The Affectionate Player - Part1 (Editing Chapters 32-34)

Chapter 25

What Next?

As I knew they would be, Addie and Bene had been understanding about my decision to leave; Niko however had proved more difficult. Returning to Oia on the Sunday following Caitlin and Rudi's engagement party, his gloomy mood had been obvious owing to his lack of interest in any conversation I dared introduce. Even when presented with my baby scan pictures he'd merely glanced at them, and his obvious disapproval of my reunion with Max had not subsided, his surly behaviour continuing for days. Finally after two weeks of silence and my absence from the taverna, I took the bull by the horns and paid him a visit.

Greeting me with reluctance he'd implied they were busy but having spotted a small empty table overlooking the bay I swiftly settled and ordered lunch. Chatting to diners at a nearby table I'd waited for him to finish before beckoning him.

"Niko? Can you spare a moment?"

"Was everything satisfactory with your meal?"

"Yes, of course. It was delicious as always. But please, sit with me." Obliging he'd taken a seat.

"I only have a few minutes, Grace. What is it?"

"Have I offended you?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Because you've barely spoken to me since you saw me with Max."

"I don't want to see you get hurt, that is all."

"Max won't hurt me. He loves me. That's what we've been sorting out. He finally admitted it and wants a future with me."

"And you think that's enough?" He'd snapped bitterly. "He didn't change his plans to be here with you these last weeks."

"No, he didn't." I'd answered equally hostile. "He had filming commitments he couldn't get out of."

"At least he's committed to something!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He is not for you, Grace. And it upsets me that he has treated you as he has."

"How can you say that, Niko? You don't know him or what we have together." With concern in my voice and hurt in my eyes he'd realised he'd upset me, and in moments his dark eyes softened. Taking my hand he'd breathed a sigh.

"You're right, I don't know him. I should never have interfered."

"Look Niko, I'm leaving next week and I'd like us to stay friends. You've been very kind but while I really appreciate your offer to help I have to think of my baby's future and our happiness.  I love Max."     

"I see. Then it seems you have no choice, Grace. I wish you well." Standing he'd cleared my table in seconds, an obvious sign of his urgency to have me gone. And much to my disappointment that's how we'd left it.

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Choosing to spend some precious time with my parents instead of heading straight to London, I'd taken full advantage of their hospitality allowing them to spoil me for the first few days of my return. My greatest surprise was my old bedroom which they'd transformed into a nursery with paintings of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys on one wall, and Tinkerbell with the Darling children on another. The remaining two they'd told me had been left for Monty to decorate.

Touched by their efforts I'd hugged my parents tightly knowing the joy and love that had filled each brush stroke. But as was always the case the tearful farewell ensued with dad holding on to me longer than usual revealing he'd placed an envelope in my bag.