‘I do?’

‘Yes. You’re so forthright. There’s no pretence with you – you say exactly what’s on your mind.’

‘Not always.’

‘Maybe not, but enough. It’s refreshing. Look, I meet a lot of people – women –’ I frowned at that ‘– but I rarely meet a beautiful woman who keeps me on my toes like you do.’ I felt myself start to relax; I liked hearing nice things about me.

‘When I first saw you on Santorini, you really did take my breath away. I asked you to lunch, because I thought we would have an interesting conversation – and if not, it was just lunch. And then you didn’t show up, which made me more intrigued about you. You cannot know how pleased I was to see you in the restaurant tonight. I thought our one meeting was all there would ever be – and then, there you were.’

‘There I was.’ I was transfixed by his words.

‘Exactly, and over the course of dinner, and drinks and more drinks, I discovered you are witty – mostly at your own expense. You’re interested in others, you have an adventurous spirit, and most surprisingly, you don’t let me get away with much.’

‘Oh.’

‘Is that all you have to say?’

‘That’s a lot to take in. I don’t think of myself like that.’

‘I understand. I don’t mean to overwhelm you. I mean, despite everything I’ve said, we only just met and I am probably making a lot of assumptions.’

‘About?’

‘You. Us. What could happen.’

‘Oh.’

‘‘Oh’ again? Suddenly you’re not so articulate. I think I’m making you nervous again.’

‘No. I just – I don’t know what to say. I—’

‘What?’

‘Well, you’re taking me back – to the boat – and I thought—’

‘You thought I would ask you back to my hotel.’

‘Yes.’

‘And would you have come?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Ah.’

‘But I think I wanted you to ask me.’

‘I wanted to, but there are a couple of things stopping me – maybe more than a couple.’

‘Oh? Sorry, I mean, what things?’

‘Well, for a start, I leave early in the morning for Athens and, presumably, you’ll be heading to the next island.’

‘I didn’t realise you were leaving so soon.’

‘Back to Athens, and then straight to London, I’m afraid.’

‘So, “early” means?’

‘My plane leaves at six.’

‘Right – that is ridiculously early.’

‘Exactly, and believe me, the first time I make love to you, I don’t want there to be any reason to rush.’ My stomach did a somersault, followed by a backflip. It did not stick the landing.

‘I see. The first time? So …’ We stopped walking and stood, facing each other.

‘That’s my next point. If something happens between us, I don’t want it to be a one-night thing. Those are horrid. And, frankly, I gave them up in my thirties.’