‘Do you want the long or the short answer?’ Galen asked, because he was more than aware now of how people’s eyes tended to glaze over when he spoke of his work.
‘I won’t understand either of them,’ Costa admitted. ‘The drift...’
‘Well, the first of the ICOs went well.’
‘You’ve already lost me.’ Costa grinned.
‘Initial coin offerings. Although there is still...’
Galen saw that Costa had tuned out, so he took a large bite of his wrap, but then frowned as Costa produced from a bag a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
‘What’s this?’ Galen checked, hastily swallowing as Costa popped the cork. ‘Are you going to tell me you love me, Costa?’ he joked. ‘Because if you are, then it really has to wait. I need a clear head to work...’
‘Galen, I’ve got news,’ Costa said, handing him a glass and then sitting down.
‘Okay...’
‘Goodnews,’ Costa said—and, yes, he was telling him how to react, Galen realised. ‘Mary and I are getting married.’
‘Mary?’ Galen frowned. Frankly, he couldn’t quite keep up with Costa’s love life, but Mary was the most recent one. ‘You’re serious?’ Galen checked. ‘But you only recently met...’
He was more than a touch bemused. It had nothing to do with his own views on relationships and marriage, more that Costa really wasn’t the settling down type. Still, even though Galen was actually itching to get back to work, it was indeed good news and so, remembering his manners, he halted his own impatience and raised his glass.‘Yamas...’
‘Yamas.’Costa shared in the toast and then put down his glass. ‘Galen,’ Costa said. ‘I’d like you to be mykoumbaros.’
‘Me?’ Costa was asking him to be his best man. ‘Doesn’t that involve speeches and...?’
‘Yes.’ Costa nodded. ‘Speeches and dancing and being Mr Sociable and everything you hate...’ Costa smiled. ‘Look, we go back for ever. Long before...’ He gestured to theverysumptuous surroundings. ‘Of course it has to be you.’
‘Well...’ Galen blinked. ‘Thank you.’ He was both stunned and flattered, yet a little uncertain as to whether this was...well... A set-up. This was Costa after all! ‘So...’ Galen checked the little he knew about the sudden bride-to-be. ‘Mary’s English?’
‘Yes.’
‘Will you get married there?’
‘It’s still a bit up in the air...’ Costa was toying with the champagne cork. ‘I’m hoping the service will take place at my hotel in London.’ Costa was very guarded to most, yet now he shared a confidence with Galen. ‘Mary’s father is in prison there; I’m trying to get his leave approved and surprise her.’
‘I do have a good lawyer in the UK...’ Galen offered.
‘I’ve already pinched him,’ Costa freely admitted. ‘Anyway, the plan is to marry there, spend whatever time we can with her father, then fly back to Anapliró for a church blessing and reception.’
Galen felt his guts tighten a touch even at the mention of the island. He had left as a teenager and had, of course, gone back to visit Yaya. But she was now in a nursing home here, close by, and had been for years.
Galen felt neither the need nor the desire to return to Anapliró.
In fact, he hated the place.
Still—his analytical mind ticked over—he had to deal with the family home there, which was no doubt going to ruin. It was one of those jobs he’d been putting off, but this wedding might be a good time to put things in motion.
‘A big Anapliró celebration, then.’ Galen commented, trying to keep his mind on the conversation and wedding plans and all the things that just did not interest him. But when it came to friends, he had trained himself to listen.
‘No,’ Costa corrected. ‘Without Mary’s father that’s not fair, so I’m keeping the reception to twelve and that includes us...’ He gestured to Galen.
‘And the bride,’ Galen added.
‘Indeed, and then there’s Leo and Deacon, Yolanda of course...’ She was Costa’s mother. ‘Your plus one.’
‘I shan’t be bringing anyone,’ Galen said—not that Costa was listening.