Thankfully, the hotel owner, Maria, bustled over at that point to take them through the breakfast specials, carrying a full plate.
‘Today, for our guests, we havespanakópita, the king of pies.’
She put her fingers to her lips and kissed the air.
‘The fresh spinach and the salty feta filling go so well together.’
A coquettish smile appeared on Maria’s face, and Sofia could see instantly what she’d looked like as a girl. She served them all a big piece before they could accept or refuse.
‘It’s been said that myspanakópitais the best on the island. Obviously, you must judge for yourselves. Eat, please.’
Sofia wondered what else in Maria’s repertoire was ‘the best on the island’. She’d already used that line about the orange cake. Did it include everything she cooked? Dutifully she put the piece of pie in her mouth. Used to just a takeaway coffee on thego in London, all this early morning eating was totally alien, but she could get used to it. Having been the same weight her whole adult life, she’d definitely put on a few pounds since arriving in Greece, but that was the least of her worries. She wouldn’t be going into court in her smart black suits anymore. Who would care if they no longer fitted?
As advertised, the pie was indeed delicious, the crunchy filo pastry making way for a savoury explosion in her mouth, and all three of them hoovered up every last bite.
Maria smiled at the empty plates. As she went to walk away, she turned back for a moment as if she’d forgotten something.
‘Oh yes. I’m supposed to tell you we also havestrapatsádatoday, scrambled eggs with tomatoes and feta.’
A theatrical shrug of the shoulders followed.
‘Sadly, for you it wasn’t made by me, but by our chef, Panos. You mightwant to try it I guess, if you are not too full after morespanakópita.’
Maria left for the reception area as a guest was waiting to check out.
The three of them locked eyes.
Charlotte smiled.
‘Dare we try thestrapatsáda?’
Maddie got up from the table.
‘Don’t be ridiculous. We’re three women in our sixties. We’re not going to be cowed by all this competitive cooking malarkey. I’m getting in there.’
Sofia put her hands up.
‘I’m full, honestly.’
Charlotte nodded.
‘So am I.’
Maddie pursed her lips at her blonde friend.
‘Liar. You’re just scared of Maria.’
Charlotte held up her hand and squeezed her thumb and forefinger together to leave a tiny gap.
‘Just a teeny bit.’
Sofia shouted at Maddie’s rapidly departing back.
‘Don’t go bonkers. Remember we’ve got lunch in a few hours.’
It was their last full day on the island before leaving for their next destination on the ferry the following evening. Maria had arranged for them to go on a tour of a goat farm up in the hills, run by some relative, which included ‘a simple lunch’ with wine. Sofia had come to understand that no lunch in Greece could be described as simple. It was best to be prepared. Maria wouldn’t tell them exactly what they’d be getting as she wanted it to be a surprise, but it wouldn’t be a just a sandwich and a bag of crisps, that was for sure.
A text from Adonis came into her phone.
