Page 16 of Deep Blue Lies

FIFTEEN

“A writer guy?” I ask.

“Yeah. Duncan. Gregory Duncan?”

Sophia waits to see if I know him, but the name means nothing.

“I’ve never heard of him.”

“Don’t worry,” she laughs again. The contrast between her easy manner and Kostas’ stern reserve is striking, I can feel myself relax into her presence.

“He’s not like a famous author or anything, though he thinks he is.

” She grins. “He lives up in the hills. So that he can look down on everyone. Like, literally and metaphorically. Come.” She takes my arm and leads me to the open front of the dive centre.

I’m surprised at how easily she’s assumed it’s OK to touch me, but also, I don’t really mind.

“Up there.” She points up towards the mountainous interior of the island. I can’t see what I’m supposed to be looking at to begin with, but then I see a house. Maybe less impressive looking than I was expecting.

“That’s him.”

“OK.” I try to think. I’m not working today.

“You think he might be there now?”

Sophia shrugs. “I dunno. Probably. Sometimes he comes into town and sits in the restaurant, writing on his laptop. Over there.” She points again, towards the place opposite. It’s one of the more expensive restaurants, where I didn’t eat the other night.

“But he’s not there now, so maybe he’s home?” She looks hopeful on my behalf.

“OK,” I say again, and glance back at the house. It’s a long way away. Up a pretty big hill.

“Is there – like a bus or something?”

She grins again. “Up there? What do you think?” She bites her lip teasingly.

“How about taxis?” I ask. I don’t much like the thought of this as it’ll be expensive. And even with my job I’m burning through cash faster than I’m earning it.

“No…I mean there are, but they’d have to come from Kastria, and then take you up there, it’d cost a bomb.” Sophia glances at me again, looking thoughtful. “But if you like, you can borrow my moped? I’m stuck here helping Kostas the whole day, with this stupid website.”

“Wow. Are you sure?” The offer seems absurdly generous, but she lifts a hand to dismiss it.

“Sure I’m sure.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Actually, have you ridden one before?”

“Oh. Shit.” I didn’t think of this. “No, I haven’t.”

She frowns, but just for a second. “OK, well don’t worry, it’s super easy. You can ride a bike, right?”

“Yeah.” I haven’t though, not in a long while.

“It’s basically the same. Just…faster.” She roots in the pocket of her jeans shorts, and pulls out a little silver key. The keyring has a green plastic alien. She holds it out to me.

“Come on, take it. I trust you.” There’s a strange expression on her lips as she waits for my decision. Then I take the keys.

“Thanks. Thanks a lot.”

“You’re welcome,” she says, in her American Greek English. “And good luck with Duncan. You’ll need it.”