A Greek Affair Read online

  But the best bit of all? When my daughter, Rosie, wakes up tomorrow morning and I tell her what has happened, I get to see that little face of hers light up with pride! It isn’t just my blog, but our blog, because we are a team of two, and now it’s official – we’re up there with the best.

  Back to Reality

  ‘Mum, it’s so heavy! Where are we going to put it?’ Rosie’s eyes are like saucers, she’s so excited and I know it’s going to be difficult to get her to focus on breakfast.

  ‘The clock is ticking, Rosie, you need to eat that cereal and head up to the bathroom to clean those teeth. Yes, it’s quite something, isn’t it? And What’s in Rosie’s Suitcase? is an important part of the website – high five me, girl.’

  Our hands collide in mid-air as Mum walks into the kitchen.

  ‘Are my girls celebrating? I’m so proud of you both. How did you feel wearing that gorgeous dress, Leah? It was right for the occasion, wasn’t it?’

  I tried on so many dresses to find something smart enough to wear, but when you are restricted to the budget rails there’s only one place to go if you want something special and that’s to the Next clearance sale. When I first saw the Lipsy tag hanging from the dress I half-closed my eyes as I turned it over to reveal the price. At fifty per cent off it was affordable, just, but even without trying it on I knew it was going to be perfect.

  ‘Yes, Mum, I felt like I was dressed for a red-carpet event.’

  She smiles, easing herself down into the chair opposite me with a cup of tea in her hand. Mum stayed overnight to look after Rosie, and Dad is picking her up later this morning.

  ‘Well, it was an awards ceremony. And you should have let us pay for it, Leah. You’ve been working so hard now for such a long time and you deserve this win. I thought you said Sally was the number one favourite, though?’

  I sigh. Sally was overjoyed for me, last night. But we all work hard, because with blogging everything is so transient. People click, scan and click away. Your content must grab and engage the reader at first glance and the visuals need to be strong to justify them lingering long enough to read the whole article. And then add you, hopefully, to their favourites or, even better, subscribe so that they receive your posts via email.

  ‘I can only assume it’s because of my photographic background that my graphics look so professional. Sally says she’s envious of how quickly I pull them together and I always thought she was just being kind.’

  Mum shakes her head while I move the trophy out of arm’s reach of Rosie, so she’ll go back to eating her breakfast.

  ‘You underestimate yourself sometimes, Leah. I don’t know anyone else who works as hard as you do. You don’t just have two jobs, you have two very intensive jobs. You can’t manage on five hours’ sleep each night forever, honey.’

  ‘I’m done, Mum.’ Rosie pipes up, pushing back on her chair. ‘I’ll be ready in five. Promise.’

  She’s such a good girl and a blessing.

  ‘Don’t forget your homework, Rosie,’ I call out, but she’s running up the stairs two at a time and the noise will, no doubt, drown out my words. ‘I know, Mum. But photography takes me away from home and the website is something that I can work around the school runs. You and Dad can’t keep dropping everything to come over and babysit every time I’m away. It’s difficult being a one-parent family and I want to be here for Rosie all the time. This is our future and this award might tip the scales and increase my income enough to cover all the bills. This could be it, Mum.’

  She’s already clearing the dishes from the table, unable to sit still for more than a few minutes. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; it’s no wonder I’m a workaholic. But I’m working to maintain a reasonable standard of living for Rosie and for me. Besides, every trip to review a hotel or feature a resort is a free holiday. It’s quality time for us both and having a job that’s also a lot of fun would be a blessing. Unless you find yourself having to fit everything into weekends, days off and working late into the night to get the reviews and posts written up, as I’ve had to do. Which pretty much sums up my life, now. I yawn, unable to disguise the tiredness that never seems to leave me these days.

  ‘There. Look at you! The last thing you needed was another late night. Why don’t you let us collect Rosie from school and have her for a mid-week sleepover? I’ll make sure she does her homework. You can invite a friend around, relax for a couple of hours and maybe get an early night for a change.’

  Having one’s mother constantly worrying about one’s lack of any sort of a social life can be rather demoralising at times.

  ‘Mum, we’re happy as we are. Having Rosie makes everything I’ve been through worthwhile. I don’t need a man in my life to make me feel complete, really I don’t.’

  Mum turns away from loading the dishwasher to look across at me. I know it’s hard for her, too.

  ‘But what about Rosie, Leah?’

  ‘We had the conversation several years ago and she never refers to it. Rosie has accepted that her father isn’t coming back and she knows how much she’s loved by the people she does have around her. Her teacher says she’s one of the most well-adjusted kids she’s ever met. Checking that she isn’t having any problems is the first thing I ask at every parents’ evening I attend.’

  ‘That’s because she’s bubbly, like you. The glass is always half-full and if you both continue through life with that ethos, then you won’t come to any real harm. But the day will come when Rosie will want to spread her wings. What happens when it’s time to let go a little, as she wants to spend more and more time with her friends? It’s a natural progression. If an opportunity to find love comes along, Leah, don’t look in the other direction. Think about it, that’s all I’m saying.’

  As we grab coats and don our shoes, it’s a quick hug all round before we head out.

  ‘Thanks, Mum. You are a star and thank Dad for being the taxi service, yet again.’

  ‘That’s what we’re here for, honey. And was that a yes to the sleepover?’

  Rosie’s eyes light up.

  ‘A sleepover with Grandma and Granddad, tonight?’

  I roll my eyes. ‘Guess it’s a yes, Mum,’ I mutter, as I steer Rosie out of the door. We’re already eight minutes late and it’s going to be impossible to get a parking space anywhere near the school. Oh well, I guess winning a prestigious award doesn’t make you that special, after all!

  ~

  Sally and I are lying at opposite ends of the sofa, a glass of white Grenache in our hands as we toast each other.

  ‘I really was rooting for you, Sally. I feel awful because you are one of the blogging icons.’

  She shakes her head, mid-sip.

  ‘I won it the very first year and just sporting that nominee badge again for the next twelve months will boost my income nicely. I’ve already had two very lucrative new clients jump on board since the announcement ten days ago. Besides, you and Rosie have taken it up a notch. I love her little feature, advising kids on what to pack and reviewing games, gadgets and items that will slot nicely into that case of hers. She’s become quite the intrepid little traveller since you began blogging.’

  It’s true; we’ve been on over a dozen fully-paid trips abroad already, and five within the UK.

  ‘It was her idea, actually and although I do proofread her posts, it’s entirely her own work. We talk through what she wants to say but I don’t interfere, I simply steer. She loves the freebies and testing things out is fun. But last night came as a total shock and you’re right, the offers have already started to roll in. This could finally allow me to give up the freelance photography work.’

  ‘You are a deserving winner, Leah, and you should be proud of what you’ve achieved. If I was going to lose to anyone, I’m delighted that it’s you because it’s about time life gave you a break.’

  I turn down the corners of my mouth in mock self-pity. ‘I agree. This abandoned mother, parenting her only child, is in dire need
of a lucky break.’

  She raises her eyebrows. ‘No, that came out all wrong and you know it. What I mean is that you must stop feeling guilty for walking away with the award, lady. And anyone who works as hard as you do, deserves to reap their rewards. You’ve paid your dues, it wasn’t a lucky break at all. Now this is your time to shine.’

  It’s been seven long years, and although those years have been a nightmare, I kept pushing forward.

  ‘You’re right, of course. I’m tired and I have to head up to North Wales tomorrow to take some shots of a trout farm for a magazine feature.’

  Sally gives me a sympathetic look.

  ‘But that’s a three-and-a-half-hour trip from the Forest of Dean. Up and back in a day?’

  I nod. ‘Yep. The photos will probably only take an hour. I’ll drop Rosie off at school and head straight up there. Mum and Dad will collect her in the afternoon and wait here until I get back.’

  ‘I don’t know how you do it, Leah. Fingers crossed those advertising and sponsorship deals come in thick and fast. What’s the daily hit rate, now?’

  ‘It eclipsed fifteen thousand unique hits for the first time, yesterday.’

  She looks me in the eye.

  ‘You need to put up your advertising rates in line with your new status as the winner of such a prestigious award.’

  Cradling the glass in my hands, I admit that’s not something I’d considered. But Sally is right and that alone could make all the difference. And, yes, there is a little thrill that courses through my veins hearing someone else refer to me as a winner.

  ‘Anyway, what did you think of the outfit? I didn’t look too dressy, did I? Posh frocks aren’t really my thing.’

  ‘It was perfect – you looked the business. And that’s quite an ass … et you have going on there now, girl. It suits you; the gaunt look wasn’t really your style.’

  I smile. We both agree on that score.

  ‘Yep. I finally fill out a dress from the front to the back, again. My problem now is that if I’m going to be sitting down in front of the laptop every day from here on in, how am I going to maintain it and not pile on the pounds?’

  ‘When you’ve cracked that one,’ Sally says, jiggling her growing jelly-belly, ‘let me know.’

  A New Routine

  The problem with being the sole breadwinner is that you can’t afford to take any risks, whatsoever. There is no safety net. Running this little, two-bed stone cottage in the middle of the Forest of Dean is a modest enough outlay by a lot of people’s standards. However, I do appreciate the fact that we are still luckier than many, because I’m a survivor and Rosie is, too. We have learnt to live quite happily within our means. Yes, I’d love the big house with half an acre and two cars sitting on the drive. Who wouldn’t? But the cottage is pretty, and we’re surrounded by stunning views and forest walks.

  To the front of the property is a road which leads on down to a cul-de-sac. We don’t get passing traffic, only neighbours coming and going. While our rear garden is small, it backs onto a swathe of forestry commission land. We have all the benefits of some beautiful, old trees with none of the worry of having to maintain them.

  We don’t want for anything and I figure that teaching Rosie to live on a budget is a good discipline. It’s something that has become second nature to her and she’s used to making choices and accepting that she can’t simply ask and have.

  I was holidaying in Italy when Antonio Castelli first crossed my path; his dark hair and wide smile was the first thing that attracted me to him. When I returned three months later to meet his parents, Guido and Zita, we had already fallen madly in love – the sort of madness that empties your head of everything else – and life became a waiting game. It was agony being parted and I lived for our evening chats via Skype and the constant stream of texts we exchanged daily. I slept with my phone under my pillow and I know Antonio did the same.

  Then we had the agonising decision of where we would settle after the wedding. I felt awful for his family when, after careful consideration, we decided to make the UK our home. Mum and Dad were relieved, but knowing that Antonio’s family were so far away was a little cloud on our new horizon. And the paperwork to make it happen was the next nightmare on our journey.

  Little did I know that less than three years later it would all be over, leaving me clutching little Rosie to ease the pain in my heart. But now that’s all firmly in the past and I’m extremely proud of my confident little nine-year-old, who is probably a little bit wiser than her years because of what we’ve been through. I was determined to conquer whatever obstacles life placed in front of us because nothing is going to rob us of the happiness we deserve.

  I scan down the emails in my inbox and a smile breaks out on my face. One of the emails is a link to the press release issued by the Traveller Abroad publicity team and there it is – a photo, front and centre, the Caroline Blakely handing little old me the trophy.

  When I rang the photographic agency to break the news that I was drastically cutting back on my hours, they were shocked, but for me it’s a step forward. Next on the to-do list is a total re-design of the website, taking out anything related to my photographic work. Then I need to maximise advertising space, add a rolling banner so that I can accommodate a number of premium rate advertisers instead of just the one, and review my schedule of charges.

  I reach out for my coffee mug, only to find it empty.

  ‘Now that’s another thing you need to tackle, Leah,’ I admonish myself.

  If I’m going to be sitting here working very long days, and nights, in order to develop The Sun Seeker’s Guide to a Happy Holiday into one of the best blogs out there, I need to stop comfort eating. It’s a habit I’ve developed to get me through those long evenings with only the glow of the computer screen to keep me company. I’m the first to admit that I often find myself reaching out for a biscuit, or four, and after a string of cups of very strong coffee I tell myself it’s wine o’clock. Okay, so I only have the one glass but it’s a large one, as I convince myself I deserve a reward for working such long hours.

  All that stops now – no cheating. Also, no biscuits, or cake, or chocolate. One coffee to get me going in the morning and then I’m on the water and herbal teas.

  A wicked grin creeps over my face. But think of the upside! No more dashing around the house before breakfast getting suited and booted, spending half an hour on hair and make-up. I can throw on a jumper over my PJs and leave early enough to get that prized parking space right next to the school gates. The only space nestled between the end of the zig-zag lines and the start of the double yellows. The one everyone covets so they can watch their little darlings walk the three strides up to the member of staff on duty who ushers them inside.

  I glance across at the sparkly crystal award sitting in pride of place in the middle of the bookshelf. Sally was right: I deserve this and I’m going to make it work.

  ~

  ‘Mum, are you really going to be around all the time now?’

  ‘Mostly. Why?’

  ‘I’ll still spend time with Grandma and Granddad, won’t I?’

  Rosie is sitting opposite me at the kitchen table, her little face crinkled up into a frown.

  ‘Of course you will. You can still have sleepovers whenever you want and we can pop over after school at any time for a visit.’

  I can see she’s putting this together and I know there’s a question coming.

  ‘When someone dies, where do they go?’

  Ah. I suspect someone at school has lost a grandparent and the kids have been talking.

  ‘Well, your soul goes to another place. Some people call that heaven. But usually people only die after they have had a long and happy life and they leave behind lots of wonderful memories.’

  Now she’s toying with the chips on the plate in front of her, aimlessly pushing them around.

  ‘But what if you don’t want them to go?’

  I walk around the table and kn
eel down next to her, easing the fork out of her hand.

  ‘When we truly love someone, they remain in here.’ I place my hand over my heart. Rosie’s eyes follow my every move. ‘They are always with us. Grandma and Granddad are fine, darling. There’s nothing at all to worry about.’

  She hangs her head.

  ‘I don’t want anyone to die, Mum. I like things the way they are.’

  I wrap my arms around her, planting a kiss on the top of her head and then smoothing back her long, dark brown hair away from her face.

  ‘Life is all about change, Rosie, and mostly that’s a good thing. The only thing that’s changing for us right now is that we’re going to have a new routine. Life won’t feel quite so rushed and I’ll be here whenever you need me. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?’

  At last, the smile is back on that pretty little face of hers.

  ‘Yes, Mum. I like it when we can have dinner together and watch TV before bed.’

  It’s always the small things that children miss when life gets hectic. There have been too many nights when I’ve missed dinner entirely, barely arriving back in time to put her to bed. It hasn’t been fair on Mum and Dad, and it hasn’t been fair on Rosie.

  ‘Well, I like that too and if you’ve finished here let’s quickly clear this away and curl up on the sofa, together.’

  Her smile broadens enthusiastically and I find myself taking in every little detail. My little girl is growing up so very quickly and I wonder, fleetingly, how different life would have been for her if Antonio hadn’t left us. But he did, and I’ll never forgive him for that.

  I’m in the News

  It’s the start of week two of the new regime and I’ve made two new discoveries, already. Firstly, that living in PJs isn’t quite me and the postman was beginning to wonder what was going on. One morning when I also happened to be having a particularly bad hair day, he asked me if I was feeling any better! The other discovery is that sitting in the same position for hours on end isn’t good for you. Even if you can avoid the snacks and sugary drinks, your body starts to rebel. I’ve invested in some track suits and after being caught lusting over a fitness tracker, Mum and Dad turned up at the weekend with two neatly wrapped little parcels. Mine was a Vivofit with a gorgeous red strap and Rosie’s present was a watch.