Page 6 of Not My Greek Wedding

‘Oh, you know, sifting through job offers, seeing what takes my fancy.’ I wish.

‘Something will turn up soon, I’m sure,’ she says. ‘I miss you here at work. We all do. Well, the few of us that remain that is. I have a feeling it won’t be too long before we all go.’ She sighs.

‘I’m sure you will be fine, you have worked there for years. And I told you, Phil has a soft spot for you,’ I tease.

After chatting to Lulu, I remember the photos of the food at the new café in town, so upload some photos with a little commentary to my TikTok account. I am delighted to see that my video of the sale in town has chalked up thousands of views and comments, some saying they will nip into the store for a browse.

With Mum and Dad at work and the house empty, I slip into a bikini and head out into the garden, made private with bamboo screens, and soak up some sun. It will probably be cloudy by this afternoon, so I must make the most of it.

Settling down onto the bed and feeling the sun caress my skin, I can’t wait to be in Greece, listening to the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, instead of the noise of the bin wagonoutside as it reverses around a corner. It really can’t come quick enough.

FIVE

I am having Sunday lunch at Mum’s, as one thing Mum has continued to do over the years is cook a roast, even though a lot of people go out for one these days. Gran is around and enjoying the food, but feeling bloated after a second helping of apple pie and is now sucking an indigestion tablet.

‘I’ll miss you when you’re in Santorini,’ she says as I clear the plates away.

‘Ah, I’ll miss you too, but it’s only for just over a week, Gran,’ I remind her.

‘And I’ll be popping in, don’t forget,’ my mum tells her.

‘I know that, love.’ She smiles at my mum. ‘I think I just like the energy of young people, and hearing about what they get up to.’ She smiles.

‘Oh, so I’m boring now that I’m over fifty, am I?’ Mum teases.

‘Not at all, but you know what I mean.’ Gran smiles again. ‘It doesn’t seem five minutes since I was that age, although the world is so different now. There are so many more opportunities these days,’ she laments. ‘And everyone seems to be off somewhere travelling, it all seems so exciting.’ She sighs.

I suppose it’s true. I can’t imagine a world without technology, and of course travel, but I guess what you don’t haveyou don’t miss. Gran’s tales of dance halls, love letters and strolls along the beach with my late grandad sound far more romantic than someone texting and arranging to meet up at Nando’s.

Talk turns to football then, following a match on the telly, and Dad is grumbling about the England football team and suggesting they find a new manager.

‘They should get that Harry Ramsden,’ says Gran.

‘What will he do, give them some fish? Build them up a bit?’ I giggle. ‘Besides, he’s been dead for years.’

Gran frowns before she bursts out laughing. ‘I mean Harry Redknapp, don’t I? Oh Lord help us. Well, the fish man probably could have done a better job,’ says Gran, never one to shy away from giving her honest opinion.

‘Are you excited about Santorini?’ asks Mum as we sip some tea. ‘You know I have always fancied going to Greece.’ She sighs.

‘Have you?’ Dad looks a little puzzled. ‘I thought you loved Lanzarote?’

‘Well, of course I do, you know that, but Greece does look dreamy. And I enjoyed your birthday meal at the Zeus taverna in town last year. The food was lovely.’

The blue and white interior with huge photos of Greek islands on the wall at the taverna, along with Greek music in the background, might make you feel as though you are on a little Greek island. Until you look outside at the pouring rain, that is. There really is no substitute for the real thing, I think to myself, imagining the hot sun washing over my body, cocktail in hand.

‘Oh, and I forgot to mention, I have applied for a couple of jobs,’ I tell everyone, but looking at Dad.

‘Good to hear.’ Dad nods. ‘Oh, and Joe at the corner shop was saying that the Royal Oak is opening again soon. It has been sold and the new owner is keen to have live music, so you might get a couple of singing opportunities there,’ suggests Dad.

‘Maybe.’ I shrug.

I know he’s right really. More and more pubs are having live music nights and paying singers and bands, especially local talent. And the Royal Oak is a decent pub, so it might be something to consider.

It was at a pub gig that I met my ex. I could feel his eyes transfixed on me as I belted out a cover of a current chart hit. He approached me later, and bought me a drink, and that was that. For three years at least.

Before I know it, it’s two days before I leave for Santorini and I am packing my suitcase. I carefully pack the gift I have bought, a beautiful wooden sculpture I found online of two friends embracing that I hope Tasha will love.

After I bought it though, I realised it wasn’t really a present for Tasha and her husband-to-be if it represented our friendship, so I hurried out yesterday and bought a small, mosaic-framed mirror in bright colours that was an absolute steal from an antique shop. I have wrapped the mirror in goodness knows how many layers of bubble wrap, before placing it into my case.

---