Page 28 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

PATTI

Patti couldn’t believe that Keith and Mary lived in such a beautiful place.

It was like one of the houses that were featured on Homes in the Sun.

She was so pleased that she’d finally plucked up the courage to come and see them, thanks to Sandra.

She was really looking forward to spending a couple of weeks here.

After they had unpacked, she and Sandra joined Mary and Keith on the terrace, where their gifts of biscuits and chocolate were accepted with delight and thanks.

Then they sipped home-made sangria and tucked into a gorgeous Caesar salad with garlic bread.

Now that Rags had been introduced to them, he was quite happy to lie on the sofa or have a wander around the garden.

‘So how long have you two known each other?’ Mary asked.

Patti filled her in on how she and Sandra had worked together at the supermarket years ago.

‘We bumped into each other again on the bus – gosh, really only a few weeks ago – when I was on the way to have my tattoo done. One of the things on my bucket list.’ She smiled at Sandra.

‘Sandra came with me for moral support. And then ended up having one herself a few days later.’

‘A tattoo, where?’ Mary asked.

Patti slipped of her light cardigan and showed her the tattoo on her upper arm.

‘Grab life by the horns,’ Mary read out. ‘It’s an admirable sentiment.’ She shot a glance at Keith who was focusing intently on eating his salad. Then she turned to Sandra. ‘And where’s your tattoo?’

Sandra pulled up her thin sleeve so that Mary could see the tattoo just above her wrist. ‘Embrace change, love life,’ Mary read out. ‘Have you had cancer too?’

‘No, thank goodness. But…’ Sandra took a breath to compose herself. ‘I lost my husband nine months ago. It was so sudden. An aneurism. We’d been together a long time and it hit me hard. For a while life seemed a bit pointless. My tattoo is to remind myself that I still have a life to live.’

‘Oh, love.’ Mary’s voice was full of sympathy.

Suddenly there was a crash and they all looked in alarm at Keith who had thrown his fork down, pushed his plate aside and sprung to his feet. ‘See, her husband died instantly. I was lucky, I survived. Yet you still want me to take risks!’ He stormed into the house.

There was a stunned silence.

‘Wow, what was that all about?’ Patti asked.

Mary’s bottom lip quivered. ‘Ever since Keith had the heart attack he’s been scared to do anything.

We used to go out for day trips, meals, socialise with friends, but now he just shuts himself away.

You know how he loved to spend hours in the garden?

All he will do now is a bit of weeding, we have had to get a gardener in to do the mowing and anything remotely strenuous – even though the doctor said that it was important Keith did physical exercise.

’ She leaned back in her chair a little.

‘Keith’s convinced that if he exerts himself, he’s going to collapse and die.

He wouldn’t even go back to the UK for a visit.

And he hates me going out for long in case anything happens to him while I’m gone.

’ She glanced from Patti to Sandra then back to Patti.

‘I can understand his concern. I know it was a scary time for him, for both of us. He could have died. But… he survived, thank goodness, and this fear is taking over his life – and to be honest, it’s ruining mine. ’

Goodness she hadn’t realised that’s how Keith had felt. He’d never mentioned it to her in one of their Facetime chats. ‘I’m so sorry, I had no idea.’

‘He doesn’t want to worry you, so he pretends he’s fine, but he isn’t. He’s become a hermit and I can’t get him to go anywhere. He tells me to go by myself but not to be long and is constantly on the phone to me when I am out.’

This sounded serious. And it was obviously putting a strain on their marriage, Patti realised worriedly.

‘I’m so glad that you’ve both come to stay for a while. You have such a positive attitude, Patti, and you too, Sandra. Hopefully it will rub off on Keith. And he’ll come out and about with us, you and Keith were always so close.’

Not as close as she thought seeing as Keith hadn’t confided his fears to her.

Patti felt a pang of regret that she hadn’t known how much her brother was suffering mentally.

But then as Mary said he didn’t want her to know, probably because she had her own health issues.

She remembered how scared she had been that the treatment wouldn’t work, and even when she got the all clear she was terrified that the cancer would come back.

Still was, if truth be told. She had pulled herself together though, told herself there were no guarantees with anything and she had to make the most of her life however long – or short – it was going to be.

Maybe, she could talk to Keith and convince him to do the same.

‘I’ll have a chat to him, see if I can get him to open up,’ she promised. ‘And we’ll definitely encourage him to come out with us.’

‘Thank you.’ Mary reached out and squeezed her hand.

‘It’s so lovely to see you, Patti. I’m so glad that you managed to pluck up the courage to fly out here.

And thank you for accompanying her, Sandra.

’ She smiled at both of them, then said, ‘Now tell me about this bucket list you’ve both made. What sorts of things are on it?’

Sandra swallowed down the last piece of garlic bread before replying. ‘We have some things we both want to do, and some things separately. I wanted to learn to swim so I had some swimming lessons and now I can swim a little.’

‘That’s great. What else is on it? Let’s see what we can cross off it while you’re over here,’ Mary said. ‘Maybe we can even get Keith to start one. It could be the push he needs.’

‘We’re still thinking of ideas,’ Patti told her, opening up the files folder on her phone and showed the list to Mary.

Mary read the list out. ‘So, Patti, you’ve finally managed to stop biting your nails?’

Patti held out her hands. ‘I’m still trying to grow them though so I can paint them and wear gems.’

‘Good for you. And you still have to get over your fear of heights…’

‘I’m working on that, I’ve been up a stepladder,’ Patti interrupted.

‘Well done!’ Mary continued reading the list. ‘And you still need to go on a jet ski …’

‘And eat octopus, but I said exotic food in case I couldn’t bring myself to do it,’ Patti added.

Mary wrinkled her nose. ‘Can’t say I fancy that!’

‘Nor me!’ Sandra agreed.

Mary glanced back at the list. ‘Learn a new dance? Do you have a particular dance in mind?’

Patti shrugged. ‘Something different. I was thinking maybe jazz or the jive.’

‘I suggested ballroom dancing, I love the fabulous dresses,’ Sandra added. ‘Strictly Come Dancing is one of my favourite programmes. Me and Brian used to watch it regularly.’ Her eyes misted over for a minute and she glanced down at her drink.

‘I’ll have to take you to see some flamenco dancers while you’re here. I think you’ll enjoy that.’ Mary said. ‘Now let’s take a look at your list, Sandra. Go to Australia – is Becky your daughter?’

Sandra nodded. ‘Becky, her husband and their two teenage children live over there. Brian and I were planning on going this year but…’ Her voice trembled a little and Mary squeezed her arm reassuringly.

‘Hard, isn’t it, love?’

Sandra nodded. ‘It never really leaves you, but I’m learning to live again.’

‘So it seems, judging by this list!’ Mary continued reading. ‘Go in an air balloon, sail across the sea in a motor yacht, create a cocktail, have your ears pierced.’

‘Done.’ Sandra pushed her hair behind her ears to reveal tiny gold studs. ‘Another couple of weeks and I’ll be able to change these to dangly ones.’

‘Gosh, you two have been busy.’ Mary scanned the list again.

‘And you both want to go to London to see a musical on stage and sit on the beach drinking fizz while you watch the sun go down.’ She handed Patti her phone back.

‘You know, this is a really good idea. Maybe I should make a bucket list. One thing I’ve always wanted to do is go on the Caminito del Rey, in fact we both planned on doing it.

But now Keith won’t come with me and I don’t want to go alone. Would you two be up for joining me?’

‘What is it?’ Patti asked.

Mary jabbed at her phone a few times then held up a picture of a wooden pathway running along the side of a sheer cliff top.

‘This is it! It’s perfectly safe now, and there are barriers to stop you falling – children over eight can even go on it.

I’d love to do it. The views are spectacular.

’ She glanced at Patti. ‘And you did say that you wanted to get over your fear of heights.’

Patti looked at the photo again. This was a lot more daunting than climbing a stepladder to change a lightbulb. The pathway seemed very narrow and scarily high up above the gorge.

Could she do it? She wanted to get over her fear of heights but was this too much?

Sandra peered over her shoulder. ‘I’m up for it, if you are?’

‘Please say that you’ll both come! I would love the company and Keith won’t even hear of it now.’

‘No pressure then.’ Patti nodded slowly. ‘Okay, but I might need someone to hold my hand.’

‘Really! Oh, thank you both. And don’t worry, Patti, we’ll both hold your hand. You can walk in the middle of us,’ Mary promised.

Patti didn’t think the platform looked wide enough for the three of them to walk in a row but she didn’t say anything. This was something Mary really wanted to do. Besides, hadn’t she promised herself when she recovered from cancer that she wasn’t going to let fear stop her from doing anything?

Mary’s face broke into a huge smile. ‘I’m so glad you two have come over for a visit. I’ve got the feeling we’re going to have a fabulous time. Keith seems to think that we’re past having fun now, but we can show him that we’re not. And you never know, he might join in with us.’

They clinked their sangria glasses then Mary picked up her iPad.

‘Let’s book us in for the Caminito del Rey now, otherwise we might not get in.

Sometimes it’s booked up for weeks.’ After a few minutes she looked up.

‘It’s fully booked all next week but there’s a few free slots the week after.

Shall I book us for then? Is Tuesday morning okay?

It’s closed on Monday and will be too hot in the afternoon.

The next slot is Wednesday and that’s the day you go back. ’

‘That’s fine by me,’ Sandra said.

‘Me too,’ Patti agreed. She could do this.

‘Right. That’s all done, and it’s my treat.

Now what shall we do tomorrow? Do you fancy going on a boat trip?

We could go to Málaga and get a boat at the port.

I’ve always wanted to do that, but Keith doesn’t fancy it.

’ She looked at Sandra. ‘It could be another one to tick off your list – although it isn’t exactly a motor yacht. ’

‘Definitely! That sounds amazing!’ Patti said, turning to Sandra. ‘Are you up for it?’

‘I certainly am,’ Sandra agreed.

Patti glanced towards the house. ‘Should we go and check on Keith?’ she asked.

‘He’ll be sitting watching the TV, but you go in if you like,’ Mary told her. ‘It’s no use me saying anything, it just causes an argument.’

Patti wasn’t sure what to do, she felt she ought to talk to Keith, but she didn’t want to make things worse.

Fortunately, while she was still dithering about it he came out again to ask if anyone wanted another drink.

No one mentioned his outburst and they all sat chatting pleasantly for the rest of the afternoon.

‘Your brother and his wife are such a lovely couple,’ Sandra said when they were sitting in the casita later. ‘They’ve made me feel so welcome.’

‘They are, aren’t they? We used to see quite a bit of each other when they lived in the UK, so I’m glad I’ve finally managed to visit them. And it’s all thanks to you agreeing to come with me. I don’t think I would have been able to do it on my own.’

‘I’m glad to help – and to have the chance to get away for a while and sort my mind out,’ Sandra told her.

‘I had a text from Don earlier. The buyers have put in an offer for the house, which means that Laila and the children will be gone in a couple of months too.’ She looked wistful. ‘I’ll miss them so much.’

‘Have you decided if you want to go with them yet?’ Patti asked.

Sandra shook her head. ‘It seems such a big move and I thought I couldn’t do it. But look at your brother and Mary, they’ve moved all the way over to Spain and made a happy, new life for themselves. Maybe I’m being a bit of a stick in the mud.’

‘It’s a massive decision and there’s nothing wrong with taking your time over it,’ Patti told her.

‘Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s what you want.

’ She didn’t add that she wasn’t sure if Keith and Mary were actually that happy.

Mary had seemed so pleased to see them, so eager for company, and Keith was obviously struggling to cope.

She needed to find time to speak to him alone, but she knew her brother, he was stubborn and when his mind was made up, it was hard to change it.