Page 47 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

SANDRA

Sandra sat outside the casita, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Patti had taken Rags for a walk with Leo and Coco, and Mary had invited her over to the house; but she wanted to give her and Keith some time alone.

It seemed that their rocky period was over and they were back in tune with each other.

She and Patti had walked in on them smooching in the kitchen yesterday, which was endearing but she didn’t want to invade their privacy again.

And it had been obvious that Patti and Leo were getting close too.

Although both couples were going out of their way to include her, Sandra was beginning to feel like a spare part.

What was it Honey called it – ‘a third wheel’.

She’d had a lovely time, and was glad that she’d come with Patti, but she was ready to go back now.

Go back to what though? She’d enjoyed the company whilst she’d been over here, and having places to go, but now she had to go back to an empty house and make a decision on what she did next.

She picked up her phone to check the Old Gals Insta account and noticed that she had a WhatsApp message – she hadn’t heard that come in.

She opened it up and saw that it was the swimming group chat and there was a string of messages – she’d muted the chat while she was away.

She scrolled through the messages; sharing news and asking if they were having a good time, Beryl said it was her birthday on Thursday and she was inviting everyone to her house for a little party after the swimming lessons.

They would be back home by then so it was something to look forward to.

Sid had a glut of cabbages and asked if anyone wanted some.

Sandra sent a quick text apologising for not reading the messages earlier, replying that they were having a wonderful time, and she’d love a cabbage please She added that she’d be at Beryl’s party and was sure Patti would too, but she was out at the moment, and that they’d both catch up with them all on Thursday.

Thank goodness for the swimming club, the messages had cheered her up a bit, reminding her that she had friends back at home.

She checked the Insta account, they had over 5,000 followers now and there were several comments about the photos, with people sharing their own photos too. That lifted her spirits as well.

She had no idea what she was going to do when she got back but she did know that she had to keep busy. There was no point in moping around.

What she needed was something to look forward to.

Like going to Australia to see Becky. That was the thing she wanted to do most, top of her bucket list. She’d achieved so much in the past couple of months, she’d had a tattoo, had her ears pierced, learnt to swim, gone on a jet ski – and what an experience that was!

– a speedboat and with Patti at the helm!

Surely, she could catch a plane and go on a flight to Australia. What was stopping her?

She looked at the tattoo just above her wrist. ‘Embrace change, live life.’

She could do this.

She picked up her phone and started checking flights.

Twenty-two hours it took to get to Australia.

She could take something to read, and Hogan had told her that there was plenty of legroom on the long-haul flights.

They’d saved the money for the trip, it was still in the bank, although she’d be going by herself not with Brian, as planned.

She was going to do it. She was determined to.

She went inside the casita, poured herself a cold lemonade, grabbed a book and started reading to pass the time.

A couple of hours later she heard Rags barking. Patti was back. That was a long walk. She waited where she was, giving Patti chance to talk to Keith and Mary. A little later Patti came over to casita. ‘Hello, have you had a restful morning? Mary said you were having some “me” time.’

Sandra looked up from the book. ‘It’s been very relaxing. How did your walk go? You must have covered some distance.’

Patti flushed and sat down on the chair next to her.

‘Leo invited me back for a drink and to see the picture of his mother – it’s a painting actually of both his parents and is really stunning.

I can see where he gets his good looks from.

’ She gushed. ‘His house is lovely, and he’s such good company.

He used to be a dentist, you know. And his wife died in a car accident and he’s got three kids but they live in Northern Spain.

You should see his garden, he’s got chickens and all sorts of veg growing there.

Even pomegranates.’ She paused for breath.

‘You two have really hit it off, haven’t you?’ Sandra asked. ‘Will you keep in touch when you go back home?’

Patti sighed and leant on the table, resting her chin on her hands. ‘We haven’t talked about it. To be honest, I’d love to keep in touch, but what would be the point? Leo’s home is here and mine is in the UK. Although he did say he’d miss me and asked me if I would come back again.’

‘And will you miss him?’

‘He’s good company and really interesting to talk to.’ Patti glanced at her watch. ‘Goodness, is that the time. Sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you alone for so long.’

‘I don’t mind at all. I’ve had a lovely time sitting here reading. This holiday has been wonderful, but I never expected you to spend every minute with me.’

‘Are you sure? I was a bit worried that you might be feeling left out.’ Patti poured herself a glass of lemonade. ‘Now, what’s been happening?’

‘Have you checked the WhatsApp swimming group chat?’ Sandra filled her in.

‘No to cabbages but yes to the party. We’ve got ourselves a great little bunch of friends there, haven’t we?’

‘We have. I’m quite looking forward to going back and seeing everyone again.

’ She’d had a really great time, but she’d be glad to be back in her own house, and to see Kali and Rana and Don and Laila, of course.

They’d all be leaving soon, she wanted to make the most of the time they’d got left together.

‘Me too,’ Patti said, but Sandra had the feeling that her friend was much fonder of Leo than she was letting on, and wasn’t looking forward to going home as much as Sandra was.