Sorry for the delay. Christmas, other stories, real life...

With only five tables on the terrace in front of a tiny whitewashed building, the taverna was, to Barbara's mind, far too romantic. Only a blue painted metal railing separated the table from the low cliff above a snowy white beach. She looked over to see the beach was at the head of a long, narrow cove that was less than 100 metres across.

Each table had two timber chairs and a blue and white checked tablecloth. Red candles sat in holders covered by the dripped wax of hundreds of predecessors. Above them, grapevine grew on metal wires that stretched the length of the terrace. In the day, it would provide shade and coolness to the otherwise exposed patio.

"Oh, this is gorgeous."

Tommy grinned at her. "Quaint. Rather romantic, don't you think?"

"Mmm," she replied as neutrally as she could muster.

"Good evening."

Barbara jumped. A rotund man in dark slacks and a white shirt indecently unbuttoned to reveal a thick carpet of grey hair between the edge of his shirt. He smiled at her. "Er, good evening." She tried not to stare.

"Table for two?"

"Thank you," Tommy replied, "by the railing I think."

"Nai, yes. You are our only..." the man seemed to struggle for the right word then gave up. "Byra? Krasi?"

"Byra first," Tommy said.

"Our best." He turned and as he reached the blue door to the taverna building, he called out, "Toula, dyo Byra."

Tommy held the chair for Barbara as she sat. He had chosen a table under the shade of a gnarly old olive tree. She swivelled to look at the cove. Three small fishing boats bobbed around as if they were suspended in air. "The water's so clear. You can see the sand. The boats look like there is nothing holding them up."

"We can swim in that tomorrow. The water is warm, even though it's winter."

She smiled at him. "You probably swim like a fish. I need floaties."

Tommy laughed. "I'm sure that's not true, but I promise to save you."

"Mmm. Good to know. Thank you."

He frowned. "Your thanks can wait until I need to rescue you."

"No, Tommy, thanks for saving me from a lonely London Christmas. I am glad I lost the bet. This is... perfect."

"It is, and it will only get better."

"Will it?"

"Oh, I think so."

A young girl of about fifteen placed a beer and white plates in front of each of them. Behind her, a younger girl with amazing grey eyes brought out a rustic loaf of bread sprinkled with oregano and salt on a wooden platter, and placed it beside a bowl of olive oil.

Barbara took a piece and dipped it in the oil. "Mmm, this is good."

Within minutes their table was full with dolmades, meatballs, flat toasted bread and dips, keftedes, grilled cheese pieces drizzled with spiced oil, and a warm spinach pie.

"We won't go hungry," Tommy said, "I think this is only the appetisers."

"What, for an army? Tell them not to make more. We'll end up too fat to waddle back."

Tommy attracted the attention of the hairy-chested man. After some difficult negotiations, he agreed to take the main course home with them for breakfast. As the man walked off, Tommy leant closer. "I hope I didn't offend him. We should finish all of this."

Barbara nodded. "That's not a problem, but more would be."

The sun set rapidly over the far side of the cove as they ate. One of the girls began to light oil torches on the building and key pillars of the pergola. The other girl came and lit the candle on their table. In the soft light, Tommy looked across at Barbara smiled at her in a way that made her gasp.

His smile turned down into a frown. "Are you okay?"

Barbara nodded as she tried to think of an excuse. "How will we see to get back to the villa? It's getting dark and we didn't bring a light."

"Mmm, good question. They must have a torch. We can worry about that later. Eat. Enjoy."

Tommy felt a little light-headed. He had drunk only three small beers and a glass of red wine. It was not alcohol but the company. Barbara freely called him by name all evening as they had exchanged stories about their childhood and funny experiences as police officers. He had laughed hard when she had described being called out to a shopping centre to assist in the rescue of an old lady who had dropped her wedding ring into the toilet bowl and had reached in to retrieve it and had become stuck. It seemed natural to move his chair next to hers and put his arm around her as her fed her dolmades and the bread dipped in tzatziki or beetroot hummus. He had been about to steal a kiss when the youngest girl had ruined the moment by beginning to clear their table. Her piercing eyes seemed to admonish him.

"We should get back," Barbara said. "I am full and getting very tired."

"Of course. I'll arrange a torch."

"What the hell?"

"It's all he had." Tommy held up the fiery torch. "Apparently there is a 'lightflash' in the villa that we should have brought down. Anyway, this gives us a talking point."

"Oh, Tommy, you look so..."

"Stupid?"

"No... heroic. Like an Indiana Jones who has lost his hat."

His sheepish grin turned into a full smile. "I rather like the idea of being the hero."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't get too carried away. You still have to find the villa."

"I can. My navigation is superb."

"Yes, Mr Modesty."

He laughed and held out a large cloth bag. "Torch, or breakfast?"

Barbara twitched her eyebrows twice and gave him a mischievous grin. "I'll take the food."

"I knew you'd say that."

Tommy had no trouble navigating. There was a sliver of moonlight, and the trail was well-marked. But three quarters of the way up, it became a bit steeper. He held his hand out to Barbara. "Careful of your step."

He had expected a smart retort and for her to brush his hand aside. Instead, she accepted it as if it was perfectly natural. It felt natural. It felt as if her hand had always belonged in his. He had to take a deep breath to stop himself pulling her into his arms and kissing her. The thought of potentially engulfing the island in flames by dropping the torch enabled him to focus on the immediate priority of getting them up the hill.

As they emerged from the bush onto the terrace beside the pool, Tommy knew he had no reason to continue to hold her hand. He released his grip, and smiled when she did not let go. "I'm a bit warm after climbing that hill," he said, trying to find something interesting but neutral to say.

"Me too. We could go for a swim in the pool."

Tommy grinned at her. "That's an excellent idea."

"Do you need to change in the room first?" she asked as she let go of his hand.

"No, I can swim in my... trunks."

"Oh. Yes, okay."

"I can wait here. Till you change."

"Nah, it's okay, but you had better put that thing somewhere safe."

Tommy found a ring attached to the upright of the pergola. It was far enough from the pool to give them a diffused, anonymous light. "Perfect."

He pulled off his shoes and socks, and then his jeans before unbuttoning his shirt. He dived smoothly into the water and turned to watch Barbara undress. She had put their breakfast on the chair then removed her sandals and jeans and leapt into the water beside him still clad in her shirt.

"Oh! It's colder than I expected," she said.

Tommy thought it was ideal. The pool was relatively shallow, and so retained the warmth of the sun. "Too cold?"

"No, not really." Barbara pushed herself away from the edge and floated on her back. Tommy leant back and lifted his legs. As he gained equilibrium, he gently moved his hands until his head was next to hers but with his body pointing in the opposite direction. For a few minutes, they drifted at the whim of breeze blowing across the pool.

"The stars are wonderful here."

"They're the same stars as we have in London, we just can't see them there with so much ambient light."

A wave of water slammed into his face. "Pedant," she laughed.

"Why you..." Tommy rolled over and pushed his arms through the water to return the wave. It crashed into her shoulder as she turned away.

Arms churned the water as they tried to out-splash the other. Laughter merged with spluttering and coughing as they sloshed around in their man-made washing machine. "We should have thrown some soap in," Barbara said as their arms tired and the waves subsided.

"Why? Are you dirty?"

He had meant it innocently, but Barbara looked shocked. Then she smiled. "I don't know. Maybe I will be."

Tommy swallowed hard. Did she mean...? His mind ran amok as he thought of making love to her in the pool, on the beach, under the canopy of the vines, in the orchard, in that soft bed... "I don't think we'll need many clothes here." He tried hard to keep his voice deep and even and not to betray his thoughts.

"Won't we?" Barbara was standing in the pool walking backwards slowly towards the edge.

He looked at her. She was enjoying shocking him. He liked that. She was rarely this relaxed. It made him forget his restraint and be one playful. He quickly caught up to her and followed as she backed away. "No. Virtually none if I have my way."

"Good. I packed light, as you requested." Barbara stopped when her back touched the pool ledge. Tommy continued to move until he was only inches from her.

"I thought we could hire a boat and sail around the island."

"Oh." The way he had stalked her, she had expected him to lean in and embrace her. She had wanted him to kiss her, but she had misread his easiness. "Yeah," she said pretending everything was normal. "That sounds like fun. But now I should go to bed. Do you want to use the bathroom first?"

Tommy frowned slightly then nodded. "Thank you. Yes. I won't take long."