Game of Scones

by Samantha Tonge

‘And that means everything to you?’

  His brow furrowed. ‘Yes. I thought you felt the same.’

  ‘Me too.’ I glanced out of the window. Who would have thought that a couple of weeks in Taxos would change my perspective – or rather, bring my true perspective to the fore? It had given me a taste of a life I once dreamed of, living within a community where the postman knew everyone’s business and feisty grandmas called the shots… Where someone complimenting a scone felt as good as closing a business deal… where a walk along the beach soothed the soul much more than an hour of Candy Crush. Life felt real in Taxos, unlike back in London where most of my time was spent in front of a screen, either professionally at the office or for “fun” at home.

  ‘Stavros started it, you know – the fire,’ I said to Henrik, in a low voice, and told him about the man in the balaclava.

  His jaw fell open. ‘Well, if he did, I can assure you that ThinkBig and I had nothing to do with it.’

  ‘Never thought you did – what I don’t understand, though, is why would he go that far?’

  Henrik thought for a moment. ‘He did mention something in passing – said a villager was friendly with the tax office and might report him for offering those tax breaks. That news unsettled him. I think he wanted villagers to sign on the dotted line as soon as possible.’

  Ah yes – the arsonist spying at the meeting and hearing about Mr Dellis’ diligent tax man friend.

  ‘But that fire could have killed someone.’ Again that anger built within me and was ready to erupt by the time we sat down at Stavros’ table, in a discreet corner of the busy Flamingo Inn. Orion fetched four ouzos whilst Stavros stood up to greet us, then sat down again, wearing his signature black suit and white shirt.

  ‘Cheers.’ He raised his glass.

  ‘What are we celebrating?’ I said, in a measured voice.

  Stavros’ cheeks flushed. ‘Pippa… last night…’

  ‘You weren’t kept in hospital, then?’ said Henrik.

  ‘No. Thanks to you, my friends…’

  ‘I’m not your friend,’ I snapped. ‘Believe me, organising arson isn’t an appealing trait.’

  ‘Shh! Be careful what you say,’ said Stavros and looked around. ‘You have no evidence.’

  ‘No? That man you were talking to on the beach, with the ponytail… He turned up at one of the villagers’ meetings. I saw him last night, wearing a balaclava, before he ran away.’

  Stavros sipped his drink. ‘I don’t know what you talking about. And if such a man existed, he could be anywhere in Greece – anywhere in Europe by now.’

  I threw my hands in the air. ‘But I don’t get it, Stavros, why a fire?’

  Ooh. His eyes looked all wet and a kind of sheepish look crossed his face. Stavros cleared his throat. ‘If anyone arranged such a fire, I can only think they had heard of the villagers’ new business plans and thought perhaps… just perhaps thought there was a chance they could make things difficult if any sort of appeal to the council was put forward. That possibility needed to be removed.’

  ‘Bravo, mission accomplished,’ I muttered.

  Stavros’ voice broke. ‘I imagine if someone did plan the fire, they never, for one moment, thought it could be so dangerous – never wanted to hurt anyone.’

  ‘Enough of this speaking in riddles,’ said Henrik and looked around the table. ‘Why is Pippa here, Stavros? You and I have business to tie up, but–’

  ‘Ah… about that…’ Stavros looked at me. ‘After everything that has happened last night, I couldn’t believe how the villagers pulled together, to save me. There was no question….’ his chin trembled, ‘… no hesitation. It would have been so easy to wait for the firemen and take the risk that professional help might arrive too late. Niko, Cosmo, Demetrios… they put my life above the future of Taxos. And Henrik, of course…’ He patted my ex’s shoulder. ‘Which is why it pains me to say… I have to call off the deal with ThinkBig.’

  I gasped.

  ‘Stavros?’ Henrik almost dropped his ouzo. ‘This is a joke, right?’

  ‘Sorry, my mate.’

  ‘But most of the paperwork is done – ThinkBig could make it very difficult to–’

  Stavros held up his hand. ‘You knew I rushed through planning permission. ThinkBig could get into a lot of trouble if certain favours I’ve done came to light.’

  Henrik sneered. ‘As if you are going to air your own dishonesty.’

  Stavros pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose. ‘You are right. I’m no fool – which is why I have covered my tracks. There is no clear evidence anywhere that I fast-tracked the approval. Investigations would find nothing concrete against me personally, just against the planning permission department and they aren’t likely to sack anyone without a solid name to go on.’

  ‘But why on earth would you call off the deal?’ I said.

  ‘I’ve seen the Taxos tourist leaflet – been impressed with the villagers’ efforts. This new Taxos, offering nature and craft experiences provides something the rest of the island doesn’t – it could work.’

  ‘Pah – you mean after last night, you’ve gone soft.’ Henrik shook his head. ‘You should have gone into hospital, Stavros, and got someone to check out your head. And if you think for one moment that my boss and I are going to back out quietly…’

  ‘Don’t threaten my brother,’ growled Orion.

  ‘I not ask you to back out completely.’ Stavros shrugged. ‘I have another proposition.’ He stared at me. ‘You and the villagers agree that something needs doing, no? Things cannot continue as they have been.’

  Heart racing, I nodded. What was he going to suggest?

  Stavros turned to Henrik. ‘You told me of another project you were considering, that had just come in.’

  Henrik’s eyebrows knotted together.

  ‘The marine museum, with the aquarium in it – I think Taxos would be the ideal location for that. What with Caretta Cove and the turtle theme, the birdwatching walks, cycle rides… An indoor aquarium would bring in money over the winter as well, with visits from local schools.’

  My eyes widened. ‘A marine museum? Yes… yes! I could see that working. Henrik?’

  He ran a hand through his hair. ‘I… I need to think. Yes, I agree, it’s a good fit. But ThinkBig would want compensation for all the work we’ve put in to the former idea. I mean, we’ve lined up architects and builders…’

  Once again Stavros held up his hand. ‘I’m sure we can work out a deal. ThinkBig will always have new proposals for Kos, no? I can help… smooth the way. You can therefore guarantee your builders other jobs as well. Plus I can introduce your boss to other accommodating mayors that I know on other islands.’

  Abruptly, Henrik stood up. ‘I’m going over to ThinkBig’s offices. This isn’t going to go down well.’

  ‘Nonsense!’ said Stavros. ‘It’s the way you sell it – say that you’ve clinched the marine museum deal and will soon have the contacts in place to garner many other developments in the Aegean.’

  ‘And why should I?’

  Stavros glanced at me and Henrik followed suit. Then he sighed and without another word left.

  ‘Stavros… Thank you, I guess,’ I said.

  He chuckled. ‘Did that hurt?’

  I shrugged. ‘Although the Vesteros family – how will they manage? Whoever…’ I gave a sardonic smile, ‘…whoever started that fire effectively burnt down their hotel.’

  ‘You are a demanding woman – I like that,’ he said. ‘Although it’s a shame they hadn’t put new batteries in their smoke alarm, the insurers won’t pay up.’

  I glared at him.

  ‘All right, all right… I’m sure I can arrange something. They will not be out of pocket.’

  ‘Thank you,’ I muttered.

  ‘No… I thank you. Last night taught me a lesson. I see now, how important community life is – how, if possible, it should be preserved. I…’ His voice suddenly broke, ‘I’m sorry. Money is king
to me…’ He jerked his head towards Orion. ‘We grew up with very little. My dad was ill and on benefits. That’s one reason why – believe it or not – I truly thought the redevelopment was great for Taxos. There is nothing worse than no job, because it means no respect from others or yourself.’

  Orion nodded. ‘That’s why I’m always looking to improve my business, talking of which… Stavros told me about your scones. They are something new. Now I know they taste great. So I have a proposition – you supply Creami-Kos with them all year around, no?’

  ‘What? Really? But… how would I manage that?’

  ‘You a businesswoman, yes? Get a loan, bigger kitchens or new premises… run Pippa’s Pantry alongside scone-baking for me. To start, just supply my biggest outlet at the airport. If that success, then also the one in Kos Town… and so on.’

  ‘But no… you see, London… my life…’

  Stavros gave me a grin and for a moment he looked all together less shifty. ‘Pippa Pattinson! Your heart is in the small village life – everyone sees that. As soon as you took sides with the villagers, I knew I had a battle on my hands. Not because you are intelligent with good business acumen, but because it obvious you believe in these people and their way of life.’ He shrugged. ‘When I mingled at the meeting, Taxos people talked to me about you, the woman who they thought, inside, was still like the little English girl who used to visit with her parents – who fitted in with, and loved, the Greek island way of life.’

  ‘Really?’ My cheeks seared with heat. Could I really give up my career? My executive London life? Then that chirpy voice inside me piped up again, reminding me of the stress headaches back home, and sleepless nights.

  Stavros nodded. ‘And I’ve seen the change in you, just over the last week – the high shoes and make-up gone. You are comfortable with village life. Is clear you care about the simple things – good food, looking after others, finding pleasure in nature… And is legend now, how you stripped off to save the Dellis boys without a thought for your fancy clothes or your own life. And just now, you make sure the Vesteros family okay…’ He shook his head. ‘Why did you ever decide to work with numbers and pieces of paper in a clinical bank office?’

  ‘No idea,’ I stuttered. ‘I mean – I didn’t decide, it was always assumed.’

  ‘And our neighbours decided our father was a scrounger and assumed we were the same,’ said Orion. ‘Expectations don’t need to be fulfilled.’

  Orion was right. Perhaps now was my time to change and follow my heart – job-wise and in life. Much as I didn’t want to hurt Sophia or the family, that would mean I could no longer stay away from Niko. I knew he loved me – there were too many clues… his concern when I’d been winded… the tender compliments… his glee at seeing me when I first arrived… I had no idea what was going on with him and Leila, nor why he fought his true feelings. So, thanks to Stavros (did I really just say that?) I’d just decided two things:

  Firstly, I was going to quit my executive London life and instead bake scones and run the tastiest little afternoon teashop in Kos.

  Secondly, Nikolaos Sotiropoulos was in for a huge surprise when I got back to Taxos, because the very first thing I’d do would be to press my lips against his!

  Chapter Twenty-One

  ‘Pippa – I don’t know what to say, except… that’s amazing!’

  Leila grabbed my hands. Laughing, she span me around and around, until I felt queasy and Grandma ordered her to stop. Sophia showed me to a chair and Georgios passed me an orange granita.

  A couple of hours after meeting Stavros, I was in Taxos Taverna and had just announced the mayor’s change of heart.

  ‘Tell us again,’ said Georgios, and sat down next to me. Everyone else stood up – even Grandma – clapping their hands.

  ‘Okay…’ I cleared my throat. ‘No quad bike park. No nightclubs. No tacky boat trips. No branded franchises… Instead we expand the new businesses we have started and ThinkBig will build a marine museum with an aquarium in it. The latter will attract business all year around. Stavros believes that with the investment in the area, namely the marine museum, banks will be more open to the idea of loans, so that we can easily pay for the equipment we’ve needed like new bicycles, improvements to premises or extra insurance.’

  Tears trickling down her heart-shaped face, Sophia sat down on Georgios’ knee. ‘I can’t believe it’ she said, voice choked. ‘After all this worry. Now our future seems more secure.’ She wiped her eyes with a napkin. ‘Grandma was right.’

  ‘What do you mean, my lamb chop?’ said Georgios.

  Sophia wiped her face again. ‘She read the coffee sediment – said the sea would save Taxos. It has. Sea on land – this aquarium, in the museum.’

  We all sat in silence for a moment. ‘Ach,’ said Grandma, eventually. ‘It is Pippa who has saved us, really. My dear little peach who, along with this fight for our village, has helped me find my old spirit. I haven’t felt this well in months.’

  ‘Oh um… no… we’ve all done this together! It’s not just down to me,’ I said. However one by one, the family members descended on me with a kiss. Even grinning Niko, which resulted in a dart of electricity down that side of my cheek.

  ‘And Pippitsa – you have decided to stay here… to run our teashop and supply Creami-Kos with scones.’

  I smiled sheepishly at Sophia. ‘Yes. It’s been my secret dream for years.’

  Apollo ambled in and suddenly meowed as if to approve. Everyone laughed, even Niko, who… huh? Caught my eye and winked. Perhaps he’d managed to forgive my insulting comments – maybe even work out I didn’t really mean them.

  Yet my stomach scrunched as I soon realised the real reason for his happiness. Niko and Leila moved to the doorway and stood hand in hand, as if they were about to make a very important announcement. My eyes felt all wet. So this was it: the announcement of a wedding date. But how… to me Leila and Niko’s relationship still didn’t make sense.

  I guess that was love – irrational; a little crazy. There was no rule book.

  Niko clapped his hands. ‘Mama, Papa, Grandma… good friend Pippa. We told Leila’s parents something very important this morning, and now we tell you.’

  Full of tenderness, they looked at each other. Oh God. Niko was positively radiant – eyes shining and smiling straight from the heart. He stood straight and I’d detected a bubble of excitement in his voice.

  I felt sick. My heart thumped out a rhythm to a voice in my head screaming no, no, no! Niko and I were meant to be! It was fate, all those years of friendship had been building to this point. We “got” each other totally. That magnetised sensation between us was natural chemistry, a rare and uncontrollable thing.

  Fortunately, just at that moment, Pandora, Demetrios and Cosmo came in tell us that the firemen reckoned a barbecue had started the fire. They’d found kebab sticks, barbecue fuel and beer bottles. Hmm. Clever planting of evidence. Then cue half an hour of excited chat about the marine museum with hugs all around, ouzo and baklava out of Pandora’s basket.

  ‘So, um, what do you think Niko and Leila were going to announce?’ I said to Sophia, a tiny part of me still wondering whether to follow through my resolution of giving him a kiss.

  ‘A date for the wedding! There are no worries to hold them back now.’

  I had to agree.

  ‘Are you sure?’ said Grandma, as my top lip trembled. ‘Recently they argue…’

  ‘Haven’t we all? It’s been a stressful time.’ Sophia got up. ‘I fetch the camera to catch the happy moment on film!’

  ‘You okay, my little peach?’ said Grandma.

  I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

  It was over. I would not interfere if this was about to happen. Niko and lovely Leila looked happy. Sophia looked ecstatic. Bottom line, they were my friends – more than that, my Greek family. If I was wrong and Niko was happy with this destiny then I couldn’t be selfish and try to destroy that.

  The door
squeaked open and Henrik walked in. Silence fell.

  ‘Hello,’ I said and stood up. ‘Is everything all right?’

  He gazed around the room. Georgios poured an ouzo and took it over to him.

  ‘Well done, son – for rescuing those guests from the Vesteros’ hotel last night. You are a hero.’ As everyone clapped, Georgios clapped him on the back.

  Even Niko went over. He held out his hand. After a few seconds’ pause, Henrik reciprocated and then knocked back his drink.

  ‘Did you speak with your boss?’ I said. Everyone in the room waited for him to speak. Finally Henrik nodded and sat down at the nearest table, shoulders slumped, hair untidy.

  ‘Yes. He wasn’t happy at first. But, well, to quote Stavros, I “sold” it to him and he’s agreed we can accept the aquarium project and build it in Taxos.’

  ‘That’s fantastic!’ I said.

  More handshaking. More hugs. Georgios put on music and he and Cosmo started clapping and stamping their feet. I took Henrik to one side.

  ‘Thanks Henrik… I know you are disappointed, the way things have turned out.’

  He shrugged. I looked up as Sophia had turned off the music. She pushed Niko and Leila towards the door and lifted up her camera.

  ‘I can wait no longer!’ she said. ‘Please, make your announcement!’

  My eyes filled. Tears streamed down my face. Goodness, what a sap. Since arriving in Greece I’d cried more than in the whole of my England-based life. It must have been the late nights and stress of recent days. A sob escaped my lips.

  ‘Pips, what’s the matter?’ whispered Henrik.

  ‘Pippa?’ How did Niko get to my side so quickly? Just like that night when a drunk Henrik had turned up on the beach.

  I got to my feet. ‘Nothing. Sorry. Don’t feel very well. Need some fresh air. Please… just leave me alone for a while…’ I bolted for the door, yanked it open and ran out onto the street. Which way to go?

  Vision blurred, I ran as fast as I could, up to the right, towards the woods. I needed to somehow get to the villa, pack my stuff and leave. Who had I been kidding, about starting a life here in Taxos? Thank goodness my parents never got to hear of this ludicrous plan, they’d never have stopped teasing me. And thank goodness it was Sunday and I hadn’t been able to email work and hand in my notice.