A Greek Odyssey - Jason Fic

CHAPTER 4

A few weeks later..........

Lexi burst through the front door. 'Mum, mum the tickets have come!! I went to get them today from the agents. I collected yours  at the same time. Hope that was ok?'

'Oh, hi Alexia! Yes that's great, it saves me a trip down there too. Thanks!' She took the tickets out of Lexi's hand to check that the times were the same as when they booked. 'Oh, that's good it still leaves Gatwick at 9am -  so not too early and we should be there just in time for mid afternoon. That's great!'

'I got a couple of nice bikinis while I was in town too and nice sundress, some shoes and a couple of tops for holiday.' She took them out and they spent a few minutes oohing and aahing at the clothes. 'I guess maybe I'd better go and look for some new togs eh? If not you'll make me look a right old scruff, Lexi.' Anna remarked, thinking she could do with some new clothes.

Her mum made them both a cup of coffee and then she got out a map of the area out of the chest of drawers. 'I'll show you where we're going and some of the places we can go and visit in the car if you fancy it?' she said, unfolding the map and laying it on the kitchen table, smoothing the creases out as she did so.

'Yeah, go on then mum,' Lexi replied looking all excited.

Her mum was really pleased to see at long last she was showing some enthusiasm about things. The last few weeks hadn't been easy for any of them, as Lexi alternated between utter misery, anger and relief that she wasn't having to worry what Michael was up to any longer. Towards the end of their relationship, she'd always seemed to be on tenterhooks as to whether he would cancel plans at the last minute.

'Well, that's Voidakilia lake and lagoon, we've definitely got to go there! It's one of the most famous, but unknown natural beauties in Greece. The beach is white and the sea is a clear azure blue. We saw it last time we went and it's so pretty.' Anna tapped the map with a finger near a little town called Gialova. She moved her finger along the map, stopping at another town on the coast. 'That's Koroni, with it's castle and lovely old town - your dad and brother will probably  like going fishing there, and we can wander around the shops.' She moved her finger again, past the resort of Finikouda where they were staying. 'That's Methoni, with it's castle and Bourtzi across the walkway, where they kept prisoners. It's got a lovely, little square to sit on and watch the world go by. I have a feeling your poor brother may be bored as it's hardly a clubber's paradise!' she laughed, looking knowingly at Lexi. 'He's definitely going to struggle to find any skirt to chat up around where we're going.'

'I'm sure if there's women to be found, James will find them Mum. You know what a little flirt he is,' replied Lexi giggling.

'Talking of your brother Lexi, he's going out with his mates the night before we fly to Kalamata. I've told him not to drink too much as he has a very early wake up next Sunday morning and I want him bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to go.'

'Oh I'm sure he'll behave mum, especially if you warn him not to have too much to drink.' Lexi replied, with more conviction than she actually felt. James was a notorious party animal.

A few minutes later James and Joe turned up home from work. They worked together in Joe's carpentry business along with two other carpenters and James was training with him too, hopefully with a view to take over the business (if he ever grew up). Some days he went to college to study, but today he was working with Joe. They got on well most of the time except when James came in to work hung-over and couldn't be bothered to work.

'Hi you two, how was work?' asked Lexi.

'Good thanks,' replied Joe. We got that big job finished so I can now relax when we go on holiday, and leave the rest of the work up to the the other 3.