Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
That evening, I call Mum. I hold off telling her about the café in the lemon grove – she seems desperate to tell me her news anyway, and I learn that her and Douglas will be heading off on a month-long cruise.
‘Douglas has life savings, and I have your dad’s life insurance. We are going to have an adventure whilst we are still able to do so,’ she tells me. ‘Not quite a world cruise, but we cover a lot of places in the Caribbean.’
I know it is something Mum aways wanted to do, but Dad wasn’t so keen so I am happy she has the opportunity to go with a good friend like Douglas. I still feel she is running away from her emotions at times, keeping herself busy but it has always been the way she deals with things.
‘That sounds nice,’ I tell her. ‘Thank goodness for FaceTime so we can keep in touch.’
‘But don’t worry about my spending; at least half of your dad’s insurance will always be here for you,’ she tells me.
‘Mum, I don’t expect anything,’ I tell her for the umpteenth time. ‘Spend it. Have as many adventures as you can.’
‘Oh, I have more than enough for that,’ she tells me breezily. ‘And you know we had a little savings plan for you, that has been in a high interest account for years, so it has built up nicely.’
‘Really?’ I say in surprise. She has never mentioned that before.
‘Yes. So in total, I think you have around a hundred and fifty thousand pounds,’ she says casually.
I swallow slowly. One hundred and fifty thousand pounds?
I am flabbergasted. I had no idea it would be that much.
I also have my redundancy payout. I would trade all of it to have my dear dad here though.
He was taken far too soon and I miss him every single day.
It seems he is still looking after me, and I swallow down a lump in my throat.
‘And of course, you can have it whenever you like,’ says Mum. ‘In fact, the most recent saving term ends next month, so you could release some money then if you like?’
The timing could not be more perfect. It’s as if my destiny has been decided by the Greek gods. Maybe it really is time to breathe life into the old café.
I decide not to say anything to my mum yet. At least not until I have figured out the practicalities.
‘Bye, Mum, have a great day. And thanks for everything.’
‘Bye, love. Have a lovely day in the sunshine tomorrow. It’s raining here.’
The following evening I am sipping a soft drink in the bar area and staring into space. I almost jump out of my seat when I am approached by a man wearing a tight-fitting jumpsuit and a black wig.
‘Kai, it’s you.’ I laugh. ‘Or should I call you Freddie?’
‘I’m on in half an hour. Just getting into character.’ He grins.
‘Ooh, are you Elvis?’ asks an old lady as she walks by with her husband. She looks visibly disappointed when he informs her that he isn’t.
‘That doesn’t bode well,’ says Kai, pulling a face. ‘I’m not sure she had even heard of Freddie Mercury.’
‘It will be fine. The audience is mixed ages,’ I tell him, glancing around. ‘And everyone loves a bit of Queen,’ I assure him. ‘Although maybe not the lady who thought you were Elvis.’ I chuckle.
‘I hope so. Anyway, back to my question. You looked miles away there; is everything okay?’
‘Just something I am mulling over. I will tell you more tomorrow if you like; it’s my day off.’
‘Half day for me. There’s a new starter taking over at noon. Fancy going into Lindos? There’s a boat from the harbour that leaves every couple of hours.’
‘I would love that.’
‘Right, I’d better go and have a voice warm-up,’ he says before he disappears.
‘You are taking this seriously, aren’t you?’ I giggle. ‘Good luck. I can hardly wait.’
As he swaggers off, I can’t think of anyone better to be up there on the stage, getting the crowd up dancing.
Summer joins me breathlessly after the kids’ disco, and after grabbing drinks we wait in anticipation for Kai to walk onto the stage.
If I was expecting some kind of comic impression of Freddie Mercury, I was truly mistaken.
Kai belts out a well-known song and has the whole crowd mesmerised from the off.
His voice is so good, I wonder why he is still working as a lifeguard.
By the end of his performance we are all on our feet following his rendition of ‘We Will Rock You’ that has everyone clapping their hands above their head and stamping their feet. He is sensational.
‘You never said you were an actual singer,’ I tell him open-mouthed when his set is over. ‘You were absolutely brilliant.’
‘I took a few singing lessons a couple of years ago.’ He shrugs as he enjoys a well-earned drink. ‘I thought it might come in handy. I have actually done a few paid pub gigs back home.’
‘Of course you have,’ I say, thinking of all the previous jobs he has mentioned. ‘Is there anything you haven’t done?’
‘Not much.’
‘Amazing set, well done,’ says Zeta as she passes our table and lets her hand linger on Kai’s arm.
‘Do you reckon she fancies me?’ he asks with a cheeky grin as she heads off.
‘Get over yourself.’ I roll my eyes. ‘She is just a tactile person.’
‘Maybe. She is a seriously good-looking woman though.’ He winks as he takes a sip of his pint.
We enjoy the rest of the evening, swapping stories about our day and listening to some music at the disco.
By the time we all walk to our accommodation, I head to bed feeling good.
I am also looking forward to having a full day off tomorrow and exploring Lindos with Kai, thoughts of the café still turning over in my mind.