Page 44 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

PATTI

Patti woke up on Saturday feeling a bit restless.

It had been a warm night and even with the aircon on it had been difficult to sleep.

She went over to the window, opened the blinds and looked out into the little garden.

She was having such a marvellous time here.

She didn’t want to go home. She would miss Mary and Keith and this gorgeous house. And Leo.

She was falling for him which was ridiculous as she barely knew him. But he’d been so kind and was such fun. And the way he looked at her with those rich, brown eyes made her heart flutter.

Don’t be silly, he’s being friendly because you’re Keith’s sister.

But Keith and Mary had said that he was interested in her.

What if he was? Nothing would come of it. She and Sandra were going home on Wednesday.

The thought made her feel sad.

She went into the kitchen, there was no sign of Sandra so she must be still asleep.

Patti had been pleased to see how her friend had relaxed over the holiday.

And how much she’d joined in. She smiled to herself as she recalled their little spat because Sandra had got cold feet about going on the jet ski, but she’d totally rocked it.

It was good to see her friend enjoying her life again.

She poured herself a glass of orange and went out into the garden to drink it, savouring the smells of citrus mingled with various floral scents, the sounds of the birds and the early sun shimmering on the pool.

Time was ticking. She was looking forward to the flamenco dancing tonight and then tomorrow Mary was taking them for a ride out.

There were no plans for Monday, as yet, but they were doing the Caminito del Rey walk on Tuesday.

She really, really wanted to do this. And she was really, really terrified.

When she’d looked at the images, the pathway was so high up she’d felt faint.

She couldn’t look at them any more or she would back out.

And she didn’t intend to do that. No way.

She would keep to the cliffside and not even glance at the huge drop below, she told herself.

‘Morning, you’re an early bird.’ Sandra came out, yawning and stretching. ‘What a beautiful day!’

‘Isn’t it? Keith and Mary are so lucky to be living here.’ Patti sighed.

‘Oh dear, do I take it that you aren’t looking forward to going home?’ Sandra pulled out the chair opposite Patti and sat down.

‘It’s just such a different life, isn’t it? The sun, the pool, all the lovely places to go and visit.’

‘Not forgetting the very handsome Leo.’

Patti shot a glance at Sandra who was smiling teasingly at her. ‘Is it that obvious?’

‘It’s clear that you both like each other.’

Both like each other. Was it really possible that Leo was attracted to her, like she was to him?

She shrugged. ‘I’m too old in the tooth for a holiday romance.’

‘I’m amazed to hear that you consider yourself too old for anything!’ Sandra replied. ‘What about “grabbing life by the horns”?’

‘“Life” not “love”. And we live in different countries, remember?’ She got up. ‘I’m going for a swim in the pool. It’s a shame to waste such a lovely day.’

She’d just got out of the pool and was sitting on the side drying her hair when Leo came by with Coco. For a moment Patti felt awkward at being in her swimming costume then she thought, damn it, I am what I am and pasted a big smile on her face.

‘Buenos, Patti. You like an early swim?’ he said.

‘Morning, Leo. Yes, I do, it livens me up for the day.’ She wrapped the towel around her hips and stood up. ‘Are you off to walk Coco?’

‘Yes, I wondered if anyone wanted to join us?’ he asked.

Mary came out of the big house. ‘Morning, Leo. I’m afraid me and Keith are a bit busy at the moment. Perhaps you could take Rags for a walk with Leo, Patti? Would you mind? He could do with some exercise as we’ll be out later and he’ll be home alone.’

Talk about perishing obvious! Patti felt a little awkward at Mary’s attempt to push her and Leo together but Leo’s smile had widened.

‘That would be delightful. If you would like to, Patti.’

So of course she agreed. ‘Give me a few minutes to get changed,’ she said.

‘I’m wondering what to wear for the flamenco dancing tonight,’ Patti said as they walked along with the little dogs. ‘We only came with a small case each so no space for party dresses.’

‘There is no need to worry, it is – how do you say? Smartly casual. Only the dancers will be dressed up.’

‘Yes, I’ve seen the outfits, they’re very showy, aren’t they?’ Patti replied. ‘You know, I’d love to be able to do a dance like that. It’s one of the things on my bucket list, to learn a new dance.’

‘And what else is left on your bucket list?’ Leo asked, stopping to let Coco off the lead so she could run free now they were out of the residential area.

Patti let Rags off the lead too. ‘To get over my fear of heights,’ she said. ‘That’s why we’re going on the Caminito del Rey on Tuesday. I admit I’m terrified.’

‘The thought is scary, I can see that. But I have walked it a few times and I assure you that it is safe.’

‘I’ll take your word for it,’ she said.

‘You will be okay, you are very brave. I admire you,’ Leo said softly.

Patti raised her eyes to his and swallowed. He was looking at her so tenderly.

He’s being friendly, kind. Don’t read more into it.

‘Brave? I’m guessing Mary and Keith have told you about my cancer?’

He nodded. ‘It is a lot to go through.’

‘It is, but that doesn’t make me brave. I survived – kicking, screaming and protesting about the unfairness of it all. And now I’m picking up the pieces and trying to rebuild my life.’

‘I think you are more than rebuilding it. You are embracing it,’ Leo told her. ‘And that is a wonderful thing to do.’

‘Thank you.’ Patti felt her cheeks burn and tore her gaze away and looked over at Rags who was now rolling in the grass so that Leo wouldn’t see her flaming face. God, she was acting like a teenager on her first date. It was ridiculous. Get a grip, Patti!

‘Do you think I’ll be okay to wear this?’ Sandra asked, holding up a white, floaty maxi dress.

‘I think it’s perfect. Leo said that it’s casual smart. I’m going to wear this,’ Patti held up a calf-length orange and red flared dress with a zig zag hem. ‘I’ve got some orange sandals to match.’

They had both just finished applying their make-up when Mary, dressed in a pair of smart white linen trousers and a floral top, knocked to say that Leo had arrived.

‘We’re ready!’ Patti said. She and Sandra picked up their bags and headed over to the house where Leo and Keith were chatting on the terrace.

‘You look muy hermosas seňoras,’ Leo said, standing up and kissing first Sandra, then Patti on both cheeks, his kiss lingering just a little longer on Patti’s. He said we all look very beautiful, don’t take it personally, she told herself.

Patti couldn’t take her eyes off the dancers.

They were fantastic. The woman was dressed in a red dress that hugged her waist and draped over her hips into a tiered, ruffled skirt.

The sleeves also had ruffles at the wrists and she wore shiny, red patent shoes.

She was holding a small pair of black castanets in one hand.

A man in black flared trousers, white frilled shirt, red cummerbund and black patent shoes was sitting down on a stool, playing a guitar while the woman danced, her hips moving seductively, her hands moving in fluid, circular movements as she clicked the castanets, twisting and turning, her skirt swirling around her as she tapped her feet in time to the music.

Then the owner of the restaurant beckoned Leo forward and Patti’s mouth almost dropped open as the man on the stool handed Leo the guitar.

Leo sat down and started playing amazingly while the man and woman danced together.

The man’s hand movements stronger and more energetic than the woman’s with controlled hip movement, a perfect display of both masculinity and femininity.

Patti watched entranced. The dance ended to enthusiastic applause.

‘Did you know Leo could play the guitar like that?’ Patti whispered to Mary.

She nodded, her eyes shining with fun. ‘He planned it as a surprise for you. He knows the dancers.’

Did Leo know everyone?

‘That was wonderful,’ she said as Leo took his seat again.

‘Gracias. My mother, she was a flamenco dancer,’ he told her. ‘My father used to play the guitar while she danced and he taught me.’

‘I would love to be able to dance like that. It’s a beautiful, sensual dance,’ she said. ‘Do you have any photos of your mother doing the flamenco?’

‘In my house, yes. Perhaps you would like to see them?’

Was he inviting her to his house or offering to bring the photos over to Keith and Mary’s?

‘I’d love to,’ she replied.