‘It is a difficult question. Many of the olive trees are dead; that is why Yannis sold it to him. Also, we need tourists and he will use local labour to build it. He is being very careful to learn all the regulations. We will see how people feel. Meanwhile, I would be honoured if you came to see my house.’ He smiled, a hint of teasing in his light blue eyes. ‘Simply to take in the design, which is very similar to these.’ He indicated the row of twenty or so boathouses that lined the cliff-side.

‘I’d like that.’

‘Shall we go now? You can see the possibilities for the other boathouses,’ he added, with a smile she found almost irresistible.

Nell watched with interest as Penny followed Nikos along the beachside path and out of sight.

‘I’ll save you some lunch, then,’ Nell murmured ironically. ‘Right, Demetria, let’s get them all to the table!’

They walked along the path between the boathouses and the sea. A few small boats were moored there, but the fishing boats that were kept here in winter were still in the main harbour. Penny felt the sun beating down on her back, incredibly hot for the time of year, yet Nikos seemed entirely at home in his leathers. He was the kind of man who always seemed at home, it struck Penny. There was a kind of peace about him in spite of – or perhaps because of – the life he’d led alone, without a wife or family.

The next cove was entirely empty apart from a large white building created from a row of boathouses. Penny looked round at the amazing setting. Your own house, right on the beach, with no one to disturb you but the odd sea bird or dolphin.

‘Do you ever get dolphins here?’ she asked, suddenly shy again now that they were alone.

‘All the time. They come right up and dance with joy for you. When the weather is warm like this year, they call it a dolphin spring.’

‘Don’t you ever get lonely?’ she asked.

Penny, who always thought she was a people person and liked being surrounded by neighbours, suddenly felt herself magnetically drawn to silence and the sound of waves.

‘Never.’ He paused and looked at her. ‘At least, not until now.’ He took a step towards her, and then as if perhaps remembering the husband, the children and grandchildren, checked himself. ‘Besides, I have the bike. And the boat.’ Penny almost gasped. Of course – it was the romantic ship they had seen with Takis, the one with the beautiful carved figurehead that made you think of pirates.

‘So, Nikos the mayor –’ Penny realized she sounded as if she were flirting, and was shocked – ‘do you have a bit of pirate in your soul?’