My Big Fat Christmas Wedding: A Funny and Heartwarming Christmas Romance by Samantha Tonge

Author:Samantha Tonge [Tonge, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Holidays, Women, Humorous, General, Contemporary
ISBN: 9781474035910
Google: sAIACQAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00XAFSXFG
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Published: 2015-10-15T17:19:14.306000+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Ever visit Kos Town and you’ll see the sprawling Hippocrates tree, with branches held up by scaffolding. Its namesake – the father of medicine himself – taught underneath. Goodness knows what he’d now think to the state of the island’s health service. Underfunding was visible in every aspect – archaic-looking equipment, beds squeezed into tiny rooms. Plus Georgios and Sophia often lamented the lack of care available during the summer, when tourists drained services that were barely sufficient to look after locals.

And today…my eyes felt wet as I sat by Niko’s bed, his hand in mine. Due to the unexpected influx of refugees, traumatised by their trek to Turkey and sea crossing to Greece, the staff, the facilities… I worried about whether Niko was in the best hands. Yet he’d had an X-ray. His abdominal wound had been cleaned up. Luckily it was just a graze and bruise. No stitches were necessary. Blood samples had been taken.

‘Wake up, Niko,’ I whispered, not remotely cheered by the sound of carol singers outside. All day I’d been by his bed, with Georgios and Sophia the other side. A couple of hours ago, Pandora had dropped by with a basket of sandwiches and cake. It remained in the corner of the barren, white-washed room, practically uneaten, spiced honey aromas a welcome change from hospital disinfectant.

From across the bed, Sophia caught my eye. Georgios slouched in a high-backed chair behind her now, half-asleep.

‘You and Niko…in London…what went wrong?’ she said, softly.

My throat constricted. I’d been waiting for this moment and still didn’t know what to say.

‘We argued – about money – again. Then before we knew it…’ I shrugged. ‘Things got out of hand.’

‘Niko hasn’t said much.’ Strands of greying hair hung down from her bun. The dark shadows circling her eyes looked deeper than ever.

‘We’ll make up,’ I said and forced my voice to sound bright. ‘In fact, on the flight over, I came up with a plan to sort out our problems. I can’t wait to tell Niko.’ My eyes returned to his face – the lush eyelashes; the small scar just above his mouth that I longed to kiss.

‘Pippitsa – you look shattered after your flight and then this. Why not go back to the taverna and catch up on some sleep?’

I shook my head. Sophia looked at me intently. ‘I’m sorry, no easy way to say this, but I’m not sure that Niko wants you here when he wakes.’

I raised my eyebrows, throat now dry. ‘It was just another of our arguments,’ I repeated. ‘He knows that.’

Her eyes glistened. ‘Niko so angry, Pippa, when he got home. I know him and what his silence means.’ She sighed. ‘And you’re going to be ill too, if you don’t take a break. At least walk outside. Get fresh air.’ She pulled a face. ‘Bring back three proper coffees. Perhaps we’ll drink them with some of Pandora’s cake.’

I paused and then lifted Niko’s hand to my mouth. Breathing in his musky scent, I pressed my lips against his skin.

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