water? And what’s all this “little fellas?” You used to call them smelly bastards!’ We both laughed. Then he gave me a strange look.
‘What?’
‘It’s good that we can still share a joke, Pippa; that we can still talk…after everything. In fact, there’s something I must tell you – the reason I called by this evening, before I go home tomorrow.’
I popped a last mouthful of fried syrup dough into my mouth, as he took a deep breath.
‘I…I’ve been seeing someone, these last few months. Olivia. She’s a charity worker – on the fundraising side.’
I almost choked. Henrik patted me on the back and my eyes watered. He handed me a glass of water and I took a gulp.
‘That’s great news…really… I’m glad. It’s just…’ Oops. A giggle slipped out. ‘You, dating a charity worker?’ Where had my materialistic, sterling-inspired ex-boyfriend gone?
I know. That sounded terribly rude. Normally I’d never make such a personal comment. But Henrik? Going out with someone who had altruistic ambitions? This is the man who’d watch a whole evening of Comic Relief charity TV show and at the end of it not donate one single penny.
‘It gets worse, I’m afraid.’ He gave a sheepish smile. ‘I’ve just asked her to marry me. We’re engaged. So yes, capitalistic Henrik has pledged to build a future with someone blessed with more worthy intentions than himself.’
My mouth opened but no words came out. Niko returned with a tray bearing three coffees. He handed them around, sat down and gazed at the pair of us. Gosh. Henrik engaged. It was only a matter of months since he’d popped the question to me. Had I meant so little to him? My chest tightened but not for long and a wry smile crossed my lips. Listen to me, acting like a melodramatic teenager. I wouldn’t swap my fisherman fiancé for the world. Love didn’t always lead you to someone who was as attractive as him on the inside and out.
‘What’s up?’ said Niko and reached for the bowl of sugar.
‘It’s Henrik. He’s getting married,’ I said, feeling dazed, as if it was summer and I had the beginnings of sunstroke.
Niko’s brow relaxed and his eyes sparked for the first time this evening. He stood up. ‘Mama, Papa, Grandma – in here! Good news!’
Footsteps came downstairs and Geogios and Sophia appeared, Grandma following slowly. Even Apollo the cat appeared from nowhere, and sat expectantly.
Henrik’s face flushed. ‘I’m delighted to announce that I’ve just got engaged.’
Niko’s mum and dad clapped their hands.
‘Well done, boy,’ said Georgios and clapped him on the back. ‘This calls for ouzitos all around!’
‘Good idea, my little meatball!’ said Sophia and beamed. ‘What is her name? How old is she? What do her parents do? Will she work when you marry? Does she want children?’
‘Mama!’ said Niko and we all laughed – Henrik not as loudly as everyone else. Hmm, odd.
Georgios appeared with the mint, lemon and ouzo cocktails and we toasted Henrik and Olivia’s good health as the news sank in. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Olivia – I bet she was some immaculately groomed charity executive, who’d never hit the beach without her designer glasses and costume. I mean, people in her line of work were high-flying executives these days. Perhaps Henrik took her to our old favourite restaurant, the little Italian, where at weekends you could help the chef top your own pizza and they served the driest, bubbliest Prosecco ever.
Henrik caught my eye and smiled again as Grandma patted his shoulder and asked if she was a good church-going girl.
‘Pippa? You okay?’ murmured Niko and gave me a tender kiss on the cheek. ‘It is a shock, no?’
‘Yes. But I am pleased he has found someone – like I have.’ I smiled and raised my ouzito.
Henrik glanced at me and winked. I winked back with mixed emotions. I’d only left London a matter of months ago and so much had happened.
‘I do hope to meet her one day, Henrik,’ I said later, whilst Niko, Georgios and Sophia washed up all the cups and glasses from the Christmas fair meeting.
Apollo sat on his lap. I mean, what was that all about? As he tickled behind its ears, the cat even purred.
‘Funny you should say that, Pips, because…’ Henrik looked up from the furry head. ‘I’d like you – and Niko, of course – to come over to our engagement party. It’s on Friday the twenty-second.’
‘Oh…thanks. Of which month?’
‘This one. In a couple of weeks.’
‘Are you mad?’ I shook my head. ‘Henrik. I am getting married a few days after that, then there’s the Christmas fair and we’d never get a flight booked in time, plus—’
He held up his hand and laughed. ‘Where’s that positive, no-such-word-as-can’t woman I used to know, who never turns down a challenge – like transforming Taxos’ prospects? Look, I’ve got friends in the airline industry – with all the business ThinkBig sends their way, I’m sure we could work something out. And you only need fly out for two days.’
‘But—’
‘Don’t you miss the city lights?’ he said, and gave me a piercing stare. ‘I know how much you love the capital at Christmas – the intricate shop window decorations and illuminated London Eye. You should see the range of festive food already out in Selfridges – remember that toffee coal they sold last year? Worst of all…’ A smile flickered across his face. ‘You’ll miss the final of that god-awful Celebrity Jungle TV show you secretly watch every December.’
‘I do not!’
We both grinned.
‘In fact, talking of Christmas…’ Henrik opened his briefcase and pulled out a large red envelope. He handed it to me.
A surge of warmth ran through my veins. ‘Is this what I think it is?’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘You remembered?’ I mumbled.
‘How could I forget?’ he said softly, slate eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘I didn’t know whether they were a tradition out here.’
I slid the Advent calendar out of the envelope, admiring the specks of glitter on the quaint scene. When we’d first got together, I’d joked with Henrik that no one bought me Advent calendars any more. I loved the traditional ones, not those with cartoon characters in front of chocolates.
‘Although I still think you are too old to have one,’ he said and ran a hand through his slicked-back hair.
I got up and went to kiss his cheek, my lips almost landing on his nose instead, before sitting down again.
‘Come on, Pips – don’t you fancy a break from weather-beaten Taxos, its continual economic struggle and the distasteful refugee
