‘Try telling her that. Everything is for show.’ He shrugs.
Listening to my brother, none of this sounds like the Josh I remember. He used to be an easy-going surfer type, who enjoyed painting and hoped to maybe sell some of his work one day. Then along came the beautiful Zoe, who turned his head, and somehow he got into sales, which he discovered he was good at. I look at my handsome brother, his slightly curly hair and that wide smile, and brown eyes that crinkle at the corners when he laughs. I also can’t help wondering if the delectable Zoe has taken advantage of his easy-going nature.
‘You should come and visit. Stay over,’ he suggests.
‘I’d really like that. You should come and stay too. You can have my bedroom; I’ll take the double sofa,’ I offer.
‘I’d take the sofa bed,’ he says, finishing his drink. ‘As I would probably come up on my own.’
‘Oh, Josh, I had no idea things were so strained at home. I mean, how would I? Me up here, you down there.’
‘There’s not much you could do, I suppose. Anyway, it’s good to talk to you, sis. Why is it that sad events like funerals are the things that bring families together?’
‘That’s true, isn’t it? I guess everyone is so busy, but we should make the time.’
‘Shall we finish this off?’ asks Josh, reaching for the bottle.
‘Just a drop. I can’t be doing with a hangover even working from home tomorrow,’ I tell him.
We chat for a while longer, sharing memories of Uncle Jack until I can barely keep my eyes open.
‘Right, time for bed I think,’ I tell my brother. ‘Or I will go past it, and lie awake for hours.’
‘I know that feeling,’ he admits as he swirls his wine around in his glass, and I wonder what is keeping my brother awake at night.
Outside of our respective bedroom doors, I squeeze Josh in a hug, sensing he maybe needs it right now.
‘Night, sis.’
‘Night, Josh, see you in the morning. Bring your appetite to the breakfast table. Dad’s cooking.’
SIX
We’re sitting in the lounge sipping coffee, George watching a cartoon on TV, while Mum and Dad are in the kitchen, as Dad rustles up his famous breakfast.
‘Do you remember I told you that I’m considering buying a villa in Greece?’ I ask Josh as I sip my drink, and visualise the white building in the blazing sunshine.
‘I do.’
‘Well, I’ve got my eye on one that needs a little work, although not a major renovation.’ He’s about to say something, but I chatter on excitedly. ‘It’s only a stone’s throw from the sea, in the village of Roda. Remember all our family holidays there? Can you imagine spending time there again, whenever you felt like? I can almost feel the sun on my skin as I speak.’
My brother frowns for a moment.
‘Yeah, you mentioned buying a place, and of course I loved our holidays there, but what do you know about doing up houses?’ He raises an eyebrow.
‘You’ve changed your tune, you told me I ought to go for it,’ I remind him.
‘I know I was enthusiastic about it initially,’ he admits. ‘But old houses can be a money pit,’ he advises cautiously.
‘Well, I can afford to get the work done professionally, and I’m okay with painting and decorating,’ I say indignantly, feeling sad that he doesn’t seem to be even a teeny bit excited. ‘Anyway, ssh, I haven’t actually mentioned it to Mum and Dad yet,’ I tell Josh as Mum pops her head around the lounge door and tells us breakfast will be ready in five minutes.
‘Well, it’s a big thing to take on, but I guess if anyone can do it, you can,’ he says, but without much enthusiasm.
‘I reckon I can. I do have an eye for interior design and finding bargains.’ My end of line chrome shower from a shop on the high street was an absolute steal. ‘You have to admit, the flat looks good.’
‘There’s no denying that, but do you know any builders in Greece?’ he asks. ‘Or anything about Greek law. And have you seen the inside of the property?’ He bombards me with questions, bursting my bubble with every single one.
‘No, no and not really,’ I tell him, wondering if I really am crazy to even contemplate such a project. He’s right, what do I really know about building work? But then, the rest of the houses on the row look sound enough, and maybe the neighbour next door would have told me if she had any problems with rising damp or anything. Wouldn’t she?
