He took a breath, walked on and up, tried to stabilise. Was it his imagination or was his scar hurting today? Maybe it was talking about it with Faye, or maybe it had so much learned pain memory it was sometimes difficult to distinguish what was current and what was just remembered. Whatever it was, he just felt off-balance and that was nothing to do with this changing terrain.
‘OK, well, let’s get to the centre of the site,’ Stathis suggested.
* * *
‘Endaksi, so, all this would be gone. This whole section levelled. And this would have to be excavated so the marina could be built,’ Stathis explained. He had the plans open on his iPad but Kostas wasn’t looking. He was taking in the area, imagining, trying to see his vision come to life in his mind. The paths were rough, hunks of stone interspersed with tree roots and earth, perilous in places. Cicadas clicked from the branches, a lizard slithered across the dry ground for sanctuary in the shade and then, more muscle memory, remnants from his childhood biting at him. Suddenly aware of an itch on his arm, he slapped his bicep and killed a mosquito.
‘The kind of machinery we need, I think we would have to make sure they have everything on the island at our disposal a long way in advance. The same with the workforce. We don’t want to start and have any delays.’
‘No,’ Kostas said. ‘We bring everything from Athens. Including the workforce.’
‘What?’ Stathis exclaimed. ‘That’s going to cost so much more and logistically it’s?—’
‘That’s how I want it,’ Kostas stated. ‘I told you this before, Stathi.’ He put his hands on his hips.
‘I know, but I didn’t think you were serious. I kind of thought it was a joke.’ He took off his sunglasses.
Kostas took a step towards his advisor. ‘You thought it was a joke?’
‘Yes, I mean, Kosta, you would be doubling the costs, maybe more, I don’t see that?—’
‘Well, perhaps you should put those glasses back on and look. But, let me be clear. Nothing I have said to you about this project is a joke. If I have amended the plan, if I have asked for certain requirements, this is what I want. Are we straight on that?’
Stathis nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ Kostas walked on, past Stathis, continuing up the hill.
‘But I should warn you, Kosta,’ Stathis called. ‘Someone has attempted to build on here before and the outcome was not good.’
‘What do you mean?’ He stopped walking, turned and faced him, dust in the air as his trainers scuffed the ground.
‘There’s no easy way to say this.’ Stathis sighed. ‘And perhaps I have been putting off saying it because I hoped that you would change your mind about the location.’
‘Tell me.’
‘The project was not entirely the same as you are planning. But, like with your idea, there was a plan for a marina.’ Stathis paused before continuing. ‘There were protests. And campaigns for environmental protection. Here there are people who care greatly about these things, and even people who do not care can also get very loud when there is a bandwagon to jump on.’
Kostas straightened up, rolled his shoulders. ‘So, we change their minds. I mean, look, there is no one here but us! Does anyone really walk here? Revel in the natural “beauty”? We talk to the right people, we reassure them that this is a positive change.’
‘And where is our evidence of this?’
‘What do you want me to say, Stathi?’ Kostas asked, frustrated. ‘You are meant to be the one overcoming the difficulties. What would you do?’
‘I have already told you that. Find another location.’ He sighed. ‘But, other than that, I would make sure that when questions are asked that we have all the answers. That you are prepared to make necessary compromises when they are needed and, in my opinion, they will be needed. And…’
‘What else?’ Kostas asked him, slapping another mosquito on his forearm.
‘You need to reconsider the machinery and the workforce. If there’s one way to get people onside it’s the promise of employment for locals.’
Kostas was already shaking his head. ‘I cannot do that.’
That idea was hurting him. This was the backbone of the whole project, the foundation of everything he was trying to achieve. This was recompense for what had happened before. To his father.
‘Well,’ Stathis said. ‘You need to decide what your priority is. Is it making this venture as successful as it can be? Making money for your future and the future of any family you might have? Or is it more about making a temporary grand splash? Reminding people that even though you have retired from basketball, you are still relevant?’
‘Still relevant?’ Kostas hissed. ‘What is that supposed to mean?’
Stathis held his hands up in surrender. ‘Do not shoot me. These are the kinds of questions you are going to get asked. We need to firm up your motives, that is all.’
