by Joanne Walsh
“Good for you,” he said quietly.
When the terracotta pan-tiled roofs and white stone buildings of Agia Kalamaros came into view, she rubbed the back of her neck with relief. They’d travelled less than twenty-five miles, but it felt like a hundred, and she was beginning to ache with tension. They began the descent into the village, heading for the square, before Dimitri guided the Merc up the narrowed, cobbled street that led to her house and pulled up outside.
Hurriedly, she made for the seat belt release, flashing him a smile in the way of a thank-you.
“Hey.” He placed a hand on her arm. “So, I’ll see you later, yes?”
Her gaze met his and her smile froze in place, her memory instantly backflipping to the night when she revealed she and Manos hadn’t loved each other. When, briefly, she’d thought she’d seen this same look in Dimitri’s eyes. Intense, powerful, it slid to her mouth, making her lips tingle in response, and for a few mad seconds, she thought about how it would be so easy to lean in and let him kiss her… She swallowed hard. “I have to go,” she mumbled, her fingers scrabbling for the button that would release her. “Collect McTavish from Alison and then get ready for work.”
“McTavish is up at KATs? You should have said. I’ll run you up there now.”
“No! No, it’s fine. It’s only a five-minute walk.” Opening the door, she started to ease out of her seat before she remembered her purse. Reaching down into the footwell, she felt frantically around her feet.
He reached over too, the smell of him, musky and male, taunting her again. “Is this what you’re looking for?” he asked, presenting her with the bag.
“Thanks.” She forced a smile. “And thanks too, for everything you’ve done.”
“You’re welcome.” He paused. “Sally,” he said softly, “I love it when you smile. There was a time a while back when I thought you’d never do it again.”
“See you later.” She threw her departing casual-sounding words over her shoulder as she scrambled desperately out of the car. Only when she was safely shut inside her house, did she allow herself to breathe again. What had just happened? What was he playing at, gazing at her and talking like that when, only half an hour before, he’d been flirting with Selene? But worse, why the hell had her stupid body responded?
Chapter Ten
Later, while she was getting ready for the party, Sally allowed herself to revisit those brief, crazy minutes in Dimitri’s car. It was bewildering. He’s Dimitri the Serial Dater, her bruised heart reminded her, and he was just toying with you. She tugged her wide-bristled brush through her curls. That reputation he’d earned amongst the villagers, which she’d turned through the years to harden her heart against him, was well deserved. He just couldn’t stop with the seduction routine, even with her. But you wanted him to kiss you, the guilty thought prodded her.
Sighing, she turned in front of the mirror to scoop up her hair and secure it with a clip. This needed to stop right here. She had a higher purpose—getting the store back up and running. And she had to prove to him his investment had been worth it. If he wanted to indulge in games, she didn’t have to play along.
She studied her reflection. Tonight was the first night of the rest of her life. She had a party to go to, the first in ages. She’d know plenty of people there, so she was going to forget about Dimitri and damn well enjoy it. Although her black dress and ballerina flats were a few years old now, the bit of makeup she’d applied and the gold earrings she’d inherited from her grandmother Campbell spruced them right up. She smiled at herself, almost not recognising the woman looking back at her now, a far cry from the drab person of recent years who’d existed only in shabby T-shirts and jeans.
Rat-a-tat! She glanced at her bedside clock. It was just after seven pm. That would be Ali and Pav come to pick her up.
Fifteen minutes later, after a bumpy drive to the top of the village in the rattly old KATs Land Rover, they turned into the fire-torch-lit driveway of Frankie and Nik’s mansion.
“Goodness me,” Alison exclaimed, surveying the string of European flags strung across the front of the house, “they really have gone to town. Perhaps we should have worn national costumes after all.”
“But which country would you go as?” Sally challenged, grinning and glancing about her at the display. “Greece or the UK?”
“Greece,” Pav interjected in his stilted English. “She married to me.”
“I’ve never let you dictate what I wear in the thirty-five years we’ve been together, and I’m not about to start now,” Ali responded frostily. She looked over her shoulder to where Sally was giggling on the back seat. “I meant to say how lovely you look tonight, Sal,” she said warmly. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen you dressed up. Doesn’t she look smashing, Pavlos?”
“Beautiful.” Pav nodded, peering into the rear-view mirror, the crinkles around his eyes deepening in his tanned face. “You will find nice man at the party.”
“Oh, I’m not looking for anyone tonight,” Sally responded breezily. “I’m here to have a good time.”
“And you certainly don’t need a man to do that. As my old dad would have said, you’re only here for the beer,” Alison said.
“No, the wine,” Sally shot back, and they all burst out laughing.
After they’d alighted from the Land Rover, and Sally had brushed a few stray animal hairs from her dress, they covered the short walk across the gravelled front to the house. The front door was open, and the sounds of babbling voices and music trickled out. It felt good to be here, not as poor, dowdy Sally, who’d struggled to keep the village shop open, but shiny, new Sally, who was embarking on an exciting, fresh chapter.
Her spirits wavered when she stepped into the candlelit main hall. Who should be here but Dimitri talking to a young woman she didn’t recognise. There was no sign of Selene—
“Yiasoo.”
Nik stepping up to welcome her made her jump. She leaned in for him to kiss her on both cheeks, then stepped to one side while he greeted Alison and Pav too, losing the battle to stop her gaze wandering back towards Dimitri.
As if he was aware she was watching him, he broke off his conversation and swung around. The way in which he scrutinized her, how his eyebrows arched, and one corner of his mouth quirked, had her breath catching. But she also felt a visceral pleasure at his obvious surprise that she could scrub up this well. Shiny, new Sally. Her good cheer returning, her chin high, she returned the direct eye contact almost defiantly.
“How wonderful you look tonight. Would you like a drink?” Nik’s question snatched back her attention.
“Oh, er, yes, please.” Ali and Pav had already been drawn away into another group of people.
“After you.” Nik swept his hand in the direction of the kitchen. As she went through, she shot another glance at Dimitri over her shoulder. He had his back to her now, inclining his head towards his companion who listened with rapt attention. Maybe she would go speak with him later if she was feeling polite. Or maybe she wouldn’t if she was having fun.
A stunning array of beverages sat on the kitchen’s marbled central island, along with ice and sliced lemons and limes and glasses of all shapes and sizes. Arrangements of flowers adorned the side counters, and overhead, small, colourful triangular flags were strung across the ceiling.
“Gosh, you and Frankie have done us proud!” she exclaimed to Nik, gazing at the decorations around her.
“People in the village helped. White?” He went towards some bottles chilling in ice buckets and poured a large glass of Chardonnay. “So, how are things? I hear you have a lot on your plate right now with renting out the house, selling the Mini-Mart and starting a new job.” He handed the wine to her.
“Oh, I expect Frankie’s already told you most of it.” She grinned.
“Some. But much of it I have heard from Dimitri. You know, he talks of little else but you and your shared plans. I guess you two have been spending a lot of time together.”
/> “There’s been a lot of sorting out to do with my finances and the legal process for the store. That’s probably why I’ve been the topic of conversation lately.” She shrugged.
“Well, whatever the reason, it’s great to know you two are getting close again after all this time.”
Her smile dropped. “Dimitri’s wanting to put things right after Manos, that’s all. And invest in an environmentally focused business.”
Nik shot her a shrewd glance. “I see.” There were a couple of seconds of awkward silence before he said, “You must be looking forward to seeing the Mini-Mart open up again.”
“Sally’s,” she offered, wishing now she hadn’t been snippy with him. “That’s what we’ve——I’ve—decided to call the store.”
Nik relaxed into a broad grin. “This is great news. You and I, we must drink to this.” He raised his glass. “To Sally’s. Syncharitiria.”
“Thank you.” She took another gulp of wine. “Nik, would you excuse me? I think I’d like to go out on the terrace for some air.”
“Please do. Today has been very warm, and the air conditioning is fighting a losing battle with our many guests.” He stood to one side to allow her to pass.
Threading her way through the chattering throng—some of whom really were wearing Greek national dress—she arrived in the main living area where two large TV screens stood broadcasting the song contest live from Copenhagen, and bi-folding windows were opened to allow the partygoers to move outside onto the large terrace overlooking the swimming pool. Her eyes alighted on Dimitri. Not again! He was in here talking with another young woman who, Sally noted, stood a mite too close to him, staring up with adoring eyes while twisting a lock of her hair with a finger. Ianthe Simonides, the local bank manager’s twenty-something daughter who, if Sally recalled correctly, Dimitri briefly dated last summer, although the romance didn’t last long. Oh, for goodness’ sake, she thought prickling with irritation, never mind him and his flirty following. She resumed edging her way out onto the terrace and made for where the balustrade cornered. Leaning against it, she gazed at the sunset, sipping the last of her Chardonnay and glowering.
“Wotcha!”
She spun around to find Hannah standing next to her, clasping a wine bottle.
“I bring refills,” Hannah announced. “We single girls need to keep ourselves topped up because no one else will. Another drink for you?”
“Go on then.” Sally mustered a smile and held out her empty glass, grateful Hannah had found her. Finally, a chance to get Dimitri and his harem out of her head and into the swing of the party. “But you’re not really single, Han, are you? Sergei may be in at the song contest in Denmark, but I know his heart’s here in Agia Kalamaros with you.”
“Aw, that’s nice. I do miss him though. A lot.”
“Have you heard from him and how he’s getting on? Has Despina been behaving herself?” Despina Alexiou was the vocalist representing Greece and Sergei’s song, “Longing for your Love.”
“Ah, the lovely Despina. As far as I know, she hasn’t started any catfights,” Hannah chuckled, referring to the incident last year when the singer had tussled with her over Sergei. “But these days, she’s besotted with her cosmetic surgeon, and Sergei says she speaks to him like the hired help now.”
Sally pulled a face. “She’s a piece of work. But a wonderful singer all the same. Sergei’s song gives me shivers every time I hear it. They deserve to win.”
“Oh, I really hope they do.” Hannah’s expression turned dreamy. “Oh, Sal, I love him so much. He changed my world, and now he is my world.”
“I know,” she gave her friend an affectionate pat, “and it’s just lovely. You and Frankie, you’ve found guys in a million.”
“We need to find a guy in a million for you too.” Hannah pursed her lips thoughtfully. “We could make it a hat-trick with all three brothers. You and Dimitri seem to be getting kind of close.”
“Oh, not you too!” Sally rolled her eyes, her party mood evaporating rapidly.
“Who else mentioned it?”
“Nik. But like you, he’s got it all wrong. Go look inside. Dimitri the Serial Dater is there, toe to toe with Ianthe Simonides. And he was reeling in another woman before that in the hall.”
Hannah surveyed her with narrowed eyes. “And you’d rather he was out here, toe to toe with you?”
“No! No way. I’m telling you I’m not interested in him, and he’s not interested in me.”
“Ooh, I dunno about that. I’ve seen the way you two look at one another.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hey, have some more wine.” Hannah topped up Sally’s glass again and then replenished her own. “I have noticed lately that, every now and then, there is eye contact.” She grinned. “You know…long, lingering looks.”
“You’re seeing things,” Sally countered crossly. “As you know, we’ve been spending time together liaising over getting my debts sorted and dealing with the legal stuff to do with the sale of the store. There’s nothing more to it than that. Nothing.”
“Okay, okay.” Hannah held the empty wine bottle up in mock self-defence. “We’ve demolished this, so what say you to getting some food now? My tummy’s rumbling.”
“Alright, sounds like a plan. But Han, wait a minute. I-I’m sorry for being so touchy about Dimitri. It’s just I feel uncomfortable talking about him in that way when he and I, we’re only doing business.”
Grinning even more widely, Hannah nodded. “Just good friends, eh?”
“He’s not—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Strictly business.” Hannah winked. “Shall we eat?”
Hannah clearly hadn’t believed her protestations. As Sally followed her friend back into the house, she felt her heart sinking. Her attraction to Dimitri must be even more transparent than she’d realized, and if it was, then he could well have noticed too. Was that why he’d been playing with her earlier, to see if he could get a reaction?
There was a line for the buffet. Hannah was collared by a man ahead of them wanting to talk about the potential of renting out a property he owned to holidaymakers. Sally shuffled along behind. Peering into the dining room, she caught sight of a large table groaning under an array of different dishes, the various foods identified by a national flag held by a cute little doll dressed in the country’s traditional costume. In the corner was another wide-screen TV, on which the French entry was being performed. The buffet was beautifully and thoughtfully done but it, and the booming from the TV and the crush of the people around her, were way too much. Needing to retreat, she swung around, only to espy Dimitri, this time at the other end of the hall with another lady-friend. He was leaning in towards the elegant, dark-haired beauty, while the woman’s hand crept to her neck as she talked, stroking it seductively, her gold necklace glinting in the candlelight. Sally’s stomach lurched. Selene! Dimitri’s body seemed to crane more and more towards the other woman’s, his eyes hooded in that way Sally knew only too well. Tears welled up as fresh humiliation choked her. She’d wasted so much time longing for him when he had other fish to fry. Oceans of them. Juggling her empty wine glass, she opened her purse to search for a tissue as her emotions threatened to overflow.
“Sally! Here you are.”
She looked up to find Alison and Pavlos standing in front of her.
“Are you alright?” Ali’s expression was concerned. “Oh, lovey, you’re crying. What’s happened?”
“Um, I’m not crying, it’s just the smoke from the candles irritating my eyes…” She hurriedly attempted to shove her mascara-stained tissue back into her bag and dropped her glass.
“Entaxei!” Pavlos crouched to pick up the shattered pieces.
“I don’t think you are alright, are you?” Alison persisted. “Look, why don’t I take you out onto the terrace where it’s less hot and crowded, while Pav gets us some food—”
But Sally’s gaze was being pulled beyond her concerned friend to where Dimitri a
nd Selene were laughing together, leaning into one another. Her stomach clenched into a hard ball. Without saying another word, she pushed past Ali and Pav. She heard Ali call, “Sally?” But she kept on going, head down, towards the front entrance, barely noticing the arriving couple who rapidly pressed themselves up against the door as she passed. Once on the driveway and released into the fresh night air, she broke into a run, heading for the gateway and then onto the hill that led down into the village, and as far away from Dimitri and his fan club as possible.
*
Dimitri brought the Merc to a halt in front of Alison and Pav’s place. Would he find Sally here? He’d seen her tear out of the party and when he questioned Alison about it, she suggested it was because Sally was distressed about something. He’d called her mobile, but it went straight to voicemail. He was guessing she must have returned home.
Sitting for a moment, watching insects dance in the beam of the car’s headlights, his mind returned to when she’d made her entrance tonight. She’d taken his breath away with how beautiful she looked, her hair up exposing the creamy expanse of her neck, making him want to run soft kisses along it. He exhaled heavily. What was the point in letting himself lust after her when, clearly, she had no remanent of feeling for him? That moment earlier came back to him, when he’d dropped her off outside her house, and he’d been fooled by her uncertain smile into thinking she was tempted to kiss him. But next thing he knew, she hadn’t been able to get out of his car fast enough. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. She probably wouldn’t thank him for it, but he needed to check she was alright.
The front door of Alison and Pav’s house was opened by a tall, good-looking guy with fashionably cut light brown hair, who looked to be in his early twenties. “Can I help you?” he said in English, his accent British-plummy.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Dimitri held out his hand. “I’m Dimitri Bekatoros, a friend of Mr and Mrs Angelis.”
At that moment, McTavish bounced up on his three good legs, barking his welcome, forcing the guy to squat and restrain the little dog by his collar. “Well, since McTavish has given you the seal of approval, I guess I should too.” He smiled at Dimitri, reaching up to shake his hand warmly. “I’m Ben Pilkington, Alison’s nephew. I’m spending the summer at KATs before completing the final year of my veterinary degree. Nice to meet you, Mr Bekatoros. Are you looking for Auntie Ali and Uncle Pav? They’re out tonight at a party and I’m on shelter duty.”
