Sophy’s heart felt sore for Apollo and his brother. ‘Why didn’t you end up going the same way?’
Apollo shrugged, his eyes hidden behind dark shades. ‘I guess I was born more cynical than Achilles. I was more street smart too. I stayed out of the gang’s way. He was more susceptible. My father had always encouraged me to study hard, telling me that’s how I’d make a life for myself. I put my head down and when I looked up, it was too late.’
The self-recrimination in his voice was palpable.
‘You were kids. Your brother was older than you. It wasn’t your responsibility to care for him. The adults around you should have been doing that.’
Apollo made a derisory sound. ‘Our foster parents were just interested in the money they got from the state to take us in.’
Sophy looked away and out to the horizon again, a little embarrassed at the emotion she was feeling. The fact that he’d done this to honour his brother was beyond touching. The whole site for the resort had touched her—everything was going to be sustainable and designed to make the most of the island’s natural resources, which in turn would help grow the local economy.
The resort was going to be seriously impressive and seriously luxurious. Private suites with their own pools, terraces and stunning views would be dotted around a central area where there would be several restaurants, a spa, a gym and shops, showcasing local produce and crafts.
In the main area there would be more rooms, and an infinity pool. Apollo also had plans for self-contained cottages where artists could come and stay in residence for a time—writers, painters, poets. They could apply for sponsorship through the resort and it only just impacted on Sophy now that he must have been thinking of his brother when he’d done that.
‘Come,’ he said, ‘I’ll take you to the town. I have a short meeting to attend with the town’s council and you can get a coffee and look around.’
She noticed he didn’t take her hand this time but she felt his fingers touch bare skin above the waistband of her trousers and it burned hotter than the sun.
Apollo was treated like a visiting celebrity when they reached the small harbour town a short while later. Old men came up to shake his hand, women smiled shyly, bouncing babies on their hips.
He seemed to be embarrassed by the attention, smiling tightly. He took Sophy’s hand again, leading her to a shaded leafy square, with little tavernas that had seats and tables outside. She was glad of the shade as she was starting to wilt in the hot early afternoon sun.
He spoke to the owner, who answered him effusively, gesturing to Sophy to come and sit down. ‘What did you say to him?’ she asked, amused by the attention.
‘Just to give you whatever you want until I come back. I won’t be long.’
She watched him walk off. He was wearing faded jeans and a white polo shirt. The denim did little to hide the firm contours of his buttocks and when the owner came back with a menu, she was blushing.
He gestured towards where Apollo was disappearing around a corner and said something in Greek that Sophy couldn’t understand, but she could see the emotion on the man’s face and imagined that he was telling her how grateful they were that Apollo had single-handedly breathed life back into this little island. Just because he wanted to honour his brother’s memory.
Sophy smiled and put a hand to her chest to indicate that she understood. The man smiled and said in heavily accented English, ‘What would you like?’
She asked for a coffee, having developed a taste for the strong tart drink. She noticed that there was bunting up around the pretty square and women were decorating every visible area with flowers.
When they came over to the taverna, Sophy jumped up to help them string a garland of flowers over the front of the door. They spoke no English, she spoke no Greek but they laughed and smiled and for the first time in a long time, in spite of her grief, she felt light.
She was dying to know what the flowers were for but her attempts to ask the ladies made them laugh at her mimes. Then she saw them all go brick red and stop talking. They practically bowed down. Sophy had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at their reaction. She didn’t have to look to know who was behind her. She could feel him.
She might roll her eyes at his effect on the locals but, really, she was no better. He came up alongside her. ‘You’re helping them prepare for the wedding?’
Sophy looked at him in surprise. ‘It’s a wedding?’
He nodded. ‘The first wedding they’ve had on the island for a couple of years. It’s a big deal...and we’ve been invited.’
‘Oh...’ Sophy’s heartstrings tugged. She’d
love to see a Greek wedding but she didn’t expect Apollo would want to bring her with him, as if they were a couple. ‘That’s okay, they don’t know about our...arrangement. You should go, it’ll be expected.’
He looked at her and she felt herself flush. Was she being gauche?
‘They invited both of us. It’s no big deal. Greek weddings are pretty informal in places like this, everyone is invited.’
Now she did feel gauche. ‘Oh... Okay, then. That would be nice.’
‘I’ll show you around.’
Sophy waved goodbye to the ladies and the taverna owner and when Apollo took her hand she tried to ignore the hitch in her heart. This was just a fleeting affair. No matter how much she might be falling in love with this lazy, idyllic island.