Flora's World: Love and other stuff Read online

  Just as we are about to sit down at the big mahogany table Nick and Monique come in through the door. Nick has a bottle of champagne in his hand and if I am not mistaken its real champagne not Lambrusco Bianco!

  'Everyone' he says, his arm around Monique 'I asked Monique to marry me and she said yes'

  There are woops of delight and shouts of congratulations, a lot of back slapping from Dad and Uncle Costi and lots of double kissing going on from all us girls and grabbing of Monique's hand to look at the most important thing - the ring! A beautiful single round reddish/pink ruby set in four yellow gold claws on a yellow gold band with two tiny diamonds either side. So simple yet so pretty. 'My birthstone' Says Monique gushing.

  Yiayia opens the glass unit door and starts getting out the crystal glasses 'This is time for selebrayshon' she says

  Nick cracks open the champagne and we eat and drink - even I get a glass, we stuff our faces with yiayia's lovely Greek food, whilst Monique and Nick tell us about their plans for their September wedding.

  Everyone is so happy with the wonderful news, even mum and dad are smiling and laughing with each other.

  Back home mum and dad snuggle up on the sofa to watch a film, it looks like they have made up. I offer to make them a cup of tea and I go upstairs and leave them to it. Looks like Nick and Monique's wedding news have put them both in a good mood......................

  Tuesday 12th February

  I wake up with a sore throat and mum says I can have the day off school. Dad is home today so we spend the day watching videos of our favourite films. It's really nice to spend the day with dad, he's been so grumpy lately I'm so happy he and mum have sorted themselves out, all that bickering was doing my head in.

  'Dad' I say

  'Yes Flo' says dad

  'I'm so happy you and mum have made up'

  'Me too love' he says

  'So who backed down then? You or mum?' I tell dad that Nanny June told me what happened with Vince and the investment.

  'Well the thing is Flo, I guess I decided your mum was right, it was time to let bygones be bygones, no use in arguing with your mum over something that happened so long ago, Nan has moved on with Jeff, Anne has tried to make amends a few times over the years but I've been too stubborn and stuck in being angry about the whole thing. The only people losing out are the people that I love most in the world and that's you and your mum and Nanny June, but mostly you, you’re missing out on having your Aunt and cousins in your life and me my sister. I have missed her you know, and we did used to be so close. My stubbornness has meant we have all lost out on so much and I know your mum is dying to play being a princess at this castle do, so I have decided to let her have her way and make everyone happy, your mum shall go to the ball thanks to your Nan, she said she'd pay for the tickets as she knows we can't afford it. I haven't seen Anne and Eddie for years and I am looking forward to seeing them. I was wondering though, would you really mind if mum and I went on our own? I was thinking about making it into a little bit of a romantic holiday for her, I think your mum could do with a bit of romance'

  Ewwww mum and dad and romance, oh yuck I wonder if they had ‘make up sex’ arghhhhhhh

  Actually I am really disappointed as I would love to have gone to the party at the castle maybe have a ride on Piers and Portia's ponies but of course I can't deny mum the romantic holiday she needs so of course I say that its fine.

  Yiayia turns up later in the afternoon with my favourite afgolemoni Greek soup. She put the pot in her shopping trolley and wheeled it over as she doesn't drive bless her. Afgolemoni soup is made with rice, lemons and eggs. Sounds absolutely disgusting but it's the most amazing creamy tangy soup and is always guaranteed to make you feel better. Good old yiayia.

  Thursday 13th February

  I'm still not feeling well so I'm still off school, missing my Bradley and wondering what everyone is getting up to at school. Trisha phoned last night to fill me in on the gossip which wasn't much at all to be fair. Although she did tell me that Kim Chambers seemed to be pleased I wasn't around and was sticking her boobs out in Bradley's face in Maths class. Apparently she asked to borrow his ruler and leant right over the desk. I tell you what if I ever catch her doing that in front me I’ll give her a shove and she’ll go right over the desk, the cheek of the girl……….

  Thursday 14th February

  Happy Valentine's Day to me!!! I've got a boyfriend!! It's Valentine’s Day!!! The florist delivery guy came to the door with the most amazing bouquet of roses with a teddy bear in the middle all wrapped in cellophane with a helium balloon saying 'I love you' attached. Mum opened the door and thought they were for her, then I heard her calling me down. The card had my name on it.

  'Wow' said mum 'these are amazing Flora, I think your Bradley is very smitten with you!'

  I open the card, it reads:

  My darling Flora

  You are my world

  I love you

  B

  I take my flowers upstairs and put them on my dressing table, they are the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. Tears fill my eyes, I can't believe Bradley has sent me these flowers, he must have spent so much money on them. I have a card and teddy bear for him. After school I bring the phone into my room and ring his house number. His dad answers the phone and I get all nervous and ask if Bradley is there. I don't know why but whenever I ring him and his dad answers the phone I get all panicky and sweaty, I've never even met the man but he sounds so scary...

  'Hi Flora, happy Valentine’s Day' Bradley says

  'Thank you for my flowers Brad, they are so beautiful' I say

  'Not as beautiful as you' I can feel myself blushing. Bradley always calls me beautiful, I think he needs glasses…….

  I ask him to meet me in the little cafe down the road as I have something for him. He asks if I'm feeling better and says if I'm not I shouldn't come out into the cold - he is so sweet and considerate.

  We sit in the cafe eating apple crumble and custard - it is honestly the best crumble and custard I have ever tasted (not good for the bottom situation I know but come on it is Valentine’s day) Bradley says he loves his card and teddy bear. I look at him whilst he is eating. He really is perfect. He does have the most gorgeous face. He has dark curly hair slightly outgrown and twinkly bright blue eyes. The most amazing eyes I have ever seen on a human, they are like deep ocean pools, when I look right at him I feel like I can see right into his soul. He smiles and asks me what I am staring at and I say

  'You' and laugh

  'Stop it your making me nervous' he says and we both laugh together.

  I still can't believe Bradley is my boyfriend, we have been going out for exactly one month, January 14th was the day that Bradley became mine and I became his.

  He tells me that his parents have invited me round for tea after school on Wednesday, if I would like to go.

  'Oh really' I say, 'Why?'

  He starts laughing, 'What do you mean why?' they want to meet this 'Flora' I keep harping on about that's why. Don't worry they won't bite!'

  'Oh okay' I say but I get a panicky feeling in my tummy. I feel really nervous.

  When I tell Katie Brad's parents have invited me round for tea she tells me that they probably want to check me out, well that fills me with even more dread and makes me really nervous.

  I tell mum that Brad’s parents have invited me for tea after school on Wednesday and all she can say is:

  'That's nice'

  'Is that it?' I say 'Do you think it's a bit odd? Do you think they are checking me out?'

  'Probably' she says 'I've been waiting for you to ask to bring him round so I can check him out too’ and she starts laughing

  Eeeeeeek, is this normal? I've never had a boyfriend before so I have no idea if the done thing is to go round to each other's houses for tea with their parents. It sounds like a really awkward embarrassing situation to me. Katie says she always goes round to Danny’s house for dinner and to hang out but of
course he never come to hers as Uncle Costi would never allow it, as far as he knows Katie doesn't have a boyfriend! Katie is a good Greek girl! I'm sure Uncle Costi doesn't approve of me having a boyfriend, I asked mum what he must think and she said she doesn't care what he thinks and that he is not my father, and my father is English and not living in the dark ages. Mum says that even yiayia has told Uncle Costi he needs to be more lenient with Katie and the boyfriend situation but he won't listen.

  Friday 15th February

  Uncle Costi said not to do my shift in the Chippy tonight as I am still sneezing and he doesn't want me putting people of their food!

  Chapter Five

  A meeting of sorts

  Wednesday 20th February

  I came home after school and got changed before going round to Brad's for dinner. I wasn't sure what to wear but mum said 'you're not going to meet the queen' so I just wore my jeans and a jumper that covered my bottom - I don't want them thinking their son is going out with a fat cow. Mum said best to go casual. I told Bradley that he better answer the door when I knock as I would be embarrassed if his dad answered. For some reason I am imagining this big scary bloke. I got to the garden gate and my heart started pounding, I nearly turned around and went home, I don’t know why I felt so nervous but I did. I rang the doorbell and the dog started barking and nearly made me jump out of my skin. Thank god Bradley answered the door looking all cute, his hair was wet, just out of the shower. The door to his house goes straight into his living room and his mum and dad were sitting at either end of the settee with massive pub ash trays full of fag butts resting on the side arms. They had an ashtray each, and the living room was full of smoky fog. The dog was jumping up at me and licking me (eugh) and his hair was flying everywhere.

  'Hello Flora, sit down' his dad said and gestured for me to sit down on the two seater sofa by the window. He didn’t look scary at all, I was quite surprised. Quite old looking, older than I expected and a bit skinny.

  Bradley's mum got up and went into the kitchen and his dad said 'Dinner won't be long'

  After a bit of chit chat with Bradley's dad about school and exams and asking what my mum and dad do for jobs Bradley's mum came in carrying trays with plates of food. I did notice there wasn't a dining table, how cool, sitting on the settee eating dinner in front of the tele, we never do this in my house, dinner is always eaten at the table. I think yiayia would have a fit if she ever saw any of us sitting on the sofa with a plate of dinner on our laps.

  Brad's dad finished his dinner first, well I say finished he left a bit of mashed potato on the plate and then put the plate down on the floor and dog came along and gobbled it all up! I think Mr Perkins could see that I was a bit taken aback and he said 'Make sure you leave something on the plate for Pip'

  The dog actually licks food off their dinner plates. Gross. I just smiled and said 'ok'

  Brad's dad told me with great pride that Pip only eats human food and that the vet says Pip has the healthiest and shiniest coat he's ever seen! Ok, well that's a bit weird a dog that only eats human food but I just nodded and smiled…..

  After dinner Brad asked if it was ok if we went up to his room for a bit and his mum said yes as long as we keep the door open. What does she think we are going to do?

  When I got home mum and yiayia were sitting in the kitchen drinking Greek coffee from little cups.

  'Ohhh Flora, how was it then?' asked mum

  I filled in them on the over flowing ash trays, the dog and how he eats off the plates, yiayia said something in Greek and mum burst out laughing

  'Flora mou, dees peepo are dirty, jou mustn’t eat there again' she said

  'Yiayia, Bradley's mum did put the dishes in the dishwasher after' I said

  'I don care, jou catch something, jou get sick!' Yiayia said shaking her head and then she pursed her fingers and did the sign of the holy cross

  'Oh yiayia!' I said but secretly I am hoping I don't get sick from all that smoke and dog hair and dogs licking off the plates, yiayia could have a point. Mind you I did read once that a dogs tongue is very clean and is actually an antiseptic.

  Friday 22nd February

  Katie and I worked in the chippy tonight, very busy as usual, Danny came in for some chips. Katie's face! She was not impressed. I asked her what her problems is, it's not as if Uncle Costi knows who he is! I thought it was really funny and daring on Danny’s part! She said it’s not the point that her dad doesn’t know who he is, he shouldn’t do stuff like that and she is sure she went all red and started acting strange. I said not to be so silly, why would Costi suspect anything? She said she doesn't care and if he ever pulls a stunt like that again she is going to give him his marching orders. Of course she won't she's just saying that because she’s so annoyed. Danny waited for us to finish work so he could give us a lift home, which I thought was really sweet but Katie let rip at him and told him to never do anything like that again. Danny said he was fed up of being a secret, they have been going out long enough and that he loves her and will tell her dad that to his face! Katie went berserk and told him he doesn't understand what her dad is like and never will. They dropped me off and then I don't know what happened, I suspect they carried on arguing. I do think it a bit unfair that Nick can marry Monique who is not Greek and I am allowed to have a boyfriend but Katie's boyfriend has to be kept a secret. This is the 1990's, Uncle Costi needs to move with the times.

  Chapter Six

  Secrets and Lies

  Saturday 23rd February

  2pm

  Katie came round at lunchtime to tell me the latest news. Danny says he loves her but can't carry on hiding from her dad like this, he wants her to tell her dad about him! She told him he is crazy and no way is that going to happen! He said he will marry her if that's what it takes. She said to stop talking so foolishly and that she will be going to University so won't be marrying anyone. She said it's made her think though and she is fed up of having to date boys in secret and hide but that's just how it's going to have to be for now, once she is at Uni she will be free to do what she likes. She thinks Danny is going to break up with her though.....I said he won't if he loves you and says he will even marry you, she's not so sure........she thinks he is ready to settle down as he is 22 and doesn't think he will wait around for her to finish Uni. She's only 18, imagine getting married so young, engaged maybe........mind you I think Princess Diana was 19 when she got married......

  8pm

  Nick turned up and he and dad went into the garage to talk cars as usual, Nick left without coming into the house to say goodbye to me and mum and dad looked a bit funny when he came in.

  'What's up with you?' asked mum

  'Oh nothing' dad said but looked deep in thought.

  10pm

  I went downstairs to get a glass of water and I heard dad telling mum that Nick is upset about something, I couldn't hear properly but I swear it was something about the wedding, second thoughts about the wedding maybe? And I think he said something like - he isn't sure about Monique, not sure? What does that mean, I couldn't quite work it out and I couldn't hear what mum was saying, I wonder if Katie knows anything??!

  Monday 25th February

  I went round to yiayia's for dinner after school, dad is away with work for a few nights and mum was working the later shift in the surgery and then they were having their end of month staff meeting and they usually call for pizza so it was either chips for me or dinner with yiayia and dinner with yiayia wins hands down.

  After stuffing my face with the best kioftethes (Greek fried meatballs) ever and the best roast potatoes, I laid on yiayia's sofa whilst she sat on the arm chair crocheting more doilies. She's always making them, they're everywhere.

  'So Flora mou, how is jour boyfren?' yiayia says

  'He's fine yiayia' I say

  'And have jou been to his house again for dinner?'

  'No yiayia'

  'Good'

  'Why is that good?'

  'Because dis
peepo is very dirty, in Cyprus the dogs live outside, not inside de house! And not eat from de plates! Flora mou, dis is very bad'

  Yiayia's face was so serious, peering at me from over the top of her glasses whilst her fingers click clicked with the crochet needles. I couldn't stop laughing.

  'Is not funny' she said 'When jou get sick, den jou wont laugh'

  On the wall of yiayias house above the fireplace is beautiful black and white picture of my yiayia and bapou on their wedding day, taken outside the church. I never noticed before but yiayia isn't smiling, although she does look very beautiful 'Yiayia how comes you're not smiling in this picture?' I ask her

  'Ouf' she says 'I didn't have the cheek to smile, I was pregnant with your auntie!'

  I laughed when she said that then I ask her to tell me for the millionth time how she and Bapou met.

  My Bapou Nico would walk miles and miles every day selling halloumi (Greek goat’s cheese) that his parents made, he would strap bags of halloumi to his donkey and walk miles from the villages all the way to the Larnaca coast and back again every day. One day he was passing through a village when he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, she bought some halloumi from him and he asked her name and how come he had never seen her before. She explained that her yiayia who was sick lived in this village and she had come to see her but that she lived in another village much further away. The next time bapou went to this village he looked for the beautiful girl named Flora but was told she had gone back to her own village and that her yiayia had passed away. Try as he could he couldn't forget her and just knew he had to find her. So one day he set off early one morning with the donkey and rode all the way to her village up in the hills. When he got there, he asked a young boy playing in road if he knew where he could find a girl named Flora, the boy told him that she was the daughter of the goat herder that lived on the hill. Bapou went straight to the hill and found the goat herder and asked for his daughters hand in marriage,