Page 19 of Take a Chance on Greece

I went along the quiet back street to town and waved hello to my donkey friend on the way. I cut past Maria’s Taverna so I could breathe in the fresh smell of the sea, and soon arrived at Alexis’s street. At least I was now able to find my way around town without any issues. Considering I’d been here for only a few days, I was feeling surprisingly at home.

My heart beating rapidly, I approached the tattoo studio, rehearsing my questions for the tattooist all over again. But once more, it was devoid of life, although it looked like someone had picked a couple of lemons from the trees which stood guard either side of the door.

‘Iassou, Lydia,mou.’

I turned around and saw Alexis watching me from the doorway of his shop.

‘Iassou?’

‘It means “hello”,’ he said. ‘Yiota tells me that she is satisfied with your work. Congratulations. My sister is what you might call a tough cookie. But once you have won her over, she will support you through everything.’

I felt a warm glow of accomplishment and beamed at him. He smiled back and welcomed me into the shop, gesturing for me to make myself at home.

‘At least that’s one good thing that’s happened today,’ I said.

Alexis’s brow furrowed in concern. ‘It sounds as if you have been having a difficult day.’

I explained about Jim’s text, then moved the conversation on so I didn’t make Alexis think I was still obsessed with my ex. If I wasted my time talking about Jim, then it would be like he still had a hold over me.

‘Now that I know I’ll be able to stay a while, can I purchase that Greek dictionary you said you would hold back for me?’

Alexis frowned. ‘No indeed.’

I was rather taken aback. ‘Oh.’ Had I offended him in some way?

‘What I mean is that I will not allow you to buy it. It is my gift to you.’ He spread his palms in an open gesture.

‘That is very generous of you. But I absolutely insist on buying it. You’ve been more than kind ever since I arrived. I know you say you are only being a hospitable Greek, but I need to pay my way.’

Alexis appeared to agree but reluctantly, and it was only later that I discovered he’d slipped a phrasebook into the paper bag alongside the dictionary.

I peered out of the window to see if any potential customers were heading down the street.

‘Will I be in your way if I stay for a while?’ I asked. ‘I can help with stacking the shelves if you like?’ Alexis was the closest thing to a friend I had in Sami and I found myself wanting to confide in him about my imminent date. There was something so calming about the bookshop, and its owner, that I would gladly settle in for the rest of the day.

‘I am always happy to spend time with a fellow reader,’ he said simply, handing me a pile of English language books to sort through.

‘I’m meeting my first Andreas tomorrow,’ I said by way of reply, the words bursting out of my mouth.

Alexis raised an eyebrow.

‘And how do you feel about that?’

‘Good question. Nervous. Excited. Terrified. Mostly terrified.’ I paused, then admitted, ‘It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date with anyone other than Jim. And I’m not sure I know what the etiquette is anymore.’

‘What do you mean?’ Alexis straightened up a pile of bookmarks which were next to the till and smiled as he asked the question.

‘How do I act? What do I say? What if he thinks I’m awful? What if he’s an evil axe murderer?’

Alexis chuckled. ‘For a start, I think you are getting your questions in the wrong order. I would have thought the evil axe murderer issue would take higher priority over ‘What if he thinks I’m awful?’’

I wailed. ‘You see, this is why I’m going to be rubbish at dating. I should never have started this thing. What was I thinking? I only messaged the guy because Jim’s text threw me off balance. But the whole idea of searching for Awesome Andreas was ridiculous to start with. Who’s to say if I do track him down that he thinks I’m awesome in return?’

My usual insecurities were bubbling to the surface and although I knew I should probably keep them to myself, I found myself baring my soul to my new friend.

Alexis took my hand and led me over to one of the armchairs.

‘I think perhaps this is what you English would describe as a perfect opportunity for a cup of tea.’

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