Game of Scones (13 page)

‘Not yet. Let’s think through a plan first. If we tell the village without offering a way out, they may think it’s a hopeless cause to begin with. Why don’t we let Henrik say his piece then invite locals to the taverna afterwards?’

‘Henrik has been planning this since January?’

I nodded, as my chest squeezed. Part of me felt disloyal to Henrik giving away details – but then he had hidden this from me on purpose, for the last six months.

‘Okay. Our taverna will be an open house tomorrow then, after the meeting. Now I go back – tell my parents about the plan. But first I’ll walk you back to the villa.’

‘No need.’

‘But still.’

‘Okay… if it makes you feel better.’

‘And when you get in, eat one of those glittery scones. Pippa Pattinson doesn’t need a man to feel special and enjoy a bit of sparkle.’

My chest tingled. ‘Thanks, Niko.’

‘What for?’

‘For not saying “I told you so”. You suspected Stavros and Henrik were up to something. I should have listened, but–’

‘You love him, no? Love isn’t logical.’

‘I thought I loved him, but recently… I mean… of course. Yes. Henrik and I – we’re a good match. Like you and Leila.’

That curious look crossed Niko’s face again, that I’d seen earlier and before I knew it, we were standing inches in front of each other.

‘Yes… naturally. I… respect her a lot,’ he whispered.

My heart raced. Weird that he would say respect and not love. Our hands found each other and his thumbs gently rubbed my palms. Oh God, forget all my reservations about how much he’d changed – I longed to press my lips against his. I bet they were so soft and warm and sweet. But Henrik and I were still officially together, and then there was Leila of course and Grandma’s excitement about her grandson’s wedding… How could we kiss? How could I be that selfish and put my needs above a whole family’s?

Niko broke his gaze, gave a sigh and just gave me another hug. My head swirled. The way he behaved around me was so confusing, one moment touching me like a tender lover, but in the next breath joking around like just a good mate.

‘No problem,’ he murmured. ‘I understand why you stuck up for Henrik.’

Kaleidoscopic magic fairy dust flickered in front of my eyes, at this brief but overwhelming closeness, just like the time we’d laid close for butterfly kisses. A hot glow surged down my back, where his hands had touched and felt unfamiliar yet comfortable… dangerous yet safe…

He jerked his head towards the village and I nodded. Side-by-side, we headed back to the high street. I longed to hold his hand and feel his arm against mine. It was as if some uncontrollable physical force pulled us towards each other, regardless of circumstances. But consequences mattered and had so far managed to keep us from crossing an unacceptable line.

‘What happened to those carefree days of our youth,’ I muttered.

Niko stopped and his mouth upturned. ‘Come on, old woman – let’s stop off at the taverna first. I make you a special coffee.’

‘
Old woman
?’ I said, as the sexy sensations between us had morphed into the banter of old. ‘Forget it, young man – and I’ll make my own way home.’

‘I don’t think so,’ he grinned and ducked down to stand up again, with me over his shoulder.

I screamed and beat his back with my hands. Strong Niko would do this to me when we were youngsters, even though he was shorter. How the fishermen, who saw this on a regular basis, would laugh because they knew exactly how I’d get Niko back – by mercilessly exploiting a particular tickle spot I’d identified, under his left arm.

‘Niko. Put me down!’

Which he did immediately as suddenly bright lights shone our way and a Greek voice bellowed out. Once on terra firma I looked up to find… Oh my God. Two policemen had handcuffed Niko and read him some kind of rights.

Chapter Eleven

‘Niko? Arrested for abduction?’ Henrik snorted as he did up his tie and grinned.

‘It’s not funny,’ I said, voice tight. He was getting to the town hall early, to go over the presentation with Stavros. ‘There was no need to call the police to search for me. I’m surprised they agreed, considering I’d only “gone missing” for a few hours. They totally overreacted to Niko and me just–’

‘Just doing what?’ Henrik raised an eyebrow. ‘You profess to be deeply upset about the transformation of Taxos, yet in a matter of hours after hearing the news, you’re larking around on the beach. Anyway, what’s the big deal – they dropped all charges.’ Henrik poured me an orange juice. I sat at the breakfast bar and sighed. Our arguments had gone around in circles when I’d returned to the villa, last night.

‘Niko and I… we, um, go back a long way. Banter always got us through tough situations when we were small.’ Like when I’d just started a new boarding school and was dreading going back. Niko refused to let me mooch.

Henrik pursed his lips. ‘Don’t expect every villager to see this proposal as a “tough situation”. If Stavros’ experience is anything to go by, many Greeks have accepted that drastic action is needed to save the local and national economies.’ He reached in the fridge for eggs and flour. ‘Look…’ His voice softened. ‘I hate us arguing… how about I make pancakes?’

‘Would that be a guilty conscience cooking?’

I tied my dressing gown more tightly around my waist. Henrik sat down next to me and those slate eyes crinkled. He’d always looked great in a starched shirt, with his oat hair slicked back. I’d never met a man so well-groomed, but just lately I’d found it irritating. Organised. Neat. Successful. Charming. An answer for everything… It may sound churlish to complain, but sometimes it was hard dating someone whose flaws were either non-existent or hidden. It set the standards way too high for more laidback, imperfect me, who didn’t iron her underwear ( he did), slouched in onesies at weekends and left the kitchen tap running on a recent weekend away (thankfully without the sink plug left in).

‘Pips… don’t be like this… It’s nothing personal and you know it makes sense. ThinkBig are investing in Taxos’ future. Like it or not, things can’t go on as they have been.’

‘That’s true,’ I said. ‘But can’t ThinkBig come up with a plan that doesn’t tear the heart out of the place?’

Henrik took my hand. ‘That heart stopped beating a long time ago – youngsters have moved away to cities, older people have been driven to working the land. Things haven’t stayed the same in Taxos since you last visited, like you romantically imagine, Pippa – they’ve gone backwards. Life here needs to start moving forwards again.’

Urgh, and that was the annoying thing – the logical part of me knew that Henrik was right. Yes, compared to my last trip here, nine years ago, everything that was thriving about Taxos had declined.

Gently Henrik squeezed my fingers. ‘Stand by me today, Pippa. Your support would make all the difference.’

I pulled my hand away. ‘Sorry. Just can’t. ThinkBig’s proposal is too drastic.’ I gave a hopeful smile. ‘Why don’t you stand by me instead, and try to dilute your employer’s plans?’

‘Dilute?’ Henrik shook his head and stood up. He knocked back his orange juice. ‘I don’t know what’s happened to you this last week, Pippa, but where’s that savvy executive gone? Back home you have no qualms about turning down much-wanted loan applications or declaring family businesses bankrupt… Whereas here you are letting sentimentality affect your common sense.’

When he left the villa, without saying goodbye, I rang Mum and Dad. They were surprised to hear of ThinkBig’s plans but thought it also the only way forwards. They even gleefully discussed how the development would increase the value of their villa.

What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t the sensible mathematician in me talk my romantic side around? The trouble was, when I thought of Taxos, I still dreamed of running a little afternoon teashop and enjoying a traditional family life. With a sigh, I turned off my phone and headed to the shower. A brisk walk into Taxos would clear my head. I’d grab a coffee at Taxos Taverna before the meeting, and then walk to the town hall with Niko’s family.

‘
Ya sou
, Pippa!’ called the postman, as I strode down the dusty road, an hour or so later. I smiled as he slowed his bike. How Niko and I had played jokes on him, in the past, stashing heavy rocks at the bottom of his bag. ‘You go to this meeting later?’

I took off my sunglasses. ‘Wouldn’t miss it for anything. Did you have lots of invitations to post yesterday?’

‘Oh, yes. I’m exhausted. Lots of parcels, too. It was Theo Dellis’ birthday. And the Kostas’ thirtieth wedding anniversary.’

Postie always had let slip what was in everyone’s mail.

‘Plus an official envelope for Leila… I think it contained a passport. She and Niko must be planning a honeymoon.’

Huh? I nodded politely, as he continued to explain why yesterday’s mailbag had been such hard work.

Leila? Applying for a passport? The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. That would fit with her looking for international employment – there was no way the couple could afford a honeymoon. However, Niko had enough on his mind at the moment, without me mentioning my suspicions again. A flame of desire licked the inside of my chest. If Leila
was
leaving, then surely there was nothing wrong with me… with me and Niko…

My thoughts were interrupted as Postie said goodbye. I stood up straighter, back in a rational place, and made myself think sensible thoughts, like… like how good it was to at least see the mail service was booming. Wiping my handkerchief across my perspiring brow, I gazed up into the sky as a squawking seagull swooped and dived. Eventually I moved on and before I knew it I was outside Taxos Taverna.

‘
Pippitsa
!’ Sophia straightened up in front of one of the outdoor tables, a dripping dishcloth in her hand. ‘Come in for coffee.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘We have an hour until the meeting, no?’

I followed her inside. Georgios, Niko, his Uncle Christos and cousin Stefan, plus Leila and Grandma sat round one of the tables. They stopped talking. Niko jumped to his feet and came over, guiding me by the elbow to the window.

‘Don’t tell them about the police last night,’ he mumbled. ‘They’re upset enough at the idea of Taxos becoming the next Tyrionitsa.’ Warmth shot up my arm from where his fingers curled around my bare flesh. Those feelings I had, last night, when we hugged… I avoided his eye. God, why did I feel so shy?

‘Pippa, look at me,’ he murmured, as if understanding. Our eyes met and a genuine, caring smile lit up his eyes. ‘Last night… you are special – magical, glittery, like your scones. And this isn’t bullshit like the waiter in Shirley Valentine.’ His breath teased my face and I longed to feel the soft warmth of his mouth. His pupils dilated and my pulse quickened, but we said nothing, nor moved a centimetre, as if we were both scared of what might happen. Was I imagining this chemistry or did Niko, too, find it a struggle not to brush his lips against mine?

I glanced away and caught Grandma’s eye. Could she see us clearly without her glasses on? Immediately I backed away from Niko, not wanting her to suspect any shenanigans between me and her grandson. Not that there were any. I mean, we’d done nothing wrong.

‘It is good to see you downstairs, Grandma,’ I said in a bright voice and went over to kiss her cheek. ‘Love that floral shawl.’

‘I make it myself.’ She smiled, her face becoming a mass of wrinkles, thanks to a lifetime enjoying sun and cigarettes. ‘Sit down next to me, my little peach.’

‘Grandma is feeling better, all right,’ said Georgios, ‘bossing us all around.’ His lips pushed upwards, into a smile, but his eyes looked dull and he stared at a letter on the table – no doubt his invitation to the meeting.

Sophia placed a coffee in front of me.

‘I just want you all to know…’ My throat felt dry. ‘I knew nothing about ThinkBig’s plans until yesterday.’

Georgios nodded. ‘Niko explained.’

‘To think, we offered Henrik our hospitality back in January,’ spat Uncle Christos. His face flushed purple. ‘Sorry, Pippa, but am angry.’

Georgios held up his hand before running it over his perspiring bald head. ‘Henrik is a good man. We don’t agree with his plans but no doubt he thinks he’s doing the best.’

I gave a big sigh. ‘That’s just it, Georgios – he does honestly believe this is the only option for Taxos. And whilst I can’t agree with my boyfriend, I won’t insult him. Part of me understands why he wants to press ahead with the quad bike track and nightclubs.’

‘You’re a loyal girl,’ said Grandma and patted my hand.

An uneasy sensation twisted my insides.

‘So that’s it? We just give in?’ said Sophia and picked up a square of moist baklava from a plate.

‘Not at all. We… we just need to come up with an alternative plan.’ I gazed around the table. ‘I mean, let’s be honest… things
can’t
continue as they have been.’ I glanced at Niko. ‘The accident in the sea, with the Dellis’ boys… that should be the wake-up call you all need.’

‘What you mean?’ said Christos, who fiddled with amber rosary beads.

‘Old Mrs Dellis was worn out looking after her grandchildren, which is why she fell asleep. But what choice did she have, with both parents working just to put food in their mouths? What will happen next? A fatal farm accident due to exhaustion? Divorce rates climbing because of stress? Whilst ThinkBig’s plans will impact this community, so will doing nothing.’

Georgios smiled. ‘And now we see why you have a successful job in London.’

I blushed. ‘Not saying I have all the answers, just… Let’s try to take control – come up with our own solution. Try to fight this big corporation.’

‘Can we, really?’ said Christos, shoulders slumped and calm now.

‘Pippa’s right,’ said Leila. ‘Between us we can surely offer Taxos a different future?’

I studied her face – perhaps Leila’s real answer was to ditch Niko, move abroad and build a stronger future there. At that thought, rightly or wrongly, my heart gave a little leap.

Grandma put down her cup. ‘Taxos still standing after the earthquake of 1933, after the Battle of Kos and numerous forest fires…. We survive this as well.’