Chapter 5
FIVE
I am having Sunday lunch at Mum’s, as one thing Mum has continued to do over the years is cook a roast, even though a lot of people go out for one these days. Gran is around and enjoying the food, but feeling bloated after a second helping of apple pie and is now sucking an indigestion tablet.
‘I’ll miss you when you’re in Santorini,’ she says as I clear the plates away.
‘Ah, I’ll miss you too, but it’s only for just over a week, Gran,’ I remind her.
‘And I’ll be popping in, don’t forget,’ my mum tells her.
‘I know that, love.’ She smiles at my mum. ‘I think I just like the energy of young people, and hearing about what they get up to.’ She smiles.
‘Oh, so I’m boring now that I’m over fifty, am I?’ Mum teases.
‘Not at all, but you know what I mean.’ Gran smiles again.
‘It doesn’t seem five minutes since I was that age, although the world is so different now.
There are so many more opportunities these days,’ she laments.
‘And everyone seems to be off somewhere travelling, it all seems so exciting.’ She sighs.
I suppose it’s true. I can’t imagine a world without technology, and of course travel, but I guess what you don’t have you don’t miss.
Gran’s tales of dance halls, love letters and strolls along the beach with my late grandad sound far more romantic than someone texting and arranging to meet up at Nando’s.
Talk turns to football then, following a match on the telly, and Dad is grumbling about the England football team and suggesting they find a new manager.
‘They should get that Harry Ramsden,’ says Gran.
‘What will he do, give them some fish? Build them up a bit?’ I giggle. ‘Besides, he’s been dead for years.’
Gran frowns before she bursts out laughing. ‘I mean Harry Redknapp, don’t I? Oh Lord help us. Well, the fish man probably could have done a better job,’ says Gran, never one to shy away from giving her honest opinion.
‘Are you excited about Santorini?’ asks Mum as we sip some tea. ‘You know I have always fancied going to Greece.’ She sighs.
‘Have you?’ Dad looks a little puzzled. ‘I thought you loved Lanzarote?’
‘Well, of course I do, you know that, but Greece does look dreamy. And I enjoyed your birthday meal at the Zeus taverna in town last year. The food was lovely.’
The blue and white interior with huge photos of Greek islands on the wall at the taverna, along with Greek music in the background, might make you feel as though you are on a little Greek island.
Until you look outside at the pouring rain, that is.
There really is no substitute for the real thing, I think to myself, imagining the hot sun washing over my body, cocktail in hand.
‘Oh, and I forgot to mention, I have applied for a couple of jobs,’ I tell everyone, but looking at Dad.
‘Good to hear.’ Dad nods. ‘Oh, and Joe at the corner shop was saying that the Royal Oak is opening again soon. It has been sold and the new owner is keen to have live music, so you might get a couple of singing opportunities there,’ suggests Dad.
‘Maybe.’ I shrug.
I know he’s right really. More and more pubs are having live music nights and paying singers and bands, especially local talent. And the Royal Oak is a decent pub, so it might be something to consider.
It was at a pub gig that I met my ex. I could feel his eyes transfixed on me as I belted out a cover of a current chart hit. He approached me later, and bought me a drink, and that was that. For three years at least.
Before I know it, it’s two days before I leave for Santorini and I am packing my suitcase. I carefully pack the gift I have bought, a beautiful wooden sculpture I found online of two friends embracing that I hope Tasha will love.
After I bought it though, I realised it wasn’t really a present for Tasha and her husband-to-be if it represented our friendship, so I hurried out yesterday and bought a small, mosaic-framed mirror in bright colours that was an absolute steal from an antique shop.
I have wrapped the mirror in goodness knows how many layers of bubble wrap, before placing it into my case.
Tasha and Owen are not having bridesmaids at their wedding, which I won’t lie is kind of a relief as I like to choose my own clothes, although I would have gone along with whatever she chose for my bridesmaid’s outfit, of course, as it is her special day.
Instead, I am to be her maid of honour, but as all preparations are in hand, I don’t have the traditional role of actually arranging anything.
‘So, you kind of don’t have to do anything, other than sip champagne with me and keep me calm while I get ready,’ she had told me when we chatted.
Tasha’s mum passed away a year ago, and I know she will miss her presence, but luckily she has a close relationship with her dad. I’ve let her know that my friend Lulu will be my plus-one, and I just can’t wait as I know the wedding will be a lot of fun.
I check my socials and the upload from the café has thousands of likes and people commenting that they didn’t even know the place existed, which is really good and makes me feel like a real influencer.
Last week, I reviewed a new Italian restaurant in town after being invited there.
Two courses and a bottle of wine for free in exchange for a review.
I’m really excited that just recently restaurant freebies are starting to come my way as I enjoy dining out.
There’s a new cocktail bar opening in town next month, and I would love to get my hands on an invitation for the opening night.
Especially as it’s rumoured that a hot dancer from a well-known Saturday evening show who has recently become single will be doing the opening.
He’s not currently on the dance show, but is now carving out a career as a presenter and frequently pops up on reality shows.
I’m putting the finishing touches to my packing, when Lulu calls.
‘Hi, honey, just wondering do you have any mosquito spray?’ she asks. ‘I’ve been in work this morning and don’t have time to nip out and get any now as I want to give the house a good going over. I think I might need a mask and a hazmat suit to enter Tom’s bedroom though.’
‘I have indeed,’ I reassure her. ‘And don’t you think Tom is getting a bit old for the slobbish teenager routine?’ I can’t help asking as he is almost twenty years old.
‘I know, but he’s been a bit stressed lately. Not only has his girlfriend recently dumped him, but he isn’t really enjoying his uni course.’ She sighs.
I resist saying that I hope he tidied his bedroom before his girlfriend came around, also that he needs to grow up a bit and treat his mum with a bit of respect.
‘Anyway, it will make me feel better if the place is all clean before I go away. Clean sheets on the bed ready to flop into after I return from a late flight.’ She laughs.
‘I agree with you about the clean bedding,’ I tell her, thinking of how I like to do the same thing.
‘Right I had better get on,’ says Lulu. ‘See you Friday, text me when you get to Santorini on Thursday.’
‘Will do. It can’t come quick enough,’ I tell my friend, hoping that she can switch off and enjoy a well-earned break from everything. No one deserves it more.