‘Great, sis. And I’ll drop you at the airport tomorrow morning if you like, George will have me awake early.’
‘Thanks, Josh. I will see you later. Just one thing though, why aren’t you staying at Mum’s?’
‘I can’t deal with the questions for a whole weekend, about why Zoe isn’t with me. I’ll call them in the morning, invite them to the zoo before I head back.’
‘Fair enough. Safe journey.’
The rest of the day passes quickly, and just before five, Josh arrives and after dinner we head to the local park for an hour to tire George out before bed. While George explores theplayground, we sit on a bench and chat, and Josh opens up about the cracks in his marriage, admitting he isn’t happy.
‘But I’m thinking you kind of guessed that.’ He sighs. He jogs over to George then, who needs a lift up onto a climbing frame.
‘I did. We can talk later, if you like, when George is asleep.’
After spending an hour at the park, we head back to the flat and George is soon safely tucked up in bed.
‘So, what are you going to do?’ I ask Josh as I take a sip from a small glass of wine.
‘That’s the thing, I don’t know.’ He runs his hand through his hair. ‘Zoe could never afford to buy me out, or vice versa, and if I contribute to the mortgage I couldn’t afford somewhere to rent, especially down south.’ He swirls his wine around in his glass.
‘Things are that bad then?’
‘’Fraid so. It’s sad, because I remember us being really happy in the early days of our marriage, but I feel like I’ve been acting a part in a film these past few years,’ he admits. ‘I don’t quite know what’s happened to us, but we are both pretty miserable. Sorry, fancy burdening you with all this the day before you head off to Greece.’
‘It’s fine, don’t apologise, you have to talk to someone. I think you’ve done the right thing coming here for a break, give each other a bit of space.’
‘Maybe.’ He gives a forced smile.
‘And if things don’t work out, have you considered moving back up north?’ I ask.
‘I’ve thought of nothing else but being so far away from George would break my heart.’
‘I get that. Well, you and George are welcome here anytime, you know that. And I’m sure Mum and Dad would tell you the same thing. Whatever you decide, you know we will all support you,’ I reassure him.
‘I know. Thanks, sis. It feels good being here.’
We head to bed then, and I can’t help wondering why relationships are so complicated. Not for the first time I think that when it comes to affairs of the heart, things are far easier when you are on your own. And it would take someone very special to change my mind about that.
SIXTEEN
‘Bye, Josh, and have a wonderful time at the zoo, George.’
‘Nanny and Grandad are coming too,’ says my brother and George replies with a loud, ‘Yay.’
‘They’ll love that. I hope you all have a lovely day.’
I give Josh and George one last squeeze at the airport when I am dropped off. ‘And remember, I am only ever at the end of a phone if you need a chat,’ I tell my brother and he nods.
I plug my earphones in ready for the journey and soon enough I am walking on Greek soil once more and taking a taxi to the house. It’s a driver who I vaguely recognise from one of my previous visits.
‘It seems you can’t stay away, huh?’ He smiles through his rear-view mirror that has some rosary beads hanging from it.
‘It’s true. Do you live in Roda?’ I ask, thinking I have seen him around.
‘Nai. In the village.’ He smiles.
‘Then we will practically be neighbours. I have bought a house there,’ I tell him excitedly.
‘You buy a house! You must really like it here.’ He smiles. ‘Although, you know it is not the same in the winter. Many restaurants close,’ he informs me as we drive.
