After a slightly restless night tossing and turning, I am awake early enough to watch the morning sun rise, and I marvel at its beauty. Not many things are certain in this world, but the rise and fall of the sun can always be relied upon.
I am enjoying a coffee, enjoying this peaceful time of the morning, when Lulu appears at the balcony door, arms stretched above her head and yawning.
‘You’re awake early,’ she says sleepily.
‘I know, I didn’t sleep too well last night,’ I tell her. ‘Maybe I will have an early night after I have dropped you at the airport later.’
I haven’t really driven the hire car too much, having explored on the Jeep safari and taken local buses, but I may take myself off for a drive another time. It also means I can drive myself back to the airport as there is a branch of the car hire place where I can drop it off.
I tell Lulu to grab a cup, then pour her a coffee from the cafetière on the small table in front of me.
‘I can’t believe I will soon be back at work, taking orders for clothes.’ She sighs as she sips her drink. ‘Although, I think I amgoing to sign up for my dance classes again. Being here has given me a lot to think about,’ she says thoughtfully.
‘It kind of does that when you are away from everything, doesn’t it?’ I say, thinking that maybe I ought to try and secure a few singing jobs when I get home. Despite the nerves, singing here has made me realise just how much I love it.
‘It does. And having a life of my own is right at the top of the list,’ says Lulu. ‘Do you know, Chloe called earlier asking me when I would be home, which I thought was nice, and would you believe she was only after a lift somewhere.’ She shakes her head. ‘Unbelievable. I bet her and Tom won’t even think to make sure there is some milk in the fridge, and there is me, always fussing about them.’
‘You will always be there for them. I guess that’s what being a parent is,’ I say. ‘But if you prioritise your own needs occasionally, it might make them grow up a bit,’ I suggest.
‘Most definitely.’ She smiles. ‘Right, I’m off for a shower.’
‘Okay. Is there anything you want to do today?’ I ask ‘We have hours until you need to go to the airport.’
‘Fancy a drive up to Ammoudi?’ she suggests. ‘I’ve been googling it, and apparently there is a wonderful fish restaurant there. I don’t think there is a lot else but it looks like a pretty setting. I thought maybe we could have a late lunch there before I leave?’
‘That sounds lovely.’
While Lulu is in the shower, I receive a message from Christos asking if I am free this evening. I hesitate for a moment, despite feeling those familiar butterflies, before deciding why not? I was half not expecting him to reach out after I turned down the winery. I arrange to meet him at eight thirty after I have returned from dropping Lulu at the airport.
I flick through my socials then to find the pictures of Santorini have tens of thousands of views, and my followers areup by two thousand! I also have another invite to a fashion show next month at a smart hotel in a nearby city.
I hold my phone to my chest, and sigh with happiness. If my followers keep on growing like this, I will soon have ads on my page that can earn me an actual living, so at least things are going in the right direction.
Which is just as well really, as no job offers have come through. I hear that these days there are really high numbers of applicants chasing a single job, which is a bit disheartening to say the least.
We linger over a light breakfast of fruit and yoghurt at the Sea Breeze restaurant, before Lulu says her goodbyes to Irene and Patsy as I will be dropping Lulu at the airport on the way back from lunch.
‘I’m going to miss this place,’ says Lulu, glancing out across the sparkling sea. ‘The local café back home doesn’t quite have the same appeal.’ She sighs.
‘I don’t suppose anywhere is perfect, although I would rather be having a bad day over here,’ says Patsy as she turns her face to the sun.
We sit chatting for a while longer, before we decide to make a move.
‘Well, it has been so lovely meeting you,’ says Irene, hugging Lulu as does Patsy after they walk us to the hire car.
‘Another friend to add to WhatsApp. It feels good to be in touch with lots of people,’ Irene says with a wide smile. ‘Even if I don’t see them often, it makes me feel connected somehow, which is nice.’
‘It does,’ agrees Patsy. ‘And maybe we could all meet up again when we get home?’
‘I would love that,’ I say, pleased to be reunited with Irene after all these years. Especially as they only live around an hour’s drive away.
‘Although I will be joining that slimming club when I get back, so you might not recognise me next time you see me,’ Irene tells us with a cheeky wink.
‘Please say goodbye to Bryn and Ash for me,’ says Lulu, when she suddenly hears a voice behind her.
‘You can do that yourself,’ says Bryn, who is with Ash.
‘I thought you were going on an early boat tour?’ says Irene in surprise
