Jake and myself became quite good friends, and he took me to see a lot of places that was not easy to get to by bus or train. He joined me at the park almost every day, and we talked and laughed, while my bare bum would -be lover walked up and down, throwing killer looks at Jake, and reproachful ones at me. I would have tried to talk to him, as he could speak a little English, if only he would realise that even though he was built like an Adonis, the g-string just did NOT do it for me! Then one day Jake asked me if I would marry him, just for companionship, as he was extremely lonely, and thought we would go on very well! He was a very rich man, and I was seriously considering it, as I would never again have to put up with other people's demands, and as he had no children, I would be well looked after in the event of his death, he said. I asked him for time to consider, as I was not sure whether I would like to not live in South Africa. A few days later I was ready with my answer, and it would have been yes, but when he told me that his sister was still going strong, and her being deep into her nineties, I saw in my minds eye how in twenty years time I, at seventy, would be nursing a ninety something old man! He was a bitty disappointed with my answer, but soon perked up!
Time was running out for my Miami stay, and although I was a bit sad to leave, I was glad when Vassilis arrived to take Manos and me back to Greece, as Brenda was coming later. When they told me that our date for returning was changed and we would be leaving two days later, I was worried, and told them that my Greek visa was for the origanal date, but they assured me that it would not be a problem. The flight back was to say the least, made very comfy by the hostesses on both legs of the journey, who kept on asking me if I needed anything, while their eyes were riveted on Vassilis, who was the most beautiful of blue-eyed and dimpled- chin Greeks! After boarding the the plane for the last leg, a terrible hayfever made my journey very uncomfortable, and I left the plane at Athens with red swolen eyes and a nose like the famous red-nosed reindeer!
Then trouble started. The customs official was surly, maybe his wife had a bad headache the previous night, and he would not budge and let me in. Later Vassilis's dad, a very influential man was called, and Vassilis assured me that he would soon get me through. But this man would not budge from his standpoint, and although the other officials tried to talk him into letting me in, he stood his ground. Vassilis then wanted my return ticket to South Africa, and not long after I was told that I would be put on the next flight home, that being at eight, and Vassilis said he would buy me a ticket back as soon as I had my new visa. All would have been well, and I would not have tried to make a run for it, but this official obviously thought so, and I was guarded in the transfer hall until such time as I had to board, then I was escorted by the man who guarded me to the lounge where passengers waited before boarding, and I had to sit there, humiliated and furious, all eyes on me, the guard on my side, and he later escorted me into the bally plane, like a real criminal! That was that, I was NOT going back! Anyhow, Trienkie would be back in a months time, or so I thought!!