Greek for Beginners Read Online Free PDF Page A

head. “ Oxi. I cannot find that name among my guests, either.”
    â€œThere must be some mistake. The tour package was booked months ago and paid in full.”
    â€œTour package?” Pesha said slowly. “Which tour package might that be?”
    â€œA multicity, sightseeing excursion that was booked through Zeus Tours.”
    â€œStavros!”
    The woman spat out the name with enough force to turn the two benign syllables into the vilest of curses. But she wasn’t done. She continued in Greek, gesturing wildly the entire time. Darcie was left with no choice but to grit her teeth and listen. By the time Pesha switched to English again, she had worked up a good head of steam.
    â€œThat man owes me for the last three tour groups that stayed here. I have told him, no more! I have been turning his customers away all day.”
    She selected one of the cigarettes from the ashtray and took a long, lung-blackening drag.
    â€œUm, when you say no more,” Darcie began.
    â€œI will not honor any more of his bookings unless he pays me in advance.” Pesha stamped out the cigarette for emphasis.
    â€œI can understand your annoyance with Stavros.” Darcie was pretty annoyed with the man herself. “But I paid in full for a room at The Santor.”
    Sure, the accommodations were crap, but it was the principle of the matter. They were crap for which Tad’s credit card already had been hit.
    Pesha picked up the second cigarette and inhaled deeply before blowing out a stream of smoke that shot past Darcie’s left shoulder. Even so, wisps of it lingered and stung her nose.
    â€œNo, you paid Stavros in full, but he has not paid me. He has not paid me for too long!” Pesha chopped at the air with the hand holding the cigarette, sending ashes flying. Darcie was only glad the woman wasn’t clutching a sharp object. “And until he does, I will not be putting up any more of his tour customers. Now, if you wish to pay with cash, I will be happy to give you a room.”
    Darcie could see the woman’s point. Pesha had a business to run and Stavros had stiffed her more than once. Still, it left Darcie in a bind, and if she had to shell out more money for a room, it sure as hell wasn’t going to be in this fleabag establishment. She turned to Nick, who apparently read her mind.
    â€œI will take you to another hotel. Perhaps something that is closer to shopping, restaurants and nightlife.”
    Darcie cleared her throat and added, “But reasonably priced. My budget is limited.”
    Pesha bristled as they turned to leave.
    â€œYou will not find a better bargain than The Santor,” she insisted.
    Since so much of Darcie’s life was left to fate at the moment, it was with a sense of destiny that she replied, “I’ll take my chances.”
    * * *
    Mindful of what Darcie had said about her budget, Nick took her to one of the chain hotels in the city, even though it offered neither the charm nor the ambience of the nicer and pricier establishments he would have preferred. But it was conveniently located and tidy, with a smoke-free lobby and a concierge who appeared eager to please.
    After she booked a room, they lingered near the bank of elevators. He wasn’t in a hurry to leave. In fact, he almost regretted having to say goodbye. Darcie didn’t seem eager to end their association, either.
    â€œHow good are the chances that Stavros will refund the money for my trip?” she asked.
    â€œNot good. My guess is he does not have the money to refund.”
    She made a humming sound. “That’s what I was afraid of. At this rate, I will be on a flight back to New York before the end of the week.”
    Her budget, Nick assumed. He meant it when he said, “That would be a shame. Greece is a beautiful country with so much to see.”
    It might not have any effect, but he planned to call Stavros on her behalf and apply a little pressure.