Page 53 of Not My Greek Wedding

‘We’ve booked a later one as I thought we might have breakfast here first.’

‘We’ve already eaten,’ says Patsy. ‘But I would love another coffee.’

‘I’m glad we caught you before you left,’ Bryn says kindly to Lulu. ‘And if you ever fancy a trip to Australia, you can come and stay in my apartment. Both of you, of course.’ He turns to me. ‘In fact, all of you, I have three bedrooms. And did I mention it’s a penthouse? I have a view of a park and a glimpse of the river,’ he tells us and I realise I would quite like that too. Bryn has really grown on me these last few days.

‘Thank you,’ says Lulu, before we step into the car.

‘Gosh, I feel almost emotional,’ says Lulu, after waving to our friends until they are out of sight. ‘I really have had the best time here.’ She sighs contentedly. ‘I can’t thank you enough for inviting me as your plus-one.’

‘It has made it even more special for me, you being here. I’m so glad you came,’ I tell my friend.

‘I am glad you persuaded me.’ She turns to me and smiles.

I’m so looking forward to seeing Tasha tomorrow too, and making the most of my remaining time here in Santorini. As we drive, I tell Lulu that Christos has been in touch and that I am meeting with him later this evening.

‘Well, I can definitely see the attraction,’ she says as we make our way along the picturesque mountain roads. ‘As long as youare in control, which I have no doubt you are. As you said, you don’t want to get your heart broken.’

‘Don’t worry about me,’ I say brightly, realising she is right to be cautious. Despite that, a tiny part of me wonders if there’s the possibility of him settling down. Could I be the one to persuade him to do just that? We might fall madly in love and I could stay in this paradise forever. We could be the golden couple of Fira, welcoming celebrities into the nightclub. I could work on the social media alongside him and together we could make a great team.

I guess it does no harm to dream.

Arriving in Ammoudi, we descend some white steps from the main street to a small beach area that leads to the restaurant below. We are greeted by the glorious sight of the Aegean Sea almost lapping at the table legs and circled by red-coloured hills in the near distance. A string of octopuses is hanging over a rail near the edge of the water, and several fishing boats can be seen out at sea.

It’s pretty busy here, but Lulu rang ahead and luckily managed to reserve us a table.

‘I see what you mean about it being pretty here,’ I tell her as I glance around.

As we take our seat at our table on the wooden terrace it feels almost like being on the deck of a boat.

‘I know, it’s quite something here, isn’t it?’ agrees Lulu. ‘I don’t think the photos on the website really do it justice.’

Glancing around I spot a cosy wooden-hut style bar tucked away in a corner, and strung with fairy lights, which I imagine would look incredible in the evening.

‘It’s a shame we never came for the sunset here, it would be incredible,’ says Lulu, glancing around.

‘There’s always next time. If you fancy returning to Santorini, that is,’ I say as we pick up a menu.

‘Oh, I would love to,’ she says enthusiastically. ‘I might even consider it for next year. No doubt Tom and Chloe will be off somewhere on their own travels, and I can’t say I blame them.’ She shrugs. ‘They don’t spend long in some of the places they visit, but at least they are seeing more of the world than I ever have.’

‘They don’t, do they?’ I think of the time I went to Rome for a day on a budget flight. But it’s nice to stay a while and really savour a place; being here has made me realise that. ‘And it’s your time now that the kids are older remember, so maybe you could see some of the places you always promised yourself you would visit,’ I suggest. ‘And I would always be happy to save up and join you,’ I tell her.

‘I might just hold you to that. I have always fancied Paris actually,’ she says.

‘Ah, the city of romance. Maybe you could go there with Phil,’ I tease.

‘What are you like! He hasn’t even asked me out.’ She is laughing as a waiter arrives and we place our order.

‘And would you say yes, if he did?’

‘I think I might.’ She smiles. ‘What do I have to lose?’

As I know for a fact that he likes Lulu, I might give Phil a nudge in the right direction.

We choose the same dish, the catch of the day, and dine on the most delicious red mullet, drizzled with lemon juice and parsley, served with salad and chunky handmade chips. The portions are so generous, we share a dessert ofgalaktoboureko, a custard cake dusted with icing sugar.

‘Well, that will keep me going on the flight,’ says Lulu, pushing her bowl away, sated.

Although the restaurant is busy, we never feel rushed as our waiter deposits some more bottled water onto the table. Despite it being a tourist area, there is no pressure to leave the table asthere is back home, where everything feels hurried. We savour every minute of Lulu’s last day here as we sip our iced water and feel the warm sun on our skin.

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