The Greek Holiday by Maeve Haran

Author:Maeve Haran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK

Twelve

They all gathered round a long table, laid for nine. It was a glorious night and the last rays of sunset still illuminated the harbour, outlining the fishing boats against a sky streaked not just with pink but yellow, grey, blue and orange.

‘It’s such a beautiful place,’ Nell sighed. ‘Such a pity the tourists all flock to Santorini when they could discover all this.’ She gestured round at the beach and the tamarisk trees.

‘Is that what you’d want?’ Moira countered. ‘So many cruise ships they have to ration them?’

‘They could send one here, surely that would help,’ Nell persisted.

‘The town is thinking of allowing that,’ Nikos said quietly. He was dressed casually in white chinos and a crisp cotton shirt that Penny loved because it brought out the light blue of his eyes. ‘That, or allowing an airport.’

‘But that would be terrible!’ Penny protested. ‘Just look at what happened to Zanthos when they got an airport!’

‘What snobs you all are,’ Marigold sneered. ‘What’s wrong with cruise ships and airports?’

‘Nothing, of course,’ Nell agreed. ‘It’s just that Kyri is such a special place.’

‘Bloody boring, if you ask me,’ Marigold shrugged. ‘It could do with a bit of rowdy nightlife. A few stag parties would liven the place up.’

‘There you are, Nikos,’ Penny giggled. ‘You could make Kyri the stag party capital of the Cyclades!’

‘OK, everyone,’ Takis beamed round. ‘Nice to see the generations!’ He patted Naomi on the head, and to Willow’s surprise she didn’t cry. He twisted his rubbery features into a Mr Bean smile which reduced the baby to such an attack of giggles that she got hiccups. ‘What will you have to drink?’

‘An ouzo for me,’ volunteered Nikos, turning to Penny to see what she wanted.

‘Me too,’ instantly seconded Marigold, favouring Nikos with such a seductive smile that he glanced behind him to see who it was directed at.

‘White wine for me, Takis,’ Penny requested, trying not to laugh at Marigold’s less than subtle technique.

‘And me,’ Dora nodded. ‘What are you having, Karl?’

This time it was Moira’s turn to smile. To her, he was still Professor Brinkley. ‘A Mythos, please. They have so much of archaeological interest here. I’m sure they could get the upmarket tour operators interested.’

‘Bloody hell, I can just see it,’ Marigold shook her head. ‘All those Guardian readers with their guidebooks and their crochet. Give me Club 18-30 anytime.’

‘Aren’t you a bit old for that, Marigold?’ Nell asked naughtily.

Takis had come back with their drinks and the menu.

‘What fresh fish have you got?’ Nikos asked.

‘Calamari! Straight from the sea today. Caught by my nephew, Christos. He isn’t much good at fishing, but he always catches the squid!’

‘Not for me, thanks.’ Moira shuddered. ‘I don’t think I’m ever going to eat anything with tentacles again.’

‘My God, no!’ Nell sympathized. ‘But just think – if it weren’t for your food poisoning, we’d never have discovered Kyri.’

‘And how long are you planning to stay?’ Marigold asked, her eyes fixed on Penny. ‘I mean, you’ll have to get

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