Her little moment of peace on the balcony was well and truly over. She’d have to wait until the next morning to see Tony again.
Chapter Eleven
The plainer rooms were echoed by a simpler breakfast, which was no bad thing thought Maddie. Too much choice always threw her; she preferred fewer options but good ones in everything from food to clothes.
The hotel owners were a husband-and-wife combo, Theo and Thea, who smiled a lot and looked just like each other. They were roughly the same height as Sofia, but much more rounded. Had they always looked like each other, she wondered, or was it something couples did subconsciously over the years? Did they actively choose similar haircuts, clothes and a way of smiling? Or was it all just coincidence?
Thea was waving her arms around in the large wooden-beamed room they’d been directed to and pointing to plates laden with food.
‘Please, help yourselves. There is fresh bread, home-made jam, honey from our hives, hard-boiled eggs, pastries, a different home-made cake every day, cheese from our dairy, and plenty of fruit from the trees in the orchard. We like to serve only what isin season. There is no need to fly fruit around the world, when we have so much here.’
Their host pointed to a huge bowl of deep red glossy miniature globes.
‘The cherries are wonderfully sweet this year. Here, try, please.’
They all took a cherry, and as the sweet juice flooded Maddie’s mouth and stroked her throat, she moaned out loud, and knew she’d never look at a cellophaned packet of the stuff in a British supermarket in the same way again.
Thea took such pleasure and even pride in their reactions, a pattern that Maddie had noticed ever since she’d arrived in Greece, with everyone from ice cream vendors to restaurant owners. She couldn’t imagine Barry from her local greengrocers getting quite so excited at people tasting his wares.
Thea turned to her husband, who took the conversational baton in a move Maddie could see was well-rehearsed. She must stop studying couples, torturing herself by watching how they slotted together and complimented each other. She needed to get used to being on her own and believing that just her was enough.
‘I will make any drinks you desire. We have everything from fresh orange juice, made with our own oranges of course, to any coffee you like from the big machine.’
Theo pointed over to a gleaming chrome monster in the corner, obviously his pride and joy. Maddie already knew she’d feel mean if she asked for a tea.
‘Do I have any takers?’
‘I’d love both if that’s OK, Theo. An orange juice with ice and a cappuccino.’
Sofia looked at Charlotte, who nodded back.
‘Three of those please, or rather six.’
‘Of course. Please, choose your food, find a seat on the terrace and I will bring them to you.’
The big wooden wraparound terrace had views in all directions, and Maddie was pleased to see the comfortable wicker chairs with padded olive-green cushions and low coffee tables, tailor made for long lazy breakfasts. There were people at a table further on, talking and laughing in what Maddie now recognised as Greek.
The view towards the town below appealed the most, so they could watch people going about their business as they ate.
Maddie flopped down on the first chair, her plate piled high with food.
‘Let’s sit here.’
‘Fine.’
Sofia followed, took the chair opposite and lowered her voice to a whisper.
‘It’s a little bit… rustic here, isn’t it?’
They were all tired after travelling between the islands yesterday, but Sofia’s comment had her on edge immediately.
‘Just because everything isn’t high end and in taupe doesn’t mean it’s not charming. I absolutely love it up here on the hill. We’re surrounded by nature and wildlife. You can hear birdsong and see butterflies. For me that’s way better than superyachts and disco bars.’
‘Not sure what disco bars are when they’re at home.’
Maddie stuck out her tongue at her friend.
Charlotte joined the group, and Sofia leaned in towards the two of them.
