Page 37 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

SANDRA

Don phoned early the next morning. ‘We asked the estate agent to give us a quick quote for your house, Mum, just so you know what sort of money you’ve potentially got to play around with. He went around yesterday to value it,’ He sounded as if he expected her to be pleased.

‘What? You’ve got the estate agent looking around my house!’ She was appalled. How dare he! Don had gone too far this time.

‘Of course he hasn’t seen inside, Mum. I wouldn’t do that.

He did a “drive by valuation” but he said you’d easily get three hundred and fifty thousand for it.

And – some other exciting news is that another apartment has come up at Orchard House, a downstairs one this time right by the communal gardens, and Marilyn has said she’ll give you first refusal if you get back to her today.

’ Don’s voice was persuasive, almost pleading.

‘Please say you’ll think about it. This is too good an offer to refuse.

You’d have some money left over for emergencies too. ’

She was annoyed that Don had asked someone to value the house, even if it had only been from the outside. And that he was still trying to push her into buying one of those bloody apartments despite her repeatedly telling him that she wasn’t interested in them.

‘This is completely out of order, Don. I am not moving into an apartment and if I want my house valued, I’ll arrange it.

Will you please stop trying to control my life!

’ She ended the call, pulled on her kimono and went into the kitchen where Patti was sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cornflakes and talking to Kit on Facetime.

‘It looks amazing, Nan. And you’ve got so many followers on Insta now. You “Old Gals” are famous!’

Patti chuckled. ‘Infamous more like. Anyway, you get off to uni. I’ll speak to you later.’ Patti ended the call and glanced at Sandra. ‘You’ve got that “I’ve just been talking to Don” look on your face.’

‘Oh dear, is it that obvious?’ She repeated the phone call to Patti who raised her eyebrows. ‘It’s a bit controlling, don’t you think?’

‘I do. And I told him so in no uncertain terms!’ Sandra flicked the kettle on and took a bag of muesli out of the cupboard. ‘Did Keith mention what time he’s doing the barbecue?’

‘About two. So don’t worry, you’ve got plenty of time.’ She looked up at Sandra. ‘I’m so pleased that Keith has organised this barbecue, Mary said they haven’t had one for ages.’

‘It’s a good sign, isn’t it? Maybe he might even come out with us one of the days. Especially if we go somewhere he would like,’ Sandra replied.

‘I hope so. I’ll talk to Mary and see if she can come up with anything.

Although she did say that they’d both planned on going jet skiing.

And on the boat trip, and he didn’t even come on that, did he?

Even though it wasn’t even slightly strenuous.

’ She sighed. ‘I’m worried about him, Sandra.

This isn’t like him at all. He’s always been very outgoing. ’

‘I guess it was a shock when he had the heart attack. Things like that make you aware of your own vulnerability, don’t they?’

‘I know, but it’s not healthy. I wish I’d known how much he was struggling. I was so wrapped up in my own recovery.’

‘Which is perfectly natural. And he was probably embarrassed about it and didn’t want you to know. Also, I would imagine he thought you had enough to cope with so wouldn’t want to worry you.’

‘Poor Mary, these past few months must have been so hard for her.’ Patti picked up her mug and walked over to the window to look out into the garden. ‘Well, at least Keith’s doing bits around the garden now and has invited friends around for a barbecue today. That’s progress.’

‘It is. I’ll just eat this and then get ready.’ Sandra took her mug of tea and bowl of muesli into her room.

She enjoyed Patti’s company, but her friend tended to chat a bit, and right now Sandra wanted to be quiet.

Her mind was in a bit of turmoil after the conversation with Don.

He really was determined to persuade her to move to Cambridge with him, but as the days passed she could feel herself becoming more independent.

She still missed Brian desperately but she’d started to enjoy her life again, and to build up a friendship group.

Several members of the swimming group had commented on their Instagram posts, and Beryl and Mabel had both messaged to ask how they were enjoying their holiday and that they were looking forward to meeting up again.

She didn’t want to start all over again in Cambridge.

She didn’t want to live so far away from Don, Laila and the children either.

They had a swim in the pool then helped Mary and Keith get things ready for the barbecue. Doug and Thelma arrived first, they were a larger-than-life couple, full of bonhomie, and it was evident they were delighted to be invited.

‘We’ve missed you, mate,’ Doug said, patting Keith on the back. ‘We were a winning team us four, when are you coming back to play Bridge?’

Keith grinned. ‘We’ve got visitors at the moment, but when they’ve returned home we’ll come back,’ he said.

Mary shot him a look of surprise.

‘Perfect!’ Doug clapped him on the back again. Then turned his attention to Patti and Sandra. ‘Now which one of you two is Keith’s sister?’

Patti raised a hand. ‘I’m relieved to know that I don’t look much like him,’ she jested. There was a roar of laughter at this.

Then Leo arrived, carrying a bag from which she could see a couple of leeks peeping out, and half a dozen eggs perched on the top, and a bottle of red wine. Mary went to greet him and they stood chatting for a while, before joining everyone. Patti watched them thoughtfully.

‘Caught your eye, has he? Well, I’m not surprised he is quite a dish,’ Sandra said.

‘What? God no! I don’t fancy him!’ Patti denied a little too quickly.

‘Really? I wouldn’t blame you and you were staring at him…’

‘Not at him, at them.’ Patti frowned. ‘Do they seem a bit… close to you?’

Sandra’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline. ‘You don’t mean—?’

‘Yes. No. I don’t know. Mary always seems so pleased to see him, and they go on dog walks together, and they’re always huddled together chatting.’ She bit her lip. ‘I hate thinking like this but surely if I’ve noticed then Keith must have done.’

Sandra glanced over at Keith and saw that he was busy talking to Doug and Thelma, his back to the gate so wouldn’t have noticed Mary and Leo talking.

‘I think they’re all just very good friends and that you’re jumping to the wrong conclusion, maybe because Keith and Mary are going through a bit of a rocky patch. ’

‘And because Adrian cheated on me. I didn’t see the signs then, so maybe I look out for them more now.’

Mary and Leo were now walking back up the path to join everyone, Mary carrying the bag. She took it into the kitchen while Leo greeted everyone.

‘Buenos,’ Leo said cheerily, kissing each of them on both cheeks. Patti made sure not to meet his eyes this time, but the brief kiss was still a bit unsettling.

‘Leo, old boy, good to see you again!’ Doug shook Leo’s hand vigorously and slapped him on the back. Thelma leaned in for her cheek kisses. They obviously knew him well, Patti thought.

‘It’s a good job you two women have come for a visit, this one has turned into a bit of a recluse,’ Doug said. ‘We’ve been trying to drag him back into the land of living for ages.’

Keith reached out and put his arm around Patti’s shoulder, pulling her into him.

‘Well, I guess if my little sis can beat cancer and overcome her fear of going on a plane to come and visit me, then maybe I can start getting out a bit too. You should hear all the other things they’ve been up to as well. ’

Mary came back out and the conversation turned to their bucket list – with Leo asking, ‘Bucket list? What is that?’ and the others realising that they hadn’t mentioned it to him before, explained. Mary showed them the photos of the jet skiing yesterday, and on the speedboat.

‘You’re a gutsy trio, I’ll say that for you,’ Doug said. ‘Now what’s next on the list?’

‘A hot air balloon ride, going to a music festival, walking the Caminito del Rey.’ Seeing a flamenco dance, Mary related. She grinned at Sandra and Patti. ‘I’ve just added that because I’m sure you two will love to see one. And you said you fancied learning a new dance, Patti.’

‘Ah, I might be able to help you with that. My friend has a restaurant in Estepona and sometimes he books two flamenco dancers at the weekend. I can check if they’re here this weekend, book us a table, and give you a lift there so that you can enjoy a glass of sangria, if you wish.’

‘Leo, you are a hero,’ Mary kissed him on the cheek and he smiled affectionately at her.

Sandra saw a frown cross Patti’s face as she watched Leo and Mary. They looked close, yes, but surely nothing more than that. And it was nice of Leo to arrange this for them. This was turning out to be quite a holiday.