Fair blue weather. I was alone in the house. Through my room ran a breeze that came all the way from Africa. It was soothing and peaceful and calm. I pulled the shutters closed and turned the clasp to keep them from rattling and stretched under a sheet on the bed. My siestas were becoming a habit, part of a daily routine. A time to relax and free my thoughts. In seconds I felt weightless, drifting into space on a cool majestic pillow-ride to wonderland. 'If I divide each day in two, will I live twice as long?' I smiled at my sleepy joke and relaxed.
Someone made the stairs creak. Straight away I blazed awake, ‘That you Alexi?'
My door opened a little. A man peered round the room until he saw me. It wasn't Alexis. The door closed and footsteps rumbled back down the stairs. I threw back the cover and dashed to the balcony, inexplicably my room was filled with the distinct smell of burnt toffee. The street below was still. I pulled on my shorts and rushed from room to room and out into the lane but there was no one to be seen anywhere. What was going on? A man creeps into someone's home uninvited and looking for who knew what and when he's confronted just utters something incoherent and leaves. I was shaking. I couldn't take it in. Then the penny dropped. The toffee smell! Daphne's driver! But Daphne? What had she to do with all this?
He might be skulking somewhere close by. He might yet be in the house. I began to panic. I armed myself with the walking stick I found behind the door and waited. Almost four. I'd been in bed about an hour. What the hell was he up to? What did he want? Time crept by as I crouched in the shadows but not another sound. I was so wound up I think I'd have beaten his brains out if he had come back. I had to get out. I was shaking. After I stuck my head under the shower, I locked up the house, shoved the key into my pocket and rushed to the Antonis. My heart was racing yet my mind was blank. I needed to see Alexis. I needed his support because I wasn't sure I could handle this on my own. At least he'd know what to do. Then I remembered Alexis was in Faria all afternoon and wouldn't be back before morning. I did not feel much like invading the island of Faria without the support of Odysseus.
At least Virgenia's Taverna looked happy and bright. Nikos had strung a necklace of large flashing fairy lights across the taverna front to cheer it up and to attract customers though it must have looked more like a fairy grotto from passing ships which it was in a way I suppose.
Although the concert had finished hours ago, the restaurant was still packed, so Nana placed me at the long family table amongst the pens and bills and spare menus but I had no appetite and just pushed my food around the plate deep in thought. Against my better judgement I ordered a little bottle of Retsina, poured myself a drink and waited for the others, they'd know what to do. I was depressed and heavy at being so panic-stricken and weak.
Then in sailed Alessandra followed by Felix and Maggie then Jools and Robbie and behind them a German couple they'd found wandering along the beach, a couple who had asked Felix for a good place to eat and who’d accepted his invitation to join us, just for fun. The Spartans had arrived and we joined forces.
Uttah and Mateo were funny, German comedy ambassadors, and it wasn't long before they had us wrapped up in their double act. How could I mention the interloper then, or my spinelessness now that the evening was about to take off? I took a firm grip on the tiger's tail and held on for dear life. Felix took centre stage for a change, retelling my legendary exploits and giving them such a spin I must have seemed a tiny bit nutty to our new friends but it took my mind off things and anyway, I was developing a taste for being in the spotlight.
Nikos called me over to sit with him and Alessandra. Once more the evening lifted and it wasn't long before enchantment came again, pushing away the sourness of the afternoon and for a moment I felt there was only me and Alessandra in the room.
Mateo told us of a time when Uttah had gone away for a week's holiday and some of his old girlfriends kept calling round, 'When Uttah comes home, she asks me if I missed her and I tell her I'm more alone now that she's home than when she was away.'
Uttah just shook her head, 'He tells such lies. It was the other way round.'
Jools said it was the funniest thing she'd ever heard which was what she said whenever anyone made her laugh which made me wonder if she'd been burning stubble again. But the laughter died when a voice cut through the fun announcing the return of our least favourite man.
'Hello, everyone, it's your driver. I'm back.' During all the hoo-ha, Mercouri had slid in with a short, stocky man in a shady dark suit and when I recognised him I was appalled at his effrontery. It was the carefully casual driver. The elephant in my room! He thought I didn't know him. He thought he was safe. But do I confront him? Do I get him alone? What do I do? He was probably armed.
It was no good keeping this thing locked up I leaned across to Alessandra and whispered, 'So sorry Alessandra, but can I have a quick word? You see the man with Mercouri? I didn't like to say in front of everyone earlier, but someone crept into the house at siesta and opened the door to my room. I swear it was him. He drives for my ex-wife, Daphne. She's turned up out of the blue and is staying on a big yacht down at Dorini. I'm sure she's got something to do with all this weird stuff that's going on lately. I'm positive.'
She patted wrist, smiling warmly, 'I see the man you mean but we must not cause suspicion. Try to look calm. Pretend we're close and smile but do not face him. You must bluff and do nothing to give yourself away. He'll underestimate you and think he's safe. That makes us strongest. OK? Unfortunately I have to leave pretty soon but I'll meet you in the morning and we'll sort this out. Now please don't worry, just relax and take care.'
The driver and Mercouri sat with some drinks at a nearby table sneaking furtive glances and mumbling from behind their glasses.
Virgenia was busy serving two big ladies sitting at a table for four near the door. She called me over, 'Sorry Mr. Godfrey, Ingliss. Maybe you speak?' she asked, throwing a thumb over her shoulder in their direction, 'I don' unnerstand her Ingliss.'
As I approached their table one of the ladies gave me a wide smile and asked loudly, 'Just wondering, how do they say “Thank you” in Greek? My husband said before I left that I aught to bring a phrase book, but you'd think they'd all speak English here, wouldn't you?'
Not very funny until I realised she was deadly serious and I was dumbfounded. Pretending I was French I mumbled something in broken English and returned to my seat.
Passing his table, Mercouri waved me a cheery hello and introduced his unfriendly driver who claimed to recognise me from somewhere. I felt the threat. He was smoking old stubble bush too. Perhaps Mercouri and his friend had a commercial sideline. Nothing would surprise me. And then Nikos came over, sniffed, pulled a face, shook his head at the driver and tutted, 'Put that out, please.'
Nikos could see the man wasn't welcome in our crowd but being host, he was determined to create a relaxed atmosphere so, throwing his arms in the air, he announced to the room, 'OK everybody. Now let's sit all together!' - and we had to arrange the tables in a circle.
Before I'd gone over to talk to the round ladies, Felix had been showing me a book on old Stephanos his mother had loaned him and he'd suggested I drop it in at her house next time I was in Falmouth. I was leafing through the book, smiling at the pictures, when Mercouri spotted me and started shouting around the tables, 'Now Godfrey is in school. Sit up straight everybody. Sit straight!'
People looked up, some groaned, some hushed and some pretended to be deaf. Alessandra stood to leave. She thanked Nikos and picked up her bag, 'Niko, forgive me. I've been really busy at the shop and I think all my travelling is catching up on me. If you don't mind I think I'll go home for some rest. Goodnight everyone. Take care. And Godfrey, I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.'
Nikos kissed her cheek and we wished her goodnight and, as she went through the door into the square, something was telling me that I should go after her but I sat glued to my chair like a kid at the end of the party too frightened to make a move.
Mateo made us laugh when in a stage whisper he said, 'Who was that girl? Why did she sit at our table? Anybody know who she was?'
Mercouri, not having seen Mateo before, bellowed, 'That's the sister of Nikos, you damn tourist! Don't you know you're being rude?'
Nikos produced a bowl of raki and lots of little glasses, 'Godfrey, please, you be manager. You give the raki.'
I passed the flowing bowl and with a little sleight of hand poured myself some water instead but Robbie, sitting opposite me, raised an eyebrow and shouted, 'Hey, Godfrey you’re drinking water. You'll never get away with that!'
'Please excuse me, Niko. I'm not used to drinking so much. Maybe I'll have a raki nightcap later, after the water.'
Mercouri again chipped in, 'Water make you go rusty inside.'
So to pacify him, I accepted a raki whereupon he raised his glass to me, grinning his winning grin, 'My friend...'
'Friend?'
'My darling?' he asked at the top of his voice, shouting down the table and laughing a slobbering, dribbling laugh.
'I don't know about that,' I was startled. It was the best I could come up with before faking a coughing fit. Up to then, I suppose it had been nothing more than banter but I sensed it was beginning to border on something a little more diabolical and that was when the mood changed with some Athens jazz.
'Harpoon? You make harpooning?' Mercouri looked at me and pointed to the large lady, sneering his dirty sneer again.
'I think you're a little bit too relaxed, that's not very nice.'
'You make dance?' He was beginning to get on everyone's nerves.
'Yes, but with girls not men,' I laughed hoping to hide my embarrassment and shut him out but he had me in his sights. He lurched forward and slopped some beer into my glass.
'Not for me thanks.' I protested.
He was taking over and I think everyone realised I was in a dodgy situation, and now Felix looked concerned. The boring banter continued and the evening staggered on with Mercouri bragging about how much beer and raki he could drink. He demanded our attention when with three screw tops of drink between the fingers of one hand he trickled the contents into his mouth and over his chin and onto his shirt. We all had to clap.
My Rembetika tape was playing loud, passionate and proud, filling the room with an overblown gypsy fervour that could rip your heart apart if you were in any way sensitive. Mateo stood on his chair, hand on heart, whilst Uttah knelt before him on one knee and mimed to the words. Then Mercouri, scared of losing my attention, goggle-eyed and inflamed by his own blundering struggle to wobble about, suddenly screamed at the ceiling, 'Godfrey. I love you. I think you very handsome.'
Even Mateo lost his composure and erupted, almost falling off his chair with laughter and everyone joined in. But now the prey was in the open and the hunt began in earnest. I remember thinking to myself, well Godders old chum, it's time to make a break for it because he's a big man with a friend and I'm a small man with no security and it is quite likely they have made a copy of my key.
Felix took the lead, 'Good grief. Is that the time. Look Niko, I think we might be leaving in the morning so we'd better be making a move or we won't be able to get up. Thanks to you and the lovely Virgenia for all you've done. We won't forget it and maybe see you next year. Cheerio everyone. Thanks for the memory. Good night.'
He winked at me and secretly nodded towards the door. Uttah and Mateo stood up to pay their share, Felix took his time collecting the money then hissed under his breath, 'Godfrey! Walk out with us. Now!'
I stood up just as Mercouri, bleary-eyed and laughing like a madman, lunged and clutched at my arm, 'Where are you going, mister?' I tore myself free but then he held my head in both hands and started kissing my cheeks. He tried to lift me up, but for all his bulk I was able to push him away with the force of my own sheer terror. He banged his head against an open door.
'Toilet!' I shouted.
'Come back? You'll come back?' he pleaded, wincing and rubbing the back of his head.
'Of course!' I yelled and ran downstairs in the direction of the loo but continued straight through the cellar exit, into the air and safety.
I was pelting along, at a loss at my reaction and scared. Behind me the music was mocking and brash and the dancing and clapping against the coloured lights grated on my nerves. This was far more than simply a gay man flirting, it was serious sexual harassment. Somewhere in the darkness I could hear Felix shouting for me to follow but I'd already lost them in my panic. The evening fell with a crash around my head.
I tried to clear my thoughts but to me the darkness held an extremely thirsty and persistently dangerous vampire. Why hadn't Nikos taken control? Why hadn't he said something in my defence? I stumbled across the square and found a recess in a wall from where they could be watched in safety. After a while, I found the courage to creep along in the darkness of the passageway, distancing myself from all the betrayal and disloyalty. I must have planned a dozen ways to damage that menace but most of them meant endangering his innocent passengers. I was too furious to be rational. I could not calm down. I'd had enough.
But what a fool I was. I'd deposited my shoulder bag within the safety of the dinghy, easily visible, right next to the entrance of the restaurant and I'd be seen if I tried to get it back. At first, I thought of leaving it till daylight but it contained my passport and any bus driver worth his salt would be bound to spot a solitary bag lying in an inflatable. And as soon as he recognised my photo, he'd have me where he wanted and the image didn't appeal. What a night. Again I was under siege and I didn't know why.
By then I could see the floor was almost under the command of Mercouri; arms outstretched, fingers clicking, head drooping in drunken concentration. Almost everyone else had gone except for Jools, Robbie and Mercouri's friend. It was very late and they were so out of it that no one took a blind bit of notice as I crept through the shadows back towards the restaurant.
The strap from my bag drooped out of the boat and trailed across the sandy soil on the other side of the lighted doorway from where I crouched. I waited until they were all bending over a table loaded with drinks. Trying not to breathe, I crossed, grabbed the bag by the strap and pulled it towards me. I was in a lather of sweat and my heart was thumping louder than the music. A voice called from somewhere quite close. It made me gasp. I froze. It was the voice of Mercouri's smarmy little burglar friend, standing not more than a couple of feet away. I wanted to dissolve. He was peeing into the bushes with his back to me.
'Hey Mercouri! Mercouri! Come out and look. Mercouri!'
'What is it? What do you want? You chucking up again?' Mercouri appeared, swaying, slopping his drink in the doorway.
'Look down there. You can see the sea.'
'You could see the sea when we came in, you bloody numbskull.'
'No, I mean, first you can, then you can't. It's weird. On, off, on, off. Crazy.'
'You're pissed. It's the clouds crossing the moon. It just means there's a storm brewing and it can't come too soon for my liking. Now let's get inside and have a couple more before we go.'
I almost fainted with relief. I had no idea how late it was but there was one thing for sure - I wasn't going back to the villa. Nowhere felt safe. But at least within a few hours it would be light and I could go home and see if Alexis was back. First I had to find somewhere safe where I could wait and gather my thoughts.
A little way down the track from the restaurant stood the line of windmills and from there was a clear view all the way to the lights coming from Virgenia's. If I made myself as comfortable as possible and kept my eyes focused on the lights, anyone crossing in between would give me plenty of warning. I lowered myself onto a sack of flour against the wall and something squeaked and rustled into the safety of the bushes.
Why had Robbie and Jools betrayed me? Why were they so accommodating towards an obvious snake like the slippery Mercouri? Were they just dope heads? Maybe there were some seriously hot deals taking place. They weren't just swapping comics, that much was certain. I began to think it might be safer to sell the house after all and get back to good old Cornwall as soon as possible. By comparison, even the library was tempting again. I had to close my eyes.
It was still and quiet inside my mythical wooden horse, and not long to go before the morning. Someone coughed and woke me up and I knew at once it was me. My throat was sore and I needed to pee. I stretched and yawned in the flour-scented breeze. But just as my hands rubbed the back of my head, I felt a soft, sticky lump and I froze. My heart sank. What could that be? I touched it again, but now with a little more caution, and yet still couldn't make it out. I smelled my fingers. 'Mint?' Sticky minty chewing gum had been pressed into my hair and head. A messy schoolboy prank. But it brought me to my senses, seething with frustration and anger, 'He's a total bloody menace.'
My voice ran round the rocks as I stared across into the restaurant and at that very
moment all the lights went out leaving me peering fixedly into utter darkness. The party was over or had they heard my voice? Then a car backfired and the night returned to silence.