‘There is a whole theatre carved from the rock on the other side of the island. You can almost walk past it without noticing it. You will have to get better, and we can go and see it.’

Moira sat down on another lump of carved stone, looking as if she’d accidentally landed in paradise. And she still had the pirate caves to explore, too. Maybe her stay in Kyri was going to be longer than she’d planned.

Takis stepped forward to address a dozen or so people – mainly grizzled and tough-looking men who were eking out an ever-decreasing income from fishing. Their wives stood in a row with folded arms and the kind of battle-ready expressions Penny had seen before on the first comers at the start of a jumble sale. They clearly thought they were somehow going to be cheated.

‘Yassou, neighbours,’ he began, speaking at first in Greek. ‘You know me well, but let me introduce these two charming English ladies – Penelope and Helen – Greek names, you see. They have a plan to make some money for you all by renting to tourists in summer these boathouses which you only use in winter anyway. Penelope is a famous decorator of rich people’s houses’ – he smiled at Penny, who would have challenged this outrageous lie if she knew what he was saying – ‘and Helen also will be helping her.’

Turning to Penny, he addressed her in English. ‘So, Penelope, explain to my neighbours what you want them to do and how such an idea will work, and I will translate to them.’

‘Come on, Penny,’ whispered Nell. ‘Imagine you’re Dora instead of you. She’s got the confidence of Boris Johnson and skin as thick as an old walrus.’

Penny tried to remember the two things she’d been told were important when public speaking: be confident from the beginning, and make eye contact with one person in the audience. Unfortunately, the woman who was right in her eye line was the scariest-looking of them all.

‘Right.’ She forced her usually soft features into sternness. ‘I’m sure you’ve all heard of Airbnb? The company that has revolutionized staying in private houses and brought an income to people in places like Kyri – and really annoyed the hotel trade by undercutting their rates by a mile.’ She gestured towards Takis, who shrugged and looked comically mournful.

‘I think your boat garages are perfect for renting to tourists.’ There was a murmur of interest at this. ‘But we need to make some improvements. To begin with, we will have to paint the boathouse doors in wonderful bright colours so that they look good in photographs. I suggest we have a painting party and do it together – we might even be able to do it tomorrow? If everyone could bring a lot of sandpaper and brushes . . .’