Chapter 4
FOUR
‘I have been given the time off work so it looks like I am coming to Santorini with you,’ Lulu squeals down the phone.
‘Oh, my goodness! That is the best news ever.’ I do a little fast running on the spot, something I always do when I am excited. My gran used to do it too, before her knees went.
‘Me neither. I can’t remember the last time I had a break away without the kids. Well, I say kids but I suppose they are adults now,’ she says, speaking of her eighteen- and almost twenty-year-old offspring. ‘Honestly though, you would think I had told them I was going away for a month.’
‘I’m sure they will manage. It might even do them some good,’ I suggest.
‘You never know, although Chloe asked if I was going to leave some money for takeaways. As if!’ She laughs.
‘I told her I would stock the fridge and freezer and that her and Tom could cook for themselves, which didn’t go down well,’ she tells me.
‘Even though they both know how to at least rustle up some pasta or a stir fry. Especially Tom, who is more than a decent cook. Would you believe Chloe actually sulked?’
‘I’m sure she’ll get over it,’ I say light-heartedly.
I resist the urge to tell her that her ‘kids’ never think about her being alone when they are off with their friends to Glastonbury or wherever for the weekend, and that she deserves a break from skivvying after them.
I recall her being on the phone to me one weekend, slightly the worse for wear, and telling me how selfish Tom was when he never texted her for days or answered his phone when he went on his first lads’ holiday abroad.
I might remind her of that at some point though, when her misplaced guilt will no doubt kick in when we are in Santorini.
‘So what you up to today then?’ she asks, having told me she is on her lunch break from work.
‘Oh, you know, sifting through job offers, seeing what takes my fancy.’ I wish.
‘Something will turn up soon, I’m sure,’ she says. ‘I miss you here at work. We all do. Well, the few of us that remain that is. I have a feeling it won’t be too long before we all go.’ She sighs.
‘I’m sure you will be fine, you have worked there for years. And I told you, Phil has a soft spot for you,’ I tease.
After chatting to Lulu, I remember the photos of the food at the new café in town, so upload some photos with a little commentary to my TikTok account.
I am delighted to see that my video of the sale in town has chalked up thousands of views and comments, some saying they will nip into the store for a browse.
With Mum and Dad at work and the house empty, I slip into a bikini and head out into the garden, made private with bamboo screens, and soak up some sun. It will probably be cloudy by this afternoon, so I must make the most of it.
Settling down onto the bed and feeling the sun caress my skin, I can’t wait to be in Greece, listening to the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, instead of the noise of the bin wagon outside as it reverses around a corner. It really can’t come quick enough.