She introduces me to her cousin, Patsy, dark haired and thin, who looks around a similar age, so they are both part of Tasha’s family, although I don’t recall her at any of Tasha’s family parties.
‘So, who are you here with?’ she asks, glancing around.
‘I’m on my own for now, but my friend is joining me tomorrow, so will be here for the wedding,’ I explain.
‘How lovely.’ She smiles. ‘Oh, Mia, it is so nice to see you. Will you join us for a drink?’
‘Of course I will.’ I smile.
‘I need something ice cold, although maybe not another beer or I will fall asleep. I’m sweating so much, my chins are like Niagara Falls,’ she says and her cousin bursts out laughing.
‘Chins? Oh, for goodness’ sake, Irene.’ Patsy rolls her eyes. ‘We all put on a bit of weight at our time of life.’
‘You haven’t,’ retorts Irene.
‘No, but my bladder must have shrunk to the size of a peanut, given all the trips I make to the loo. Talking of which.’
She excuses herself before popping to the toilet.
Looking at Irene it’s clear her appearance is a little different to the lady I last met over ten years ago, although she still has the most twinkling blue eyes that always had a look of mischief about them. She was married back then, and I wonder if she still is? No doubt I will find out during our time here.
Her cousin Patsy, just like Irene, is chatty and engaging and when she returns from the bathroom, the three of us chat away on an outdoor terrace like old friends.
Finishing our cooling drinks, we all agree on a siesta after the early morning flight, and arrange to meet in the hotel lobby at seven thirty and head out somewhere for dinner together.
I’m lying on the bed, where I quickly upload the photo of me at the foot of the plane steps with the sun in the background, to my socials. I then text Tasha to tell her I am here, when a second later she calls.
‘Tasha, hi! How are the nerves holding up?’ I ask my friend.
‘Not bad, thanks, although I haven’t been able to eat a thing,’ she admits. ‘How are the apartments?’
‘Oh, really comfortable. And my room has a sea view, I’m thrilled, thank you so much,’ I say gratefully.
I had taken a selfie of me, a strip of sea in the background and the black sand beach, earlier from my balcony, so I send it to her.
‘Amazing! I’m so pleased it’s okay.’
‘It’s more than okay, thank you. Oh, and I’ve just bumped into Irene in the reception area.’
‘Oh great, I’m going to give Irene a call after I’ve spoken to you.’
‘It was so lovely to meet her after all these years. I met Patsy too. We had a drink together and are meeting for dinner tonight,’I tell her. ‘It brought back so many memories of us as teenagers, when we chatted,’ I say, a smile crossing my face.
‘Ah how nice. I love Irene, and Patsy too. I’m so glad Irene could make it as she hasn’t been too well lately,’ Tasha reveals.
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ I say. ‘Although she looked really well, if struggling a bit in this heat.’
‘She never did like it being too warm, which makes it so special that she has come out here for the wedding.’
‘Anyway, you had better call her soon as she said something about a siesta before we go out for dinner,’ I advise her.
‘That sounds lovely. I wish I was coming with you.’ She sighs. ‘But I have a meeting with the photographer later.’
‘Don’t worry, we will have lots of time to catch up as you prepare for the wedding. Oh, it’s all going to be wonderful. Santorini is just the most perfect place to get married.’ I sigh.
‘I know. Right, I’d better make that call to Irene. See you tomorrow.’
‘Bye, Tash, see you tomorrow.’
