Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
The following week I am preparing for the evening out at the opening of the furniture store with Lulu.
As expected, once I had tipped Phil off at the catalogue about her birthday, he ordered in some food and fizz, and had a whip round for a gift.
‘It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?’ Lulu shows me the pretty silver bracelet, dotted with pearls.
‘It really is. They are a good bunch,’ I say, fondly recalling my colleagues at the catalogue phone line.
We sip our drinks as people wander about, some I recognise from social media, who stop to say hi.
‘They are, I am blessed to work with such good people. I still miss you being there though,’ she says kindly.
‘You have Phil though.’ I nudge her and she laughs.
She has been out on two dates and I couldn’t be happier for her. It’s so lovely to see her dating again after being single for so long. My friend deserves nothing but happiness.
‘I still can’t believe we went roller skating,’ she says, laughing. ‘It took me right back to my youth and I was thrilled that I managed to stay upright.’ She giggles. ‘Thankfully so did Phil.’
I am also happy to report that her children took her out for a meal before Tom went on his travels, and downloaded some photos of them all together which went into a thoughtful gift album, along with some of her favourite perfume.
‘They have been fending for themselves a lot more,’ she tells me as we help ourselves to some canapés offered by a passing waitress. The buffet table is impressive with various dips, wraps and a selection of Korean tapas that include savoury pancakes, and delicious crunchy salads.
‘Which I have to say is down to you,’ she continues as we load our plates up. ‘When I suggested a rota, they kind of looked sheepish and said that wasn’t necessary, and promised to pull their weight. Up to now, they have stuck to their word.’
‘I am so pleased things have worked out,’ I tell her.
The evening entertainment is slick and professional, the fire-eaters and acrobats drawing an amazing response from the assembled guests.
As the evening wears on though, I don’t feel quite the level of excitement I usually do at such events.
Everything seems to be about appearances, and who has the biggest following, and I get the feeling there is a definite pecking order.
Especially when I notice a particularly well-known YouTuber hardly mix with anyone, apart from the owners of the club.
Almost everyone around me has their phones out recording, which, as this is a freebie, I ought to be doing the same in order to do a review.
I pan my phone around the room, and take the obligatory photos of the cocktails and food, having already snapped one or two of the entertainment, but not nearly as many I would normally.
‘You okay?’ asks Lulu later as we head out into the night in search of a taxi.
‘Yes, fine,’ I tell her. ‘It’s just, oh I don’t know, I wasn’t really feeling it tonight, exciting as it was,’ I tell her truthfully.
‘I had a lovely time though, I am so happy you invited me,’ she says.
‘Oh, don’t get me wrong, I have massively enjoyed spending the evening with you,’ I tell her.
‘I was referring to the social media aspect,’ I explain.
‘I enjoyed just being at an event and wished I didn’t need to think about reviewing it later.
You know how I love spending time with you,’ I say as we approach a vacant taxi.
‘I know that.’ She smiles. ‘And I wonder if things have lost their appeal slightly, now that you are off to Santorini again shortly.’
‘Who knows?’
‘I am so excited for you, Mia, no one deserves this more than you,’ she tells me. ‘I wish I could come over again and hear you sing, but I guess there is always next year.’
‘You think they will offer me more work next year?’
‘They would be mad not to.’
‘Thanks, Lulu.’ I know that Lulu has always been one of my biggest supporters when it comes to my singing.
As we make our way home, I think about Lulu’s comment about my lack of excitement over my social media.
Surely posting content of my singing in Santorini would send my followers wild, maybe even increase my followers by tenfold.
The thought of it should be sending me wild with excitement, yet it doesn’t.
I think back to the laid-back attitude of Andreas, who despite being part of a rich family enjoys his beachcombing, and creating beautiful things. He lives in the moment, and barely glances at his phone.
‘Maybe fame and fortune isn’t everything after all,’ I mutter.
‘What was that?’ asks Lulu.
‘Oh, nothing really. Just thinking out loud,’ I say as we drive on.