Maddie watched him take the fish out of a battered box full of ice and put the first pieces on the grill. The three of them had been dozing side by side in the late afternoon sun for quite a while, and the first pangs of hunger had crept up on her unawares. A large rumble from her stomach coincided with the first waft of frying fish coming their way.
Sofia leant up on one elbow.
‘Mads, is that you, or rather your stomach?’
‘Guilty as charged.’
‘It already smells amazing, even from here. Thanassis is a very versatile man, isn’t he?’
‘I’m not answering that one.’
She really wasn’t in the mood for another row.
‘For fear of incriminating yourself?’
‘Stop your dirty legal talk right now.’
‘Oh look, he’s setting up a place for us under the trees in the shade. How considerate. It must be nearly ready.’
Thanassis waved his long arm in the air.
‘Paréa,my friends.It’s time. You can eat now.’
‘Lovely.’
Maddie reached for her bag to take out her sarong, but Sofia shook her head.
‘Let’s just take our towels to sit on. We’re on a beach in the middle of nowhere. Why do we need to cover up?’
‘OK. You’re right.’
‘Yes, I usually am when it comes to fashion choices.’
Sofia pointed at Charlotte’s inert body.
‘She looks really sweet when she’s asleep, doesn’t she? It’s smoothed out those worry lines we’ve seen far too much of on this holiday. We’d better get her up and at it.’
A gentle tug on both arms produced a strangled cry from Charlotte.
‘Hey, sweetie. It’s OK. It’s just us.’ Sofia put Charlotte’s dislodged hat back on her head.
‘Grub’s up and the hunky fisherman is ready for us.’
Maddie wagged her finger.
‘You know his name’s Thanassis.’
‘Whatever. Hunky fisherman will do for me.’
The three of them made their way over to the shaded area and spread out their towels on the ground.
Thanassis ambled over holding a skewer aloft with a piece of fish and offered it to Maddie. Sofia couldn’t imagine him doing anything in a hurry. Which could have its advantages.
‘You have the first taste. Let me know if you think it’s done.’
Maddie held his hand steady with her own while she took the piece of fish and put it in her mouth. The touch of skin on skin gave her a little jolt. But it was driven from her mind by the taste of the fish marinated in a simple lemon and butter sauce.
‘That’s fantastic, Thanassis.’
