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By *amesB66 OP Man 29 weeks ago
North West |
He managed to escape before the voices became more inquisitive and wandered back up the narrow high street towards his villa.
Dark alleys sprouted off from it, with dark figures embracing,just visible in the half light.
5 minutes later and he was home. Helena had left already, but not before taking his bag upstairs and unpacking his clothes.
She had looked after the property well over the past years, helping the visitors who rented it, seeking summer sun.
She had warned him that he still had 2 house guests in one wing, who were due to stay for another month, but that was fine, he could keep himself to himself, whilst seeking inspiration for his book.
They were a French couple, retired, he thought, so would hopefully be undemanding should he meet them, which he did, early the next morning.
Jack was sitting on the veranda as the man walked out to use the pool, his bald head glistening in the morning sunshine, his shuffling gait, suggesting advancing years.
He noticed Jack.
"Bonjour, Monsieur. Helena said that you were coming back. I hope that we won't be an inconvenience to you"
Jack replied saying that they should treat the house as their own and not to worry about him, as he'd probably be tucked away in his study.
"He seems as nice enough chap", Jack thought to himself as he heading out to get some fresh bread.
The smell of heaven wafted down the street signalling that the first batch of bread was ready, as Jack left the house.
A few locals recognised him and welcomed him warmly. They also knew that if he was writing, the accompanying publicity always boosted the village's coffers in many ways.
Once in the bakers he could hear his friend Stefanos shouting in Greek from in front of the ovens, cursing their temperamental nature, as he had done for the previous 30 years.
The queue was long, a mix of locals and tourists, with Jack standing next to a good looking lady in her early 40s, with the headiest of perfumes, unfamiliar to him.
She got to the front of the queue and began struggling to order in Greek, whilst Jack ordered fluently, whilst chatting with the staff.
A bellow came from the back of the shop, "Yannis, my friend. I heard you were back"
The kiss and hug that followed were floury, but heart felt.
"We catch up soon?" Stefanos questioned.
"Of course my friend" was Jack's reply as he waved and left the shop, following the beautiful lady back down the street and towards his house.
He walked faster than her, so over took her before he turned up to the villa and put his key in the door.
She was right behind him.
"You must be Jack" she said in heavily accented English, "we were told you were back" |
