Page 36 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

PATTI

The organisers had taken a few photos of Patti, Sandra and Mary riding the jet skis, some individual ones and some showing the three of them. The friends gathered around, laughing as they looked at them.

‘I’ve got to have this one. It will be a fantastic souvenir,’ Patti said.

Sandra and Mary agreed. It was a photo of them, almost head-to-head, the wind blowing their hair behind them (upwards in Patti’s case as her hair was so short), a look of exhilaration on their faces as they sped across the ocean on their jet skis.

‘I’m going to buy a frame for this and hang it on the wall,’ Patti announced. ‘That was the best experience ever!’

‘Me too. I can’t believe that I finally did it!’ Mary agreed. ‘I’ll take a snap of this photo and send it to Keith to let him know that we’ve survived! I bet he’s pacing the floor.’

‘Good idea. I’ll send a photo to Kit. She’ll love it,’ Patti said.

‘I’ll send it to Becky. She, Honey and Zac will love to see it, and I’ll message Don and tell him that I’ve survived. He’ll be pacing the floor too,’ Sandra said.

They all sat down on a wall in the shade and snapped the jet ski photo, sending it to their respective family members.

‘Shall I put it on our Insta too and let our followers know that we’ve struck another thing off our bucket list?’

Sandra nodded. ‘Go for it.’

Patti uploaded the photo and added some smiley face emojis with the caption:

Another one off the bucket list!

‘Still here, ladies,’ Rob walked over to them, smiling.

‘We’re updating our Insta account.’ Patti turned her screen towards him so he could see.

‘Hey, that’s brilliant!’ He cocked his head to one side. ‘I don’t suppose going for a spin on a speedboat is on your list, is it?’

‘It’s definitely on mine!’ Mary said. ‘Why?’

‘Seeing as you’re influencers, you could take one of our motor boats out for a quick spin. It’s a bit quiet today and we might get more customers if they see you three whizzing around. Especially if you put the photo on Insta and tag us in.’

Patti laughed. ‘You mean they might think “if those old gals can do it, so can we”?’

Rob grinned. ‘Something like that. And there’d be no charge, you’ll be doing us a favour.’

‘You know, I’ve always fancied going on one of those,’ Patti said.

‘Don’t you need a licence or something?’ Sandra asked nervously. Those boats go fast!

‘Not for those,’ Rob told them. ‘What do you say? I’ll take a snap for your Insta?’

They all looked at each other then said, ‘Yes!’ in unison.

‘Well done, you attracted a lot of attention,’ Rob told them when they returned. ‘And I took some fabulous shots. Shall I send them to the email used to book the jet skis?’

‘That’s fine, I’ll share them with these two,’ Mary replied.

Rob sent the photos over and waved goodbye, saying he had another jet ski group to take out now.

The friends crowded around to look through the photos.

‘You two are amazing,’ Mary said. ‘I feel like I’m going to be famous, being in some of your Instagram photos!’

‘I’ve told you, you should start your own Instagram account? It’ll be fun. Keith might even join in too,’ Patti suggested.

‘Huh! We don’t go anywhere interesting enough!’

‘Nonsense, you live in such a beautiful place. There are so many photo opportunities. The mountains, the sky, the pool, the gorgeous fruit trees,’ Sandra told her. ‘I think people will enjoy seeing snapshots of your life in Spain.’

‘Maybe you’re right. I’ll have a think about it,’ Mary agreed.

She glanced at her phone as a text came in. ‘It’s from Keith. He said well done and have a nice day. Leo has popped around again and they’re sitting outside having a beer.’ Her face lit up. ‘Well, that’s a big improvement.’

‘I don’t know about anyone else but I’m starving. Shall we go and get some lunch? There’s a new restaurant a few minutes’ drive away I’ve been dying to try,’ Mary suggested.

‘Lead the way, my stomach is growling,’ Patti replied.

So they all got back into the car and a few minutes later Mary pulled up in a side street. ‘The restaurant is just around the corner,’ she said. ‘Hopefully it won’t be booked up this time of day, but I know you have to reserve a table in the evening.’

They were lucky, there were quite a few empty tables. They chose one outside, overlooking the sea.

A waiter came over to them, ‘Can I get you something to drink, seňoras,’ he asked.

‘I’ll have a soft drink as I’m driving, but you ladies treat yourself to some wine if you want,’ Mary said.

Sandra and Patti both ordered a glass of white wine and a big bottle of sparkling water for them all to share.

Whilst the waiter went off to get the drinks, the women studied the menu.

‘How about we all be adventurous and try something on the menu that we’ve never eaten before?’ Patti grinned impishly. ‘I’m going to have octopus. That will be another thing off my bucket list.’

‘Oh yuk!’ Mary looked horrified.

Patti grinned. ‘It doesn’t have to be octopus, it can be a different salad, or curry. Anything you like as long as you haven’t had it before. What do you all think?’

‘Yes, I like the idea of trying something we haven’t eaten before.

But I’ll leave the octopus to you,’ Sandra said.

‘Although I might go for fried calamari – squid – I’ve always fancied trying that.

’ She skimmed the menu. ‘Ah, here it is with caramelised onions and baby potatoes. That sounds tasty.’

‘Tuna, cod, salmon or prawns are the only fish I like to eat,’ Mary declared as she studied the menu. After much deliberation she decided on black spaghetti with prawn and gulas melted with aioli piquillo pepper.

The waiter returned with the drinks and took their orders.

‘I think you might need more than one glass of wine to swill that octopus down,’ Sandra said with a grin when their meals were placed in front of them.

Patti was wondering the same but to her surprise the octopus was tender and had a smoky flavour whilst Sandra declared that the squid was light and tasty with a surprisingly sweet texture.

‘Today has been amazing! I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun,’ Sandra said. ‘I was nervous about going on the jet ski – and that speedboat! – but I’m glad I did it.’

‘Me too,’ Mary agreed.

‘So was I,’ Patti admitted. ‘But we did it! Feel the fear and do it anyway!’

They all held up their glasses – Sparkling water for Mary as she was driving – and clinked them. ‘All for one and one for all!’

When they got back Keith was strimming one of the bushes and there was no sign of Leo.

‘You’ve been busy,’ Mary said.

‘Yeah, it needed doing. Did you all have a good time?’ he asked.

‘Wonderful,’ Patti told him. ‘It was such fun. You should try it sometime, you’d enjoy it.’

Keith shook his head. ‘Not for me. Anyone fancy some sangria? I’ve made a fresh jug. I’ve cooked some pasta and got some strawberries and cream too.’

Mary looked surprised. ‘You went to the shop?’ she asked.

Keith shrugged. ‘Yeah, I decided to get a couple of things in, as you women were out for the day. I also thought I’d do a barbecue tomorrow. Anyone fancy it?’

‘Yes!’ they all said in unison.

‘We could invite Leo,’ Keith suggested. ‘You just missed him actually, he’s meeting a friend. It’s been good to catch up with him the last couple of days.’

‘Yes, we must invite Leo!’ Mary exclaimed. Patti glanced at her, she’s sounded very enthusiastic about that!

‘How about inviting Thelma and Doug over too?’ Mary continued. ‘We haven’t seen them for ages and it would be lovely to catch up with them. They keep messaging us.’ She turned to Patti and Sandra. ‘You’d both get on well with them.’

Keith hesitated then nodded. ‘Sure. I’ve bought plenty. Although it might be too short notice for them.’

‘I’ll find out, shall I?’ Mary took out her phone and dialled.

A few minutes later she ended the call, her face wreathed in smiles. ‘They said they’d love to come.’

Patti looked thoughtfully at her brother.

Was he starting to relax a bit and live his life again?

It would be fantastic if he was. And it seemed like this couple who were coming tomorrow were good friends so that was a big step forward.

And Leo was coming too. She was looking forward to seeing him again, he was good company.

Mary had looked really pleased too. Almost too pleased.

Were they just friends or was something else going on?