Page 22 of Not My Greek Wedding

This evening, they are taking a private catamaran to a secluded island where they will spend a few nights at a private villa, which is apparently the only one for miles around. Tasha tells me they will spend the day snorkelling and swimming in the clear blue water.

Once the guests have finally drifted off, and we have all said our goodbyes to the happy couple, some heading to another bar in the hotel, others out on the town, Lulu and I sit in the hotel bar chatting, before ordering a taxi back to our village.

When we arrive at the apartment just after nine o’clock, a message pings through on Lulu’s phone and a smile spreads across her face.

‘It’s Phil from work, asking if I am having a good time, before you ask,’ she tells me.

‘Oh, yes.’ I raise an eyebrow. ‘I told you he liked you, didn’t I?’

‘Just a friendly enquiry.’ She bats away the suggestion. ‘He says to say hi to you too.’

‘Ah, that’s nice. He’s a good bloke.’

‘He is.’ She smiles. ‘Anyway, I don’t think he sees me in a romantic way, he’s nice to everyone.’

‘What would you do if he did? Like you, I mean?’ I ask.

‘Not sure.’ She kicks off her shoes before lying on her bed, and lacing her hands behind her head. ‘He’s kind and handsome, I guess, but I think I’m a bit out of practice.’

‘Maybe it’s time you started to get back in the game then,’ I suggest.

‘Hmm, maybe.’ She fluffs up her pillow and turns onto her side.

While Lulu has a little snooze, I flick through some photos and upload them to my social media.

Some of the church photos look incredible, as do the sunset and sea views from the restaurant in Perissa. I idly wonder whether I might soon be uploading photos of myself and a certain good-looking Greek, before I head out onto the balcony and take some more shots of the white buildings that snake down the hillside as the light begins to fade.

I snap away with my camera phone watching a boat gently drift across the horizon, as lights begin to come to life in the harbour.

Taking a seat on a balcony chair and closing my eyes, I feel my eyes become heavy after the excitement of the day. I grab a nearby throw from a chair and wrap it around me, feeling happy and relaxed. Maybe I will just close my eyes for a minute.

As I drift off, I wonder whether I ought to have asked Christos for a photo with him at the wedding, although that might have seemed a bit strange as we had only just met, even though it would look good on my Instagram.

TWELVE

I wake with a stiff neck, wishing I had climbed into bed for half an hour like Lulu, instead of on a balcony chair.

‘I should have had a snooze on the bed like you,’ I tell Lulu, who is awake and looking at her phone. ‘I might grab a quick shower, maybe it will loosen the knots in this neck,’ I say, rubbing at it. ‘Do you fancy going for a nightcap to a bar across the road?’ I ask.

‘I don’t mind,’ she says, putting her phone down and frowning.

‘What’s up?’ I ask.

‘Oh nothing, it’s just Chloe.’ She sighs. ‘She says she isn’t feeling well, and is missing me.’

‘Ah well, I guess we all want our mum when we’re ill. What’s wrong with her?’ I ask.

‘She thinks she might have tonsillitis, she sounded really awful.’ She chews her lip anxiously.

‘Ooh, poor girl. Has she managed to see a doctor?’

‘Hard to get an appointment but she has a high temperature and everything.’

‘Give her a video call, if it puts your mind at rest,’ I suggest, while grabbing a towel from my bed, ready to take a quick shower.

‘I think I will.’ She nods.

As the warm water cascades over me, I rub at my neck and feel the knots begin to loosen.

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