Fiona scurried from the room and closed the door behind her.
This was it. The big reveal. Like on telly when youfinallyget to see what Alan’s done with the garden, or the house looks like onGrand Designs, or what the celebrity has cobbled together onMasterChef, but this was more like – Pete, feast your eyes on this – the rest of your life minus me!
‘Yes, that’s right. I’m going to stay with Tom.’
‘Well I must say that’s charming, seeing as you point-blank refuse to go anywhere with me.’ Pete was pacing, circumnavigating the table, until he reached Babs then he turned and went back the other way like he’d met a rabid dog on his journey.
Babs was fast losing grip on her temper and time was ticking. ‘That’s because, and this will sound harsh, but I don’t know how to say it any other way, I don’t want to go on holiday with you Pete, now or ever. Do you understand? I’ve had enough of us and I’m leaving and if and when I decide to come back Iwon’tbe coming back here.’
His mouth dropped open, then clamped shut, then opened again. ‘But… but where will you stay… I don’t get it… I thought this was just a tiff and we’d sort it out like we always do.’
‘NO! Pete. It’s not. And I’m sorry, I truly am, but it’s over. I can’t think of any other way to say it than that. If you want to talk, you can ring me, but I’ve been waiting for you all morning and I need to go.’ There. She’d done it.
‘What do meanit’s over? Babs, what the hell is wrong with you? Is it your menopause sending you doo-bloody-lally because if it is you need to whack some more of that jelly on in fact, use the whole tube if it brings you to your senses.’
The moment of calm after she’d said the words, was replaced by a rush of anger but rather than react to it, she used it as rocket fuel, to eject her out of the building.
Marching down the hall, Pete hot on her heels, she went to grab her handbag from on top of her case, but he beat her to it and before she could react, he’d pulled out the wallet containing her passport and documents before turning and racing up the stairs. She’d never seen him move so fast.
As she screamed at him to give them back he screamed louder, telling her she was going nowhere. The last sound she heard was the bathroom door slamming. The last sound he heard was Babs doing the same with the front door.
* * *
Bridie was furious. Babs was in tears. Pete wasn’t answering his phone to Bridie who was going to give him a piece of her mind.
Babs couldn’t believe he’d taken her things. On the drive to her mum’s, the wheelie case on the back seat jiggled about like a giddy child, asking ‘are we there yet?’ Babs told the case that thanks to knobhead Pete it looked like they weren’t going anywhere fast. Her plan was ruined. The taxi from her mum’s was booked and she needed to check in at the airport.
‘Don’t worry, love, he’ll calm down and we can sort you another flight… in fact no. I’m going round there to give him what for and get your stuff back. Sod this for a game of soldiers.’ Bridie marched into the hall to get her coat when the doorbell rang and when she opened it, Demi and Fiona were on the step.
In Demi’s hands was Babs’ folder. ‘Is Mum okay? I talked some sense into Dad and Fiona drove me round.’
Babs appeared in the hall, wiping her eyes but the sight of Demi and Fiona set her off again.
Demi gave Babs a hug. ‘Mum, stop this. It’s all okay, here.’ Demi passed the folder. ‘But you need to get going or you’ll miss your flight. Do you want Fiona to drive you to the airport?
‘No, no it’s fine. The taxi is due soon and I want to do this next bit by myself and if you come I’ll just get upset. I know I will.’ That was how Babs had imagined it as she’d lain in bed the night before. The next stage in her journey had to be solo.
If she could do this she could do anything.
* * *
The wheelie case was in the boot of the taxi and the driver was raring to go.
Bridie smoothed Babs’ hair from her face like she did when she was little then gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Now, you be brave, young lady, and whatever comes next, we can sort it out step by step, okay. Just remember how proud I am of you, and that all I want is for you is to be happy.’
Fiona stepped forward. ‘Have a safe trip, Babs. I’ll text you all the time and I promise I won’t forget your advice.’ She planted a kiss on Babs, then made way for Demi.
‘Right. No more tears, mardy pants. We’ll be fine here so don’t be worrying about a thing. Get a drink in the bar and on the plane in fact, get wasted and give Uncle Tom something to worry about when he picks you up.’
Demi wrapped her arms around Babs who could only nod into the embrace as she listened to a whispered message.
‘I love you so much. You’re the best Mum in the world forever, so please, go make memories and have fun. I’ll see you soon. Now go!’
Babs did as she was told and was about to go when she remembered. Fishing out her car keys she passed them to Demi. ‘Here, for you. Look after it while I’m away. Gran’s going to sort you some driving lessons and as soon as you pass, you’ll be able to use it.’
Demi bit her lip, took the keys, and nodded.
Without another word, Babs got into the cab and shut the door. As the driver pulled away she turned. Her heart was aching for those she was leaving behind while her head warned her not to chicken out. Before the car rounded a bend she blew one last kiss to three wonderful women, Bridie, Demi, and Fiona, still standing on the pavement, waving goodbye.
