HOTEL MARGARITÁRI, AVLAKI
‘It is a very good turnout for something that is “secret”, no?’
At Dimitria’s words, Faye looked out into the conference room where there were in excess of possibly one hundred people gathered together engaged in animated conversation. If many more turned up they would need to get the spare chairs from the storage room. It was almost eight o’clock and she could already see Milo, one of the prominent men in the locality, checking his watch. Soon, hopefully, the conversation would start being more organisational and proactive than witch-hunt.
‘Well,’ Faye said. ‘You know once Katerina’s mother knows something it never stays secret for very long.’
‘And once we have decided a plan of action there will be nothing to keep quiet about. Then we will have to make the biggest noise, exactly like we always do when this situation occurs. What is it they say? It is not our first rodeo?’
‘Exactly right,’ Faye agreed.
‘So where are Saffron and Matthew?’ Dimitria asked.
‘They’ve gone on a boat trip to Corfu Town,’ Faye said. ‘He’s going to stay a few days, spend time with Saffron.’
‘Good,’ Dimitria said, nodding.
‘But not good for your retirement plans. I am sorry about that, Dimitria, I had no idea he would do something like that and?—’
‘Faye, please do not apologise! How is anything your fault?’
‘I know but you thought, we both thought, that this offer was going to be real. And I’m not saying it wasn’t real, because I think Matthew could have followed through if I had given him an indication that was OK, but it wasn’t really about the hotel, and I couldn’t pretend otherwise.’
Dimitria squeezed her shoulder. ‘I know. And to be honest, that and this demolition plan has helped clarify my thinking.’
‘Really?’
‘I may be getting older, but I still have no reason to rush,’ Dimitria stated. ‘If we are to believe that the universe will not let what is meant for us pass us by, then I have to trust that all these things are just road signs on the journey and, when the time is right, another path will open up.’
‘You’re not going to sell?’
‘I’m not going to actively look to sell,’ Dimitria clarified. ‘If something comes along, if situations change, I will think again but, for now, no.’
‘Not even if Kostas Petsas offers you five times as much?’
‘Not even if Kostas Petsas offers me five times as much plus the moon.’
Faye couldn’t help a sigh of relief leaving her. ‘Well, as much as I would have supported you fully no matter what you decided, I am glad I don’t have to look for a new job right now because…’ She deliberately left the sentence open.
‘Because… Come on, you don’t do this to me!’
‘Because I made an offer on the little house in Almyros,’ Faye said. ‘And it was accepted.’
‘Oh, Fayemou,’ Dimitria said, throwing her arms around her and giving her the tightest squeeze.
Faye hugged her friend back and it cemented the depth of this moment in her life. She was about to have a permanent home in Corfu, concrete and wood, tiles and sand, flowers and stray cats that would depend on her. It wasn’t connected to any other person, it wasn’t attached to her job; it was solely hers.
‘This is going to be another wonderful new chapter for you, my darling,’ Dimitria told her as the embrace ended and she smiled.
‘I know,’ Faye said, nodding.
It would be pretty much perfect if it hadn’t been for someone set to carve into the island’s beautiful greenery, and that same someone had equally carved into her heart.
‘OK, let me have your attention, everybody!’ It was Milo, standing at the front of the room now, addressing the group. People began to quieten until a hush descended and he continued. ‘We all know why we are here. Someone else is set to start the ball rolling on a new plan to tear into our home.’
‘A basketball!’ someone from the crowd yelled out.
‘That is not funny!’
