Some Like It Greek - Sue Roberts Page 0,55
are and how your life might have turned out.’ He gazes out towards the sea, lost in thought, and I have to stop myself before any more words come out of my mouth.
I’m telling myself this is none of my business. I know Demi had considered tracing her son but was more concerned as to whether or not he had lived a happy life. I also recall her saying that maybe it was best to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’. What right do I have to interfere in something that doesn’t concern me? Yet the man sitting here in front of me just seems so lovely. And he’s just told me that he thought about tracing his mother at one time. I’m sure Demi would be thrilled to hear that. Wouldn’t she?
Twenty
I say goodbye to Petros with my mind swirling. It seems like fate that I should run into him today. I would never have known who he was, had he not borne such a striking resemblance to Demi. I’ve never believed in fate before, believing that we create our own opportunities but after the events of today, I’m thinking that maybe some things are written in the stars. It feels so strange to have this information about Demi’s family that I’m almost bursting to phone her and say something. Petros definitely said he had thought about trying to trace his mother, so there doesn’t seem to be any ill-feeling on his part. I wrestle with my thoughts, wondering whether I ought to tell Demi that I have come across a man I am certain is her son.
Back at the hotel, I text Roz and ask how things are going back home at my parents’ house and she gives me a ring. She fills me in on the news from Manchester and tells me she went on that date to the concert with Rob the window cleaner. She really likes him and they’ve already had a second date at a Thai restaurant in town. It seems they share a love of keeping fit, which she tells me she knew when she saw his muscly arms cleaning the windows.
‘Honestly, the muscles in his arms are like cannon balls! He’s actually a member of the gym where I’m doing classes so that’s nice. We did some weight training together yesterday.’
‘So are you keeping up with the super fit mums now?’ I ask.
‘Just about. I haven’t had to stop for oxygen halfway through a class yet. Anyway, how’s it all going? Where are you now?’ she asks.
I tell her all about the journey so far, leaving out the details about possibly spotting Demi’s son on the beach but telling her about our experience in the police station at Sami.
‘You’re joking,’ she exclaims. ‘I’m so glad you got the van back, though. Imagine if it hadn’t been found.’
‘I don’t like to imagine. Dad’s ashes were in the van.’
‘No,’ she gasps. ‘Well thank goodness you got it back intact.’
‘I know. Actually, I’m beginning to think the van is jinxed. We had a burst tyre when we were in Italy.’ I think back to how Dara came to the rescue, when he came striding along the road minding his own business.
We chat for a little longer and Roz is saying goodbye, when I remember something.
‘Ooh Roz, are you remembering to water Demi’s houseplants?’ I ask tentatively, worrying it might have slipped her mind, now that she’s all loved-up with Rob.
‘Yes. Most of them are OK but there’s a spidery-looking one in the lounge that’s gone a bit brown. I might have to buy her another one. If I can find one, that is. I haven’t seen anything like it since my grandmother had one at the old house in Salford. There’s nothing like it in Sainsbury’s, so I’ll probably have to nip to a garden centre and replace it.’
‘Never mind, if it’s only the one plant. I’m sure Demi will forgive you,’ I say, fingers crossed.
After taking a long bath and washing and conditioning my hair, I change into a long blue cotton dress and head out for dinner, relishing spending some time alone. It’s so lovely not having to consider someone else’s needs for a change and I browse the menus outside restaurants before choosing one that I like the look of. It’s a fish restaurant near the seafront and once I am seated, an English family at the next table strike up a conversation with me. They insist I join them so it seems I