Chapter 20
TWENTY
By the time we are dropped off in Perissa, the main street is filled with people strolling along or eating in restaurants and the sound of music can be heard gently playing from bars. The lively atmosphere is in complete contrast to the stillness of the mountain villages we have just left.
Back at the apartment, Lulu begins to place some clothes into her suitcase. ‘I can’t believe I’m heading home tomorrow.’ She makes a sad face. ‘I would definitely enjoy spending more time here.’
‘I’m so glad you came and put yourself first for once,’ I tell her. ‘And we can really enjoy your last evening here.’
‘Thanks, Mia. For one so young, you talk a lot of sense.’ She smiles. ‘And I’m so looking forward to hearing you sing once more this evening,’ she says kindly.
‘Thanks, I am looking forward to it.’
Lulu has persuaded me to go along to the Oyster Bar for the karaoke evening tonight, and despite a slight feeling of nerves at the thought of singing in public again, I actually feel quite excited.
‘And maybe it’s a good thing that I have a later flight home tomorrow so I can enjoy a cocktail this evening,’ she adds.
‘Sounds good to me.’
Bryn and Ash are coming along too, as are Irene and Patsy. Bryn has struck up a rather charming friendship with Irene, who tells me they have been texting each other, Bryn updating her on his adventures such as paragliding, her telling him what she and Patsy have been up to.
‘I’m just nipping to the shop on the corner for some milk,’ I tell Lulu, noting the empty carton in the fridge. ‘I could murder a cup of tea right now, I will be back in two ticks.’
‘Okay. I’m going to do most of my packing now, so I can relax tonight,’ she replies.
The local convenience store has its shutters down, so I walk further along the front past the bars and cafés, and take a right turn to another, larger supermarket. I recognise at once a car parked outside.
‘Mia, hi. How was your day?’ asks Christos as he emerges from the shop carrying a bottle of ouzo. The sight of him sets my pulse racing.
‘It was wonderful, and so nice to get a glimpse of the real Santorini.’ I tell him briefly about the villages we drove through and the places we visited.
‘I’m glad it was worth letting me down for.’ He gives a wry smile.
‘My friend goes home tomorrow. I wanted us to spend her last day together,’ I explain once more.
‘I am teasing,’ he says as he climbs into his car.
We chat for a few minutes more, and I am slightly disappointed that he doesn’t suggest another date. But then, he has had rather a lot of time away from the club of late, despite having a trainee manager.
‘You look good,’ he says, before glancing at his watch. ‘Look, I have to be somewhere now, but maybe I can see you again before you head home?’ he asks, and my heart soars.
‘I’d like that.’
‘I’ll be in touch soon.’ He raises a hand and winks before he roars off.
Walking back to the apartment after purchasing the milk, I relive the day we spent together on the yacht.
As I swam in the gorgeous clear water and sipped champagne on deck, it gave me a glimpse of a life I can only dream about.
And I am finding it hard to stop thinking about that kiss and how it made me feel, despite telling myself he is not someone you could ever be serious about, not with his lifestyle.
I idly wonder where he is off to, with his bottle of ouzo?
I feel flattered that he has taken an interest in me though, Mia Green, twenty-eight-year-old aspiring social media influencer, when he could have his pick of women.
I’m almost back at the apartment, when I spot Irene and Patsy having a natter with Bryn and Ash in a café.
‘Fancy a drink?’ Irene calls and I lift the carton of milk.
‘I’ve just bought some milk to have a brew on the balcony,’ I tell her. ‘Although I’m not sure why either of us are drinking tea in this weather.’
‘I’m sloshing about in water I’ve drunk so much of it,’ Irene tells me as I approach their table. ‘Nothing like a good cup of tea,’ she says.
‘And this is nothing like a good cup of tea.’ Patsy pulls a face. ‘I’ll bring my own teabags next time I go abroad.’
‘Right,’ says Bryn as he and Ash stand up. ‘I’m off to see if we can win the jackpot at an afternoon quiz in a pub up the road. It’s up to two hundred euros. Anyone fancy making up the team with us?’ he asks hopefully.
‘Sounds like fun. But we’ve only just returned from a Jeep safari. I’m a bit pooped, so will save my energy for later,’ I tell him.
‘You disappoint me.’ Bryn puts his hand on his heart.
‘See you all tonight at the karaoke though?’ I ask.
‘Oh, I wouldn’t miss it.’ Bryn smiles. ‘I might even get up myself, if you fancy doing a duet,’ he jokes, while Ash shakes his head behind his back.
‘Not unless you want to ruin your reputation,’ Ash warns me.
Back at the apartment, I enjoy a refreshing cup of tea before I take a shower, then upload some more photos for my social media accounts.
I have also received an invite to the launch party of a new upmarket furniture store in the town centre at the end of the month that sounds like fun.
They are having acrobats and fire-eaters apparently, along with the usual free cocktail and a buffet.
I quickly tap out an acceptance to the party, before I select an outfit for this evening.
I notice Lulu smiling at her phone as I am getting ready.
‘All okay?’ I ask as I apply some mascara.
‘Yeah, it was Phil from work asking if I could bring some sunshine back with him, apparently it’s pouring down back home.’ She pulls a face. ‘There have even been floods, but thankfully not where we live.’
‘Great. I might stay here for a bit longer then,’ I say, only half joking.
‘Oh, and Tom messaged me earlier to say he’s off next week trekking in the Andes.’
‘Is he?’
It’s Lulu’s fortieth birthday at the end of the month. I know she will be upset that he won’t be around, but I decide not to say anything.
‘I guess he won’t be joining in my birthday celebrations, although I’m sure they will be pretty low-key anyway,’ says Lulu, with a resigned shrug.
‘Who says so?’ I go and place my arms around the shoulders of my friend. ‘I’m sure Phil will brief everyone at work and do something nice. And, of course, there is me and Zoe,’ I tell her. Zoe being another friend she has from work. ‘And your gym friends.’
One thing Lulu does do is look after herself, with regular trips to a local gym and a hairdresser.
‘I know, you’re right, although I won’t be broadcasting it. Forty and single, with rubbish job prospects, is hardly something to shout about.’ She manages a laugh.
‘Nonsense! And I was actually wondering if you would you like to be my plus-one for a party at the end of the month?’ I tell her all about my most recent invitation. ‘It’s close to your birthday, if you fancy it? It sounds like it could be a great night.’
‘Oh, that does sound like fun. Thanks, Mia.’ She smiles warmly.
I imagine she feels hurt that her son won’t be around to help her celebrate her big day and I wonder how he could be so thoughtless. It’s not as if he doesn’t know when his mother is turning forty.
I will also message Phil at the catalogue to make sure they have at least a cake, although I’m sure there will be a little collection for her when he finds out it’s her fortieth.