his performance, but he insists he must return before his coffee is cold.
He turns to leave just as a local television crew turns up, and they insist that he be interviewed on the spot. Then the local radio network arrives and they encourage and pressure him to sing for Saros radio, live, there and then.
This completed, he finds an opportunity to sneak away, only to be halted by a national television van pulling up. Was he born here in the village, they want to know? Who influenced him as he grew up? Is he pleased that 'Opa' is the number one selling song in Greece for the fourth week running?
It is with considerable relief that he finds a moment to escape and, undetected, he runs home. As he hurries around to the back of the house, his phone rings, rasping the air. He stops by the back door to answer it.
'Hi, Sakis. Well, you did not waste any time, did you?' Andreas’ voice sounds familiar but misplaced. It does not fit in the village any more. 'I don't suppose you have read the online version of The Athens Musical Express , have you?'
Sakis is about to answer when Andreas continues.
'It says that since winning, you have branched out in a new direction, and let me read this bit out to you: “A new direction that is as alive and as passionate as anything that has been heard in Greece for a long time. Sakis takes traditional Greek music to a new height where only a few will be able to accompany him”.'
Sakis watches the tortoise and thinks about the coffee going cold. Does he have any more lettuce?
'There is also a piece in Online Urban Unchained . It's a good piece by Jules, but I am not sure you should have given him permission to publish the lyrics to one of your songs like that!' Andreas seem to puff between words, as if he is running, but Sakis knows it is just because he is unfit. 'Come up, Sakis! Come to Athens today. I can get you some great interviews and on the strength of this, we can go to New York, when, the day after? Also, I have a lead in Canada. You know, I think we can travel the world on this!'
There's a wilted lettuce leaf on the window ledge that Jules must have left, and Sakis gives it to the tortoise.
'Sakis, you there?' Andreas shouts from the telephone as Sakis attends the tortoise. 'What do you say? We can be in New York by the end of the week. Sakis? Sakis, are you listening?'
The tortoise is munching, a rhythmical sound, tapping out the time, and the birds sing another melody, this one a love song. With it, held high above the melody line, a bell rings, a high metallic chime. It is perfect. The pitch becomes more intense and he wakes from his daydream to see Abby tapping on the cottage's metal gate. Andreas is still talking in his ear.
’One minute, Andreas. I have something important I need to attend to…’ And the phone is pocketed and forgotten.
Opening the gate, he invites her with no words and they stroll through the dried grass and into the dappled shade of the orange tree, his smile lighting up his eyes.
<<<<>>>>
Also by Sara Alexi
The Illegal Gardener
Black Butterflies
The Explosive Nature of Friendship
The Gypsy’s Dream
The Art of Becoming Homeless
In the Shade of the Monkey Puzzle Tree
A Handful of Pebbles
The Unquiet Mind
Watching the Wind Blow
The Reluctant Baker
The English Lesson
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Sincerely,
Sara Alexi
About Sara Alexi
Sara Alexi divides her time between England and a small village in Greece. She is working on her next novel in the Greek Village Series, to be released soon!
Sara Alexi is always delighted to receive emails from readers, and welcomes new friends on Facebook.
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PUBLISHED BY:
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