Page 7 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

PATTI

‘Yes I think I will.’ Sandra’s brow unpuckered a bit. ‘Thanks for listening. It’s good to have someone to talk to about this.’

‘You’re very welcome.’ Patti smiled. ‘Now let’s forget about what your son wants and think about what you want. What would you like to do with the rest of your life?’

Sandra shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea. Have you?’ She reached for the bottle of wine and topped up both glasses.

‘There’s loads I want to do. I promised myself that if I survived cancer, I would make every moment count.

’ Patti pointed to her tattoo. ‘I’m going to grab life by the horns.

’ She took a gulp of wine. ‘We never ask ourselves what we actually want to do with our lives, do we? When I was married to Adrian we muddled along, worked, raised the kids, plodded on – as most people do. But when death stares you in the face, you wish you’d made more of your life.

’ Another gulp of wine. ‘Surviving cancer has made me focus on what’s important and what isn’t.

Of all the things I was scared to do, that held me back.

Now I want to live, to experience life while I can.

I’ve been given a second chance and I’m not going to waste it.

’ She leaned forward. ‘Do you know I’ve never been on an aeroplane? ’

‘Really?’ Sandra looked surprised. ‘Are you scared of flying?’

Patti nodded. ‘Terrified! But I’m determined to overcome that and visit my brother Keith and his wife Mary in Spain.

They’ve been there a few years and keep asking me over.

Keith had a heart attack a few months ago – he’s okay now but he doesn’t feel up to the trip over here and I’d really like to see him.

I’ve applied for my passport so that’s the first step. ’

‘You must go. It’s not that scary once you’ve done your first flight. Brian and I were going to fly over to Australia to see our daughter Becky later this year.’ She blinked her eyes as she fought back the tears. She’d obviously been looking forward to that trip.

‘Will you go by yourself? Or are you nervous, as it’s such a long trip?’

‘I’m not nervous about flying. Actually, statistically you’re more likely to have an accident driving,’ Sandra told her.

‘I’ve been wanting to go for years. Becky used to work as cabin crew for an Australian airline – that’s how she met Hogan – and could get cheap flights so they’ve been over here a couple of times but we’ve never visited them.

You know what it’s like with work and everything.

We said we’d go when we retired, we talked about it so much.

We were going to spend a couple of months over there, have a bit of a tour around as well as visiting Becky and her family.

’ She bit her lip. ‘I still want to but it’s so difficult, the first time doing everything by myself.

There’s so many first times, Brian’s birthday, Christmas, Easter…

I’ve got through those three but there’s still my birthday, our anniversary… ’

Patti’s heart went out to her. Her divorce had been painful but at least Adrian was still alive, and they both got on reasonably well, whereas Sandra’s beloved husband had died.

‘It’s bound to be, love, but you’re strong.

You can do it.’ She thought back to when they worked in the supermarket together.

Sandra was on Customer Services, and she’d always dealt with everything so calmly.

‘You know, I can! I will! And you must go and see your brother.’ Sandra’s eyes sparkled. ‘We should each make a bucket list. I’d put go to Australia right at the top of mine.’

‘Now that’s a brilliant idea. Why don’t we start writing it now? There might be things we both want to do,’ Patti suggested. ‘I’ve got a notebook and pen in my bag.’

‘And I’ve got one in the kitchen drawer.’ Sandra got up. ‘I think this calls for another bottle of wine.’

Patti fished her notebook and a biro out of her handbag.

Sandra came in with a tray holding another bottle of wine, a small bowl and ice cube tongs plus a notebook and pen. She put it down on the coffee table. ‘It’s not chilled but I’ve brought ice cubes.’

‘Perfect.’ Patti popped a couple of ice cubes in each glass then Sandra filled them with wine.

‘Now we’re all ready to do our bucket lists.’ Sandra opened her notebook and wrote ‘Go to Australia to visit Becky’ at the top.

Patti wrote ‘Get over my fear of flying and go to Spain’ at the top of hers.

‘What a pair of wannabe jet-setters we are!’ Sandra giggled.

‘I’d like to get over my fear of heights,’ Patti said. ‘I can’t even bear to go up a ladder.’ She added that to her list and took a long sip of wine.

‘If you’re going to climb a ladder, then I’d like to learn to swim!’ Sandra blurted out. ‘It’s not that I’m scared of water, but I have no coordination and have never managed it. And while we’re at it, I’ve always wanted to go up in an air balloon.’ She sounded excited.

Patti shuddered. ‘Not me, I’d be petrified. Although I’ve always fancied jet skiing.’

‘I don’t fancy that at all! Mind, I would love to sail across the sea in a motor yacht. That would be amazing.’

‘Me too. Let’s add them to our lists!’ They both wrote these on their list.

‘I’ve always wanted to sit on a beach and watch the sun go down,’ Sandra confessed. ‘It sounds so decadent.’

‘I’m up for that! Especially if cocktails or fizz are included!’ Patti said eagerly.

‘You know, I’d love to be able to make cocktails. I imagine inviting people around for supper and coming up with these amazing creations. I could create a new one, a Sandra Special.’

‘You could add that to your list,’ Patti suggested. ‘I’ll be your cocktail taster.’

‘You’re on!’

‘I fancy trying different foods, something exotic like octopus,’ Patti said.

‘Yuk!’ Sandra pulled a face. She tapped her mouth with her pen.

‘I’d like to get my ears pierced. I’ve always wanted to wear a pair of long, dangly earring.

I’ve got some clip-on ones but they pinch my ears,’ she said.

‘And I rather fancy wearing a hat. A beret maybe? I’m not sure it would suit me though. ’

‘Rubbish, you’d look fabulous in one! I’d love to stop biting my nails. They’re such a mess.’ Patti held out her hands, revealing short, chipped nails. ‘I’d love to grow them and decorate them with those pretty nail gems.’

They both chuckled, downing more wine as they added the things to their list.

‘I’ve always wanted to go to London and see a musical on stage,’ Sandra announced.

‘I wouldn’t mind doing that. Maybe we can go together!’ Patti said.

They both added ‘Going to a musical in London’ to their lists. Then they compared lists.

‘That’s seven each and two joint ones, that’s enough to start us off,’ Patti said. ‘We might be a pair of Old Gals but there’s life in us yet!’ She raised her glass. ‘To the Old Gals’ Bucket Lists!’

Sandra smiled and clinked her glass. ‘The Old Gals’ Bucket Lists,’ she echoed.