Page 20 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

SANDRA

Back at Patti’s house, Patti sent a WhatsApp to Mary to let her know that Sandra had agreed to come to Spain with her and to see if she was free to chat, then opened the fridge. ‘Fancy a glass of chilled rosé to celebrate our new adventure?’

‘Why not?’ Sandra said. Life was one long adventure and celebration with Patti.

Patti had just poured them a glass of wine each, when her phone rang. ‘It’s Mary,’ she said, pressing the button to accept the vid call, then sitting down at the table and motioning Sandra to do the same.

A friendly looking woman with a tanned face and grey curly shoulder length hair appeared on the screen.

‘Hi Patti, that’s fabulous news. I can’t believe that you’re coming over!

And how kind of Sandra to come with you.

Keith will be delighted, he’s inside watching the TV. Do you want to talk to him?’

Mary was standing beside a sparkling blue swimming pool. The sky looked cloudless and sunny, and was that an orange tree behind her head? Sandra wondered excitedly.

‘No, I’ll leave you to tell him! I’d better introduce you to Sandra.’ She held out the phone so that Sandra was visible on the screen too.

Mary waved cheerily. ‘Hi there. Thanks so much for accompanying this one, we’ve been trying to get her to come and visit for years!’

‘It’s a pleasure. Thanks for asking me. It’s so good of you,’ Sandra replied. Mary looked genuinely pleased that Sandra was accompanying Patti.

‘Nonsense, it’s lovely to have company. Now, when were you both thinking of coming?’

Sandra looked worriedly at Patti, was it too soon to go next week?

‘We haven’t booked yet but there’s some flights next Wednesday, great times and a good price. Is that too soon?’

‘Not at all. That’s perfect. The weather’s sunny and warm but not too hot. July and August can be scorching. And if I’m not wrong, that means you’ll be travelling just before the school half term holiday too, so the flights will be cheaper.’

Goodness, she’d forgotten it was soon going to be half term.

She usually had the grandchildren for a couple of days, to share the load.

Laila hadn’t mentioned it though, and they always worked out a schedule together well beforehand.

Maybe she was having the time off to do a bit of packing, or they were all going to Cambridge to spend time with Don, seeing as Kali and Rana were off school. Should she check?

‘Look, I forgot it was half term coming up. Can I just message my daughter-in-law and check that she doesn’t need me to have my grandchildren any of the days? We’ll be away over half term and I often look after them in the school holidays.’

‘Of course, go ahead. Mary and I can carry on chatting here.’

Sandra sent Laila a quick WhatsApp to say her friend had invited her to go away with her to Spain so she wanted to check that Laila didn’t need her for childcare.

Laila replied.

Laila

That’s fantastic. You go and enjoy yourself, you deserve it. We’ll be fine. I’ve booked some time off so will be here for the kids

‘All good, Laila’s booked time off work,’ Sandra said as she joined Patti again.

‘Brilliant. Now why don’t you come for a couple of weeks? The casita is ready. A couple of women to natter to is just what I need. Keith either potters about the garden or sits in front of the TV all day. I can’t get a word out of him half the time.’

‘We’ll soon jog him out of that. We’ve got a list of things we want to do,’ Patti replied. ‘You both don’t mind running us around, do you? Or we can get taxis, or the train.’

‘You will not! I’d be delighted to run you around.’

‘That’s great then. We’ll book now and I’ll call you later for a catch-up, tell Keith.’

‘I will. And no need for you both to lug heavy suitcases around with you. There’s a washing machine in the casita so you can wash as you go.’

‘That’s great as we can bring a 10kg case free,’ Patti said. ‘I can’t believe I’m actually flying over to see you!’

‘Keith won’t believe it either. It’s just what he needs to cheer himself up.’

‘That’s good. I’m really looking forward to seeing you both. Anyway, we’ll book now, and I’ll call you back later,’ Patti told her.

‘Send us the flight times too, so we know when to get to the airport,’ Mary told her. She waved. ‘Pleased to meet you, Sandra. See you both on Wednesday.’

They said their goodbyes and Patti closed the chat. ‘I told you she wouldn’t mind. Now let’s get those flights booked.’

Patti topped up their wine while Sandra booked the flights. ‘If you get your passport I’ll check you in now, and check myself in when I’m back at home,’ she said.

A little while later the flights were all booked and Patti checked in.

‘Oh my God, we’re actually doing this!’ Sandra said. ‘Spain here we come!’ She held out her glass and they both chinked glasses, squealing with excitement.

‘Thank you for coming with me,’ Patti told her. ‘I feel a lot better now that I have someone flying with me. I actually can’t believe that we’re going.’

Sandra smiled at her. ‘It’s me who should be thanking you. Two whole weeks in Spain! It’s just what I need.’

‘I’m just glad you know your way around the airport. All of this is new to me.’ Patti said, taking a long gulp of her wine.

They’d both just finished their drinks when Sandra’s phone rang.

She glanced at the screen. ‘Goodness, I didn’t notice the time.

It’s Don. He was popping in to see me after he dropped Laila and the children off, they’ve stayed with him at Cambridge this weekend and he dropped them back home, so he could collect more of his things.

I must go.’ She pressed answer and grabbed her bag.

‘See you tomorrow,’ she said to Patti as she hurried off home.

‘What do you mean? Aren’t you coming home tonight?’ Don sounded worried.

‘Sorry, love, I was talking to Patti. I’m on my way now. Put the kettle on for a cup of tea, will you? I’ll only be five minutes.’

When she hurried in a few minutes later, Don was pouring hot water over teabags in mugs.

‘You seem to be spending every minute you can with this Patti,’ Don said scathingly. ‘No wonder you don’t want to move to Cambridge.’

‘I thought that you would be pleased that I have a friend,’ she told him. ‘And actually I’m going to Spain with her next week to visit her brother and sister-in-law. That’s why I’m late, we were booking our flights.’

‘Laila told me. It’s very short notice, Mum.’

‘I know. Isn’t it exciting? I can’t believe that we’re flying out on Wednesday for two whole weeks.

’ She stepped past him and swiftly took the teabags out of the mugs before it was too strong, then added milk.

She put one of the mugs in front of Don and carried hers over to the table, sitting down in the nearest chair. Don leant back against the worktop.

‘Do you think this is wise, Mum? These people are all strangers to you. You’ve only reconnected with this Patti a month or so ago.’

‘Almost two months actually and will you stop calling her “this Patti”! She’s a very good friend. And stop overreacting. What on earth do you think’s going to happen? They’re not going to kidnap me and sell me to traffickers.’

‘There’s no need to be so flippant.’ Hurt flickered in Don’s eyes. ‘I’m worried about you, Mum. I think the grief has got too much for you. You’re so impulsive just lately. It’s not like you.’

‘I’m making a life for myself, Don. Partly so that you don’t have to worry about me being lonely when you move.’

Don looked a bit guilty. ‘I guess you are, and it is good that you’re getting out and about now, Mum. But please be careful.’

‘Of course I will. I’ll be fine I promise. I’ll be enjoying two weeks in the sun with a good friend.’

At least she hoped she would. As Don had pointed out, she didn’t know Patti’s brother and his wife. It will be okay, I can always take myself off for a bit if things are awkward. She looked at her tattoo. ‘Embrace change, love life.’

That’s exactly what she intended to do. Now she was going to get her passport and check herself in. She couldn’t wait to go to Spain.