos had described it. Glancing around her, she wondered where he had hidden on that fateful day.

  They were almost there now and she held onto Fletch for dear life, stopping a metre short of the edge. She closed her eyes, trying to imagine how her grandmother had felt. Opening her eyes, she looked out across the sparkling waters, before looking down. Steep cliffs, a mixture of white and grey in colour, plunged directly to the sea below. This was where Elena had died. This was where a sadistic man murdered her before throwing her into the ocean below. The reality and pain of her grandmother’s death hit home and Kate’s knees buckled. She was unable to hold the weight of grief any longer, and she lay on the ground clutching stones and shrubs, as her tears stained the dust. Fletch sat next to her and stroked her head, allowing her to mourn, as she wept uncontrollably for the grandmother she had never known, and never would.

  ~

  “Feeling better?” Fletch asked as he poured some more water into her glass.

  They were now sitting in a small restaurant overlooking the sea.

  “A little.” She looked up at him; there were not enough words to convey how thankful she was. “You didn’t have to do this Fletch.”

  “I know, but that’s what friends are for.” He smiled. “I guess we should be heading back. I don’t want to get stuck out here on these country lanes in the dark.”

  During the drive back, they were silent. Kate stared at the ever-changing views of the island as she drove. She would miss this place. It had wormed its way into her heart and now that she knew she was Greek, she could truly call it home. She glanced at Fletch. And what about her best friend? Would they remain friends once they left the island? She had missed him so much over the years, but they had both changed. Only time would tell.

  In Laganas, the music from the clubs was already loud and enticing. Revellers were out enjoying the drinks and company. And it felt like she had arrived somewhere else. The change between day and evening was remarkable.

  “Well, that’s me,” Fletch said.

  “Thank you again for coming with me. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he sighed. “I had better go as the guys will be wondering where I’ve got to.”

  “Of course. I don’t want to keep you. It was nice to see you again.”

  “You too, Katie. Have a good flight home tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.”

  Then he was gone and Kate was left sitting in the car alone. There was only one thing left to do, return to her apartment and pack.

  ~

  Kate took one last look at the view from her balcony. She would miss Zakynthos dreadfully. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it was the best decision she could have made. She had finally learned all about her past, and felt as though a big weight had been lifted. She could now return home and start her life over with a clean slate. It did not matter one bit that she was adopted. She loved the Fishers dearly, they were her parents and always would be. But she had discovered a new family, a heritage that made her understand a little more about who she was and who she was meant to be, and that made a big difference in her life.

  Dragging her case downstairs, she waited for the taxi to arrive to take her to the airport. It arrived on time and she sat back watching the scenic countryside pass by. All too soon, they arrived at the airport. Once she paid the fare, she entered the building to check in. As she was queuing, she heard a shout. Thinking it was just a drunken holidaymaker, she ignored it.

  “Katie Fisher!” The shout was even louder this time. She spun round to see Fletch running across the concourse.

  “Fletch?”

  “Thank god I caught you.”

  The queue shuffled forward and Kate shuffled with it.

  “I need to talk to you, Katie.”

  “What about?”

  “Can you come with me?”

  “Fletch. I’m in the queue to check in, my plane leaves in an hour. Whatever you have to say, say it here.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Well then, it can’t be important.”

  The queue moved forward again and Kate moved with it, leaving Fletch behind; she did not have time for this. Fletch paced. This was not how he had planned things. Kate was next and stepped up to the desk. As she handed over her passport and ticket, she smiled at the girl behind the check-in desk.

  “Good afternoon, madam,” the girl greeted, as she took Kate’s documents and began to tap away on her keyboard.

  “I love you, Katie!”

  Everyone in the queue and at
the check-in desk fell silent. Slowly Kate turned and saw an anxious Fletch standing next to her.

  “What did you say?” She could barely breathe.

  “I love you.” He stepped forward, and placed a hand on her cheek. “I always have.”

  Kate was thrown. She was about to get on a plane and fly home. How could he do this to her now? And with all of these people looking at her! It was so embarrassing!

  “I can’t do this now.” She turned back to the check-in girl.

  “And I can’t leave things like this. I love you, Katie, and I know you love me too.”

  She spun on her heels. “I don’t have time for this! For god’s sake, Fletch.” She was exasperated.

  The check-in girl tapped her on the shoulder, passing her documents back to her.

  “Why don’t you go talk to him? You still have another twenty minutes before the desk closes.”

  Feeling like she had no other choice, Kate took the papers from her and dragged her suitcase away from the desk. Roughly, she pulled Fletch to one side.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “I told you already.”

  “Yes I heard; apparently you love me. I haven’t seen you for ten years Fletch, and then suddenly you turn up in my life declaring undying bloody love for me! You can’t do this; I’m not some bloody holiday romance!” Kate was pacing up and down. She did not need this now. She needed to get home and see her parents.

  “Katie, look at me.” Fletch grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I’m just trying to be honest with you.”

  She looked up at him. She could see from the look on his face that he really did love her. It shocked her. Had it always been there? Had she really missed the signs?

  “I’ve been through so much, Fletch. I can’t take it all in right now.”

  “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I have to tell you how I really feel, before you disappear from my life again!”

  Kate was angry now. “Me? Me disappear from your life? You were the one who turned your back on me, Fletch. You left me sitting there on the beach when I was at my lowest. You turned your back on ME!”

  “No, Kate. I gave you some straight talking and some time to think. Then you did what you always do: crawled into your shell. You stopped coming out and then I lost you. I may have gone to America but you were the one who left. You ran away to the city. You left me, you left your parents, you turned your back on everyone and threw yourself into your job.” Fletch was angry now. “You did the running, Katie, not us!”

  They were at an impasse, both too angry to carry on. Kate made the decision for them. Turning her back, she dragged her case over to the check-in desk. With sadness in his heart, Fletch knew it was over. He watched as she loaded her case onto the conveyor belt and took her documents from the check-in girl. Without looking back, she walked through the departure gate. He had tried. There was nothing more that he could do. Stepping out into the bright sunshine, he flagged the first taxi he could find.

  ~

  In the departure lounge, Kate stared out of the window at the large expanse of grey tarmac. It would not be long before she was onboard the plane, departing for home. Fletch’s words kept running through her head, going round and round, refusing to leave her alone. Was he right? She thought back to that time, when things had been in turmoil. She knew she had shut her parents out, that she admitted, but had Fletch not been the one to ditch her? The more she thought about it, the more it confused her.

  A call came over the tannoy; it was time to board the plane. With a heavy heart and weary legs, Kate joined the queue, and moments later she was walking the same grey tarmac she had trodden two weeks earlier, every step taking her closer to the plane; the plane that would take her away from the island, and away from Fletch.

  She stopped dead. She did not want to leave.

  She loved him, too. More than she would ever be able to put into words.

  In confusion, she stood on the tarmac allowing the other passengers to buffet past her, not knowing what to do next.

  ~

  Fletch walked out to the pool area. He was so angry. He had bared his soul to Kate, only to have her tear him to shreds and blame everything on him. He wished he had never seen her again. He wished he were somewhere else halfway across the world, instead of here. Perching at the bar, he asked for a Mythos and, as the barman slid it across the bar to him, he heard a familiar voice.

  “I’ll pay for that.” The barman looked over and took the notes, shrugging. “So. You love me.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane?” Fletch thought for a moment that he was dreaming.

  “Yes. But I decided I couldn’t leave until I told you something,” Kate said. “Look at me, Fletch.”

  He did as she asked, and she saw it, pure love. It was written on his face, it shone in his eyes, it radiated from him. She knew it had always been there, but she had been too young and self-absorbed to see it. She took a step closer and their eyes locked. Slowly, she leaned forward, brushing her lips against his. In response, his hand slid behind her back pulling her closer, his lips eager to be part of her.

  Once they parted, she pulled slightly back and stared into his eyes.

  “You know I love you too, right?”

  “I know. I’ve always known, Katie,” he whispered.

  “You were that sure?”

  “Of you. Yes.”

  She laughed. “Shall we get out of here?”

  “I thought you’d never ask!”

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to my incredible team. Chris Joyce, for another great book cover, it's perfect. Dale Cassidy and Laura Barclay, the most patient editor and proofreader I've ever met. Thanks to both of you for helping me make this book what it is, I couldn't have done it without either of you!

  My bestie Dee Thompson, thank you for everything, you’re the most amazing friend! My writerly friends, Belinda Jones, Melissa Foster, Bella Witzenhausen and Sass Cadeaux, your continued support is much appreciated.

  This book wouldn't have been possible without help from the following people: Niki Rozner Pavlopoulou, the Zante/war information you found was incredible, thank you for taking the time to help, it means a lot. Ailsa Burns, Katerina Tsekouras, Angela Spinou, Sarah May Horan, Lesley Paterson Augoustinou, Bobby Goertz and Ken Spencer, your research tips and general information about Zante was invaluable, I really appreciate all of your help.

  Sharon Voutou and Alexandros Bouas, thank you for reading the book during the editing process, your help with the intricacies of Greek life was great. I'm so grateful to you both.

  To everyone in the Among the Olive Groves and Zante Informer facebook groups, you really are the nicest bunch of people, and I hope you all re-discover the island you love, as you turn the pages of this book. Your support has been truly overwhelming.

  Finally, to my husband T, and my family. Thank you for your continued support, I love you all very much.

  About the Author

  Chrissie Parker lives in London UK, with her husband.

  Twitter - @chrissie_author

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  Web – www.chrissieparker.com