I haven’t invited Daisy round tomorrow
but she’s come round on Boxing Day
for the past four years so Mum’s assumption
makes sense. I’ve started to feel like
there’s something between Daisy and me.
An obstacle.
I don’t think I fancy her, I don’t
think she fancies me—but there’s something.
In the middle of dinner,
Mum bolts up
and across the dining room.
She grabs the house phone,
which we never use. She dials
and hands it to me. I tut
and mouth, “Who is it?” to Mum.
I hear his voice: “Naí?”
which means “Yes” in Greek.
“Merry Christmas, Grandad.”
I smile at Mum.
“Kalá Christoúgenna, Michalis,”
he replies.
Grandad asks me,
“Are you studying hard?”
“Yes, Grandad,” I say.
Then he asks,
“How’s your girlfriend, Daisy?”
“She’s not my girlfriend, Grandad.”
I laugh.
After dinner, Anna calls Trevor.
I call Uncle B,
