Chapter 28
‘So, what are your plans for the rest of the week?’ Spiros asked.
They were in his car, heading back to the hotel, even though Lili had assured him he didn’t have to make the return journey; she could have walked it from the cemetery, and it would have given her a chance to see some of the town. She had told him that as they drove along the coast road.
‘In the afternoon heat, with everything closed?’ He had looked at her and smiled. ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen.’
She had glanced his way and returned his smile.
‘Look,’ he had said, ‘I’ll take you to your hotel, but relax, have a siesta, and then when it’s cool, go out and explore the Old Town. I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Everything comes alive later in the evening.’
Lili looked at the passing scenery as they headed toward Corfu Town. She thought about returning to Benitses. It had been quite an emotional experience to walk along the beach where she had last been with her parents. Now she regretted leaving. The guide had suggested she spend some time exploring the village, but she had another reason for going back too. Although it was unlikely, there was a possibility that she’d run into a local who remembered her family, or even remembered her as the toddler found wandering along the shore alone.
Spiros turned into Zampeli Street and parked the car. It was mid-afternoon, and Lili was feeling the effects of her early morning flight. She thought she just might take his advice and have a siesta.
As her guide turned off the engine, Lili reached into her purse to pay him for the trip. Spiros wouldn’t take her money. Shaking his head at the wad of notes, he said, ‘I’m just delighted to help a young woman searching for her family.’
Lili put the euros back in her purse.
‘I can show you some more of the sights during your stay,’ he offered, smiling at the English lady whose company he had enjoyed over the last few hours. He had liked learning about her life since she had left Corfu, but he just wished the story of her childhood hadn’t had such a sad ending, with her parents dying the way they had. He hoped she could find her extended family – the grandparents whom the cemetery caretaker had met at her mother’s funeral.
Lili glanced out of the window at the hotel before turning to Spiros. ‘I wish you’d let me pay for the tour.’
He shook his head, still smiling. ‘You’ve already given me something.’
‘I have?’
‘Your company for a few hours and letting me join you on part of your quest to find what you’re looking for. It has been quite … intriguing.’
Lili thought that was one way of putting it. She found it in turns emotionally draining and frustrating. She wasn’t sure how much closer she was to finding out the truth about her past. And now she had another mystery; the gravestones with the names of two people who were very much alive.
Lili frowned at Spiros. ‘Well, in that case, I’m afraid you might find taking me on any further tours a bit, well … conventional.’
Spiros grinned. ‘Conventional is good. I can take you on a trip around the island, or may I suggest a boat tour or a visit to a vineyard along with some wine-tasting?’
‘Thank you for the suggestions, Spiros. I haven’t decided what to do with the rest of my break.’ She caught his brow crease in disappointment. ‘But if I need a guide, Spiros, I will call on you, I promise.’
He nodded, smiling again as he got out of the car and walking round to open the passenger door for her.
Lili skipped up the steps to the hotel entrance and turned around to wave. Spiros was already in his car. He tipped his Panama hat before setting off.
Lili entered the cool interior of the building. The concierge greeted her and asked if she had enjoyed the tour. She imagined he thought she’d been doing a normal island excursion, not visiting a cemetery or walking in the footsteps of her late parents in Benitses. All the same, Lili smiled. ‘He was the best. I’m sure I will call on him again in the course of my stay.’
Lili took her key and was about to return to her room to freshen up when she had a thought. ‘Would you have any information on the Old Town?’ Lili wanted to do a self-guided tour. However, she was going to take Spiros’ advice and venture out later when it was cooler.
The concierge said, ‘Just a moment.’ He left the reception desk and walked into a small office.
Lili didn’t have to wait long. He returned with a comprehensive street map that contained a suggested walking tour of the Old Town, along with a helpful appendix with brief descriptions of places of interest to see on the way. He had also included some leaflets highlighting other areas that might be worth visiting on the island.
Lili headed back to her bedroom and made the mistake of lying down for a siesta. A couple of hours later, she emerged from her room. It was late afternoon. She realised she had underestimated how drained she was from the events of the last few days. It didn’t seem possible that she hadn’t long left Aldeburgh, landed at Connie’s, and then headed to Hannah’s before flying here. It was enough to make anybody’s head spin.
She closed her hotel room door behind her. As much as she wanted to stick with the plan and head out to explore the Old Town this evening, and eat alfresco at a restaurant, she accepted she’d get more out of her self-guided tour if she left it to the morning.
At the bar, she ordered some food – a sandwich and salad were all she fancied in this heat – and sat outside on a cushioned wicker chair at a table in a shady spot. There were other guests enjoying drinks and meals in the cool, shady patio at the back of the hotel. She smiled at two children playing a game of chess with giant plastic chessman on a large chess board.
Lili looked in her bag. She had brought the pamphlets and map with her. When she’d eaten, she intended to sit and plan out the rest of her holiday.