Page 27 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

SANDRA

‘There’s Mary and Keith,’ Patti said, waving to Mary, dressed in a loose, brightly coloured top over three-quarter white leggings, who was leaning over the barrier, waving to them.

Beside her was a tall, slim, almost-bald man with a smile just like Patti’s wearing a T-shirt and colourful shorts.

They were both smiling and waving frantically.

‘So lovely to see you.’ Mary pulled Patti into a big hug. ‘And you look really well. Doesn’t she look well, Keith?’ She kissed Patti on both cheeks.

‘She does.’ It was Keith’s turn to hug and kiss Patti now and they both clung tightly to each other as Mary turned to Sandra.

‘Hello again, Sandra. Welcome, love.’ She gave her a hug then kissed her on both cheeks. Keith did the same.

‘That’s the Spanish way,’ Mary said, noticing Sandra’s surprise.

‘It’s so kind of you both to put me up,’ Sandra told them.

‘Nonsense, it’s no trouble at all. And we’re the ones who are grateful because this one would never have travelled by herself and we’ve been trying to get her over here for years,’ Mary replied. ‘A holiday will do her good, give her chance to relax and have a bit of fun.’

‘How was the flight? Better than you were dreading?’ Keith asked, linking his arm with Patti’s, leaving Mary to follow with Sandra. Patti and her brother were obviously very close, Sandra thought. She was pleased that she’d accompanied Patti to Spain.

‘Actually, I even rather enjoyed it once we’d taken off and I’d calmed myself down. Sandra taught me some breathing exercises, and we took plenty with us to keep us occupied. Now I’ve done it once, you might not get rid of me,’ Patti said, glancing over her shoulder at Mary.

‘You’re welcome anytime. Both of you,’ Mary replied. ‘Now let’s get to the car, I’ll make us a spot of lunch at home, then perhaps you might like to relax for the rest of the day and we can do some sightseeing tomorrow?’

‘That sounds perfect.’ Patti turned to Sandra for confirmation and she nodded. ‘It certainly does.’ They’d had an early start and she was hungry. It would be nice to settle in and relax for the rest of the day.

‘Where exactly do you live?’ Sandra asked.

‘Just outside Cártama,’ Mary replied as they made their way over to the car park. ‘It’s only twenty-five minutes or so.’

They got into Keith’s sturdy estate car, Mary in the front with Keith, Patti and Sandra in the back, then set off. Keith pointed out various landmarks as they whizzed past the commercial area, then past mountains with white houses dotted here and there, some of them ridiculously high up.

They all chatted away and soon Keith was turning up a dirt track, and after a few minutes, they pulled up outside some white gates. A sign on the wall to the right of the gates said Casa de árboles.

‘What does that mean?’ Sandra asked as Mary got out to open the gate.

Keith looked over his shoulder. ‘House of Trees. And you’ll see why in a minute.’

Mary opened the gates to reveal a long drive lined with palm trees. At the end of the drive was a pretty white house with a roof terrace and white balustrading all around it.

‘Hey this is incredible!’ Patti exclaimed. ‘What a gorgeous place to live.’

‘It really is beautiful,’ Sandra agreed, gazing around in wonder.

‘Isn’t it? We fell in love with it immediately.’ Keith drove through the gates and into the huge garden, past the palm trees and onto a large, paved area to the left of the drive, just before the house. Mary locked the gates and walked up the drive towards them.

As they got out of the car, the heat and a heady mix of jasmine and citrus hit them.

‘Gosh, it’s hot!’ Sandra exclaimed. She and Patti put on their sunglasses and gazed around at the mountains in the distance, and the large garden with orange, lemon and olive trees dotted amongst huge succulents and cacti.

‘Oh wow!’ Patti gasped. ‘Your photos don’t do it justice, Keith.’

‘Wait until you see the pool area, that’s where we spend most of our time.

’ Mary led the way along the path to the back of the house where there was a large, tiled terrace with a big wooden table and six chairs, plus a comfy sofa.

A little brown and white terrier dog was standing in a fenced area with a kennel to the right, barking and wagging his tail.

‘That’s Rags. Let me introduce you to him, then he’ll settle down.’ Mary opened the gate and the dog bounded out, tail wagging. Both Patti and Sandra stroked him, then he settled down by the sofa, leaving them to explore the rest of the grounds.

A few steps led down to a large pool. The water was shimmering blue, and several sunbeds were placed invitingly on the paved area around it.

‘The water is lovely and warm if you fancy a dip later,’ Mary told them. ‘It’s not that deep, you will be able to stand on the bottom and keep your head above water, so don’t worry if you can’t swim.’

‘Oh we can both swim,’ Patti told her, smiling at Sandra.

‘I’ve only recently learned how,’ Sandra added.

‘Really? Well done you, things don’t come easy as we get older, but it means you’ll be able to enjoy the pool. Now how about I show you the casita and you can unpack, freshen up, then we can have lunch on the terrace.’

Mary led Patti and Sandra past the pool and down a small pathway between two fir trees to another white building. There was a small fenced front garden with a mosaic table and two matching chairs, several colourful plant pots and a white stone Buddha statue.

‘This is the casita,’ Mary said as she opened the gate.

It looked pretty, Sandra thought, and private although it wasn’t too far from the house.

It looked quite big too. She’d expected something smaller, with basically just room to sleep, but when Mary opened the door she was amazed to step into what looked like a small apartment with a lounge/kitchen area, two small bedrooms and a bathroom.

‘This is gorgeous,’ Patti said.

‘It certainly is,’ Sandra agreed. She couldn’t believe they had this all to themselves.

‘I hope you’ll be comfortable here.’ Mary opened the blinds to let some light in.

‘We tend to keep the blinds closed all day in the summer, it keeps the heat out. Decide between yourselves what bedroom you’re each having.

There’s a washing machine you can use and a cooker if you want to rustle up a snack, but you’re very welcome to have your meals over in the big house with us.

’ She glanced at the watch on her wrist. ‘Shall we say half an hour for you to unpack and freshen up? Is that long enough?’

Patti looked questioningly at Sandra and she nodded her agreement.

‘I’ll leave you to it then.’ Mary went out.

‘This is amazing. What a wonderful home your brother and his wife have,’ Sandra said. ‘And how kind of them to put us both up.’

‘I think we’re going to have a fantastic two weeks here. Thanks so much for coming with me,’ Patti said. ‘It’s so lovely to see Keith and Mary again.’

‘No, thank you for asking me.’ Sandra was so pleased that she’d agreed to accompany Patti, a couple of weeks away in the sun was just what she needed to get her head straight, and sort out her life.

‘Now shall we draw straws for who picks their room first then get unpacked?’ Patti suggested.

‘I’m happy with any room, so you choose, it’s your brother we’re staying with, so that’s only fair.’

‘In that case, I’ll take the one on the front so I can look out on the little garden.’

Sandra was quite happy with that. The second bedroom looked out the back, to the mountains. It would be a glorious view to wake up to every morning. She took a photo of the view and sent it to Don.

Sandra

Arrived safely and this is the view from my bedroom.

A text came straight back.

Don

What a relief. I was worrying that I hadn’t heard from you. That’s a fantastic view. Oh, and we’ve accepted that couple’s offer so the wheels are in motion.

Sandra read the message thoughtfully. It was definitely happening. Don, Laila and the children were leaving.