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Lily
I touched down on the island of Lesvos in the middle of the afternoon. As we rumbled to a halt, I couldn’t wait to unclip my seatbelt and get off this plane. A fun holiday in the sun with a bunch of queers where nobody wanted anything from me was exactly what I needed.
A few hours later, after making my way through the airport and enjoying a stunningly beautiful drive through the Greek countryside, my taxi dropped me off in front of the villa.
We were in the picturesque town of Skala Eressos where I’d be spending the next week with my old friend Vicky from high school and her friends.
It was a large private villa with a huge garden. Its smooth white walls and blue shutters felt very Greek. The flowers smelled like summer. From the link Vicky had shared with me, I knew it had a pool and spacious lounging area overlooking the sea. I couldn’t wait to see it in real life.
I tipped the girl who drove me here. She thanked me in English and drove away in her pristine air-conditioned car, leaving me with my roller suitcase and backpack.
Vicky appeared from the side of the house, all smiles and floppy hat, holding a cocktail glass in one hand. “Woohoo, you’re here!” She wrapped her drink-free arm around me, hugging me hard. “It’s great to see you, pal.” Vicky still had her Scottish accent although it had softened, over the years.
“I could not be happier to be here, I’m telling you.”
“Well, this is the place to chill. And to party.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Everyone’s dying to meet you.”
“I’m dying to meet them.”
“Flight over okay? Did anyone spot you?” Vicky shielded her eyes from the scorching late June sun.
“The flight was good. I hid under my cap and sunglasses and had my hair down.”
“Incognito style, I love it.”
“The island is so beautiful. This is a great spot. Quiet but still close to the action.”
“It’s spectacular, and it’s full of lesbians. We’re officially calling it lesbian paradise.”
“I’d expect nothing less on the island of Lesvos, home of Sappho.” I picked up my bags. “Take me to the action.”
“Aye, aye, captain.”
Vicky led me into the grounds along an old stone path, passing a shallow pond with a statue of a Greek goddess in the centre, towards the main entrance. The villa had the most interesting archways and pillars. Inside, it felt homey and modern, with original stone walls and wooden beams mixed with a pristine stone floor and high-end light wooden furniture. There was a huge sectional sofa in the living room which complemented the white, silver and light wood in the kitchen. It was luxurious and peaceful. “When did you guys get here?”
“Yesterday. We’re just starting to relax now we’re all unpacked and settled in.”
“Great. Just in time for Saturday night.”
“Yeah, we’re all excited for tonight down at the festival. Last night was amazing. Oh, and the wi-fi password islivelikesappho, all lowercase, by the way.”
I laughed, dumping my bags in the airy hallway at the foot of the stairs. “The owner has a sense of humour.”
“The house is amazing, don’t you think?”
“I love it already.”
“Everyone’s out the back by the pool. Do you want to come and meet them or do you want to get settled in and freshened up first?”
“What are you trying to say, mate?”
“You’re absolutely stinkin’,” Vicky slid open the patio doors, giving me a lopsided smile. “Only kiddin’, pal, you smell like a bouquet of lilies.”
