Give Me This Day by Miri Furstenberg

Author:Miri Furstenberg [Furstenberg, Miri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Dalaras and Haris

Yannis has already dressed, pinned on his Duty Manager badge and rushed off to start the night shift. I’m standing in front of the closet thinking I didn’t pack properly for this trip. Or rather, I didn’t choose my travel clothes thinking I’d have them thrown on the ground twice in one day. My hair is brushed and I’ve decided this evening’s outfit will have to be the one wore for the flight.

In the glass elevator on my way down to the lobby, I avoid looking at the front desk as if ignoring Yanni will somehow make him invisible to Dalaras and Haris. I can imagine Dalaras briefing his wife on the fact I turned up with a tall, dark stranger at his office this morning. No doubt I shall have to answer a few probing questions over supper. In years gone by, a meal out with Dalaras and Haris was always part of my routine whenever I was in Cyprus, especially after My Man passed away. I’d meet up with them either for lunch or dinner, sometimes after tagging along with Dalaras for one of his business calls elsewhere on the island.

The automatic doors swish open and Dalaras is here in the lobby. He doesn’t spot me but walks directly to the desk and shakes hands with Yanni. Everyone looks relaxed and after exchanging a few words, Yanni nods in my direction. Dalaras gives me a friendly peck on the cheek and I can see Yanni giving us a cool glance. Out into the warm evening air and walking towards his blue Mercedes, Dalaras asks if the hotel is okay and have I noticed all the new construction work around town? I play along with this small talk but think to myself, if you want to ask me about Yanni, come on spit it out. He joins the traffic on the A1, skirting round north of the city and explains we’ll be collecting Haris from home. He asks me if there’s any special place I’d like to go tonight.

“Is the restaurant belonging to the decorator still in business?” I ask and he smiles.“Miri, you really know our city like a local! If that’s what you want, then that’s where we’re going.”

So the place still exists and he’s happy with my choice. It’s the kind of eatery only locals know about and I’m certain it was Dalaras who first took me there. From the street it looks like a regular suburban home. The owner works as a house painter during the day, and in the evening helps his wife run a restaurant in their vine-covered back garden. The vines screen their neighbours and help mask the sound of traffic and the hum of air conditioners. Neat table linen and candles complete the atmosphere and it’s easy to imagine you’re in a small village taverna.

At the house I wait in the car while Dalaras fetches Haris. She and I kiss, compliment each other on our healthy good looks and I offer to move to the back seat, but of course they won’t hear of it.

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