Winter Hearts

Miami

She was happy to be showing them the little building which was situated on a large plot, right by the sea. It was a single-story building, rather like an American stand-alone diner, which was suitably named Miami. It wasn't very big - large enough for a fully-stocked bar, a huge tv, a few tables and chairs and bathrooms. The rest of the patrons would sit outside in the cold winter air, or on the plastic-covered patio, which was still outside but offered some protection from the elements and had a few outdoor heaters. On a sunny winter's day, the place was packed.

To the left of it, was the beginning of a stretch of pebble beach, formed from the minor land reclamation during the building of Itea. To the right, the stretch of the esplanade, a wide paved area, wider than a road, on which cafes put out chairs and tables for customers to chat over coffees and mezze - the greek equivalent of tapas - as they listened to the gentle waves lapping at the stone boardwalk.

All the cafes were actually situated back across the street in the row of shoplots that faced the sea. So waiters had to cross the road with the coffees and food. Now during the winter, there weren't enough customers happy to sit in the cold, so there was little of that business.

However Miami prospered from having its cafe and open area in one place. It seemed to be the only place that was busy all day.

Today was no exception. Although it was still early, not yet eight in the morning, there were already the usual older men dressed in their trenches and overcoats, sitting facing the sea like crows, sipping on iced ouzo and munching on cold cuts and olives and cheese. Some brought their wives with them , but most were seeking refuge from a noisy home. Later, the younger, cooler crowd would come in, then the lunch crowd and them families and the after-work customers. At night, it stayed open and served dinner, then would close just before nightclubs would fill up. Despite being a small town, there was a little nightlife to speak of.

She knew the place would make toasted sandwiches for breakfast, and she hoped the boys would be alright with the limited choice. She let go of N's arm to walk ahead to greet the barista, who was related to the owner. He was a handsome man in his thirties who liked to groom his beard and salt-and-pepper undercut hairstyle just so. He always pulled his sleeves up to reveal his muscly forearms, and had a tattoo peeking out from under one of the cuffs.

"Yeiasou Affendi," she said, calling him "boss" in Greek. She didn't really know his name, only that that was what she called him, and that his family knew her dad. The word was probably left over from Ottoman rule, because she knew it as a middle eastern name which many muslims in her country had. He looked up, and without smiling, let a twinkle come in his eye as he gazed at her while he washed used glasses.

"Who said you could come back here?" he drawled, teasing her with his stony face on.

"Nobody."

"Bring him here, I wanna speak with him," he growled. She laughed, happy to be teased by him.

"You're laughing at me? You little runt." He flicked soapy water at her.  "How is your mum?" He asked, finally letting some warmth into his voice.

"She is good, she sends her regards to your family."

"I see you have brought some friends. Are they guests?"

Siana nodded.

"Go and sit down, I'll come take your order."

"No, I won't be staying, they just asked me to show them here."

"But you speak better Greek than I can speak English, so stay to help me first." She rolled her eyes at him and went to see the guys.

Mr Joon, the luggage guy, whose name she found out was Min Seok, N, Ravi and Leo were seated, whilst the others had strolled to the tiny jetty that divided the pebble beach on the left from the esplanade on the right. She could hear their feet kicking at the pebbles. N was chatting to Mr Joon, while Ravi and Leo had sat facing the sun, letting its rising warmth heat their faces. She couldn't tell if they were sleeping behind their dark glasses, but they certainly looked relaxed.