Page 68 of Suzie's Santorini Summer

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, I noticed it when I first met him. I tend to remember these things because… well, because it’s what I do, I suppose.’

‘Oh no!’ Miranda’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Do you think he could have had something to do with what happened at the book shop?

‘I think it’s a possibility.’

Suzie’s brain was now up to speed and working overtime as the facts fell into place.

‘What about Heidi’s skincare debacle?’ asked Miranda, her eyes widening.

‘Maybe. Remember when Heidi was showing us the labels Darius had printed for her? The cardboard boxes containing the little jars of cleansers, toners and moisturisers were scattered all over the table in the corner where anyone could have had access to them. Was Nathan at the taverna that day?’

‘He’s thereeveryday!’ said Christos, who had been listening to everything they were saying. ‘I think we need to go over there right now and have a chat with him.’

Chapter Twenty Five

When they arrived atTaverna Giorgos, unfortunately there was no sign of Nathan and when they asked Stefanos if he’d seen him, he told them he’d hadn’t been in all day. Suzie realised that the last time she’d seen him was at the Greek dance night when he was laughing at Heidi’s attempts to teach him to dance, and they had ended the evening with a romantic smooch, which Heidi had been delighted about.

While they were talking, Giorgos emerged from the kitchen, and when he saw Miranda was with them, he hesitated, unsure whether to approach them. Miranda smiled and strode straight towards him, greeting him with exuberant cheek kisses – before whispering something in his ear – and his whole face lit up with such joy that Suzie thought her heart was going to burst. Miranda then linked her arm through his and led him back to the group.

‘Giorgos, which hotel does Nathan work at?’ asked Suzie.

‘The Atlantis in Perissa. Why?’

‘Because we’re going over there to talk to him,’ said Christos, his tone inviting no argument. ‘Come on, Suzie, let’s go. It’s a thirty-minute drive over to Perissa at this time of night.’

Suzie took Christos’ proffered hand, and they headed across the veranda, but their exit was barred by the appearance of Heidi whose face showed a myriad of emotions as her eyes flicked from Suzie to Christos and back again.

‘What’s going on, guys? Where are you going?’

Suzie hesitated. She knew Heidi had feelings for Nathan, and she was reluctant to involve her in their foray to the east coast of the island in case it turned out that they were wrong about him.

‘We’re heading off for a drink.’

Heidi’s eyes narrowed. ‘To Perissa?’

Suzie groaned. Heidi had obviously overheard some of their discussion.

‘Yes.’

‘But it’s on the other side of the island.’

‘We just wanted a change, so…’

‘Yassou,’ said Katerina, bounding up the steps to the veranda clutching her coffee mug.

For the first time since Suzie had met her, her sleek, polished appearance had been replaced by a more dishevelled exterior; tangled hair gathering into a high ponytail, paint splattered across her face and the backs of her hands, and her manicure chipped. The one saving grace was that her eyes were sparkling with renewed energy. However, her smile slipped a little when she saw Heidi standing firmly in front of Suzie and Christos, an indignant expression on her face. Suzie tried to send a covert warning signal to Katerina, but unfortunately it didn’t work.

‘What’s going on? Why is everyone looking so… shifty?’

‘Suzie and Christos are going for a drink in Perissa.’ Heidi raised herself to her full height and folded her arms across her chest. ‘But they’re not going anywhere until they tell me what’s going on.’

Suzie sighed. She wished she shared Heidi’s talent for tenacious questioning. Maybe if she did, her life would have been different and she wouldn’t have spent the last year cowering away from the innocent curiosity of strangers, or potential customers. She met Heidi’s green eyes and was left in no doubt that while her friend couldn’t physicallypreventthem from leaving the taverna, she wouldn’t put it past her not to hail a taxi and follow them. She glanced at Miranda, then at Christos, both of whom nodded their agreement.

‘Okay, okay, we think we might have found out who was responsible for the incident at the bookshop, and—’

‘Oh my God! Really? Who?’ said Heidi.

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