Under a Greek Spell

by Simone Hubbard

  My phone pings with Steph’s reply. My suspicions were right about Costas, who seems to be actually called Stefanos. I wonder what that’s all about? And so much for enjoying my evening with Costas, now that he’s gone to his girlfriend’s. I was looking forward to getting to know him a bit better. I send her a quick reply and slip my phone in my bag, otherwise I’ll be texting her all night.

  Darius clinks a glass a couple of times to get everyone’s attention. ‘I think everyone is here now, so please all follow me through to the restaurant.’

  I follow everyone and sit down next to Alexandra, in one of two empty seats left by the others. I assume the second one was for Costas. I can’t say that I’m particularly looking forward to this. It’s slightly weird socialising with people whom you’ve interviewed for a job. And I don’t want to have any preconceptions about the others before I even start, like Costas did with Alexandra.

  Our first task is to help ourselves to food. The head chef, who has arrived to make sure things are in order for the hotel opening, has been busy barbecuing. ‘Help yourselves. There is chickens, fish in seasons, beefs and lambs kebabs, corns on the cobs and some salads over there.’ He sounds like Aleksandr Orlov, the meerkat. I want him to squeak and say ‘Simples.’

  When I sit down again, Alexandra smiles sweetly at me.

  ‘Well, Alexandra, I did try my hardest for you. But Costas made his decision before you even got in the room. What on earth did you do to him?’

  ‘It all happen just after his marriage break up. His wife had affair with a member of staff at the hotel, so he was not in a good place.’

  ‘But that doesn’t explain why he isn’t speaking to you.’

  ‘It is because I set his friend James up with my friend, who fancy him, and when Costas found out he went mad.’

  ‘Why did Costas go mad?’

  I’m confused, and on top of everything else, the room has started spinning round. The fruit punch must have more alcohol in it than I’d realised.

  ‘It was because James have girlfriend in England. But it was too late. I try to call my friend and it went to voicemail. Costas said I knew James had girlfriend, but when I ask James he say he finish with this girlfriend. So I say, honestly, I did not know. Costas did not believe me so he not speak to me any more. We not able to work together so I leave… Ooh, ooh, he just walk in, and he is not looking in good mood.’

  My goodness, she isn’t wrong. He appears to be fuming over something. He heads our way with a plate of food and a beer.

  ‘May I sit here?’ he asks, pointing to the empty chair next to me in a rather polite tone, considering.

  ‘Yes, of course. Are you okay? You seem a bit pissed off – sorry, I mean annoyed – about something.’ Oh my God, what the hell is wrong with me, swearing and telling the truth?

  ‘I am fine. It is complicated. Anyway, I have it sorted now.’

  I’m not going to delve any deeper, but if Darius was right I assume that Costas has just had a row with his girlfriend over something. I can’t actually believe the next sentence that comes out of my mouth. The fruit punch is obviously working its magic. ‘So, Costas, why did you leave such a successful hotel and team in Mykonos?’ For goodness sake, what’s the matter with me? Alexandra’s just told me his wife was having an affair with another staff member.

  ‘Because I needed to get away and start again,’ he replies, with pain etched all over his face.

  ‘Oh, Costas, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.’

  ‘What is “pry”?’ he asks.

  ‘To be nosey.’

  ‘Yes, I understand. You were not to know. I am sorry for before when I walk in your room,’ he says.

  ‘Oh, don’t worry. No harm done. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.’ For God’s sake, what the hell is wrong with me?

  ‘Indeed, Helen, but the phone pose was a new one.’ I catch his eyes and we hold a look that makes my heart do a double beat. ‘Listen, I am sorry that I am not very good company. I have a couple of things to do so, if you will excuse me, I will be back shortly. In the meantime, you should know that Loving Luxury Travel is covering the bar bill; maybe you could keep everyone under control.’

  ‘Of course, Costas, I’ll keep everyone in order,’ I reply, winking at him.

  Clearly, whatever Darius is serving me is loosening me up. He’s now delivered a Vodka Collins to me, insisting that I try all the Collins cocktails. ‘This is the last one, Darius. Coshtas has left me in charge.’ I’m not sure, but I think I’m slurring my words.

  ‘Okay, Miss Collins, I will not bring you any more cocktails. Maybe you finish tomorrow.’

  ‘Exactly, Darius, I finish tomorrow,’ I reply, defiantly thumping my fist on the table. ‘I’m on a mission to work through these cocktails and I’ve got tomorrow night, so I can pache myself.’

  The group are all engaged in conversation so I text Steph about the hilarious towel fiasco. It seems to take me a while to type this short message but I get there in the end and press send.

  Hey sis, you’ll never guess

  what happend earlier Cistas

  come in my room with me

  naked because there wernt

  Any towles. lol. Xz

  A voice from behind interrupts me.

  ‘Do you mind if I join you?’

  ‘No, be my… Oh my God, Nikos, what on earth are you doing here?’ I stand up and we do the obligatory kiss on the cheek and hug before sitting down again.

  ‘I have been sent to keep an eye on you.’

  ‘Really? By who?’

  ‘Costas. Anyway, never mind what I am doing here, what are you doing here?’

  ‘I’ve been interviewing candidates for the job here with Costas.’

  ‘Oh no! When Costas mentioned a “Helen” I never thought it would be you.’

  ‘What do you mean “Oh no”?’ I reply, laughing.

  ‘Sorry. It is just that Costas can’t interview me because he is my cousin. Loving Luxury Travel wanted an independent person to do it.’

  ‘It’s fine, Nikos, we’re only engaged. That doesn’t count.’ We both start laughing.

  ‘Oh yes, my new fiancée.’ Nikos takes my hand and kisses the back of it.

  ‘And how is your ex-fiancée?’ I can’t believe I’ve just said that. I need to get a zip fitted to my mouth.

  ‘She is still sulking. She refused to reason with me yesterday and would not join me at her favourite restaurant last night. So I had to text her this morning to tell her I was coming here.’

  ‘Maybe we should take a selfie and post it on Facebook – the newly engaged couple. She’d be over here like a shot.’

  ‘More like she would be over here with a shotgun. You saw what her temper is like.’

  ‘I certainly did. But at least I’ve now ticked off Greek plate-smashing on my list of things to do.’

  ‘And what other things to do are on your list?’

  I’m sure I’m not imagining that Nikos is flirting with me big time, which serves me right. I attempt an answer that will hopefully get me off the hook. ‘Now, that would be telling, and a girl needs some secrets.’ Before he can say anything else my phone pings. ‘That’s probably my sister. I can’t see the screen very well in this light – I’ll read it later.’

  ‘I can try and read it if you like, although I am not too good at reading English,’ Nikos offers.

  ‘Okay, you read it.’ I pass the phone over to Nikos.

  ‘Well, first of all it says it’s from your mum. Do you want me to carry on?’

  ‘Sure, it will probably be an update about their cruise.’

  ‘Okay, it says “I’ve had a little dick on deck and I’m a little bruised”.’ Nikos reads the text out quite loudly; the opening line has gripped everyone’s attention. The whole table’s gone silent and all eyes turn in N
ikos’s direction.

  ‘This is not me, this is Helen’s mum,’ he clarifies. He continues in a slightly quieter voice. ‘“I haven’t told your dad yet but, yes, it would be good to rest by the pool. Love, Mum.”’

  He shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head. He’s clearly not sure that he’s read the message right. He passes the phone to Markos.

  ‘Yes, it says “little dick”. I don’t think size should matter though,’ he says, blushing.

  ‘Let me see,’ I demand, my cheeks are now rather hot and flushed. The only trouble is that I can’t see the text very well in the dim light and I think I need some reading glasses. Oh, poor Mum – what has she done?

  Someone pipes up. ‘It is a bit worrying that it’s caused bruising.’ Everyone starts laughing uncontrollably.

  ‘I think this calls for a stiff drink,’ Nikos announces. The whole table erupts again.

  ‘Not for me. I’m going to ring Mum and see what on earth is going on,’ I say.

  ‘Come on, Helen, it sounds like she is enjoying herself, and I have not yet finished telling you my story,’ Alexandra says between gasps of laughter.

  ‘And I have drinking game to show you from Poland,’ the chef pipes up.

  So we all head to the bar. I get there before my legs, with a little help from Alexandra and Nikos, who get me on to a bar stool.

  The head chef has got Darius to line up small bottles of ouzo for us all. ‘Okay, we bang bottle on bar like this, then we put the top on nose like this and grip bottle in teeth and knock back. After three! One, two, three!’

  After the quick demo, everyone bangs their bottle on the bar, puts their bottle tops on their noses and grips their bottles in their teeth before knocking back the ouzo. A rapturous round of applause indicates the completion of the game.

  ‘I am going to try and call Selena before it gets too late to see if I can talk some sense into her,’ Nikos tells me when the noise dies down.

  ‘Well, good luck. I hope she answers.’

  ‘Me too. I will probably be back for the next round anyway, since she has not replied to a single text or call since yesterday.’

  As he disappears, I seize my opportunity to get the rest of her story from Alexandra. It all seems a huge coincidence that this guy was called James, especially after what’s come to light with Selena. I want to establish if Alexandra’s friend is, in fact, Selena. But then, surely Alexandra and Nikos would know each other. But if the friend isn’t Selena and we’re talking about the same James, that means… Suddenly, there’s an alarm bell ringing in my head. Things are coming back to me.

  ‘Alexandra, you were telling me about someone called James. Does he live in Mykonos?’

  ‘No, he is working for Loving Luxury Travel, and he is very good-looking…’

  I cut her off in mid flow. ‘Hang on, Alexandra. Is this him?’ I somehow locate a photo of him on my phone and pass it to her.

  ‘Yes, Helen, this is James! You know him?’

  ‘Well, I thought I knew him. He was my so-called boyfriend.’

  ‘Oh, Helen, I not realise! I am so sorry. I would never have said anything if I knew!’ Alexandra is beside herself.

  ‘No worries,’ I say numbly. ‘I’d already decided he isn’t worth another minute of my time. He’s finished, and,’ I raise my voice, ‘I think that calls for another round of ouzo to celebrate!’

  No one argues with that. The next lot of bottles are quickly lined up on the bar and we’re ready for Round 2. One, two, three! I tip my head back and lose my balance. I’m falling backwards…

  Chapter 22

  Stephanie

  ‘Kalimera, Stephanie!’

  As I begin to stir, I’m aware it’s light. I can hear the sea, and there are birds chirping away far too noisily for my liking. My brain processes information very slowly. Kalimera is ‘Good morning’ in Greek.

  ‘Stephanie, kalimera!’

  Oh, my goodness, there he goes again. Pleeeease, I need to sleep. I turn over and then it hits me like a ten-tonne truck. The voice is … ohhh myyy God … Stefanossss … I need to open my eyes pronto.

  ‘Stefanos, where am I? What time is it? What’s happened?’

  ‘Stephanie, do not worry, calm down, nothing happen. I bring coffee last night and fall asleep while I was waiting for you and you fall asleep after me. Now it is nine thirty, and time for fresh coffee and breakfast, if you like. Then I take you back to hotel. I thought you might like to get changed into something else, and maybe we go to the beach later.’

  ‘Yes, great, sounds like a plan,’ I reply, with a rather big yawn.

  ‘Would you like me to bring the coffee and breakfast out here, or you prefer to eat in the restaurant?’

  ‘I think here would be better. I don’t like eating breakfast in public in the previous night’s outfit,’ I reply, rather sheepishly. ‘Not that it’s a regular occurrence or anything,’ I add quickly.

  ‘Good choice. I think my father will still be cross with me, so I stay out of his way.’

  I have a flashback from last night, when his father threw some bedding out of the window. I don’t want to face him yet either.

  Stefanos rolls back the curtain to reveal a beautiful sunny day, and goes off to get our breakfast.

  My poor head is pounding and I desperately want to go back to sleep, but I need the loo. I drag myself off the bed. Luckily, I get to the toilet without bumping into anyone.

  I peer into the mirror; the vision I’m greeted with, quite honestly, isn’t the best look I’ve ever had. My mascara has rubbed off half an inch down from my eyes, and other bits of make-up are smudged here and there all over my face. Goodness only knows what Stefanos thought of it all. And I’ve been asleep with my contact lenses in, so my eyes are red.

  I wet some tissues and start rubbing off what I can, helped by a bit of soap. I’ll probably have an allergic reaction but I’ll have to take that risk. It’ll be bad enough arriving back at the hotel in last night’s outfit without my face looking like I’m a cast member of The Rocky Horror Show. I can just picture it now. Sandra and Carol are bound to see me and I’ll be the talk of the hotel.

  I go back to the cabana. Guests are already claiming their sunloungers for the day. Meanwhile, I haven’t even got back to the hotel after my night out. If Helen finds out, I’ll never hear the end of it. That reminds me, she sent a bizarre message last night and I haven’t heard from her today. I send her a quick text while I wait for Stefanos to return.

  That will wind her up, me using ‘your’ incorrectly. She’s so bloody nitpicky with grammar.

  Stefanos arrives back with some fragrant coffee and croissants. We scoff them pretty quickly as we’re both absolutely starving. I feel like I could eat a horse, but a cooked breakfast would suffice. The trouble is, the only place you can get a decent one of those is in England, and so croissants will have to do.

  Stefanos breaks into my cooked-breakfast fantasy just as I take a sip of coffee, and I almost spit it out. ‘I not bring you here for sex, Stephanie, you know. I don’t do this every week like in the film.’

  ‘Oh, Stefanos…’

  Before I can finish speaking, we hear a male voice calling ‘Geia!’ I suspect it’s his dad, thankfully sounding a lot calmer. Stefanos goes out and I can hear a calm conversation between the two of them.

  He comes back in, smiling. ‘My father forgive me for last night, and he say we can use his boat again, if you like. Or we could just go to a quiet secluded beach and sleep.’

  ‘I think the beach sounds like the best idea, Stefanos. I could do with some sleep, and a quiet beach sounds like just the ticket.’

  ‘Right, give me fifteen minutes to shower and change, then we go.’

  ‘Okay, see you in a minute. I’ll just lie down here and have forty winks.’

  ‘What is forty winks?’

 
‘Oh, it’s just an English term for a little sleep.’

  ‘You English and your little sayings. I need a lesson.’ He shakes his head and laughs.

  I close my eyes as he leaves. He’s back in what seems like five minutes, but he’s changed and has wet hair so he’s clearly had a shower, while I’ve had what feels like about five winks.

  ‘Okay, I’ll take you back to the hotel, Stephanie, in the car, then we come back here and go to a little beach on the moped.’

  ‘Great. Sounds good to me.’

  As we step out of the cabana, Xena gives us a cheery wave and a friendly ‘Kalimera’ from up by the hotel. I wave and shout ‘Kalimera’ back to her. It’s clear she’s not angry with me.

  The car is baking hot, so Stefanos winds down the windows to let a breeze in as we get going. We drive along the coast road, following the beautiful blue sea, which is sparkling in the sunshine, and chat about the night before. The car crawls up the steep hillside. At one point, we have to stop for a bus coming round a hairpin bend. The car struggles to get going again to the point that I think I’ll have to get out and push.

  ‘No power,’ Stefanos announces. ‘We nearly go backwards!’ He seems to find it amusing.

  We finally arrive at my hotel and Stefanos decides to wait for me in the car, parked down the road and out of the way.

  ‘I’ll be as quick as I can,’ I say as I leave. This usually means at least half an hour. I can’t get sidetracked with chatting, so I put my head down as I enter the hotel grounds.

  ‘You just gettin’ back from last night, pet?’

  I haven’t noticed Carol and Sandra sitting on sunbeds with a coffee each. This is all I bloody well need, the third degree off Private Eye Carol.

  Sandra’s quick to chip in. ‘You ignore her, pet. She’s only jealous.’

  ‘Eee, I’m not jealous, lass, I were just sayin’, makin’ polite conversation.’

  ‘Aye, and just being nosey. It’s got nothing to do with you whether she’s been out all night, you’re not her mother.’

  I decide to escape while they’re distracted by their little disagreement. ‘Must dash, ladies. I’m on a tight schedule.’