Page 39 of Never Too Late to Date

Posters duly paid for and carefully packed in cardboard tubes, Suzie turned away from the cash desk.

‘Let’s go.’

‘Where now?’

‘Back to the hotel. Even I’m not suggesting we do the Acropolis yet again.’

‘Thank goodness for that. I’ve got so many bad memories from school trips. Boiling sun, soggy sandwiches and hours on the ferry.’

Suzie reached over to ruffle his hair.

‘You poor thing. Having to visit one of the world’s great wonders more than once. Nasty, nasty teachers.’

‘Funny.’

‘I was going to suggest drinks and an early dinner.’

‘You’re on.’

On the return bus, they both took advantage of the spring sunshine to kick back. Suzie was in the middle of a nice little doze when her son’s voice jolted her awake.

‘Mama, look! It’s you.’

At the bus stop beside them was a poster for one of her Eighties concerts with a bright red ‘Sold Out’ sticker slapped across the front.

Her twenty-year-old face stared out at her from the line-up, along with the other five acts. There’d be no point putting up current photos; nobody would recognise them. She only hoped the audience would take into account how long ago it was and not be expecting the same people to step out on stage. They’d be in for a shock if they were.

Giannis clapped and cheered.

‘Whoa, Mama. This is major! I didn’t realise.’

She had explained it to him fully, but sometimes she could tell her sons weren’t listening to her every word. Or her ex-husband for that matter. Still, Giannis was here with her now; that’s what counted.

‘You’re right. It is major for me. I haven’t performed on a proper stage since before you were born.’

‘I mean, I know you can sing, Mama, you used to sing to us all the time, whether we wanted it or not…’

Suzie reached over and playfully punched his arm.

‘Hey!’

‘But I didn’t realise this tour would be in such a big venue and there’d be posters all over town. I thought you’d be shoved away in some tiny back room somewhere.’

‘Charming.’

‘Aw. You know what I mean.’

Giannis took a last look at the poster as the bus pulled away.

‘And you did look really cute back then. A bit like a bush baby with those eyes and that hair.’

Bush baby had never been her desired look, but at least Giannis was taking the whole thing somewhat more seriously.

‘Yes, it’s a proper set-up with a well-known promoter and everything.’

‘Exciting. Do you want me to come to rehearsals with you tomorrow? I can always change the plan with Vasilli.’

‘No, let’s stick to what we said. I can get my own coffee. If you can be back by six so we can travel to the venue together.’