Patsy has recorded me singing, so I decide to forget about Bryn’s kiss, which thinking about it was just celebratory, and I even manage to see the funny side.
‘Upload it to TikTok,’ says Bryn enthusiastically and I freeze.
‘No! Honestly, I would rather you didn’t,’ I say and the others look on in surprise.
‘Why ever not?’ says Irene, looking puzzled. ‘You never know who might be watching, maybe even Simon Cowell.’
‘Unlikely, as we don’t follow each other,’ I explain.
‘Even so, your followers would love to hear you sing, surely?’ reasons Patsy. ‘I would be shouting it from the rooftops, if I could sing like that.’
‘I know, it’s just that, oh I don’t know, I’m not as confident with showing people my singing, as with other things,’ I let slip.
‘Well, I think you’re mad,’ says Bryn. ‘Never hide your light under a bushel, that’s what I say.’
‘I’m sure that’s not something you have ever been accused of,’ I find myself saying, but with a smile on my face. ‘But I will do it in my own time.’
‘Sure thing. Whatever you want,’ Irene says with a shrug. ‘I have to say I think Patsy is right though. I would be sharing it with all and sundry, if I had such a beautiful voice.’
‘And you know how I feel,’ adds Lulu. ‘I am always telling you to share your singing with your followers.’
Long after we have said our goodnights, and the evening is over, I lie in bed and think about everyone’s comments. I like to show my followers the places I have been to, the best places to shop and eat. Recommendations for all kinds of things. I want the big time, the money and the status, don’t I? So why do I find it so difficult to show people who I really am? Who is that girlon the screen reviewing the latest cocktail bar in town? Maybe that’s something I can figure out being over here. At least I hope so.
FOURTEEN
Tasha video calls us the following day from the deck of a boat.
‘Oh wow. Just look at you,’ I say, glimpsing the mountains in the background of the small yacht that is gently swaying in the sparkling water.
Owen appears then and hands Tasha a glass of champagne, and I think of how Instagram worthy that shot of them would be. I let out a little sigh as I allow my mind to daydream about hanging around with a certain Greek bloke in such a setting.
Tasha and Owen will be heading back here in a few days to spend an evening with us all, before they fly back to Australia.
‘So how’s it going?’ I ask as I relax on the balcony with my morning coffee. ‘I’m not jealous at all.’
Ash called Lulu earlier and asked her out for a drink, and I am thrilled that she has accepted. I’m quite happy to have a quiet day as we are off to Fira this evening to have a meal and visit the nightclub, the thought of which gives me a tingle of excitement.
‘It’s bliss,’ says Tasha, looking tanned and relaxed.
‘It sure is,’ says Owen, leaning over and giving her a kiss.
‘We have a chef too, who is just amazing. He comes to the villa to cook our evening meal, so we barely have to leave thevilla at all,’ she tells me. ‘Although the surroundings are pretty irresistible.’
‘I see what you mean, who wouldn’t want to be out on the water with those wonderful views all around,’ I say.
‘I know.’ Tasha sighs contentedly. ‘We spend our days swimming and sunbathing, occasionally taking a taxi boat across to a different beach, it’s dreamy.’
After saying goodbye, and with Lulu out for the afternoon, I spend some time uploading photographs to my social media accounts.
As I upload my photos, I wonder again why I am so reluctant to post myself singing at the karaoke evening, especially as the reactions were so positive. Maybe it’s because I was trolled once, when a video of me singing was posted online. I was only a teenager at the time and just mucking about, and in fact the footage was not even posted by me. Even so, it kind of left me reluctant to share anything else, even after all these years, which is silly I know.
Within minutes, my phone is pinging with likes and comments on my photos, people adoring the black sand beach as the sun goes down, and the delicious plates of Greek food. I can’t wait to share some wedding photos, with the stunning backdrop that looks out over the sea.
Lulu pings a text to me saying she will be back early evening, as she and Ash are going to take in a winery tour, and I send her some love heart emojis. I’m considering going for a walk, when Patsy sends me a message asking if I fancy taking a taxi boat across to Kamari for a few hours, and I tell her that sounds like a lovely idea. It might stop my nerves from churning at the thought of seeing Christos this evening.
‘There might be a nice breeze on that water in the taxi boat,’ says, Irene, whirring her trusty fan in front of her face when wemeet in reception. ‘At least I hope so. I’m not sure I can take much more of this heat,’ she complains.
‘I’m pretty sure it will be cooler,’ I reassure her. ‘There is always a nice breeze out at sea.’
