Page 48 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

PATTI

‘I almost wish I was going on the walk too. We always said we’d do it together,’ Keith said as they got ready to go to the Caminito del Rey the next morning.

‘I did ask you to come with us. You didn’t want to,’ Mary reminded him.

‘I know. Well, maybe we can both do it another time.’

Mary folded her arms and cocked her head on to one side. ‘Are you serious? If we could get you a ticket, you’d come with us…?’

‘I would but don’t worry, I know it was my fault and you’re not likely to get a spare ticket at this short notice.’

‘Actually, I’ve got one. I bought an extra ticket in the hope that you might change your mind.’

Keith looked really taken aback. ‘You did?’

‘I did,’ Mary told him. ‘So go and get yourself ready. We’ll be leaving in ten minutes.’

For a moment it looked like Keith was going to say no, but then he nodded. ‘Okay, I will.’

‘Well, that was a turn up for the books!’ Patti exclaimed. ‘Good for you getting an extra ticket. What if Keith had turned it down though?’

Mary shrugged. ‘Then I’d have wasted my money but I thought it was worth taking the chance.

We’ve been saying for years that we’ll go on that walk so I hoped he might come with us at the last minute.

Especially as he’s been out and about the past few days.

And he’s stopped taking his blood pressure every morning,’ she confided. ‘That show’s he’s relaxing a bit now.’

‘I don’t know about relaxing, I’m freaking out!’ Patti said.

‘You’ll be okay. You saw the photos, it’s all been reconstructed and looks perfectly safe,’ Sandra replied. ‘There are barriers everywhere, and everyone has to wear a hard hat.’

‘Which indicates that there’s a need to wear one.’

‘Look, if you really feel that you don’t want to do it when we get there, we’ll sit it out. There’s a café we can sit in it and wait for Mary and Keith to come back.’

Patti wondered if they should do that anyway, Mary and Keith were growing closer and it might be nice to let them do the walk together.

‘You’ll be waiting a couple of hours.’ Mary told her. ‘Besides I really think you’ll regret it if you don’t do it, Patti. We’ll look after you. You can walk close to the cliff wall, then you won’t be looking down.’

‘I’m really nervous but I do want to do it. Especially as I’ve told Kit – she’s jealous as she says she’d love to do that walk – and the swimming group gang.’ She nodded firmly. ‘I’m going to do it.’ She had to. She would regret it if she didn’t.

The Caminito del Rey really was spectacular.

Patti had a bit of a wobbly moment when she saw the narrow paths running along the side of the cliffs of the El Chorro gorge, but once she was walking along it – keeping near the cliff side at first, clutching onto the rope handrail – she started to relax.

There were a lot of other people doing the walk, some older children too, and many of them were peering over the side looking down into the blue waters of the gorge a hundred metres below.

Keith and Mary were fascinated by it all, but Patti kept back a little.

Sandra did too. ‘It’s a bit hairy but I’m glad we’re doing it,’ she whispered.

They even plucked up the courage to stand on the glass platform for a photo.

Crossing the suspension bridge over to the other side was the scariest. Keith went first, then Mary, then Sandra and Patti last. Patti gripped the sides of the bridge and kept her gaze focused on her friends ahead.

Keith with his arm around Mary and Sandra urging her on.

Finally, she stepped off, relieved to have firm ground underneath her feet again.

Mary took a photo. ‘You’ve both done great! I’ve got some amazing photos for your Insta!’

Leo came around later that evening to say goodbye. They had supper out on the terrace, with wine. Leo was sitting opposite Patti and she could feel his eyes upon her. She raised her eyes to meet his for a moment and was taken aback by the intensity she saw in them.

‘Have you both achieved everything on your bucket list?’ he asked.

‘Not yet, the list keeps growing!’ Patti replied. ‘We keep thinking of other things we want to do.’

‘Top of my list is to see my daughter and family in Australia,’ Sandra said. ‘I’ve decided that I’m going this Christmas, as me and Brian planned. I can do it. Becky wants me to spend a couple of months with them. I’ve even started looking into flights!’

‘Good for you,’ Patti told her.

Their flight home wasn’t until mid-morning, so they sat outside talking until fairly late that evening.

Patti didn’t want to go back but resolved that she was definitely going to come again.

It had been good to see Keith and Mary, and their gorgeous home.

Now when they were talking to her about the places they’d been, she could imagine them.

And it had been lovely to meet Leo. They had bonded immediately and it felt so right being with him.

She wished that they’d had more time to talk, to develop their relationship a bit.

Apart from when they walked the two dogs they hadn’t had much time just the two of them, because they’d all gone out together.

Besides, Sandra had come to Spain to support Patti so Patti wasn’t about to ditch her for a man she’d only recently met, no matter how much she liked him.

She went into the kitchen to get a cold drink. Opening the fridge, she took out the home-made lemonade, not wanting to drink any more alcohol as they were flying tomorrow. Suddenly, she was aware that someone was behind her and turning around she saw Leo watching her.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in. Did you want a drink? Or more snacks? Or are you going?’ The words came tumbling out because she didn’t know how she was going to say goodbye to him.

‘I am leaving now, yes, because I want to give you some time with your family and friend.’

‘Oh.’ Her heart sank.

He moved a little closer. ‘It has been good to meet you, Patti. You are fun—’ She was suddenly aware that his eyes were looking into hers and she felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach. ‘And brave, and beautiful.’

Beautiful! She was sixty-eight for goodness’ sake, with a lined face and wrinkly skin. ‘Thanks, I’ll take the fun and brave but…’

‘No buts, you are beautiful.’ He paused, his dark eyes searching her face. ‘I would like us to keep in touch. If you would like that too?’

Would she ever! ‘Facetime you mean? Message each other?’

‘Yes,’ he said solemnly. ‘And maybe we can visit each other too? England is not too far away. A couple of hours on the plane.’

He wanted to see her again. He would even come and visit! She swallowed. ‘I would. Yes. That would be good. Really good.’

His face creased into a smile. ‘You will let me know when you arrive home?’

‘Of course.’ What happened now? Was he talking about them being friends? Or something more? Just ask him, for goodness’ sake, Patti!

‘I will. It’s good that we can remain friends.’

‘Friends?’ He raised his hand and lightly caressed her cheek. ‘I am hoping we can be more than friends. Is that all you want, to be friends?’

I want you to kiss me.

He’d moved a little closer. ‘I was hoping we might kiss before you go.’

‘That sounds good to me!’ Gosh, she hadn’t meant to sound that enthusiastic!

She didn’t know who made the first move, but they were in each other’s arms, kissing, when suddenly someone coughed behind them. It was Mary.

‘About time! I thought you two were going to pussyfoot around each other forever.’ Her face broke into a wide grin. ‘Does this mean you’ll come back and visit us again very soon, Patti?’

Leo kept his arm around Patti as they turned to face her. ‘I think we can visit each other. Maybe, as Patti’s friend is going to Australia for Christmas, Patti might come to Spain then.’

Mary’s grin spread even wider. ‘That’s a wonderful idea.’

Patti walked to the gate with Leo and they kissed goodbye again, lingering with their arms around each other for a while, as if they were both reluctant to let go.

‘Shall I call you tomorrow night or is that too soon?’ he asked, softly.

‘I’d really like that.’ She caressed his cheek with her hand. ‘Adiós.’

He shook his head. ‘Not adiós. Hasta luego – see you soon.’

‘Hasta luego,’ she repeated softly.

Sandra’s eyes were wide with surprise when Patti returned to the terrace.

‘Are you two—?’

‘We’re going to keep in touch.’

‘That’s brilliant. I’m delighted for you both.’ Sandra grinned. ‘I can’t believe that you’ve got yourself a Spanish boyfriend.’ She cocked her head to one side. ‘Is that going on our Insta page? It might remind other older women that they’re not too old for love.’

Patti picked up an apple from the bowl on the table and took a bite. ‘It’s not love. Yet.’ She said with a twinkle in her eye.

Sandra gave her a hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you. You make a great couple.’

‘It’s like being teens all over again, my sister and my best mate!’ Keith said with a grin. ‘Good on ya, Patti!’