Some Like It Greek - Sue Roberts Page 0,75

the rowing boats on the lake, it reminded us of the time she tipped over and fell into the lake and we would howl with laughter. Liz always maintains I stood up deliberately, tipping the boat and getting revenge for her pushing me off the swing, when I was a young child. I realise I can’t live on memories. We need to be there for each other more than ever now.

Dara and I pick at the delicious food and sip the glorious wine and the time flies by. After dinner, I am feeling relaxed and happy as Dara pours us each a shot of ouzo and we toast each other against a bright moon, shining in a crystal-clear sky dotted with stars.

‘To life,’ says Dara before we knock back the aniseed liquid.

‘And may we embrace whatever it holds for us,’ I say.

Dara stands and takes my hand before guiding me to the bedroom once again. Even if it’s the last time I see him, I’m going to enjoy one last evening with him, determined to take my own advice about embracing whatever life holds for me.

Twenty-Nine

We enjoy pancakes for breakfast again the next morning, before Dara needs to check out of his hotel and head to the airport. We walk hand-in-hand to his hotel and say our goodbyes after he checks out.

‘Enjoy the rest of your time here. I’ll be in touch.’ Dara gives me one final kiss goodbye.

‘You enjoy Canada too. Safe journey.’ I manage a smile, although my heart feels heavy and I wonder if I will ever see him again.

As he drives off in his hire car, I stand and wave until he is completely out of sight, with an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. After all that telling myself that it was fine to have a holiday romance, suddenly it doesn’t feel fine at all. I feel stupid. I should have steered clear of men on this journey and spent more time getting to know myself. But it’s too late for that now. Dara is heading off to Canada and taking a little piece of my heart with him.

Later, I pack my case into the van and begin the drive back to Demi’s village. Tomorrow is the day of her party and I imagine she’s feeling all kinds of excitement right now, especially at the thought of meeting up with many long-lost relatives.

The classical music on the radio seems to fit my mood as I drive along humming gently to myself. The pleasant drive takes me through villages with the now-familiar goats in the garden and old gnarled trees providing shade from the unrelenting sunshine. Some villages have small allotments with lines of spinach, aubergines and tomatoes growing in surprisingly neat rows, given the rustic feel of the surrounding area. I think if I could master the language, I could live in a place like this as it’s pretty much my idea of heaven. I could have a little salon somewhere where the local women could all come and share their stories, their triumphs and sadness, just like in one of my favourite Julia Roberts films, Steel Magnolias.

I’ve booked into a campsite just outside Sami, and when I arrive, I ring Demi to ask her if there’s anything I can do to help with the preparations.

‘Nothing at all,’ Demi tells me. ‘You are a guest. In fact, you are a guest of honour, as you managed to get me all the way here to Greece, in one piece.’

‘Don’t sound so surprised,’ I say, and she laughs.

‘I’m not at all surprised. I believe you can do anything you put your mind to. You are a very special young woman. Now, things won’t be starting here until around five tomorrow so you have lots of time to explore. You don’t have much time left here in Greece, so make the most of it.’

While I have my phone out, I think of texting Dara to wish him a safe flight but decide against it. I already said those things when he departed after all and don’t want him to think I’m being needy and sentimental. We’ll be in touch with each other when the time is right, I suppose, if at all.

I change and decide to catch a bus down towards the harbour and go on a boat trip on the Melissani Lake. At Demi’s insistence, I am going to enjoy every last second of my time here. There are a few boats at the harbour