Thanassis lit his second cigarette of the evening and leant back in his chair. The man hadn’t said very much at all since they’d reached the bar; he seemed lost in his own thoughts, which suited Grace. But it looked like he was about to change that.
‘Is the language school what you imagined when you joined up?’
Grace drank the last mouthful of beer before replying.
‘It’s better than I hoped, to be honest. I love the variety of ages that we get to teach, the weather’s fabulous, and everyone has been so friendly.’
‘Good, I’m glad.’ Thanassis put up his hand for the waiter and pointed at her glass. ‘Another of those?’
‘Unless there’s something else you think I should try?’
‘Have you had ouzo yet?’
Grace shook her head.
‘You can’t be in Greece and not drink ouzo.’
All she knew was that it was a spirit flavoured with aniseed, and she usually steered well clear of spirits, but what the hell.
‘Ouzo it is then.’
Two long thin glasses containing a measure of colourless liquid arrived at their table, plus a jug of water and ice.
Thanassis picked up several ice cubes with the tongs and put them into her glass, topping the whole thing up with water. His hand brushed against hers as he did it.
‘Watch the magic!’
Grace smiled as the liquid inside the glasses turned cloudy.
Thanassis clinked his glass to hers.
‘Yamas!’
‘Yamas!’
Grace knocked back a mouthful but had to stop drinking as a coughing fit took over. It was strong stuff.
Thanassis was up and patting her on the back in a flash.
‘Sorry, I should have warned you.’
His hand lingered on her back for a little longer than was strictly necessary, but the mini massage wasn’t unpleasant.
‘No, it’s delicious.’
Grace drank a little more to prove she wasn’t a wimp and saw that Thanassis had moved his chair a little nearer. He really did have the most gorgeous eyes, dark blue flecked with gold.
‘Is there someone waiting for you back home in England?’
His question caught her off guard. Her fingers went to touch the familiar ring. But of course it wasn’t there. She’d taken it off on the plane.
‘No, no one, I’m free as a bird.’
‘A bird?’
So, Thanassis might technically be fluent in English, but he wasn’t such an expert on expressions.
‘Sorry, yes, I’m single.’
