Page 41 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

SANDRA

She’d had such a marvellous time, she didn’t want to go home, Sandra thought on Thursday morning as she relaxed on the sunbed feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin.

It was still morning, so it wasn’t burning hot yet, just warm and pleasant.

She didn’t want to go back and face real life.

Didn’t want to have to make the decision whether she moved to Cambridge or not.

The clock was ticking. Don told her that both parties had already booked surveys and were expecting to exchange within the next few weeks, looking to complete before the summer holidays.

This break had done her good. Done them all good. Patti looked so relaxed now. And Keith and Mary seemed closer. Yesterday evening had been fun.

Mary was taking them to a pretty white village up in the mountains later – Mijas Pueblo – so they were chilling out before the journey.

Then, tomorrow, all being well, Leo was taking them to Marbella for a ride in his friend’s Cadillac.

Patti had told her about it when they returned to the casita last night, saying it was a secret from Keith until Leo had the go ahead from his friend.

And they were all dressing forties style.

Apparently, that’s what they’d been whispering about, and Patti said she felt mortified thinking that her sister-in-law was having an affair.

Saturday was the flamenco night and Mary had booked them in for the Caminito del Rey on Tuesday.

Then it was home on Wednesday and back to real life.

It had been such a marvellous time. And such a shame they didn’t have longer because anyone could see the growing attraction between Patti and Leo.

They had really hit it off. Perhaps that might encourage Patti to visit again.

She opened her eyes as her phone buzzed in, reaching for it from under the sunbed where she’d put it so that it didn’t get hot.

She sighed when she glanced at the screen and saw that it was Don again.

This time with the link to a small, detached bungalow for sale in Cambridge.

He’d sent her at least two properties a day for the last few days.

She sighed again as she put her phone back down on the coffee table.

Patti glanced over enquiringly. ‘Let me guess… another property for sale?’

‘Yep.’

‘When does he go? Is there any more movement on his house sale?’

Sandra filled her in.

‘A month or so then. Are you any nearer to making a decision?’

‘It’s difficult to decide while I’m here. We’ve had such an amazing time. Your brother and sister-in-law are wonderful hosts and it’s so kind of Mary to run us around like this.’

‘It is, but she’s enjoyed it too.’ Patti edged herself into a sitting up position, sensing Sandra was keen to change the subject.

‘I’m so glad we came, Keith and Mary seem in a happier place now.

Maybe he’ll even start going out with Mary again, once we return home.

Doug and Thelma will encourage him, I’m sure. As will Leo.’

‘They’re all lovely people, aren’t they? And how kind of Leo to ask his friend if he can borrow his car tomorrow.’

‘Yes, I’m really looking forward to that.

We’ve ticked so many things off our bucket list, haven’t we?

’ Patti sat up, hugging her knees, pulling her kimono down over them.

‘I do feel a bit awful that Mary is doing the Caminito del Rey walk with us though, when it was something she and Keith had always planned on doing together. I wish he would join us.’

‘Maybe he will later on. I’m sure she won’t mind doing it again.’

‘I guess you’re right. After all, look how long it took me to pluck up the courage to get on a plane!’

‘And me to learn to swim. Sometimes things take time.’

‘Yahoo! Lunch is ready!’ Mary was waving to them from the terrace.

‘Coming!’ Sandra stood and grabbed her maxi dress from the back of the chair, pulling it over her head. Then they both slipped their feet into their sandals and went over to join Keith and Mary who were sitting at the table outside.

‘I can’t believe we’ve been here more than a week already! I shall miss it so much,’ Sandra said as she sat down. ‘You two have been very good to us both. I really appreciate it.’

‘It’s a pleasure,’ Mary told her.

After lunch they got changed then climbed into Mary’s car and headed off for the hillside village of Mijas Pueblo.

Sandra sat in the back, as usual, knowing that Patti always felt nauseous in the back, and off they set.

They’d tried to talk Keith into coming with them, but he’d replied that he’d been there loads of times, and Leo was coming around later for a beer.

‘Well, at least Keith’s socialising again, I’m so glad,’ Mary said as they set off.

Sandra looked out of the window, admiring the view, as Patti and Mary chatted in the front. Sometimes Patti turned and said something to her, but she was mostly content to leave them to it.

‘I can’t get over how the mountains are literally sliced through to make way for the roads,’ Patti observed. ‘And how some of the places are so remote, high on top of the hills, I wouldn’t like to live that far away from everything.’

‘Me neither, but some people like the solitude.’

‘You said this village was up the mountains?’ Patti said.

‘Yes we’re about to turn off to go up to it.’

At first the road was quite wide but the higher up they went the narrower it got. The mountain wall was on Sandra and Mary’s side but Patti was sitting in the front passenger seat, on the side of the drop, and she was getting more and more nervous.

‘Oh shit, Mary!’ she screamed, clinging onto the edges of her seat. ‘It’s a sheer drop on this side! And there’s no barriers along this bit!’

‘We’re nowhere near the edge. And holding on to your seat won’t help!’ Mary told her with a chuckle. ‘There will be barriers again in a minute.’

‘I’m going to have to shut my eyes,’ Patti squeaked. ‘Let me know when we’re there.’

She’d feel the same if she was on the side facing the drop, Sandra thought. She’d make sure that she sat behind Patti on the way back so she’d be against the mountain again.

It was a bit of a hair-raising journey, but once they’d parked up they had a great time looking around.

It was such a pretty little town, with lots of little shops and restaurants.

Sandra had to stop herself buying another handbag, because there was no way she could fit it in her case, so she settled instead for an elegant black beret – she’d taken to wearing them a lot now back at home.

Patti bought a colourful scarf and Mary treated herself to a soft beige leather jacket and a plaid cap for Keith.

They stopped for lunch, sharing a paella with salad and garlic bread, had a wander over up to the fortress walls and beautiful gardens, stopping to look at the breathtaking view below before visiting the historic chapel of the Virgin of the Rock.

‘This is a beautiful place,’ Patti said. ‘It’s a shame it’s such a scary route up here.’

‘You’ll be okay going down, you’ll be on the mountain side, I’ll be the one with the drop on my side,’ Mary reminded her.

‘Aren’t you scared, Mary?’ Sandra asked. ‘I’m going to sit behind Patti this time. I don’t think I can handle looking down.’

‘It was a bit nerve-wracking the first couple of times we came here, but I’m used to it now.’

When they arrived back at home Keith and Leo had just returned from taking both dogs for a walk.

‘Did you have a good time?’ Keith asked.

‘It was beautiful, but you could have warned us about that mountain road!’ Patti told him.

He grinned. ‘If I had, you wouldn’t have gone and it’s well worth the visit, isn’t it?’

‘It certainly was,’ Sandra agreed.

‘Will you stop for a coffee – or a beer, Leo?’ Mary asked.

‘A cerveza would be good, gracias,’ Leo said. ‘I’ll give you a hand.’

‘I’ll give the dogs some water.’ Keith went off, the two dogs trotting behind him, to refill the water bowls and Leo followed Mary into the kitchen.

‘I wonder if he’s heard whether he can borrow the Cadillac tomorrow,’ Patti whispered, crossing her fingers.

They both returned with a tray of coffees, two bottles of beer and a bowl of crisps just as Keith came back and sat down by Patti and Sandra. ‘Well, ladies, what plans do you have for tomorrow?’ he asked cheerily.

‘I have a good day planned.’ Leo pulled out a chair and sat down, opening the beer and taking a sip before continuing. ‘My friend in Marbella, he has a vintage Cadillac and he is allowing me to borrow it tomorrow to take some friends out for a drive.’

Keith’s eyes widened. ‘A Caddy! Wow! Lucky friends.’

‘Do you think they will like it, to ride in such an old car?’ Leo asked.

‘Are you kidding! It’s a classic. Who wouldn’t want a ride in one?’

‘Ah, I am pleased you think it. So, you will come with us?’ Leo took another swig of his beer.

Keith looked taken aback. ‘Me? Join your friends? But I don’t know them…’

‘Oh, but you do. It is all of you.’ Leo held out his arms to encompass the group. ‘You are the friends I’m taking.’

Keith looked stunned. Mary reached over and squeezed his hand. ‘We planned it for you as a surprise. You’ve always wanted to go in one. Will you come?’

‘You bet I will!’ Keith exclaimed, his eyes dancing.

‘That’s great. And we’re all dressing up forties style,’ Patti told him.

‘Brilliant! I’ve got a fedora and a trench coat. I’ll go and get them.’

Mary looked amused as he hurried out of the room. ‘I’ve spent the last few months trying to coax Keith to go out and all it’s taken is the promise of a ride in a classic car. Leo, you’re a genius!’