Me feeling as if an anchor was attached to my chest, we continued our journey back to the taverna. On arriving, I avoided Niko and went straight into the kitchen. It was large and spotlessly clean, with metal work surfaces running the length of the room and gleaming silver equipment hanging from the walls I had scones to make – scones for filling the bellies of locals with the desire to fight for their way of life.
Sophia helped me find the ingredients and our chat had now returned to the meeting and the underhand mayor. What a relief it was to get kneading some dough. A relief that was, until Leila offered to help me. My feelings would be easier to cope with, if she wasn’t so likeable.
‘You think our stomachs look like this after having children?’ she said, with a glint in her eye, as she pummelled the stretchy flour and butter mixture.
I couldn’t help grinning. ‘Yes. But it would be worth it.’ I cleared my throat… ‘You and Niko – ThinkBig’s plans must have especially upset you, as you see your future in this village, don’t you?’
Leila didn’t meet my gaze but carried on kneading. ‘It would take a biblical storm to tear Niko away from this place.’
‘And you?’ I said brightly.
Cheeks pinking, Leila shrugged. ‘I… Travel could be exciting, but… but my place, it is here, by Niko.’
My stomach twisted. She didn’t sound sure. Wow. Perhaps my suspicions had a concrete base. But I didn’t push her further. It was none of my business. Niko had his life to sort out and I had mine. My stomach twisted tighter – starting with me making it clear to Niko that there was nothing romantic between us. Then by finally discussing my doubts about our relationship, with Henrik when he returned from Kos Town tomorrow morning. I gazed at Leila. Was she really planning an escape from downtrodden Greece, behind Niko’s back?
She sprinkled more flour onto the dough and I tapped my foot in time with her humming. Unlike me, she cleared up whilst we worked… I liked Leila. She’d be good for Niko. A great daughter-in-law. A wonderful addition to any family.
‘Grandma says, can you make those roasted pepper scones with feta cheese in the middle, from your last stay here?’
‘Of course,’ I said. ‘Plus I thought we could try some tzatziki ones, with cucumber and garlic blended into the dough.’
‘How about olive and halloumi cheese? The black specks look so pretty,’ she said and popped an olive into her mouth.
I snacked on a handful of walnuts. ‘At this rate our stomachs won’t need babies inside them to look wobbly.’
We both laughed. I fetched us both an orange granita, whilst Leila started to cut out circles of dough. A couple of hours later, she put her hands on her hips. ‘So, let’s scribble down all the choices, see if we have enough. They smell delicious.’
Leila passed me a pen and paper and scanning the work surfaces, I made a list.
Roasted pepper and feta cheese
Olive and halloumi
Tzatziki
Honey and walnuts
Lemon filled with cream cheese
Cinnamon and syrup
Glittery jam and cream
‘Those with cream and cheese in the middle better go in the fridge.’ I said. ‘The list looks pretty impressive.’ I passed it to Leila. ‘What do you think?’
‘I feel hungry already.’
‘Let’s hope they act as fuel to drive the villagers’ forward in their appeal against ThinkBig’s proposal. Everyone seemed complacent at lunchtime – especially when Stavros mentioned incentive payments and tax breaks.’ I sniffed. ‘Well, two can play at that game. In some small way, our baking might help win around the locals. Good homemade food kept the nation going through the Second World War. On a smaller scale, perhaps scones can contribute to us triumphing in this battle.’
Leila smiled. ‘Although our enemy is more good-looking and oozes charm.’
‘Yes, I think some of the local women fell for Gigantes Henrik.’
‘Imagine if they’d seen him in a military uniform.’
‘Leila!’ With real warmth, I shot her a smile.
Niko came in. ‘Brilliant! These scones look fit for gods.’ He consulted his watch. ‘Four o’clock. We have two hours left to finish coming up with a plan. You two join us now? My parents and some of the business people drink coffee.’
We nodded, put the scones in the fridge and washed our hands.
‘Is Grandma downstairs?’ I said.
Niko chuckled. ‘Just try to stop her… Our mission to save Taxos seems to have fired her up – in a good way.’
Leila and I followed him into the taverna’s dining room and Sophia poured me a large coffee as I sat down, next to Georgios. He was fiddling with one end of his big, black moustache.
‘What have you concluded?’ I asked and looked around at Uncle Christos, baker Pandora, Cosmo and the potter, Demetrios.
‘The village pulls together,’ said Georgios. ‘We all refuse any corporate pay-off. With all our strength, we fight these plans.’
‘So, in practical terms, that means…?’ I raised an eyebrow.
Demetrios shrugged. ‘We try to think of a characteristic only Taxos has, to make us different. Then work to demonstrate that.’
‘Good idea,’ I said. ‘We call that a USP – a Unique Selling Point… So what have you come up with so far?’
‘It hurts to say it,’ said Pandora, ‘but we agree with ThinkBig – it is Caretta Cove. The fact that turtles used to nest there and might do once more.’
‘So perhaps we need to attract your older tourist, more interested in nature,’ I said.
Demetrios nodded. ‘I could make ceramic turtles to sell.’
I stared at him for a moment. ‘Why not go one step further and offer pottery classes, for children and adults? Or you could make ceramic turtles and people pay to paint them and come back later during their holiday to collect them, once they’ve been in the kiln.’
‘I like that,’ said Demetrios. ‘And have plenty of clay in stock, so for a while it would cost me little.’
‘And I saw a programme about Japanese bakeries, once – they love pastries in animal shapes. Pandora, you could make turtle cakes.’
‘But these all small ideas, no?’ Cosmo sighed. ‘We need something big, Pippa, to compete with your Henrik. And we need your help, your business know-how – what can we achieve in two weeks, before you go back to England?’
My chest glowed at them placing so much importance on me.
‘Well, we can’t achieve the impossible,’ I said and gave a wry smile. ‘There isn’t long enough to magically transform Taxos into a booming economy. But we can set out business plans and list our objections. Plus, start to put those ideas into practice, to show that we are deadly serious.’ I sipped my coffee. ‘We just need to prove that perhaps there is another way, to move Taxos’ financial situation forwards. So, for starters, let’s put all of our tourist plans together in a leaflet. We can circulate them around the island and ask travel agencies in Kos to put up signs in their windows, advertising our concept. Let’s really see what solid business seeds we can sow, in the next couple of weeks.’
‘Something big can come out of lots of small ideas, pooled together,’ said Grandma.
I nodded encouragingly. ‘Why concentrate on turtles? What other animals or plants here would appeal to tourists?’ I screwed up my forehead. ‘Demetrios, I remember, when I was little, seeing lots of pottery lizards in your workshop.’
He loosened his bright green cravat. ‘Yes, up near the wetlands, at the back of Caretta Cove, live many geckos, frogs and lizards. They are easy to spot. Some are protected by Greek law.’
‘So that would make them of more interest to wildlife lovers… And Niko mentioned you’ve made cat bowls with your pets’ names on – tourists would love that. You could personalise them and just add some Greek-themed pattern, like a mosaic or olives.’
‘Don’t forget Georgios knows a lot about birds,’ said Grandma.
His eyes lit up… �
�Yes, we have some beauties. Demetrios could make models of flamingos… the yellow and orange bee-eater… and in the evenings I know good spots to watch eagles and buzzards.’
I thought for a moment. ‘Georgios – you could offer guided birdwatching tours.’
‘Great idea,’ said Niko and I tried to ignore his adorable, lopsided smile. ‘And Cosmo,’ he continued, ‘why don’t you allocate some bikes for hiring – you could take visitors on a cycle ride to Taxos’ prettiest spots, like… like the top of the cliff, with its clear view of the Turkish mainland.’
Cosmo nodded. ‘Or the meadows, near the church.’
‘Yes, they are carpeted with the prettiest wild flowers throughout the year,’ said Leila. ‘Like poppies and wild orchids… ah, bicycles are so much nicer than smelly, noisy quad bikes.’
‘So, we have wildlife tours, pottery and cakes to buy and ceramic workshops…’ I remembered what Henrik had said about Niko hosting boat parties and thought of a less X-rated version. ‘Niko, you and some of the other fishermen could offer trips out on your boats. It could include – ooh, a barbecue on the beach, when you return, to cook what you’ve caught.’
‘Great idea!’ said Sophia. ‘Taxos Taverna would provide the crockery, drinks and salads.’
‘And I could offer baking classes, yes?’ suggested Pandora and straightened her black-rimmed glasses. ‘The occasional tourist we have always asks me how I make the pastry layers for baklava.’
Grandma clapped her hands. ‘Pandora, you must.’ She glanced at me. ‘Whereas you, my little peach, know exactly what this village needs to help attract the Americans and English.’
‘I do?’
She gave a gap-toothed smile. ‘Remember your dream, when you were little? Of opening a little teashop?’
My stomach fluttered. ‘Yes, but…’
‘No buts.’ Grandma folded her arms. ‘We could set up in the half of this taverna we don’t use. All nationalities love cake. I seen all the scones you just made – with Greek flavours to appeal to locals. Plus you could do traditional ones for tourists and help us run it – offer tea or coffee. It would make our village different – wildlife trips and scones. A more reserved, but enjoyable holiday experience.’
I glanced around at the faces and one by one they nodded. Wow. Was I really going to live out my fantasy, even if it was just for a couple of weeks?’
‘I could make you a simple sign in no time,’ said Cousin Stefan. ‘Leila can help me spell “teashop”’. He grinned.
‘Really?’ My heart thumped and I felt a big smile cross my face. ‘Wow… yes… so…’ I rubbed my hands. ‘We have our plan and now must convince the other villagers to get on board.’
‘So glad you are going to work here, at the taverna, and help us run a teashop – it is your fantasy come true,’ said Niko , just before the villagers were due to arrive. We were taking the scones out of the fridge, and piling them onto plates.
I took a deep breath. Oh God. May as well get it over with. The sooner I let him know where he stood, the better. I felt sick.
‘Look, um Niko, don’t take this the wrong way,’ I said, mouth dry, as I turned to face him, ‘but can I just clarify something, seeing as we are going to be spending a lot more time together?’
His brow furrowed.
‘You… me… I wouldn’t want you to think… We are grown adults – last night was irresponsible, us fooling around. When those police turned up…’
‘Pippa? What talk is this? Last night, it was great… And we were only having fun.’
My chest tightened. This was hard, but I’d worked out exactly how to put him off.
‘Fun?’ I said and shrugged, ‘I suppose so. But, I’d rather spend my remaining time on the island thinking about what really gets me passionate, and that’s business. Profits and losses; earning this village a living. You and I, we’ll have no time for casual foolishness, over the next couple of weeks.’
‘You don’t want to spend time together… but I thought… us… our relationship…’ He took my hands in his and I fought the urge to place them on my waist; to wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, lean forwards and press my lips against his.
‘What relationship?’ I said and forced a laugh. ‘We haven’t seen each other for nine years. It’s a challenge for me to try and dig Taxos out of recession, which I’ll enjoy, but after that my London life awaits.’
‘A challenge? Is that all? Pippa? Who is this talking? I know that Taxos is more to you than just a project.’ He squeezed my fingers. ‘Why these harsh words? They cloud your face; hide your beauty which is as stunning as the mountain mist…’
I laughed louder. Niko backed away as if I’d slapped his cheek. Bile at the back of my throat, I carried on speaking, every ounce of me willing my voice not to tremble. Sometimes it was hard, so hard, to do the right thing.
‘Niko, stop saying such nonsense, for goodness’ sake! I’m… I’m flattered, of course, but these days we have so little in common for any sort of deep friendship. You’re a simple fisherman. You said so yourself.’ My chest ached. ‘I’m an ambitious executive.’
‘So what?’
‘I think you’ll make Leila a great husband, be a wonderful father and have continued success at catching fish but…’
He gave a long, drawn-out whistle. ‘I get it. You think I’m not intelligent enough – not exciting enough for your mind?’ A muscle flinched in his cheek.
I shrugged, willing my eyes not to spurt tears. ‘What’s the big deal about us spending time together? You…’ Damn it, my voice wavered. ‘You are committed to Leila, right?’
He opened his mouth then closed it, nodded and shifted from one foot to the other.
‘See? Then you shouldn’t be spending valuable free time with another woman – particularly one who has the job of sorting out the mess Taxos has got itself into.’
Hand shaking, I turned away and piled up the olive scones on one plate. ‘Sorry Niko, but there is only so much chat about sardines and sponge-diving I can take. And I must bore you with high-falutin talk of accounts and investments. The trouble is…’ My chest could tighten no further, as I turned back to see his crumpled face. Oh God. This last lie was really going to hurt. ‘My life has moved on whereas yours has stalled.’
Chapter Thirteen
‘Ooh… Ahh… Just a little higher… Mmm, that’s going to hit the spot…’
Er, no, I hadn’t made a three hundred and sixty degree turn on my position with Niko, in order to enjoy a romantic massage. It was a couple of hours into the meeting with locals, and during a break Georgios was instructing me on how to construct one of his favourite lemon scones.
‘Just another dollop of cream cheese, in the middle, so that it is the skyscraper of cakes,’ he said. ‘But no tell Sophia – she worries about my ancestral level.’
Inwardly I almost smiled. Bless Georgios. Never again would I say cholesterol without laughing.
He gazed around. We were in the kitchen, refilling plates. Most of the scones had gone. He wiped his perspiring forehead.
‘So Pippa – how do you judge the mood of the villagers? Are they up for a fight?
The only fight I could think of at the moment, was between me and Niko.
Sophia came in at that moment, took Georgios’ lemon creation and shot him a stern look. I handed the last of the glittery scones to her.
‘They sound positive.’ I eventually said. ‘Now ThinkBig’s plans have sunk in, most people seem angry and up for a battle, determined that Taxos won’t end up like Tyrionitsa.’
Sophia nodded. ‘People are coming up with lots of ideas and see the tax breaks for what they are: shallow bribes. I was worried earlier today – thought everyone felt there was no point in opposing this big corporation and being tempted by the talk of pay-offs. I should have trusted in the villagers. The Dellis’ say they’ll make part of their land into an animal zoo for children to visit – they have rabbits, a pig and sheep, and friendly goats the visitors c
an milk. They shall work on it tonight. Mr Dellis’ brother, the fireman, can lend some equipment to do a controlled burn of some of the land. Then they can build fencing on the flat ground. Mrs Dellis also suggested they set up a little farm shop, as well, selling their homemade goats’ cheese.’
Georgios nodded. ‘And the postman’s wife makes jewellery as a hobby – tries to sell it at the market in Kos Town from time to time. Demetrios offered her a permanent table in the pottery. Tomorrow she will spend the day working on a new collection, based on the local animals and flowers.’
‘Although the Vesteros family still want to accept ThinkBig’s offer on their property,’ said Sophia, ‘which stands where the quad bike track would be built.’
‘Yes. A few villagers spoke keenly of the tax breaks but…’ I shrugged… ‘I’ve spoken to lots of people and most are willing to give our ideas their best shot, over the next couple of weeks. They like the sound of attracting people here because of the wildlife and more traditional activities. Then just before I leave perhaps we can reassess – decide if our plans really could save the village.’
‘Also they like the idea of the teashop.’ Sophia smiled. ‘Those roasted pepper scones disappeared within minutes.’
My stomach tingled at the prospect of helping my friends set up their teashop tomorrow.
We went back into the taverna. Villagers had spilled out onto the front road. I surveyed the room. Niko sat in the far corner, near the patio, drinking retsina. He caught my eye and turned away as quickly as he could.
I winced, handed my plate of scones to Leila and took a deep breath. As I clapped my hands, a hush fell.
‘Efharisto, again, for coming,’ I said. ‘I am glad most of you are keen to save the Taxos we know and love.’
Did that sarcastic laugh come from Niko?
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