The English Lesson (The Greek Village Collection Book 11)

The English Lesson (The Greek Village Collection Book 11) by Sara Alexi Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: The English Lesson (The Greek Village Collection Book 11) by Sara Alexi Read Free Book Online
Authors: Sara Alexi
love him.'
    'When he reaches forty and wants a shiny, red racing car and a young Barbie girl on his arm, I will be sixty-five.' Michelle speaks as if these are thoughts she has had a hundred times, and Juliet suspects that is probably the case. But she knows from experience that once she gives in to emotion, it is almost impossible to reason feelings away with logic.
    Michelle’s mouth is a tight line, and she is looking anywhere but at Juliet.
    'Yes, you are right,' Juliet states emphatically. 'Better to not have his love now in case that happens in the future.' She nods sagely, leans back, and uncrosses her ankles.
    'Says you, Mrs Too-Scared-To-Have-Any-Relationship-At-All!'
    'Get lost.' Juliet says it as a joke. It is the sort of phrase they used to address each other when they were teenagers, but she can hear the edge in her voice. She smiles to soften the words. Michelle has her lawyer’s gaze fixed on her now. She bets Michelle must have been really good in her wig and gown before she gave it all up for her life over here.
    They drink their coffees in silence.
    'So, what are you going to do?' Juliet asks again, when enough time has elapsed to take the focus off her last words.
    'I bought a postcard to write back. I was just going to write a line or two; I don't want to be rude. But then I thought a postcard in return for his heartfelt words would be giving him short change.'
    'That’s a slight understatement. So what are you going to do?' Juliet can see Toula coming out of her door, the cat by her ankles. Her conversation with Michelle is going to have to wait.
    'So I am going to the cobblers. Here comes Toula!' Michelle’s words are packed with relief. The subject shelved; she is off the hook.
    'We'll get some wine afterwards and go back and sit in the garden and drink to Dino's health.' Michelle rolls her eyes, but her mouth betrays a smile. When they drink wine together, it usually becomes rowdy, laughing and carrying on like teenagers again at first and then melancholy as the wine digs deeper and they sort out all the troubles in the world. Invariably, they are left with hangovers but also in a better place, clearer about their lives, however painful that may or may not be.
    'Hello,' Toula greets them both.
    'Hello Toula, and goodbye, Toula. I am off to the cobblers.' Michelle waves the shoes to demonstrate.
    'Ah, cobblers. Tsangaris ?' Toula asks.
    'Yes. Cobblers. Tsangaris ,' Juliet says and gives Michelle one last glance as she walks away.

Toula
     
    ' So I go!' Toula announces. It is good to see Juliet. Something about her endorses this new courage she has found. Yesterday, as Apostolis slept, her courage faltered and she felt like she was forcing herself to go to the travel agents. It is a narrow shop wedged between a betting shop full of idle or desperate men and a haberdashery where she buys her underwear. She had never been in before. The bell over the door tinkled as she entered. On the walls, posters were curling off, faded by the bright sun. Behind a computer, a girl sat, talking on the phone, and looking bored. One or two brochures were arranged on a small coffee table in what looked like a waiting area but as there was no one else, there was no need to wait.
    The girl put the phone down immediately and was most helpful. Toula had quite liked her right up until the point when she asked when Kyrios Apostolis would call in to pay for the tickets. Yes, tickets, not ticket! She presumed he was going with her! The same sort of thing happened in the bank where she went to learn how to draw out the money to pay for that ticket. The cashier did not actually ask Toula where her husband was, but her momentary look of panic said it all.
    So twice Toula felt she had been challenged, and twice she had had to stand up for herself. But the interesting thing was that each time, even though it annoyed her, the experience didn't undermine her confidence, which is what she would have expected. In fact, the challenges

Similar Books

Norton, Andre - Novel 15

Stand to Horse (v1.0)

Chump Change

David Eddie

Good Family

Terry Gamble

The Secret Rescue

Cate Lineberry

For Good

Karelia Stetz-Waters

Rainbow's End - Wizard

Corrie Mitchell