CHAPTER ONE mamma mia: act i, scene one "need a ride?"
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LYING ALONG THE BOAT DECK, Abby Anderson let out a content sigh as she quietly read a book, trapped in her own little world of Stephen King. It was very early in the morning, around 7 am, and her day was already planned ahead. Herself and her dad, Bill Anderson, were on quite the adventure.
It was merely only a few days ago when her dad had received a wedding invitation for someone he had never met, although it turned out the bride was the daughter of a love lost long ago - Donna Sheridan, who had apparently sent the invite herself.
It had been over 20 years since he last saw her, so when he received the letter he was quite happy - he actually even let out a small squeal, though he'll never admit that. He quickly informed his daughter of it, and immediately she began to set their boat up to set sail to Kalokairi, Greece.
I guess that's why it was such a thrill to live on a boat, you could go wherever and whenever you want. And that's what led them to now - the family of two had made a quick decision to rest for a moment at the ferry docks before making their way to the island.
While Bill fixed up the boat sails, Abby sat up with a stretch, placing her book to the side as she looked up at her dad, "How much longer do we have 'till we get there?" Bill glanced down at her, before glancing at his watch, "It's about a 20 minute boat ride from here to Kalokairi, so not long at all."
Abby grinned, she was quite excited to meet the woman that once stole her dad's heart. Bill never knew of his daughter until she was five - which was when her mum passed away, and when he took her in for good - but before that, Bill had a fling with Donna Sheridan, and when she left him, he never quite recovered.
And when he learned of the passing of his ex-girlfriend, Christina Mabry, with whom he unknowingly conceived Abby with back in 1977, he could never bring himself to fall in love again. That was back in 1982, 18 years ago. Since that unexpected day, he continued to travel the world with his daughter.
It took him time to learn all of the aspects of being a dad, but once he got the hang it, Abby swore he was the best father anyone could ask for. The two were like peas in a pod - with both of them having very bubbly and adventurous personalities- they were each other's best friend.
When Bill decided to take up travel writing, Abby followed in his footsteps when she learnt how to read and write for the first time, and together the two travelled around the world writing various pieces of the magnificent things they came across.
Although - since the age of 14, Abby had begun to take a interest in astrology, which she then began to study after begging her dad to buy her books on the subject. And now, every night she sets up the telescope she got for her 18th on the boat deck, and studies the beauty she sees in the sky.
Now that she was 23 years old - despite still living on the boat with her dad and travelling- she was beginning to ponder what her future could hold. And she was hoping it held a husband, a family and a new adventure for her to go through.
Leaning against the boat railing, she smiled as she watched people gather onto the ferry that took them to Kalokairi - she even had to hold back a laugh at a very overly dressed woman who struggled with her many bags - and she silently watched as the ferry began to sail away.
"Alrighty- All done!" Bill suddenly called out, grinning down at his daughter. Abby breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank god, I really want to see this island you always talk about." Bill chuckled, smiling fondly at her enthusiasm.
Suddenly, two cars screeching along the boat dock caught their attention as both vehicles came to a stop, followed by three very well dressed man hurriedly jumping out with their luggage and running towards the ferry pick up, where they glumly watched their missed ferry float away.
"Bugger." She heard a strong British accent curse, followed by a strong Irish accent, "My sentiments exactly." She watched amused as the three men grumbled, one of them - the youngest of the trio - dropping his bag as he threw his head back with a groan, "What the hell do we do now?" He spoke with a Canadian accent.
The two older men walked over to the sign, while the younger one grumbled quietly behind them. "I'm trying to get to Kalokairi, when's the next ferry?" The British man asked as he leant down to read the sign - though he couldn't, as it was written in Greek.
"Δευτέρα." The Irish man responded, causing the British man to look up at him in confusion, "What?" The younger fellow made his way towards them, sighing, "Monday." He translated for the British man, who proceeded to sigh, "Bollocks."
"Yeah, my sentiments exactly." The Irish man replied back once more, looking around for any sign of help. Abby leant her arms on the boat railing, continuing to smile amused at their obvious frustration, a frustration that had now caught the attention of her dad.
The British man pulled out a white envelope, sighing disappointed as he looked at it. The Irish man looked at him, then the envelope, "Bride or groom?" The other man looked up in slight surprise at the question, "Bride. Although I've actually never met her." The Irish man gave him a strange look.
Abby, finally deciding to spare them their misery, called out, "Ahoy, there." The three of them looked at her in surprise, before hearing another voice from above, "You guys need a ride to Kalokairi?" Bill asked, looking down at them amused.
"How'd you know that?" The British man asked them, looking between the two. Abby smiled, standing up straight, "Couldn't help but overhear your fascinating conversation. I would've said hello sooner, but I just couldn't help but hear your misery."
Bill laughed at his daughter as he climbed down the sail, while the three strangers looked at her unamused. Bill softly planted his feet back onto the deck and walked to stand next to his daughter, "We are headed to Kalokairi too, for the wedding - which I presume you gents are too?"
The Irish man nodded, "Uh - yes, in fact, we are. Would, uh, you mind giving us a ride?" Abby and Bill turned to each other in thought, pondering over the question before Abby turned back to them, "Absolutely!" The three men smiled in relief, "The fee is $150...each."
All of their smiles dropped, their faces deadpanning after hearing those words. Abby began to crack a smile, as Bill began to cackle loudly, "I'm only joking, fellas. Of course we'll give you a ride." And without missing a beat, all three of their faces brightened up once more.
