All the Things We Said

~ 1 ~

Lily

I touched down on the island of Lesvos in the middle of the afternoon. As we rumbled to a halt, I couldn’t wait to unclip my seatbelt and get off this plane. A fun holiday in the sun with a bunch of queers where nobody wanted anything from me was exactly what I needed.

A few hours later, after making my way through the airport and enjoying a stunningly beautiful drive through the Greek countryside, my taxi dropped me off in front of the villa.

We were in the picturesque town of Skala Eressos where I’d be spending the next week with my old friend Vicky from high school and her friends.

It was a large private villa with a huge garden. Its smooth white walls and blue shutters felt very Greek. The flowers smelled like summer. From the link Vicky had shared with me, I knew it had a pool and spacious lounging area overlooking the sea. I couldn’t wait to see it in real life.

I tipped the girl who drove me here. She thanked me in English and drove away in her pristine air-conditioned car, leaving me with my roller suitcase and backpack.

Vicky appeared from the side of the house, all smiles and floppy hat, holding a cocktail glass in one hand. “Woohoo, you’re here!” She wrapped her drink-free arm around me, hugging me hard. “It’s great to see you, pal.” Vicky still had her Scottish accent although it had softened, over the years.

“I could not be happier to be here, I’m telling you.”

“Well, this is the place to chill. And to party.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Everyone’s dying to meet you.”

“I’m dying to meet them.”

“Flight over okay? Did anyone spot you?” Vicky shielded her eyes from the scorching late June sun.

“The flight was good. I hid under my cap and sunglasses and had my hair down.”

“Incognito style, I love it.”

“The island is so beautiful. This is a great spot. Quiet but still close to the action.”

“It’s spectacular, and it’s full of lesbians. We’re officially calling it lesbian paradise.”

“I’d expect nothing less on the island of Lesvos, home of Sappho.” I picked up my bags. “Take me to the action.”

“Aye, aye, captain.”

Vicky led me into the grounds along an old stone path, passing a shallow pond with a statue of a Greek goddess in the centre, towards the main entrance.

The villa had the most interesting archways and pillars.

Inside, it felt homey and modern, with original stone walls and wooden beams mixed with a pristine stone floor and high-end light wooden furniture.

There was a huge sectional sofa in the living room which complemented the white, silver and light wood in the kitchen.

It was luxurious and peaceful. “When did you guys get here?”

“Yesterday. We’re just starting to relax now we’re all unpacked and settled in.”

“Great. Just in time for Saturday night.”

“Yeah, we’re all excited for tonight down at the festival. Last night was amazing. Oh, and the wi-fi password is livelikesappho, all lowercase, by the way.”

I laughed, dumping my bags in the airy hallway at the foot of the stairs. “The owner has a sense of humour.”

“The house is amazing, don’t you think?”

“I love it already.”

“Everyone’s out the back by the pool. Do you want to come and meet them or do you want to get settled in and freshened up first?”

“What are you trying to say, mate?”

“You’re absolutely stinkin’,” Vicky slid open the patio doors, giving me a lopsided smile. “Only kiddin’, pal, you smell like a bouquet of lilies.”

I laughed, sarcastically. “Very good. Because my name’s Lily. You’re a comedian. I’ll come say hello first.”

I followed Vicky towards the pool. She was wearing a sports bra, baggy shorts, and crocs.

Even from behind she had swagger. I’d known Vicky since she’d moved to my high school when we were both around fifteen.

We’d kept in touch over the years, going on nights out from time to time.

She was more into music, and I was more into football, but we’d always got on and had a great laugh together, which was the main thing.

I’d met Vicky’s lovely German girlfriend Mathilde before, although I’d never met any of her new friends, so I was curious to see what they were like.

“Guys, Lily’s here.”

All three women looked up from their sun loungers. Rapidly, they got up, slipping on sliders and putting whatever books or items they were holding down.

Vicky introduced me as her football pal from school and a single lesbian in want of a wife.

I shot her a look as that couldn’t have been further from my mind on this holiday.

It was sun, sea, dancing, and good chats I was after rather than anything flirtatious.

Although I would never say never if I met someone I liked.

“It’s great to meet you, Lily,” Kaira said, softly. Kaira was about six foot tall, slim, with short cropped blond hair. Her eyes darted away from me when we shook hands.

Bouchra was shorter than Kaira and her girlfriend by the looks of their arms draped around each other’s waist. Bouchra had jet black hair and dark eyes under long eyelashes.

Her hair was styled short too and it suited her delicate features.

“Hi, Lily. We’re all super excited you’re joining us. Welcome to the house.”

And lastly, there was Vicky’s girlfriend Mathilde. She was stunningly beautiful with her womanly curves and long brown hair. I first met Mathilde when Vicky brought her to see me play at Wembley for the Euros final. I liked her vibe. It was warm and down to earth. “Good to see you again, Lily.”

“And you,” I replied.

“This is everyone except Rona and Nell. They’re down at the festival getting set up. You’ll meet them tonight,” Vicky said.

“Rona is your friend who was in that band, right?”

“Yeah. She’s a big-time music producer for massive stars now. She also DJs sometimes. Hence why she’s already down there. Nell plays music with her. They’re best friends.”

“Awesome.”

“I can’t believe we haven’t met you before,” Bouchra glanced at Vicky. “We’ve heard so much about you, over the years.”

“I know! I’ve heard a lot about you guys too. You and Kaira got married on a mountain, right?”

“That’s right! That’s us!” Bouchra said, excited and bewildered.

“Lily’s a professional footballer. I’ve invited her loads of times, but she’s been off playing matches and getting her face plastered everywhere,” Vicky said.

I laughed. “Was a professional footballer. This place is stunning.”

“It so is. We’ve been sitting by the pool all afternoon,” Kaira said.

“It is very relaxing,” Mathilde agreed.

“It’s luxurious, let’s be real,” Vicky added. “Let me give you the rest of the tour, Lily.”

I went with Vicky through the beautiful Greek home as she pointed things out.

The house was huge with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a huge open plan kitchen diner and sitting room. A path down to the beach could be accessed at the back.

“This is your room.”

I put my bags on the floor and slipped my shoes off.

The room had a calming effect with its wooden floors, soft white linen and tasteful rug.

There was a large double bed with a painting of a seashell hanging above it.

Stepping over to the window, I found that it looked out to sea and was just above an outdoor dining table. “It’s perfect.”

“Rona is next door. It’s just you two on this level.”

“Cool.”

“I think you guys will get on. I hope so, anyway.”

“I’m sure we will.”

“Dinner will be in about an hour. We’ve been to the market. Prepare to eat the best food of your life.”

“Awesome. Can’t wait.” I sat down on the bed, unusually tired, feeling myself finally start to relax. Maybe the past few months, no, years, were starting to catch up with me.

Vicky folded her arms and leant against the doorframe. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Maybe a little tired from the journey. I’m so happy to be here with you guys.”

“They’re an easy-going bunch. There’ll be no pressure.”

“Thank you for letting me join your holiday, Vic. I really appreciate it.”

“Not at all. You’re a pal. I’m glad you’re here and we can spend more time together. It’s going to be great.”

I smiled, feeling so welcomed. Vicky had generously invited me onto her friends’ holiday after I revealed I was struggling to know what to do with myself now I wasn’t training and playing football every day.

In the three weeks since I’d wrapped up my engagements with Arsenal, the club that was built into my DNA since supporting them as a child with my dad, I’d had a weekend away in a Scottish castle to celebrate my retirement with Nikki and Sophie, my two closest friends and teammates at Arsenal and England.

It was a perfect weekend full of spa treatments, outdoor jacuzzis, laughter and champagne with sunset views over the hills.

But that was about it in terms of activities.

The only thing in my diary was a meeting with Nike in a couple of months for a new advert I was appearing in.

I could have a full schedule of media, youth coaching, and brand activities if I wanted, but I’d said no to pretty much all of it.

I needed a break from people expecting things from me.

Although the last thing I wanted to do was sit around the house all day with nothing to do except ruminate on the end of my career, hence, why I was here.

“Before I leave you to it,” Vicky said, one hand on the doorframe, “do you get up early or do you tend to sleep in?”

“I’m an early bird.”

“Thought so. Most of us go to bed late, and Mathilde and I don’t really get up until mid-morning or the afternoon sometimes, so you might be on your own in the mornings.”

“That’s no problem. You guys carry on. I’ll entertain myself. I might go for a walk along the beach or a run in the hills before it gets too hot.”

“Okay, sweet. There’s a great wee shop down the road if you want to get something. The market in town is great too.”

“Brilliant. I’ll maybe go there tomorrow.”

“Right. I’m off to get dinner ready. It’s Mathilde’s and my turn tonight.”