Page 72 of One More Time

She peeled one eye open to look at him. ‘Uh … have you seen the runway? Or lack thereof?’

Charlie peered out. ‘Oh, yes, it is quite tiny.’

She squeezed both eyes shut again. ‘I can see that.’

‘We’ll be fine.’ Charlie patted her hand.

‘Hmm.’ Her lips pressed as tightly closed as her eyelids.

Charlie was right, of course. Apart from a bit of a bumpy landing, they arrived safe and sound.

Wheeling their baggage through the arrivals hall, they stepped outside to the slap of Mediterranean heat. ‘Well, here we are,’ Charlie announced, his smile wide.

Grace danced on the spot. ‘Let the adventure begin.’

When they reached the taxi queue, a large man with a smile to match greeted them. ‘Welcome to Santorini, how may I assist you?’ His warm hospitality was engaging.

‘We need to get to here.’ Charlie handed over the name of their accommodation.

‘Easily done.’ Leaning into the taxi at the front, he addressed the driver. ‘Alexandros, can you take these lovely people to the Porto Villa?’ His accent had suddenly become thicker as he spoke to his colleague.

‘Of course.’ The taxi driver flicked his cigarette out the window, then flashed them the broadest of smiles, revealing two gold teeth. ‘Hop in.’

‘I’ll get your baggage in the trunk.’ The host opened the back door of the taxi. ‘Enjoy our beautiful island.’

‘Thank you.’ Grace slid in first, followed by Charlie.

With a shared adoring glance, Charlie and Grace laced fingers, then both their gazes were drawn out the open windows. As the taxi driver veered through thin cobblestone streets coming alive with local vendors selling their wares, and little tavernas welcoming their first customers for dinner, the setting sun cast a warm glow behind the myriad white buildings clinging to the steep slopes.

With the aura of the place enveloping her, Grace caught glimpses up tiny alleyways, leading to flights of stone steps overhung by baskets of colourful blooming flowers. In the opposite direction, rows of boats bobbed in the aqua-blue harbour, some luxurious visitors and others local fishing vessels. With goosebumps covering her, she breathed in deep, imagining all the days she and Charlie would spend adventuring as the fragrance of Santorini filled her senses. This sea breeze smelt different to the wind that flowed through the heart of Moonflower Acres. Here, it was saltier, brinier, as if she were baking the freshest of fish wrapped in seaweed.

After a glorious sleep, Grace woke with a melodic tune playing on her heartstrings. Pressing open the shutters, she caught a glimpse of the gasp-inducing view from the caldera edge as the light breeze shifted the curtains. The golden sunlight poured into the bedroom, bouncing off the duchess mirror and over the bed she’d just made. With Charlie singing his heart out in the shower, Grace resisted the habit of popping her slippers on, instead enjoying the coolness of the stone floor against her bare feet as she sallied out of the bedroom with her new yellow sundress floating at her ankles. Unlike the homestead at Moonflower Acres, there were no boards to creak beneath her feet here – going barefoot seemed to be a prerequisite to having the true Greek experience.

Their whitewashed dome-shaped cottage high on the hillside was simple and cosy, and the kitchen was perfectly functional, with a fridge laden with Greek delicacies and a rectangular central bench that doubled as a dining table. The lingering scents of oregano, garlic and lemon were ingrained into the time-worn timber top. Not that they were going to be using it much when they had those to-die-for-views from the wrought-iron table and chairs on their balcony.

Wandering out to her sunny balcony overlooking the expanse of sea, she leant up against the banister, enjoying the combination of warm sun and sea air caressing her face. Just below her, a terraced garden was filled with jasmine and honeysuckle. Her face hurt from smiling so wide and she almost had to pinch herself – this was like something out of the movies. The sweet scent of blossoms carried with the sea breeze – it was a symphony for her senses. Santorini was an incredible canvas laid bare, with so much heart and soul to explore. The pulse of the island was steady, like a meditative breath, in, out, in, out. So calm, so at peace. She couldn’t wait to immerse herself.

After a few minutes spent in absolute awe, she settled in her sun lounger with a champagne flute in one hand and a small bowl of the infamous Santorini cherry tomatoes in the other. Who said she couldn’t have a glass of bubbly for breakfast?

Closing her eyes so her sense of taste was heightened, she took her first bite of the bright red ball. ‘Oh my goodness,’ she moaned in foodie pleasure as the sweet, tangy flavour exploded in her mouth. ‘These are absolutely amazing.’ She took another and savoured it, licking the juice from her fingertips.

From her vantage point, she could see the bustle of the holiday-makers wandering the narrow streets below. She and Charlie would be among it all soon enough. Seeing it in the flesh, Santorini was far more beautiful than she had ever imagined. The pictures she’d pined over all these years simply didn’t do the place justice. With its charming, stark-white buildings donning bright blue doors and a multitude of flowers blooming from every crack and cranny, along with colourful pops of bougainvillea, it was a joyous piece of heaven right here on earth.

After just one night here, she was already in love with this island, and they still had four more islands to visit in their month-long stay in Greece. And her Charlie had brought her to it – what an amazing man she had, loving her to no end.

Missing him even though she’d seen him five minutes ago, she called out, ‘Are you going to join me out here, Charlie?’

His husky voice carried to her. ‘I’ll be there in a jiffy, my darling.’

Second later, he appeared, wearing a pair of colourful swimming trunks, with zinc smudged on his cheeks and a cheesy grin to boot. ‘How do I look?’ He bowed for added humour.

‘Oh, my goodness, Charlie …’ Grace was finding it hard to speak through her chuckles. ‘You’re hilarious.’

‘I live to make you smile each and every day, my beautiful wife.’ He eased down to the sun lounger beside her.

‘And you do a very good job of making me smile, each and every day, my love.’ She turned her gaze back to the sun-sparkled water off in the distance and sighed softly. ‘Just look at this view, isn’t it magical?’

‘I’m too busy looking at you, and that smile that hasn’t left your face since we arrived.’