TEENAGER Margaret Pierides had healed a rift with her dad and was “so happy it was unreal”, according to her friends.

But days after returning from a family holiday in Greece, the 16-year-old and her father Costas Pierides died of stab wounds.

Friends have revealed Margaret had planned to have a party at the £800,000 family home, in Sible Hedingham, on Friday, but cancelled it.

She was found with fatal stab wounds at 10am the following morning and Mr Pierides was found dead.

Her friends said she had made up with her father, who had allegedly thrown her out, and was pleased to be back home.

Amy Cleaver, from Braintree, attended Hedingham School with Margaret.

The 18-year-old said rumours of drug taking and excessive drinking have been blown out of proportion.

Miss Cleaver said: “She was being a teenager and trying these things.”

Margaret had lived in shared housing schemes in Braintree after a domestic fall-out.

She first stayed at Craigs House, in Manor Street, before moving to the Foyer, in St Michaels Road.

Having stayed in the shelters while taking her GCSEs, she moved back into the family home this summer and started a college course as a beautician, days before her death.

A family holiday to Greece was supposed to heal any rifts in the family.

Miss Cleaver said: “She went on holiday and things got sorted.

“She was upset and wanted to be at home – she had no one to support her.

“She was so happy when she got to go home, it was unreal.”

Miss Cleaver has fond memories of her friend, and said her death was only now beginning to sink in.

She said: “She always had a smile on her face. Even if she was upset she would still smile. That’s who she was.”