‘Where’s Dale?’ I asked.
She waved her hand dismissively. ‘Oh, Dale’s with Julian, up at his villa.’
No need to rush through breakfast then.
I knew that Julian had accommodation on Aetheria, but this made it sound like helivedthere. And what were he and Dale doing first thing in the morning – having some sort of meeting? Was Dale involved in this mysterious business of Julian’s?
‘It’s nice that Julian has a friend here, that he gets to spend time with Dale,’ I ventured, fishing for information.
An odd look flickered across Trudy’s face, vanishing almost instantly, telling me I might be onto something.
‘Trudy?’ I said, pretending I was playing (I wasn’t – clearly, something was up). ‘Have you got a secret?’
‘Not really,’ she said lightly. ‘Nothing as big asyours.’
I didn’t catch on right away, but then I realised she meant Tommy.
‘Oh well, yes… but that was years ago now.’
‘Yes, but weren’t you surprised? Seeing him here?’ she asked, clearly unwilling to drop the subject.
‘Oh, you have no idea! A total coincidence.’
‘You know,’ she said, her brows lifted, ‘sometimes the fates conspire…’
‘Conspire?’
‘To bring people together.’
I’d have entertained that notion if I believed for onesecondthat external forces were actively steering my life. No, this was blind luck – a fluke – and nothing more.
I gave Trudy the sort of smile that belied my scepticism and she seemed satisfied that she’d made her point.
‘Kalimera.’ Christos was standing by the table, ready to take my order but I’d been too distracted to even peek at the menu.
I eyed Trudy’s plate. ‘What are those?’ I asked, pointing at half-eaten pastry.
‘Bougatsa,’ she replied. ‘Sogood – I might ask for another.’
‘I’ll havebougatsa, please,’ I said to Christos. ‘Sorry, I mean,parakalo.’ He gave me a quick friendly smile, then headed back to the kitchen. ‘And coffee,parakalo,’ I called after him.
He sent a smile over his shoulder, letting me know he’d heard me.
I had to admire how laidback he was. I got the sense that if I’d wanted to act on our obvious attraction, there would have been zero strings attached.
With Tommy, there were so many strings, I could open a shop. Want to be tethered to your past? Need a new set of heartstrings? Like playing cat’s cradle with your emotions? Then come on down to Ally’s String Emporium!
I sniggered to myself, stopping abruptly when I caught Trudy peering at me curiously.
‘Thinking about Tom?’ she asked, a telling glint in her eye. It was clear that Trudy was invested in a romantic reunion. I mean, I was too – but I wasn’t up for discussing it.
‘Erm… just something my sister told me last night,’ I lied, and I could tell she didn’t believe me. I looked away, pretending to be mesmerised by the view.
Thankfully, Christos soon returned with my order, sparing me from fabricating more nonsense.
‘Thank you –efharistó.’
Geez, Ally.I’d been in Greece several days and I was still forgetting to saypleaseandthank youin Greek. And it’s just basic manners when you’re travelling – please, thank you, hello, goodbye. At the bare minimum. I’d have to remember for next time.
