‘So,’ I say to Josh, dunking a biscuit into my tea as Mum throws me a look that tells me it’s not a very polite thing to do. ‘What’s your news then?’
Josh and Zoe exchange a look as I await the announcement of what I am sure will be their pregnancy news.
‘We’re moving house.’
‘Yes, you mentioned that when I spoke.’
I’m wondering how that is big news, although I am a little surprised given the financial situation my brother told me they were in.
‘The good news is we’ve found a place that could be perfect. It’s around a forty-minute drive from here.’
‘You’re really coming back up north?’ I ask him excitedly.
‘We are.’ He looks at Zoe and she curls her hand around his. ‘We’ve found a gorgeous Victorian semi on the outskirts of Manchester. In fact’ – he pauses for a moment – ‘we’ve put an offer in.’
‘That’s fantastic! And are you both happy about that?’
I glance at Zoe, who is grinning from ear to ear.
‘I’m more than happy.’ She says and I throw my arms around them both.
‘What’s brought this on?’ I ask, when we come out of our group hug.
‘Where to start?’ says Josh.
‘Let’s just say, we are both burnt out,’ Zoe answers honestly. ‘The cost of living down south, not to mention the mortgage, is just astronomical. It makes financial sense to move up north. We can both find similar jobs in Manchester, but we will have money in the bank after our house sale.’
‘And you never know, the painting might take off. I sold my painting for three hundred pounds at that gallery I told you about,’ Josh tells me proudly.
‘You did! Well done, Josh, that’s fantastic.’
I feel so proud of my brother, who looks a lot less stressed since the last time we met up.
‘And I can see how it makes financial sense moving up north. Wow, I can’t believe it. It will be so good having you closer, and I will get to see George a bit more too. I’ll babysit any time you want, and George can have sleepovers.’
‘You’ll have to fight me first,’ Mum says with a big smile. ‘I’m already thinking about colours for decorating the guest room. It’s wonderful news, isn’t it?’ she says, looking absolutely thrilled.
‘The best news ever,’ I agree.
We head out that evening to a pub for dinner, and as I eye the rather limp-looking salad that accompanies my lasagne, I long for a Greek salad.
Back home, Dimitri sends me a picture of my finished balcony in his friend’s workshop, with his friend standing proudly beside it and I almost squeal with excitement. He tells me it will be installed before my next return.
I can hardly believe that my holiday home is a whisker away from being completely ready, to head over and spend time there whenever I like, as can my family. It’s been such a good day. Soon enough my dream home will be finished and my brother will be living less than an hour’s drive away from here. It’s been a day of such wonderful surprises!
TWENTY-EIGHT
The following weeks seem to drag, as I literally cross the days off on a desk calendar I have at work. Some of my colleagues teased me when I bought it, asking who on earth still has that kind of thing, but I like to cross the days off as it makes it feel more tangible and satisfying somehow, seeing all the crossed-out dates.
My office friends are more than impressed by the villa renovation so far and tell me how envious they are.
‘I’ve never been to Greece, it looks dreamy,’ says our office apprentice, flicking through my phone pictures. ‘And so does he,’ she says, her eyes falling on the photo of me and Dimitri on the steps of the Byzantine castle.
‘That’s Dimitri,’ I tell her.
‘The builder?’ Her mouth falls open.
‘The very same.’
