‘Really I just want to have breakfast,’ he answered with a smirk.
And Faye did really need to stop suggesting people make a complaint. She already had enough guests who would do that without being prompted.
‘Of course. There’s a quiet table right over here.’ Faye indicated the one Katerina had prepared, where she was stood grinning and pouting like a fan-girl, polishing a fork.
‘Efharistó,’ Kostas said, nodding. ‘But I liked the table we sat at last night. Outside.’
‘OK…’ Faye said.
‘That is allowed in the handbook of rules, no?’
She smiled. ‘Of course.’
‘Good. So, I will fill up a plate and you and I will sit together.’
What? Faye knew she hadn’t kept the shock off her expression either.
‘Ah, you are here!’
Faye turned around now and it was Dimitria addressing them both. Another person who didn’t usually saunter through a packed dining room, and who enjoyed quiet solitude for the most part. Why were people breaking habits all of a sudden?
‘You are Mrs Aspioti?’ Kostas asked. He offered out his hand.
‘Please, call me Dimitria. And I am not going to shake your hand. I knew your mother.’ She leaned in and instead kissed Kostas on both cheeks. ‘I was sorry to hear of her passing.’
Faye watched the interaction, taking it in piece by piece. How Dimitria was with Kostas, how he was with her.
‘Thank you,’ Kostas answered.
‘So, you ask for privacy and you stand in the centre of the dining room?’ Dimitria said with a laugh.
‘That is exactly what I said, Or thereabouts,’ Faye replied.
‘Actually, I have asked Faye to accompany me outside,’ Kostas said. ‘In fact, I was going to ask if it would be acceptable to take a little of her time while I am here.’
‘What?’ This one Faye had said out loud.
‘You need my hotel manager?’ Dimitria asked, seemingly oblivious to Faye’s question.
‘Yes,’ Kostas answered. ‘It is some time since I have been on Corfu. I would like someone who knows the area very well, as it is now, and can show me around, and also someone who has the skills to be good with people.’
‘I will find you someone,’ Faye said rapidly. ‘There are many people I can recommend and?—’
‘Fisika,’ Dimitria interrupted. ‘Of course.’
‘Poli kala,’ Kostas responded. ‘Thank you. It is appreciated. Now, I will see how much fruit I can fit on my plate. Do you have strawberries?’
‘The best,’ Dimitria answered with a smile.
Faye held her tongue until the second Kostas was out of earshot. ‘Dimitria! I don’t have time to be a companion/tour guide/whatever he’s looking for. I barely have time to do the work I need to do and?—’
‘Please, Faye, we should not have this discussion in the midst of our guests.Éla. Come.’
It wasn’t up for any discussion at all it seemed and Faye followed the owner to the doors leading to outside, stepping onto theplakapaving that led to the gardens and that sea view, the dense vegetation beyond. They continued to walk.
‘So,’ Dimitria began. ‘What is the problem?’
‘It’s the summer. I have a million and one things to do. I also have a million and one things that crop up in addition to those million and one things making two million and two things. I don’t have the time.’
