A Piano Bar in Crete: The perfect summer feel-good read by Clark Richard

Author:Clark, Richard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Elounda 2022

NINA ROSE REFRESHED. It took her a moment to register where she was. The tiles were cool on her feet as she crossed and opened the shutters, letting in the bright sunlight. She blinked and felt the hint of a smile cross her face as the warm air permeated the room. She dressed and drank a coffee. She knew she must leave the villa and see her hosts, but as she opened the door she hesitated as though fear stopped her from crossing the threshold.

A woman dressed in a housecoat and carrying a pile of bedding and towels wished her good morning, eliciting a hesitant ‘kalimera’ from Nina. That single word was enough to push her outside into the new day.

The terrace café was busy with guests having breakfast and she felt under scrutiny as eyes fell on her. Descending the couple of steps she stopped, looking for an empty table as far as possible from the laughing, chattering holidaymakers.

‘Sit over here if you like.’ Stella greeted Nina from behind the counter, indicating a table close to where she was busy preparing breakfasts. ‘We can talk as I deal with the morning rush. Did you sleep well?’

‘Thank you, I slept very well.’ Nina pulled out a chair and sat facing the bar behind which Stella was operating the coffee machine. She put pastries on plates and spooned yoghurt into bowls before drizzling with honey and sprinkling on nuts. Every guest was greeted with a smile and warm words as their host served orders to the tables in between making conversation with Nina. Without asking she brought the young woman a coffee and a sweet pastry.

The families, couples and lone travellers gradually drifted away to the beach or headed towards Elounda. For a moment, Nina savoured the silence. It was broken by a clicking sound coming from the gardens. Within seconds the noise got louder, echoing from all the surrounding trees.

‘Cicadas.’ Stella answered Nina’s unasked question as she pulled out a chair, joining her at the table. ‘Insects, it is the males calling out to find a mate. When it is hot they sing like a choir. The ancient Greeks used to revere them as a symbol of resurrection.’

The garden went quiet, the slightest of breezes blew in from the bay carrying the scent of the beautiful flowers which bloomed there. Again a lone cicada struck up a tune, before falling momentarily silent.

‘Later I’ve got to go to the bank in Agios Nikolaos. Maybe we could have lunch there. I’ve got to get one of the villas ready for guests this evening. But I should be done in an hour. Christos can manage the café while we’re gone.’

‘Thank you, I’d like to see the city,’ replied Nina, forcing herself to override her instinct to remain in the familiar situation of her villa.

‘I’ll come and find you when I’m done.’ Standing, Stella disappeared up the stairs from the terrace towards the villas.

Nina sat and let the warmth of the day wash over her.

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